What Did Phil Mickelson Say About Golf?

Phil Mickelson has never been shy about sharing his opinion, and for decades, his words have shaped how we think about playing golf. From his aggressive on-course mantras to his recent critiques that redefined the professional tour landscape, what Phil says matters. This article breaks down his most impactful statements, translating his philosophies on power, short-game magic, and even controversy into practical advice that can help you on the course.

"I Hit Bombs": Phil Mickelson's Philosophy on Power and the Driver

Perhaps no phrase is more associated with modern Phil Mickelson than "hitting bombs." It became his mantra, a calling card for his aggressive, go-for-broke style off the tee. But this isn't just about swinging out of your shoes, it’s a complete strategic philosophy. Phil believes the driver is a massive advantage, and capitalizing on birdie opportunities created by long drives outweighs the risk of the occasional wild shot. He's not just hitting bombs, he's swinging with a confident, aggressive intent.

Applying Phil's Power Philosophy to Your Game

As a coach, I see so many amateurs who are afraid of their driver. They try to steer it or guide it, resulting in short, weak shots. To adopt a bit of Phil's mindset, we need to reframe our goal. The objective isn't to *not miss*, it's to swing with freedom and let the club do its job. Here's how you can start hitting your own version of "bombs":

• Focus on a "Long and Loose" Swing: A cornerstone of Phil's power technique is the idea of keeping the arms long, loose, and an extension of the body's rotation. Tension is the enemy of speed. On the practice range, try making your backswing feel as wide as possible, stretching your hands away from your chest. This creates a bigger arc and, consequently, more potential for clubhead speed without extra effort.
• Use Your Body as the Engine: Phil generates power from the ground up, using his body's rotation. Amateurs often get this backward, trying to create speed by forcefully swinging their arms. Instead, feel like your torso turn initiates the backswing, and the unwinding of your hips and torso powers the downswing. The arms are just along for the ride. A great feeling is to imagine you're skipping a stone - the motion is fluid and fast at the release point, not violent from the beginning.
• Swing *Through* the Ball, Not *At* It: The fastest point of a good golf swing happens *after* the ball is gone. Try to hear the "whoosh" of your driver cutting through the air on the target side of the ball. This mental cue encourages you to accelerate through impact, a trademark of all great drivers of the ball, including Phil.

The "Phlop" Shot: What Phil Taught Us About Short Game Creativity

Long before "hitting bombs," Phil was famous for his wizardry around the greens, epitomized by his signature "Phlop" shot. Seeing Phil standing over a ball buried in deep rough, with only a few feet of green between him and the pin, was high-drama theater. He wouldn't just get it on the green, he’d send it soaring impossibly high, only to have it land with the softness of a falling leaf. The flop shot is more than just a technique, it’s a mindset of creative problem-solving. It’s about seeing a solution where others only see an obstacle.

A Practical Guide to the Amateur's Flop Shot

The flop shot can be intimidating, but it's a valuable tool when you have an obstacle to carry and very little green to work with. The key is knowing how to execute it and, just as important, when to attempt it (and when not to). You need a fluffy lie, trying this from a tight, hardpan lie is asking for a skull across the green.

Here’s a simplified breakdown inspired by "Lefty" himself:

1. The Setup is Everything: Start with a wide stance, which lowers your center of gravity and creates a stable base. This is a big-muscle shot, not a flick of the wrists.
2. Open the Face, Then The Grip: Here's the most common mistake golfers make. They take their normal grip and then try to rotate their hands to open the face. Don't do that. First, lay the club a on the ground with the face wide open, pointing significantly to the right of your target (for a righty). Then, take your normal grip on the open-faced club. Now your body can aim left of the target to compensate, and the path of your swing will send the ball towards the hole.
3. The Swing: Speed is Your Friend: The thought of a long, fast swing so close to the green is scary, but deceleration is what causes thinned or chunked shots. You must commit and accelerate through the ball. Think of your swing shape as a long "U" rather than a sharp "V". You want to feel the sole of the club - the "bounce" - sliding under the ball and "thumping" the ground. This, combined with speed, is what gets the ball to pop straight up.

"Making the Gaps Smaller": Phil's Approach to Putting Mastery

Phil once said, "A good putter becomes a great putter by making the gaps smaller." This statement perfectly captures his methodical and almost scientific approach to the greens. It's not about the highlight-reel 50-footers. It's about eliminating costly mistakes. It means turning sure 3-putts into tap-in 2-putts. It's about knowing your putt from 5 feet is virtually automatic. That’s how you consistently lower scores.

How to "Make the Gaps Smaller" in Your Putting

Adopting this mindset means focusing on process and practicing with purpose. This is where you can make the most significant gains in your game without changing your swing at all.

• The 'Gap' of Aim: Don’t focus on the distant hole. Phil is known for picking an intermediate target - a blade of grass, an old ball mark - just a foot or two in front of his ball that lies on his intended line. His only goal is to roll the ball over that spot. This simplifies the task enormously and takes the pressure off "making" the putt, shifting the focus to starting the ball on the right line.
• The 'Gap' of Speed: Phil’s love for a good putting drill is no secret. One of his favorites is the "Ladder Drill." Find a straight, 10-foot putt. Place tees at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 feet from the hole. You start at the 3-foot mark and have to make it before moving to the 4-foot mark, and so on. If you miss, you start over. This drill builds incredible pressure-proofing and forces you to focus on line and speed command within that critical scoring distance.
• Create a Consistent Roll: One of Mickelson's old-school techniques is a slight "forward press" - a subtle push of the hands toward the target right before the stroke begins. For many golfers, this a simple move that helps promote a slight upward strike on the ball, getting it to roll end-over-end sooner instead of skidding. A better roll means a more predictable putt.

"Obnoxious Greed" and a "Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity": Phil on LIV Golf

No discussion of what Phil Mickelson has said about golf would be complete without mentioning his move to LIV Golf. His comments were a seismic event in the sporting world. He called the PGA Tour's handling of players' media rights "obnoxious greed" while simultaneously acknowledging Saudi Arabia's "scary" human rights record, framing LIV as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."

Understanding the Controversy

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it’s important to understand the context of his statements. For years, Phil advocated for players to have more control and ownership of their likeness, including their own media highlights. He believed players created the product and should be compensated accordingly. Essentially, he saw an opportunity with LIV Golf not just for a larger payday, but to leverage a rival tour to force a change in the established structure of professional golf.

His words, however polarizing, did exactly that. They ignited a firestorm that fundamentally altered player compensation, tour schedules, and the very power dynamics of professional golf. Love him or hate him for it, when Phil Mickelson spoke up, the entire game was forced to listen and evolve. For the average golfer, this inside baseball is a reminder that Phil’s impact extends far beyond his performance inside the ropes, his words have the power to reshape the entire sport.

Final Thoughts

Phil Mickelson's voice has been a constant in golf for over 30 years. His words have provided a clear philosophy for everything from smashing the driver with confidence to finessing the flop shot with creative flair. Whether mentoring, opining, or protesting, his statements have consistently left a lasting mark on the game.

Emulating Phil's on-course creativity and strategic thinking can feel out of reach, but having expert-level guidance is more accessible than ever. That's why Caddie AI is designed to give you that same confident, expert-level feedback right in your pocket. Whether you're facing a tricky lie and need advice on playing a high, soft shot like Phil's or you're just unsure about the best strategy for a tough par 5, our AI analyzes your situation and provides a clear plan, just as a world-class caddie would. I want to help you take the guesswork out of the game so you can play with the smart confidence that has defined Phil's legendary career.