Phil Mickelson, one of golf’s most creative and enduring talents, relies on a very specific set of grips to support his legendary hands and powerful swing. For years, he has trusted Golf Pride's MCC family of grips, currently using the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align model on his clubs. This article breaks down exactly why Lefty chooses this particular grip, the subtle modifications he makes, and, most importantly, the valuable lessons you can apply to your own game by understanding his thought process.
Walk up to Phil Mickelson’s tour bag and inspect his clubs, and you’ll find a consistent setup from his driver down to his wedges. The grip of choice is the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align. But to truly understand why this grip works for him, we need to look at its three key technologies, because each one plays a specific role in supporting his world-class game.
The "MCC" stands for "Multi-Compound Cord," which is the grip's defining feature. It’s a hybrid grip designed to deliver two different types of performance in one.
The "Plus4" and "Align" elements are modern innovations that address common swing issues. Phil's adoption of these shows his constant search for any small advantage.
Choosing a grip isn’t just about comfort, it’s a calculated equipment decision. As a coach, when I see a player like Phil use a grip this specific, it tells a story about his swing and what he’s trying to accomplish. His choice of the MCC Plus4 Align is a masterclass in matching equipment to a player’s unique mechanics.
Phil has always been known for his "active hands" and incredible feel, especially around the greens. He’s not a player who tries to take his hands completely out of the swing, he uses them to shape shots and produce magic. The hybrid MCC grip is perfect for this.
The firm cord in his upper (left) hand gives him a secure anchor. His left hand and arm are responsible for creating the swing's width and controlling the club path. He needs to know that no matter the weather, sweat, or pressure, that connection will not fail. There can be no slipping. Meanwhile, the softer rubber on his lower hand provides the delicate feedback needed to hit feathery soft lobs or nippy, spinning chips. It’s the best of both worlds: stability for the full swing and a surgeon's touch for the short game.
This is a HUGE concept for amateurs. Many golfers, especially those who tend to hook or pull the ball, have an overactive bottom hand (the right hand for a right-handed player). Traditional grips have a significant taper, meaning they are much thinner at the bottom. To feel secure, golfers often grip much tighter with their bottom hand, which can cause that hand to "flip" or roll over aggressively through impact, closing the clubface.
By using the "Plus4" design, Phil reduces the need to squeeze with his right hand. The thicker lower profile fills his hand more completely, promoting a lighter, more neutral grip pressure. This helps to quiet his right hand, preventing it from overpowering his swing. It allows him to release the club with his body and arms in a powerful, synchronized sequence, rather than with a late-game-saving flip of the hands. It’s a smart way to find effortless power while maintaining control.
Here’s a detail that many observers miss. For much of his career, Phil has had his grips installed in a non-standard way: a technique called "long gripping," where the grip is stretched during installation to be about an inch longer than standard.
Why does he do this? He’s not trying to make the club longer. Instead, it provides him with more usable grip area at the bottom. Phil is famous for choking down on his clubs to control distance and trajectory. From knockdown iron shots to flighted fairway woods, he constantly changes where his hands sit on the club. By stretching the grip, he ensures that even when he chokes down an inch or two, his lower hand remains fully on the comfortable, functional part of the grip, not on the slippery, bare steel shaft. It’s a subtle but brilliant modification that supports his creative, feel-based approach to shot-making.
You may not have Phil's swing or his short game, but you can absolutely learn from his meticulous approach to his grips. This isn't about running out and buying the exact same grips he uses. It's about understanding why he uses them and applying that logic to find what’s best for you.
Grips are not just colored rubber sleeves, they are a vital piece of performance equipment. They are your only connection to the golf club. Choosing the right ones can impact feel, comfort, swing path, and clubface control. Don't just settle for whatever came stock on your clubs. Think about an assessment: What are your swing tendencies? What conditions do you play in? Answering these questions is the first step.
Phil's use of the Plus4 underscores the importance of grip size. Getting this right can have a noticeable effect on your shots.
Actionable Tip: You don’t need to regrip your whole set at once. Go to a golf-fitter and ask them to install a midsize or Plus4-style grip on just your 7-iron. Take it to the range alongside your old grip and see how it feels and what it does to your ball flight. It's a small investment for potentially valuable feedback.
The MCC's hybrid texture is perfect for Phil a player who needs both grip and feel. Think about your needs.
Your grips are like the tires on your car - they wear out. A general rule of thumb from coaches is to regrip your clubs once a year or every 40 rounds of golf. When grips become hard, cracked, or slick from use, your body instinctively compensates by grabbing them tighter. This added tension is a swing-killer. It restricts your arms, wrists, and shoulders, robbing you of power and feel.
Regripping your clubs is often the cheapest and most effective way to make your old clubs feel brand new and improve your game.
Phil Mickelson's choice of the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align grip is a deliberate strategy to balance the demands of power and finesse. He uses the hybrid texture, thicker lower hand, and consistent alignment ridge to complement his natural strengths while managing his swing tendencies. His example is an excellent reminder that our grips are the foundation for every shot we hit.
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