Why does Phil Mickelson play left-handed? Real reason behind the move

Due to his remarkable performances on the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson is considered one of the best golfers of all time. By playing with his left hand, he sets himself apart from the other competitors on the field. Given that most golfers swing with their right hands, the fact that he can use his left hand to make contact with the ball is extremely remarkable.

Why does Phil play with his left hand instead of his right? The truth of the matter is that he picked up golf skills by watching and emulating his father when he was a kid.

Phil Mickelson's early years and inspiration

P. Mickelson's passion for the game of golf dates back to his childhood. The fact that his father was a golf enthusiast had a significant impact on his childhood in San Diego. He grew up watching his father practice his golf swing, which sparked his interest in the sport. He taught himself how to play golf by watching his father, and the parents then learned very quickly that their kid had a natural talent for the game.

His mother, Mary, said,

"When he was not quite 2, he used to come down the stairs, arms full of balls, and a club. He had so many balls in his arms that they would go bouncing down the stairs. We all laughed and thought it was cute. But we figured he’d eventually get bored with it."

Learning to play left-handed

By watching his father play the game, Mickelson was able to pick up the fundamentals of golf. But, because his father was right-handed, he had a natural instinct to imitate the movements with his left hand. Phil invested a lot of time and effort over the years into trying to play the way his father did, and as a direct result, Phil is an amazing left-handed golfer.

Mary said,

"We didn’t realize it at the time, and when we did, we tried to teach him to swing right-handed but it was too late. He had such a natural swing, even at that age."

Left-handed advantage for Phil

Playing left-handed made Mickelson stand out quickly from the other players. As he continued to get better, he came to the realization that the fact that he was left-handed gave him a huge advantage over his competitors.

Because the vast majority of golf courses are laid out for right-handed players, left-handed golfers like Mickelson enjoy the advantage of being able to often change their stance and swing in order to accommodate the course. Playing left-handed provided him with a mental edge that helped him perform better on the field.

Psychological edge

Mickelson's ability to utilize his left hand offered him an incalculable psychological advantage. Playing with his left hand made him even more notable than he already was. He therefore had an advantage over his opponents, who did not always know how to play against a left-handed player.

The bond with his father

Phil Mickelson was able to improve his left-handed golfing as a direct result of his close connection with his father. After seeing his father play golf, he decided to give it a try himself with his left hand since he was mirroring him, which only served to deepen his respect for his father. As his career advanced, his father became his most ardent supporter, and as a result, the two of them grew closer to one another.

Conclusion

Ever since he was a young child, Phil Mickelson has used his left hand in his golf swing to imitate the motion of his father. Although he was left-handed, which was an advantage for him on the course, the fact that he had a strong relationship with his father was the primary factor that led to his success.

Phil demonstrates his gratitude to his father by showing appreciation of playing with his left hand for everything that his father has taught him. This exemplifies how inspiration works and highlights the value of maintaining healthy connections within the context of the home.