Guide for Beginning Golfers

After winning The Masters a few weeks back, Phil Mickelson has emerged once again as the ace golfer he was predicted to be early in his career, some 15 years ago and it appears he may be ready to take possession of the # 1 spot. His victory at The Masters in 2004 and 2006 got a major monkey off his back as he was  winless in the major golf tournaments up until that point. His third Masters victory this year also solidified his place in golf history with notables like Jimmy Demaret, Nick Faldo, Gary Player and Sam Snead who also had three Masters victories during their golf careers. Only Arnold Palmer and  Tiger Woods with four and and Jack Nicklaus who has six have more wins at this prestigious golf tournament. Tiger Woods will not go quietly as he is still a force to be reckoned with and he will not easily resign himself to second place. The only way that Phil Mickelson has a chance is if he believes in himself  as he did so successfully in The Masters. He is the only player in the modern era of golf who has excelled to a point where he can possibly fill the slot that no one has been capable of achieving since Tiger’s arrival on the scene over ten years ago.

The advantage that Phil Mickelson has it that he is still a young man with all the skills he needs to win again. When Tiger Woods presented Phil Mickelson with the Green jacket in April of 2006 it was a great day in golf. The world’s two greatest golfers of the modern era shared back to back victories as Tiger Woods had won the Masters the previous year in 2005. Phil was also the victor in his second major, the PGA, that same year. His four wins in the major golf tournaments since 2004 have provided him with the confidence he needs to win more majors even though he let the U.S. Open at Winged Foot and Bethpage get away. Phil has finally found the zone and his putting stroke as he has stood toe to toe with Tiger on a few occasions recently, like the WGC last year, just prior to Tiger’s sex scandal, and this year’s Masters and has come out on top. If he can maintain this momentum he may put another major or two under his belt before this golf season is over, which is what the sport so desperately needs right now.  Tiger has lost the respect of some fans, his sponsors and his peers and justifiably so. I was a huge fan and had never expected Tiger Woods to become embroiled in such a scandal as he appeared to be almost superhuman in his golf career and personal life. Since he has shown the frailty of being a mere mortal he may have left the door open for another golf hero to emerge and I can think of none other more deserving than Phil Mickelson.  

I have also been very impressed with the play of Tom Watson and Fred Couples, who are 60 and 50 respectively and who have played some of the best golf of their careers as of late. Their performance in this years Masters is a good for instance as Fred Couples finished in sixth place and Tom Watson placed tied for 18th, an incredible feat for both of them at their age. It is my guess that Tom Watson’s spectacular showing in last years British Open at age 59, where he finished second to Stewart Cink in a four hole playoff, after tying in the final round, has given him and other players nearing or in the senior tour age bracket the confidence they need to realize they can still remain competitive regardless of their years. I wholeheartedly agree with this point of view and I know I would not allow age to affect my thought process if the skills and health requirements to hit golf balls and score well were still intact.

I have a premonition that this year in golf will be one of the best we have seen in a while where the cream will rise to the top. As I have noted in past posts I had been disappointed in the majors last year but 2010 has started off with a bang. I am rooting for Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson, one helluva golfer, and Fred Couples as they have earned the respect and admiration they deserve on and off the golf course. I also want to close by wishing Amy Mickelson well as she has been an inspiration for husband Phil and all women fighting the debilitating disease of breast cancer. Go Amy, Go Phil. Happy Golfing to All!

Tags: Golf Tips for Beginners, Phil Mickelson, The Masters, Tiger Woods

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