WATCH: Phil Mickelson's bizarre new 'STOP-START' putting stroke

Mickelson continues to tinker on the greens, but Sky Sports instructor Simon Holmes DOES NOT recommend you try this at the weekend...

Andy Roberts's picture
Fri, 17 Jul 2020
Social media reacts to Phil Mickelson's BIZARRE new putting stroke

Another week on the PGA Tour, and there has been yet more tinkering on the putting green from Phil Mickelson. 

At last week's Workday Charity Open, Mickelson was seen whipping out his driver on the putting green to practice his stroke. This week, once again back at Muirfield Village for this week's Memorial Tournament, the four-time major champion was seen taking a bizarre pause during his putting stroke. Watch the video below...

 

 

Mickelson's new stroke shocked commentators and golf fans on social media during the live day one coverage.

Golf Channel's Terry Gannon said during the broadcast: "Oh man, that is... that is something."

Lefty went on to shoot a level-par 72 on day one at Muirfield Village, and he ranked 39th in strokes-gained putting (0.893). 

"This is putting stroke version number 350 at the moment, and the most unusual we've had so far," said Sky Sports Golf instructor Simon Holmes.

"There is a lot of stuff going on here. It starts off with a pencil grip, a full pause, and he then releases it through. 

"He's got lots of movement going on. He's first got his old traditional alignment and his normal grip, then he goes into the pencil grip. He takes it back and it's a total pause. 

WATCH: SIMON HOLMES EXPLAINS MORE ABOUT PHIL MICKELSON'S BIZARRE NEW 'STOP-START' PUTTING STROKE

"In his old stroke, the mistake stroke was a big forward press, and a lot of lag. He wants to take that out. The pause is one way of doing that, however, it's difficult to get an awareness of speed from a total pause. Where does that stroke come from?

"This for me is the total opposite. The biggest key on super fast greens (as is the case this week) is to keep flow in your stroke.

"I honestly believe if you are even contemplating trying this on Saturday or Sunday, this is one of Phil's versions of putting strokes not to try."

Former PGA Tour pro turned golf analyst Colt Knost tweeted during the coverage: "Ummm did my TV freeze or is Phil Mickelson stopping his putting stroke on the way back?"

"This is clearly a quick fix for getting the yips, but this is something he should save for the practice green in my view," said GolfMagic equipment editor Jack Seddon.  

"He might sink a few here and there, but he will end up pushing the putter off-line more often than not. I can't see this stroke lasting too much longer."

One golf fan wrote on Twitter: "Not helping a lot. He missed some serious short putts again, needs serious help."

Another golf fan commented: "Raise your hand if you think that lasts beyond this tourney."

The new putting stroke comes just days after Mickelson stuck his driver between his arms to practice his putting stroke.

It led to a flurry of golf fans racing onto Twitter to question whether it was a legal move, but GolfMagic's resident PGA Rules Panel Member, Ashley Weller, cleared up any confusion on the matter. 

"It's equipment not a training aid so Phil can do it as long as not for a stroke," Weller told GolfMagic. "It's like swinging two clubs to loosen up."

Weller also revealed the exact point of it: "Getting his shoulders rocking square to the line you can see from the driver shaft if you're opening shoulders through the strike."

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