As we run up to the US Open again this year the mess of last year’s tournament for Mickelson and Monty looms large again. A couple of months ago I had a real dig at both of them for simply not caring enough to ensure they were fit enough to win – to give themselves every “chance” to win and it remains the most viewed post on my blog. As I’ve said many times I lost a stone and a half and dramatically improved my fitness just so I could make those last four or five holes without tiredness. And that was simply to try and shoot one solitary par round.
In the case of Monty and Phil though this is their life and I still can’t fully grasp why they won’t really do the whole fitness thing. Both skirt around it and come up with grand tales of how much weight they’ve lost but you can’t deny that they’re both still wobbling man-boobed around the course.
In this month’s Golf Digest Arnold Palmer puts it succinctly and obviously from a much greater level of knowledge and credibility than I could ever dream of:
“It interests me how Phil Mickelson is perceived as being too aggressive. It interests me because Tiger is every bit as aggressive as Phil. Look at some of the shots Tiger hits into the green from the wrong fairway, the long shots over the water, the tremendous shots he hits from the trees. There’s been one difference between the two guys, and it’s that Tiger is in good enough shape physically to pull them off. I’m serious. If Phil were in better condition he’d have a lot more success when he goes for broke. He probably has as much raw talent as Tiger, but his body might rob him of a little precision in those situations where he really needs it“
Look at Palmer winning the US Open in 1960. This is a strong, fit man. It is an athlete. In the same way that Tiger is an athlete and in exactly the same way that Geoff Ogilvy is an athlete.
“Now, that’s a good feeling”
“Don’t worry mate – we’ll share a cake afterwards and it’ll all be okay.”
The huge shame of it is that Mickelson’s talent is otherworldly. It is immense and he has a new sense of confidence and belief in his game now that he has hooked up with Butch. But when they tee up on the first day it’s just so hard to look past the fact that he really isn’t giving himself every chance he should. And I think that’s a terrible shame.
Well, this has been a big problem with Phil in the past but he worked out a lot last offseason to get in better shape. He’s no where near Tiger is but things are getting better. Should be really interesting if Phil can step it up with Butch as his coach.
-Victor (http://www.golfrewind.com)
You are, of course, correct in the sense that he is a lot better than last season. But most seasons he starts in better shape and most seasons he just lets it slip. The state he was in at The Ryder Cup last year was ludicrous.
But the issue is more that Phil in better shape is still an unfit man. I’m not a relentless Phil-knocker but it really does frustrate me since his talent is so huge and it needs someone with that level of talent to really take it to Tiger. And that has to be good for golf.
I think the Butch thing is great – although I wonder if it isn’t just a mental thing as much as anything else.
I have to believe that the ONLY reason that Phil continues
to have extra baggage in his mid section is because of a
faulty diet. I don’t hink it is about more aerobic exercise
or weight training, I believ eit is about what he puts in
his mouth! Why can’t he stop overeating? Why does he eat
foods that contribute to his current physical conditioning?
Perhaps some of those answers can be found below. but REGARDLESS,
he is one fun golfer to watch. Hey, Lee Travino could have
lost a couple of pounds and he still was second only to
Nicklaus in the early 80’s and won many major titles.
This is from
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/nutrition/ec_compulsiveeating.htm
Compulsive overeating is characterized by uncontrollable eating followed by feelings of guilt and shame. It is different from bulimia in that it does not involve any purging. While it inevitably results in weight gain, it is also not to be confused with obesity. Not everyone who is overweight has an eating disorder.
Why do it?
While people who compulsively overeat are usually very preoccupied with issues of food, eating, and weight, uncontrollable bouts of eating are an attempt to manage other hidden issues. That is, as a compulsive overeater, you use food to cope with stress, upset, emotional distress, and other problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem). However, the negative feelings blocked by the overeating are only momentarily avoided, as you inevitably feel guilty and shameful about the overeating.
Change
Recovery is completely possible for compulsive overeaters through a gradual process of lifestyle change and with the help of others. Along with the medical, psychological and nutritional assistance helpful to anyone with distorted eating habits, oftentimes groups such as Overeaters Anonymous are very useful.
He would at least keep a higher level of his game over the season if he would be more in shape and fit.
Its suprising but the fast food culture is a fast way to decay.
If I was up there competing with the best in a sport, i do the needed work to find out what it would get me.
Out of shape is however a golf syndrom where the old cigarsmoking halfbelly buttons are becoming fewer and fewer.
It takes a lot to kick the hell out of the ball and to stay on top over a season.