How does Mickelson use meditation and focus to maintain his game?

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Mickelson Utilises Meditation and Focused Training to Enhance Golf Performance

Phil Mickelson employs a multifaceted approach to maintain his competitive edge, integrating meditation, deep breathing exercises, and rigorous training routines. He views his mind as a muscle that requires consistent conditioning, aiming to increase the duration of his meditation sessions. This mental discipline is complemented by physical strategies, including a six-day fast and coffee consumption, which he uses to reset his metabolism and achieve a leaner physique. Mickelson's dedication to these practices underscores his commitment to performing at the highest level despite his age.
Meditation and Deep Breathing for Concentration

Mickelson utilizes meditation and deep breathing techniques to achieve and sustain intense focus on challenging golf courses. This practice was particularly evident at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course, where he remained composed, taking deliberate breaths between shots. Such methods are recognised as meditative practices that aid in maintaining concentration, especially on demanding courses that are historically the longest in major championships.
Rigorous Training to Sharpen Mental Acuity

To hone his mental sharpness, Mickelson engages in intensive training sessions that sometimes involve playing two full rounds of golf in a single day. His approach involves concentrating on each individual shot during these extended practice sessions. The objective is to make playing a standard 18-hole round feel less demanding by comparison, thereby enhancing his overall ability to focus under pressure.
Mind as a Muscle Analogy

Mickelson likens the mind to a muscle, suggesting that its capabilities can be strengthened through consistent effort and specific exercises. He aims to "elongate the time that I end up meditating," indicating a strategic effort to build mental endurance. This perspective aligns with a growing understanding in sports psychology that mental fortitude, much like physical strength, can be systematically developed.
Metabolic Reset Through Fasting and Coffee

Beyond mental conditioning, Mickelson has adopted a regimen to physically prepare himself, which includes a six-day fast where he consumed only coffee and water. This practice was undertaken to achieve a "hard reset" of his metabolism. The outcome of this fasting period was a significant weight loss of 15 pounds, resulting in a leaner and more formidable physical presence, which he believes contributes to his performance.

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How does Mickelson use meditation and focus to maintain his game?

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