It’s the final hole at the 2004 Masters Championship and Phil Mickelson’s chances of winning seem all but over. What happened next is golf history. At the final hole Phil pulls off a miraculous 18 foot (5 metre) birdie putt to win the trophy, his first major title.

He has since won the Masters twice more, has won five majors in total to date, alongside winning over 50 tournaments during a glittering career. Quite simply, he is one of the greatest golfers of his generation.

However, it could have been so different. ‘Lefty’ had an abysmal 2003 season and critics had dubbed him, “the best golfer to never win a major.” Mickelson needed to discover something to reach the next level in his pro career, and he found it in mixed martial arts – or, at least, a mix of martial arts anyway.

Mickelson believes working with Jackie Burke Jr, a golfing legend as well as a judo teacher and black belt in taekwondo was the foundation.

And martial arts also inspired a second career rebirth three years later. In 2006, despite winning his second green jacket at The Masters, he went 0-4-1 at another disappointing Ryder Cup, including blowing a three-shot lead in the final two holes.

This time he turned to Sean Cochran, a fitness expert working with baseball’s San Diego Padres, now a third-degree black belt in taekwondo. And Mickelson turned things around again. He credits his training for helping him to be refreshed and excited about the golf once more, as well as getting in better shape, building core strength and improving balance.

The benefits of martial arts for the golf game are not just limited to the pros, though. California resident Ryan White started the Black Belt Golf program in Palm Desert, California, after becoming a second-degree black belt in taekwondo. The aim of his system is to help the golfer realize their full potential by incorporating the benefits of practicing martial arts. “If you look at a top martial artist, a person can see they are in fantastic shape,” White tells THFE. “Nowadays, if you look at most golfers on the PGA Tour, they are starting to look more like athletes.”

Of course, you could never accuse Mickelson of looking like a ripped UFC title contender, but he admits martial arts training has helped him condition himself much better for the PGA Tour. Training enabled him to lose 25lb, then pack on 10–15lb of muscle.

Ryan also identifies the importance of leg strength, hip strength and core strength in improving his swing. Anyone who trains will know, these are also vital in MMA. For this very reason there is a significant focus on kicking in his Black Belt Golf program.

MMA fights can be won and lost even before the fighters step into the cage, depending on their mental strength. And mental focus is equally as important in golf. White says most great golfers would agree psychology is the most challenging thing about putting ball into cup.

“Because martial arts are such demanding sports physically, one must be tough mentally. When we transfer that mental toughness over to the golfer, it can only help the golfer with a better attitude.” It is important that the player is relaxed and focused, particularly later in a round where the pressure can be overwhelming, particularly in front of millions of worldwide viewers.

Mickelson told The Global Golf Post: “I never felt comfortable with being in an awkward situation, so I took up martial arts. I just always want to take on my fears head on.” Look no further than the 2010 Masters to see this in practice. Mickelson was five shots off the lead on the penultimate day, but kept his nerve to win the championship by three clear shots. 

White adds: “My purpose and passion is to keep learning and pass on the knowledge of over 30 years of experience in golf, martial arts and training both in and out of the gym.