Phil and Skill?

Is anyone else intrigued by the notion that Phil Mickelson is using two drivers, one to shape the ball right to left (the "gamer"), and another for the opposite shot shape?

Golf World's E. Michael Johnson has the details in this story.

In the "skill" debate, I wonder if this will come up as an example where equipment is supplementing skill? 

More power to Mickelson for doing what he has to do to win within the rules, but I guess this brings me back to Max Behr's quote about the role of equipment:

I do not think we will go far wrong if we define a true sportsman as one who endeavors to adjust his implements down to a point where they will just sustain his skill, in order that upon skill, and skill alone, must depend the decision of the contest.

A strong case could be made that good players used to use drivers with slightly open or closed faces to create a certain ball flight or to offset a swing flaw.

And I suppose you could say there is skill in determining that you get different reactions from different clubs. But it seems that the real skill in this case was in the club fitting?

It was this Telegraph story quoting Colin Montgomerie that left me wondering:

Montgomerie then considered how useful the two clubs would be at, say, the 17th and 18th at Wentworth and, again, at the last two holes at the Belfry. "The best thing about the idea," he continued, "is the way you can do away with the need to come up with two different swings."

Thoughts?

Comments

[JPB]

This is an area that I don't think can be controlled and it is fine with me. If a player chooses to use one of his 14 clubs on an extra driver - fine. Nobody had major problems with 4 wedges. I wouldn't mind seeing the club limit lower, as I have ranted about before. But whatever the limit, I think a player should be able to use what he wants within the limit. The new golf balls seem harder to work. At least for me. I don't know how much is new technology and how much is fat laziness and not practicing, but it doesn't surprise me he is trying this. I actually think it is a good idea given the importance of the drive. Better to dump a long iron and carry 2 drivers. I sort of admire Phil for trying it actually.

[DAW]

I agree with the previous commenter. Mickelson is taking an imaginative approach to the problem. Of course, it is easier to take two drivers (or four wedges for that matter) if you don't need long irons.

I am strongly opposed to any sort of compulsion on the types of clubs players can bring. Hey, take four putters, whatever you think will help! Governing bodies should set a limit and let players use their imaginations. If people think it's a bad idea to "allow" two drivers or four wedges, cut the club limit to 10 or 12.

[Josh Hoisington]

Well, I have no problem with a person using whatever set make-up of clubs he or she wants, in fact I wouldn't be opposed to allowing more than 14 clubs at all.

Phil's two-driver strategy is just very indicative and symptomatic of the way the game is now. It's not so much a matter of skill, I don't think, I'm sure that Phil is very capable of working the ball both ways. But nobody is good at working the ball either way when they're swinging at it hard. If Phil backed off, he'd have no problem hitting draws and fades at will. The clubs and ball will still do a little of that. I mean, Corey Pavin is still working it both ways off the tee with aplomb. 235 yards, but still. But since Phil is unwilling to give back any distance for control, he's had to resort to compensations for the hard swing, and in this case, it's having two drivers for the specific ball flight.

[Matt]

I think that reducing the number of clubs in a player's bag from 14 to 11 or 12 would put more emphasis on shot creativity.

I just want to know which driver Phil hit to 2 feet on the par four 13th hole in the final round so I can get me some of that!

[Smolmania]

Because the ball makes the driver the most important club in the bag, Phil's formula does make sense, although I have to question the decision to remove the sand wedge from his bag. . . a very un-Pelz like decision in my view. It would seem that he could throw a couple of hybrids in there to replace the long irons, and keep the wedges (which is what he'll need since he's hitting the driver so far).

I would hate for someone to tell me that I can't put 5 wedges in my bag as indicative of a lack of skill. In my view, the configuration of a bag is a question of choices. When you miss as many greens as I do, you need options. . . and I choose wedges.