Jordan Spieth, a three-time major champion, has begun incorporating a fitness and wellness routine modeled after Phil Mickelson’s approach to maintain his performance on the PGA Tour as he advances in age. This shift comes as Spieth aims to sustain his competitive edge and physical health following an extended period of injury recovery.
Phil Mickelson, known for his longevity in the sport, captured his last major title in 2021 at age 50, a feat attributed to his disciplined health regimen. Central to Mickelson’s fitness method is a five-day prolonged fast, which helped him shed nearly 25 pounds in 2023, enabling him to compete effectively against younger players. Inspired by this, Spieth has altered his dietary habits and recovery practices to enhance his endurance on tour.
Adjustments in Spieth’s Fitness and Recovery Routines
Over recent years, Jordan Spieth has transformed his approach to staying fit, partly influenced by the demands of traveling with family and the increased accessibility to recovery resources. He explained,
“It’s changed a lot for me over the last few years, especially traveling with my family and stuff like that. Also, having the accessibility we have now out here with the recovery trailer and physios being super accessible and stuff.”
—Jordan Spieth, Golfer
The modern golfer’s support system now routinely includes technical coaches, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning experts, and massage therapists, all contributing to optimal performance. Sports science advancements and technology have made these resources readily available, allowing Spieth to maintain his physical condition more effectively.
Heading into the Travelers Championship, Spieth has competed in 10 events over roughly three months, a demanding schedule for anyone but particularly impressive for a player returning from injury. His consistency, both mentally and physically, highlights his commitment to this disciplined routine.
Reflecting on recent struggles with fatigue during tournaments, Spieth noted,
“I feel like, off of last week, it was a pretty tough walk—this is my 10th out of 12 weeks as well, so my legs were a little clumsy the last two days. I woke up this morning and feel ready and fresh, and that’s kind of what you’re looking for. If you can get there by Wednesday morning or sooner after hitting a couple training sessions and kind of getting everything on the recovery side going, then we’re good to go.”
—Jordan Spieth, Golfer
On occasion, Spieth admits to relaxing his strict regimen, stating,
“Sometimes post-U.S. Open, I just needed to throw a few [beers] back.”
—Jordan Spieth, Golfer
Despite these moments, his focus now lies firmly on maintaining clean eating habits and prioritizing recovery, acknowledging the necessity of these measures as he ages.
“And I eat very clean and think a lot about recovery now. That’s going to have to continue as I get older.”
—Jordan Spieth, Golfer
Encouragement from Fellow Players’ Late Career Successes
Spieth draws motivation from recent examples of older players achieving peak success, which fuels his belief in the effectiveness of dedicated fitness and wellness strategies. The ages of the last two PGA Tour winners, 38-year-old Ryan Fox and 34-year-old JJ Spaun, demonstrate the potential for continued success beyond the early 30s.
Spaun’s breakthrough came after a challenging start to the 2024 season, missing ten cuts in 15 events before winning his first major at Oakmont Country Club. Spieth commented on Spaun’s persistence, saying,
“Seeing J.J. grind it out, seeing his story of essentially saying, if this is the end, middle of last year, then so be it, and turn it around in his season and almost winning two of the biggest four events this year is certainly inspiring.”
—Jordan Spieth, Golfer
Similarly, Ryan Fox marked a milestone by winning two PGA Tour events this season, including the RBC Canadian Open. Spieth praised Fox’s perseverance and recent success:
“Foxy obviously knocked on the door a number of years, and then to come through a couple times this year was amazing. I just thought that final round—I don’t watch a lot of golf, and it was incredibly entertaining.”
—Jordan Spieth, Golfer
These examples reinforce the message that success is attainable even as players advance in age, providing Spieth with renewed drive to maintain his fitness and wellness routine to extend his competitive career.
Implications for Spieth’s Future Performance on the PGA Tour
Jordan Spieth’s commitment to adopting Phil Mickelson’s fitness and wellness routine marks a strategic shift to emphasize longevity in his career. By embracing clean eating, structured recovery, and advanced support systems, Spieth aims to overcome the physical challenges presented by aging and previous injuries.
His proactive changes and the encouragement drawn from peers’ late-career triumphs suggest a hopeful outlook for Spieth’s continued success on the PGA Tour. As he refines his physical regime, the golfing world will watch closely to see if this disciplined approach enables him to regain and sustain top form amidst a competitive field.