?Hard to Argue Against Him?: Michael Phelps? Back Slap Leaves Golf World in Frenzy

Michael Phelps, a swimming legend known for having the perfect body for the water, has taken over the golf world. The 23-time Olympic gold medalist has been a golf aficionado since childhood. He once confessed that when he got bored of swimming, he proposed the idea of practicing golf to his mother. Well, he sure has the 6’4″ height, which adds to his athletic advantage on land and in water.

With an impressive warm-up and his iconic “backslap” display, he often thrills the viewers. Recently, fans went bananas as he performed his famous back slap at the PGA golf courses.

Is Phelps preparing to enter professional golf?

In an Instagram video released by @pgatourchampions, Phelps is filmed stretching his enormous 6’7″ wingspan and flapping his arms across his chest and back, further slapping himself into the zone. The Baltimore bullet fiercely struck the golf ball, hitting it off the tee at the 2023 AmFam Championship. The caption of the video reads, “@m_phelps00 gives the fans what they want @amfamchampionship”. He was seen wearing a tennis cap and sporting a man bun.

Cheers have previously erupted at Michael Phelps‘ display of warm-up. The swimming GOAT used a set of three arm swings and back slaps as part of his pre-race preparation, as seen in Rio 2016. Phelps performed most of it away from the starting line, and it has since become his trademark maneuver. Post-retirement, when ESPN’s Rick Reilly asked Phelps what he wanted to do after retiring from swimming, Phelps said-?I want to play all the great [golf] courses. [Bob Bowman] gave me a poster with the 100 greatest courses in the world on it, and every time I play one, I put a little pin on it.?

Reilly points out that Phelps is prepared to leave the water, saying, “The Human Fish is ready to try land”. He then revealed that Phelps learned golf from Hank Haney, who was also Tiger Woods‘ instructor. Phelps successfully transitioned from swimming to golf, adding yet another trophy to his collection, this time as a pro golfer. The 2023 American Family Insurance Championship event sparked an online commentary, as Phelps hit a “PURE” shot off the tee.

Golfer Phelps becomes an internet sensation yet again

As Phelps paused swinging to practice his stretch, the internet and the audience at the 2023 AFIC could not keep calm. One remark on Instagram said, “Hard to argue against him being the best athlete to exist.” Others continued to laud their idol, writing, “Smooth swing and great tempo.”

Read more Michael Phelps? Record Under Threat, as Four-Time Olympian Set to Break It

The compliments kept coming: “Smooth and butter,” another fan wrote, “Fckng legend,” and while one stated the obvious, “GOAT Athlete,” among others. One even handed out a score, saying, “100 flexibility”. Phelps has a strong affinity for golf and has won the hearts of cross-sports fans. One can already picture Phelps smashing golf balls on the finest PGA golf courses in front of millions of fans. The fans might have a man who is out to collect even more success as an athlete.

Watch this story Swimming Legend Michael Phelps? Top 5 Iconic Career Races