Is Phil Mickelson Cheating at Golf? In a Word, No

As the golf ball turns...cheating seems be to a popular term on the PGA Tour these days. We know all about Tiger Woods, but now Phil Mickelson's name is being thrown around as a cheater too—a cheater at golf, that is.

If you haven't heard the story. Here is a brief rundown.

The tour banned square groove wedges Jan. 1st. Square grooves allow pros to spin the ball more. That part is clear. Now, this is where it gets a little grayer.

Ping had a lawsuit against the PGA tour and the USGA several years ago, and now, all Ping Eye 2 irons made before April 1, 1990 are technically allowed. Basically, they've been grandfathered in. Tour veteran Scott McCarron says it's cheating as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle in their article "Tour mate rips Mickelson for exploiting loophole."

Is Mickelson cheating? I say no, and I say this is a non-issue.

The bottom line is Phil Mickelson is playing by the rules governing the game of golf.

Golfers use a variety of golf clubs and balls to gain distance and or accuracy. I will agree that Mickelson found a loophole in golf's rules, but each and every other golfer has the same opportunity to use the old Ping irons.

If McCarron or any other pro golfer feels that using the irons goes against the spirit of the game, so be it, but Mickelson isn't breaking any rules.

This article is also featured at All About Sports.