Michael Phelps shares the golf tip Rickie Fowler once gave him to help him improve his swing

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Golf fans probably did not expect to receive advice from legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, but here we are.

The most decorated Olympian of all time has been an avid golfer since before retiring from competitive swimming in 2016.

Phelps had a handicap of six in August last year, according to the PGA Tour website, and he is determined to get down to scratch.

The 23-time gold medalist has now shared a golf tip that he learned from playing with former Players Championship winner Rickie Fowler.  

• READ MORE: The basic thing many golfers forget while hitting shots that Sir Nick Faldo thinks is so important

Rickie Fowler’s golf tip that helps Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps initially explained how it is important not to do too much with your arms when chipping the ball around the green.

Amateur golfers often lead with their arms and leave the club behind them, which can cause inconsistent strikes and even shanks.

Phelps also encouraged players to picture a drill many gym-goers will be familiar with: throwing a medicine ball at the wall.

“We’ve got to let [the clubs] do the work,” he said. “When we try to get really quick and our arms get in front of it, we’re taking [the club] out of play, and we’re trying to do it all ourselves.

“I always think of a drill that I do in the gym a lot, and Rickie Fowler brought it up to me when we were playing one day.

“Whenever I get in a pickle where I start snapping it or spraying it, I literally just think about this: He goes, ‘Think about taking a medicine ball and throwing it against the wall. That’s a golf swing.’ Find a way to get out of your head.”

Phelps’ advice may sound strange, but the motion of throwing a medicine ball is genuinely similar to that of a controlled golf swing.

Michael Phelps set a golfing world record in 2012

Phelps has significantly improved his golfing in recent years, but his highlight will always be something that happened in 2012.

At the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am, Phelps made a 159-foot putt on the sixth hole at Kingsbarns Golf Links.

This set a world record for the longest televised putt in history, but unfortunately, it has been beaten once since.

Ian Poulter made a 160-foot eagle putt at the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews to narrowly overtake Phelps.