One key aspect of his swing that Mr Couples does not mention in this clip is the position of his lead foot. Watch carefully at Fred Couples' stance in every shot and how he addresses the ball, and how open and flared outward his lead foot is. I believe this is one of the key factors and physical mechanics that enables him to possess the most graceful swing in the history of golf that he does. The open front foot allows for a much easier clearing of the hips on the down-swing, and a smoother, more free-flowing follow-through right to the finish, where he ends the follow-through by practically resting the club shaft on his shoulder after the whole swing process is done, and he's watching to see where his shot lands. This is not easily noticeable in real time because of how quickly he clears through the ball and executes the entire process from start to finish, but his rapid acceleration through the ball with maximum authority and full power only really starts a few inches behind the ball in his down-swing and carries right through to his follow-through. One thing I also interpret from watching his swing, is that his follow-through right to the end seems to be just as critical to the success of the whole process as anything he does on his takeaway and down-swing. All that said, there will likely never be another Fred Couples for as long as the game of golf is played by humans (but I'll keep trying to make my swing look more like his anyway ;-)).
Couples does a lot of cool things in his swing. His hips stall just before impact allowing him to create leverage against a planted left side. He kinda lets go of the club with his right hand after release, I’m sure to keep the face from rolling over too much. He also on every swing every one picks up the flight of the ball with his head still in posture. Only player I’ve seen talented enough to control distance by speed of swing not length of swing. Fascinated me since the 80’s Freddy
Fred Couples has no idea what he is doing when he swings the club and he has admitted it thousands of times. The man just has an insane amount of natural talent. I mean, he gets into some very unorthodox positions going back and ends up perfect at impact every time. There are so many amateur players that get into "perfect" backswing pisitions and manage to get steep in transition then stall flip through impact with the arm and hands hoping that their timing will be right. Fred Couples just knows instinctively how to get back to that golf ball. Its a gift from above and I am fully convinved of it.
Whole reason i became obsessed with golf. I swing just like Freddy. And hit it mostly like him too. Here's the key. Stay mostly front-centered throughout, and from the top feel the *trail shoulder drive back and towards the ground* . This is the key move to allow you to swing with everything you've got while replaning from the very steep takeaway to an inside delivery, while holding the release down the line thru impact for the most satisfying chest proud finish as the shaft nafurally just falls delicately onto your shoulders. So much effortless power that appears and feels like it's in slowmotion. Nothing better. The swing feels every bit as amazing as it looks.
@@WestCoastMidnight yes. Another thought that works is to tilt trail hip down but *keep weight forward to centered throughout* and of course note Freddie's level shoulders/hips throughout backswing. In transistion from top, allow gravity to drop arms as you initiate rear tilt.
When I do Fred’s swing, if I concentrate on clearing the hips, the club gets stuck and don’t get the full release of the hands. I do better when I just concentrate on fully releasing the hands and my hips naturally clear without me thinking about it. Definitely my favorite swinger
Look at his left wrist. Proof that whatever works for you is what you should do. Us weekend golfers try to get all these fundamentals perfect when most of the pros don't
Here is a little more added information to pressing on the gas peddle. Start your swing from the ground up by first pressing on the gas peddle with your lead foot that will. immediately push your trail hip out of the way allowing your back swing to immediately follow. The facts are that there should never be any stopping a backswing and then starting a downswing; only a continuous smooth motion must take place between the backswing and downswing as the head of the club between the backswing and the downswing must be able to turns it’s path around a sharp curve at the top of the swing to retune to strike through the ball at the bottom of its arch. The push against the ground or stepping on the gas with my trail foot immediately pushes my lead hip out of the way as I am also actually feeling the completion of my backswing taking place. The two happens at the exact same time. In addition I am actively stepping on the gas not just to slow my backswing down; but also in order to slow the club head down before it whips around it’s curve at the top of my swing. Along with the stepping on the gas the weight of my lead hip and gluteal muscles moves to my lead side; my trail arm automatically drops into its slot allowing me to propel my club head as fast as I can directly through the ball to the completion of my perfectly balanced swing. Cheers 🥂on the 19⛳️
His right shoulder hinges extra easy or further back which has allowed for this swing path and the buttery smooth hip clear and finish. Brilliant move and results but mostly unattainable for those not gifted with a unusual shoulder joint.
For the downswing always start with your trail foot pressing hard against an imaginary gas peddle. This one ground reaction force will automatic push your lead hip out of the way and allow you to swing as fast as you like. Cheers
Interesting. Tiger does the opposite. He pulls the club to the inside on the downswing and not down the line. He does that drill where he pulls it around him.
Let's stop using the phrase "clear the hips" which has been a plague of mis-information since I started learning the game in the 1950's. It's not "clearing", the hips begin the force - using the laws of physics - for the power AND control of the swing. At the top, the slight shifting left and back IS the beginning of the swing where the hip and left leg is kind've like an axle and as that axle rotates counter-clock-wise, it turns the torso and the left shoulder and left arm. Look at a catapult - called a trebuche' - from ancient medieval times. The counterweight of the trebuchet begins the force - it is the "left side/hips" just in a different plane but the physics is similar. For me the swing begins with the left foot establishing the foundation for the left side to take control of the beginning of the swing. After 64 years of playing, once I learned this, I made the most progress ever. At age 72 I have in just the past 2 years "shot my age" 8 times and these were at 6,000 to 6,100 yards - not senior tees. The golf world has been overwhelmed with "information" - quantity over quality - as though money is being made on just volume of words spoken and written.
Most people would shoot 10 strokes higher per round imitating Stadler. Obviously it worked for him, but he was a unicorn- look at his hands and forearms. I would like Tom Kite positions and Freddy's flow.
Clear the hips means for a right hander, on the downswing turn them anti-clockwise. Release means on the downswing, let the club swing forward from the wrists. Getting back to the ball means the moment in time where you impact the ball. But I agree, it’s just jargon that is fairly meaningless in my main English.
lol, yea, these terms are very weird at first. Release- let the club pass through the ball (no towing/pulling) with proper wrist action (no left wrist cupping) Clear the hips- basically the hip should be already turned before impact, it says *clear* so your arms can go through freely without the hips in the way. This is the opposite of early extension or getting *stuck* Hope it helps a bit.
Great reply. It actually did differentiate some concepts. However clearing the hips can also lead to a "spin out" and releasing to some people could mean "flip" or "roll". An answer should clarify not confuse(not that your comment did but it lead to more questions than answers).
It's sort of like if I was teaching you to walk and I said you have to extend the knee, plant the heel then roll your foot and push off. It's very vague and not actionable.
Clueless Freddy…not sure if he's playing golf or just dressing nice on a sunny day - but hey it's Fred and he's not auditioning for any instructional career changes any time soon
One key aspect of his swing that Mr Couples does not mention in this clip is the position of his lead foot.
Watch carefully at Fred Couples' stance in every shot and how he addresses the ball, and how open and flared outward his lead foot is.
I believe this is one of the key factors and physical mechanics that enables him to possess the most graceful swing in the history of golf that he does.
The open front foot allows for a much easier clearing of the hips on the down-swing, and a smoother, more free-flowing follow-through right to the finish, where he ends the follow-through by practically resting the club shaft on his shoulder after the whole swing process is done, and he's watching to see where his shot lands.
This is not easily noticeable in real time because of how quickly he clears through the ball and executes the entire process from start to finish, but his rapid acceleration through the ball with maximum authority and full power only really starts a few inches behind the ball in his down-swing and carries right through to his follow-through.
One thing I also interpret from watching his swing, is that his follow-through right to the end seems to be just as critical to the success of the whole process as anything he does on his takeaway and down-swing.
All that said, there will likely never be another Fred Couples for as long as the game of golf is played by humans (but I'll keep trying to make my swing look more like his anyway ;-)).
Couples does a lot of cool things in his swing. His hips stall just before impact allowing him to create leverage against a planted left side. He kinda lets go of the club with his right hand after release, I’m sure to keep the face from rolling over too much. He also on every swing every one picks up the flight of the ball with his head still in posture. Only player I’ve seen talented enough to control distance by speed of swing not length of swing. Fascinated me since the 80’s Freddy
Swing is so smooth but not easily replicated, he’s just naturally talented
Fred Couples has no idea what he is doing when he swings the club and he has admitted it thousands of times. The man just has an insane amount of natural talent. I mean, he gets into some very unorthodox positions going back and ends up perfect at impact every time. There are so many amateur players that get into "perfect" backswing pisitions and manage to get steep in transition then stall flip through impact with the arm and hands hoping that their timing will be right. Fred Couples just knows instinctively how to get back to that golf ball. Its a gift from above and I am fully convinved of it.
Yet here he is describing it in he same way over the years. He’s got a damn good idea. He knows what good feels like & he can repeat it.
Whole reason i became obsessed with golf. I swing just like Freddy. And hit it mostly like him too. Here's the key. Stay mostly front-centered throughout, and from the top feel the *trail shoulder drive back and towards the ground* . This is the key move to allow you to swing with everything you've got while replaning from the very steep takeaway to an inside delivery, while holding the release down the line thru impact for the most satisfying chest proud finish as the shaft nafurally just falls delicately onto your shoulders. So much effortless power that appears and feels like it's in slowmotion. Nothing better. The swing feels every bit as amazing as it looks.
wait when I drive my trail shoudler down my lead shoulder pops up. is that supposed to happen?
@@WestCoastMidnight yes. Another thought that works is to tilt trail hip down but *keep weight forward to centered throughout* and of course note Freddie's level shoulders/hips throughout backswing. In transistion from top, allow gravity to drop arms as you initiate rear tilt.
understand better now. Thanks!
Was that all it is? I got it😂 not
WHAT A FANTASTIC SWING!
I’m not sure if Fred really knows how he does it….
But yah got to love him.
@@ericmackenzie123 ABOSULETLY.
I agree.
ruclips.net/video/nymZnYSNSNo/видео.html
Yeah and if he doesn't know how the hell are we supposed to figure it out 😂
When I do Fred’s swing, if I concentrate on clearing the hips, the club gets stuck and don’t get the full release of the hands. I do better when I just concentrate on fully releasing the hands and my hips naturally clear without me thinking about it. Definitely my favorite swinger
Look at his left wrist. Proof that whatever works for you is what you should do. Us weekend golfers try to get all these fundamentals perfect when most of the pros don't
Here is a little more added information to pressing on the gas peddle.
Start your swing from the ground up by first pressing on the gas peddle with your lead foot that will. immediately push your trail hip out of the way allowing your back swing to immediately follow.
The facts are that there should never be any stopping a backswing and then starting a downswing; only a continuous smooth motion must take place between the backswing and downswing as the head of the club between the backswing and the downswing must be able to turns it’s path around a sharp curve at the top of the swing to retune to strike through the ball at the bottom of its arch.
The push against the ground or stepping on the gas with my trail foot immediately pushes my lead hip out of the way as I am also actually feeling the completion of my backswing taking place. The two happens at the exact same time.
In addition I am actively stepping on the gas not just to slow my backswing down; but also in order to slow the club head down before it whips around it’s curve at the top of my swing. Along with the stepping on the gas the weight of my lead hip and gluteal muscles moves to my lead side; my trail arm automatically drops into its slot allowing me to propel my club head as fast as I can directly through the ball to the completion of my perfectly balanced swing.
Cheers 🥂on the 19⛳️
You like to step on the gas pedal alot don't you. But did you mean to say you step on the gas wirh your lead foot (left foot) 🤔
@@quantumpotential7639 he is in the EU
*past* the ball, gentlemen. Thanks!
Lol Fred Couples saying he hits it as hard as he can. Amazing golf swing.
His right shoulder hinges extra easy or further back which has allowed for this swing path and the buttery smooth hip clear and finish. Brilliant move and results but mostly unattainable for those not gifted with a unusual shoulder joint.
Yeah, I can never get my hands that far above my head on the backswing.
For the downswing always start with your trail foot pressing hard against an imaginary gas peddle. This one ground reaction force will automatic push your lead hip out of the way and allow you to swing as fast as you like. Cheers
Thx. I will try that. Lately, I've been feeling stuck
Me too. This doesn’t work for me.
Push with your toes or instep? What direction should I step on the GAz pedal. Thanks
Very helpful. Good stuff. Informative video…
If you don't pull a groin muscle you aren't swinging hard enough. You can slice two or three fairways over.
One of the best swings of all time, but he seems to not totally know how it works. 😅
Interesting. Tiger does the opposite. He pulls the club to the inside on the downswing and not down the line. He does that drill where he pulls it around him.
This channel is brilliant.
Let's stop using the phrase "clear the hips" which has been a plague of mis-information since I started learning the game in the 1950's. It's not "clearing", the hips begin the force - using the laws of physics - for the power AND control of the swing. At the top, the slight shifting left and back IS the beginning of the swing where the hip and left leg is kind've like an axle and as that axle rotates counter-clock-wise, it turns the torso and the left shoulder and left arm. Look at a catapult - called a trebuche' - from ancient medieval times. The counterweight of the trebuchet begins the force - it is the "left side/hips" just in a different plane but the physics is similar. For me the swing begins with the left foot establishing the foundation for the left side to take control of the beginning of the swing. After 64 years of playing, once I learned this, I made the most progress ever. At age 72 I have in just the past 2 years "shot my age" 8 times and these were at 6,000 to 6,100 yards - not senior tees. The golf world has been overwhelmed with "information" - quantity over quality - as though money is being made on just volume of words spoken and written.
0:12 “It just happens” - the mark of a great instructor…….
One person can swing the club like Freddy Couples. And his name is Freddy Couples. The rest of us should be getting Tom Kite or Craig Stadler tips.
Most people would shoot 10 strokes higher per round imitating Stadler. Obviously it worked for him, but he was a unicorn- look at his hands and forearms. I would like Tom Kite positions and Freddy's flow.
You should always listen to boom boom when he talks
Fred has no idea what a bad back looks like, I could give him lessons.
The best
with his strong grip, he's got to have great timing or he'd hit it dead left.
Most of us try too hard, easy is fast.
I have no idea what he means by any of these phrases!
"Release"
"Clear the hips"
Getting back to the ball"
Literally useless for me personally.
Clear the hips means for a right hander, on the downswing turn them anti-clockwise.
Release means on the downswing, let the club swing forward from the wrists.
Getting back to the ball means the moment in time where you impact the ball.
But I agree, it’s just jargon that is fairly meaningless in my main English.
lol, yea, these terms are very weird at first.
Release- let the club pass through the ball (no towing/pulling) with proper wrist action (no left wrist cupping)
Clear the hips- basically the hip should be already turned before impact, it says *clear* so your arms can go through freely without the hips in the way. This is the opposite of early extension or getting *stuck*
Hope it helps a bit.
Great reply. It actually did differentiate some concepts. However clearing the hips can also lead to a "spin out" and releasing to some people could mean "flip" or "roll". An answer should clarify not confuse(not that your comment did but it lead to more questions than answers).
It's sort of like if I was teaching you to walk and I said you have to extend the knee, plant the heel then roll your foot and push off. It's very vague and not actionable.
@@jacobr4558 oh yes, everyone is trying to teach how to walk(swing) with weird terminology. Just walk, men. Watch dr kwon3d , easy as it gets.
Parametric acceleration. It’s what he does, but he doesn’t know it.
Down the line releasing!!!
I know I'm releasing the club too soon.
Yeah, me too. I start releasing it as soon as I grip it.
Clueless Freddy…not sure if he's playing golf or just dressing nice on a sunny day - but hey it's Fred and he's not auditioning for any instructional career changes any time soon
Hurts my back watching
and my hips, knees and shoulders 😂
Best swing in golf
Totally useless info on purpose