Today I'm going to talk about the golf swing of Fred Couples. Being a hall of famer means Fred has done remarkable things in the game of golf and his swing is one that is talked about quite often. He's known for his fluidity and length, but also for his persistent back problems.
John Brennen was recently watching the Golf Channel and the crew was talking about how many more victories Fred could have if he hasn't had to struggle with chronic back pain for the majority of his career. I think the better question is why he has back pain in the first place.
Now, these are just my opinions on Fred's swing. He's obviously one of the great talents the sport has ever seen, but I do want to provide an explanation as to why I think Fred and some other golfers have back pain.
Fred also has a very unique setup that allows him to swing more vertically than you might think. Check out the video and you'll see how.
Enjoy and keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
Excellent explanation and demonstration
Surge,
Your passion for the body friendly swing is well founded. I shuddered at many of the players during the third round of the US Open, performing acrobatic, body punishing swings : - ( No doubt there would be queues at the spa/massage departments post round before continuing on the morrow.
May the best man on the day win : - )
I for one will NEVER go back to rotational swinging. It was a blessing the day I 'stumbled' onto this site in China [of all places] : - )
Note on the Golf School Schedules, that 16-21Sept that Surge will be about 80 miles east-south-east of where I used to play Golf at Burgdorf, Ehelershausen, Germany. My son Don lives less than 5kms from the course. Boohoo~! Time you came to NZ Surge ; - ) DH
Surge Visit
DH, I think Surge is coming down under in spring time 2014, may be you can
hitch a ride and come over, be good to catch up with you if you do. Better
still, maybe he'll visit NZ, then I can come over and see the land of the "Long White Cloud.
Surge Visit
Hi NeilofOZ,
Neither on the cards for the immediate future,but on my wish list : - ) for the future. I was bemoaning the fact I would have loved to have organized a visit back to Germany to see the Surge and visit my son at the same time. As for visiting Oz, I have visited Oz several times. Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne. Completed my Army Senior Officer's Course at Portsea. Played golf there as well ; - ) The land of the "Long White Cloud" is a golfing paradise [are you listening Surge? ; - ] and no mistake. Have you played in NZ? If not you don't know what you are missing. Not many places you can go skiing in the morning,followed by a dip in a volcanic pool, followed by a game of golf and go surfing all on the same day : - ) I only managed, the skiing and thermal wind down, but brilliant. Golf the next day and more thermal hot pool time. At the moment the weather is misbehaving over most of NZ. Patience and indoor swings only for me at the moment. DH
Fred Couples Swing Analysis
Hi Surge,
I am humbled and very flattered that you saw fit to respond to my e mail rel. "Injuries".
Your daily instructional video's are good. I feel that this video went beyond the norm as far as the quality of it's content. I am not saying this because you saw fit to quote my comments, but, because you absolutely nailed it on the sweet spot, as to the root cause of spinal, (back), injuries. This video should remove all doubt as to the wisdom of the PPGS. If there are those that still doubt your wisdom, then go ahead and continue to use the rotational swing. We will be out playing, while you are at home nursing your sore back, and helping to put your Chiropractor's kids through college.
Again Surge, I than you for highlighting my e mail.
v/r
John Brennen
Good analysis
Surge,
Very astute observations about not only Couples but Trevino. Those comparisons really help highlight the advantages of the PPGS, especially for longevity and back health (among other body parts potentially stressed by the golf swing).
I have been meaning to say that the last few dailies have struck me a especially spot on and you continue to give us solid help for better golf.
Surge, thanks again!
PS. I am still sticking to my guess that Luke will win tomorrow but I have a soft spot for both Steve and Phil. I'd be glad to see any of those three come out on top. Of course there are at least 6 other players that could pull it off so we'll see. I have a signed golf glove given to me from Billy Horschel when he played here in Las Vegas and I was a score keeper for his group. May go way up in value if he wins. Nice kid too.
Signed glove from Billy Horschel
Robert,
A good keepsake from a real 'character' of a golfer. He has that 'mad stare', similar to Poulter's glare when following the ball, and today's eyes rolling up towards heaven were an absolute hoot! My 18th hole flag from the 2010 Ryder Cup from Celtic Manor signed by Luke Donald could increase also hahaha. May the best man on the day win on the day,whoever it is. We look forward to more fascinating golf on the morrow. The wet stuff is still afflicting us down here and is expected to continue for the whole week-Ho-hum! Keep on enjoying your fine weather and keep on hitting them long and straight consistently in Las Vegas DH
Open Champ
I'm not going to spoil the result for anyone who DVR'd the Open and has yet to watch it, but I think it's safe to say that the biggest winner was Merion and traditional golf course design. Despite rains that softened the course and had talking heads predicting record scoring, the US Open was won by a player at +1 at the end of 72 holes. Where accuracy is king, the current crop of best players in the world got beaten up. And they say that the total length of the course this year was actually LESS than the last three Opens played at Merion (though a few holes were lengthened, others were played shorter).
Watching one of the players trying to hold on and close his round, I was reminded of Surge's description of the predominant version of the rotational swing--lag, drag, and block. When the nerves are jumping, those twitch muscles just don't react the same way, and that swing method sent shot after shot pushed out into UGLY rough.
Short doesn't mean easy
I've been working at the golf course this summer and I can pretty much mow the course any way I want.
I can make any hole as easy or as tough as I want with just a few clicks of the mower deck height. Two inches of height in thick Bermuda is the difference between having a shot with little or no penalty and having a guaranteed lost ball.
Not my idea (because it's going to cost me) but they also had me make the entire left side of a hole OB on a hole where the entire right side has always been OB. Amazing what difference 10 white stakes can make on a golf hole.
Yep
Absolutely true. But so much of the focus among amateurs and pros over the last 20+ years has been increasing distance, no matter what it does to accuracy. The ability to actually hit the ball where you need to hit the ball is not a premium on so many courses the pros play. Except when they get to these courses that have been around for a hundred years. Suddenly the guy who can hit the ball in the fairway consistently under pressure, even if he's not so long, has an advantage.
I know what you mean about bermuda rough, as I remember the first few times I played Las Vegas National while they were still maintaining it near Tour standards, rather than the casual standards they switched to in more recent years. There were times I missed the fairway by only a foot, and I couldn't find my ball without help--much less actually get it anywhere near the green. Three inch bermuda might as well be six inches of water.
Short doesn't mean easy
Steve;
IF you are ever in the Memphis, TN area -- check out Galloway -- a Muni course, just east of midtown, in the Memphis University area. I haven't played in about 25 or 30 years -- but it used to be "U S Open ready" on a daily basis. Short par 70 or 71 layout as I recall with only 2 or possibly 3 long holes. Most holes are doglegs, with narrow fairways, fierce Bermuda rough and strategically placed TALL trees in the turn. A lot of the holes appear simple at first glance -- but after a few holes are played, you soon realize that the "desired" place is not only in the fairway, but in a spot in the fairway about the size of a large dining room table or maybe a small conference table. Distance on that course was never a problem -- but in the "good old days" it sure taught you the value of hitting accurate long irons. Even in the days of "real wood and wound balls" many people could hit a 3w "through the turn" - but few could hit them high enough to cut the corner and hold the fairway too. For about 30 years it was a US OPEN Regional qualifier -- even though it was about 6100 yds from the tips!
Indeed - -Short can be tough
Amos
What's the best trigger to start the backswing?
I'm probably one of the few golfers that struggles with just starting my backswing. If I could find that one TRIGGER that works for more than a few swings or a few rounds I could shave strokes off my score. You say start with the right hand/right hip, others say the left shoulder/left hand, a one piece takeaway ect. I have success with all of them but usually not for long. Then it's back to the drawing board. I know what works for one may not work for another. Your thoughts on what "THOUGHT" best triggers a backswing. Thanks........Tommy Sipka
Trigger consistency
The key to triggers is finding one that works consistently. I've found that, if I vary anything in getting in the MSP, PLHR, it becomes very difficult to start the BUS consistently. After watching all of Don's swings in all of these videos for several years, I learned one thing - the quicker one starts the BUS, the better. Don sets up, does his waggle, sets the club behind the ball, and swings with very little, if any, hesitation. So, I would say that, whatever YOU choose as a trigger, it should be something that lets you start swinging without hesitation.
For me, once I get in my Master Setup Position and Pre-Load Heavy Right, I set the club behind the ball (I never ground the club there) and swing. I try not to have a conscious thought trigger because I tend to get lots of other thoughts if I make a conscious thought. If I hesitate for more than a second, all sorts of tension sets in and I either have to start over or make a bad swing. I struggle with making myself start over. It is one of the bugaboos that I work on a lot.
Trigger
Sipka,
Everyone needs to experiment to find a trigger that works best for them. Also, for many of us, what seems to work today may not tomorrow.
One of the best triggers I have found is simple to think "LIFT". This helps me to get pre-set to to 'skip the rock' from the top.
Watch this video done over a year ago as it may help. Notice especially from around the 7 minute mark. "LIFT" It may work for you. Another benifit as explained by Surge is it helps us have the one piece move we all want.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/different-doesnt-always-mean-wrong
Simple Trigger
Hey RM & Sip....I luv this stuff. The triggers will be as varied as our fingerprints.
From my final glance at target and to the ball, I have a very simple acronym:
TLC : Turn-Lift-Clear. That's it. That's my thought bubble. TLC. But....
But the actual trigger : I grip (intentionally) too Tightly, but release to a lighter grip pressure...the Correct grip pressure with happy little fingers...that is my takeaway trigger.
I also exhale to help initiate the takeaway. Every time. Every stroke.
BTW- a slight loading of the rear leg is really essential, but I actually set mine during the Turn to the toe line. Works better for me than pre-loading at address.
(edit: "Clear", as in clearing my hips. Another word one could insert here is the word "Complete." That's also really a very powerful thought for the golf swing. This word reminds me to finish my swing.)
Coming up Roses
Congrats to Justin Rose. "Fairways and greens" has never been more rewarded than it was in the U.S. Open this year. Wow what a test Merion was for all those who played. Short, narrow, hilly, wet, then fast. Rain and mud then wind. Deep, deep thick rough unforgiving rough even close to the green. Lots of faults front that left balls spinning back off the greens. Scores of 78, 80 and higher by the best players in the world.
I thought it was both amazing and painful to watch these guys negotiate all the hazards this test presented. It was a target golf course. 275 yards par 3's? A 300 yard par 4 that averaged over par. Crazy! Really tough greens because they were slower than they were used to when up hill and speedy even slightly down hill. Breaking putts broke more and many putts were left 15 feet short or 10-15 feet past. Tiger and others were more like'Old Yeller'.
Fun to watch and painful to play. And the USGA was left smiling.
Oh and Justin Rose:)
Coming up Roses
Robert,
Yep - -the "Best man Won" -- but my heart nearly Broke for Phil -- and Steve Striker too.
Speaking of Phil, as an amateur club builder/fitter I am sure you picked up on Phil abandoning his "modern driver"(big head, low loft) in favor of a smaller headed, higher lofted "2 wood" in a search for more accuracy. Wonder where we heard that recipe before? Could it be Doc Griffin ? LOL Anyway, it worked for Phil --for the first 3 rounds at least. I think he was leading in fairways hit for at least 2 of those rounds - and maybe greens hit also.
Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
Coming up Roses
Robert,
Yep - -the "Best man Won" -- but my heart nearly Broke for Phil -- and Steve Striker too.
Speaking of Phil, as an amateur club builder/fitter I am sure you picked up on Phil abandoning his "modern driver"(big head, low loft) in favor of a smaller headed, higher lofted "2 wood" in a search for more accuracy. Wonder where we heard that recipe before? Could it be Doc Griffin ? LOL Anyway, it worked for Phil --for the first 3 rounds at least. I think he was leading in fairways hit for at least 2 of those rounds - and maybe greens hit also.
Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
Smaller head
Amos,
Yes it is interesting how Phils driver and the use of the 3/5 woods by many off the tee recently are telling as far as accuracy and length and the current trend on the PGA tour.
Bramble on the Golf Channel (whom I often disagree with) was on target this week in his comments for the most part. I found it interesting how he commented that one of the two reasons that the players of today verses yesteryear are unable to work the ball left and right as well any more is not only because the ball is designed to go straight now a days but also because of the large headed driver heads. The driver club heads of 20+ years ago could work the ball easier. this was why players couldn't handle the narrow target course that Merion proved to be.
BTW, my heart also broke for Phil and Steve. I also was pulling for Donald too. he just couldn't hang. Tough game, especially between the ears.
Luke
Robert,
It was a bit disheartening to watch Luke Donald after his errant shot hit the standard-bearer lady. It seem to greatly affect his mental game. On several shots, it looked like he was trying to hard to steer the ball so as to not hit anyone else. Even a little fear like that can greatly affect a seasoned professional.
Coming up Roses
Robert,
Yep - -the "Best man Won" -- but my heart nearly Broke for Phil -- and Steve Striker too.
Speaking of Phil, as an amateur club builder/fitter I am sure you picked up on Phil abandoning his "modern driver"(big head, low loft) in favor of a smaller headed, higher lofted "2 wood" in a search for more accuracy. Wonder where we heard that recipe before? Could it be Doc Griffin ? LOL Anyway, it worked for Phil --for the first 3 rounds at least. I think he was leading in fairways hit for at least 2 of those rounds - and maybe greens hit also.
Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
Fred Couples Swing
The one thing I try to copy from Fred Couples' swing is his tempo. When I get it right (not often enough), I have no tension in my swing and the ball goes straight where I aim it and as long as I can hit it, which can be as much as 40-50 yards past my average hits. For example, my average drive these days is about 187 yards and my average sand wedge is about 65. When I get the tempo right, assuming everything else is right, my drives are 230 or better, and my SW flies 100-110, without over-swinging.
Daily, Fred CoupleSwing Analysis, 6/15/2013
At the beginning of Surge's daily, he talked about getting local pros to get certified. I have been writing in for several years asking when you will certify a pro in the San Francisco area. There's a lot of year round golf here! Why are you ignoring us???
Options
I would think that a pro has to want to be certified first. As Surges teachings dont always follow the beleaf of what most pro's are told to teach, they may be reluctent to change. I would say that you would have a much better chance of seeing a Surge pro on your side of the planet, than I ever would. You may just have to drive a few miles to do it.
What Russty Said
As Russty said, Surge is not ignoring the Bay Area folks. No pros from the area have gone through the process of getting certified by Don. If you have a club that you play at, you can talk to the pro there and point them to the web site and tell them about the swing and maybe you can get them interested in learning and becoming certified in the Peak Performance Golf Swing. Be sure they know that it will count toward their annual continuing education requirement for their PGA membership.
I'd love it if there was a Swing Surgeon pro in the Bay Area that I could point my parents to. I already gave them a copy of Surge's quick swing booklet and I've been talking to them about it.
Anyway, it's not for lack of desire on the Swing Surgeon family's side that there is no currently certified pro in your area. If you have the Peak Performance Mini-Manual (https://www.swingsurgeon.com/shop/products/peak-performance-mini-manual ), show it to the pro at your course and see if you can get him interested in learning the PPGS method. You never know, you may be able to solve your own problem.
Clear the hips ??
For several decades, I have seen virtually all golf instructors use the words "clearing the hips", "getting the hips out of the way", and various combinations of those words. Unfortunately, they totally lack meaning for me. Each and every one of their demonstrations shows them rotating their right hip directly INTO -- not away from -- the downnpath of the club. How is that "claring"? Can you please explain what the terms "clearing the hips" and "getting the hips out of the way" really means? Thanks. John