Golfers across the world have admired the swing of Fred Couples. Known as one of the smoothest swings in golf history, “Boom Boom” just made the game look easy. But what was the secret of his silky tempo? What can amateur golfers learn from Couples move? Luke Kerr-Dineen is here to explain in this episode of Film Study.
Follow GolfDigest:
Instagram / @GolfDigest
Twitter https://x.com/GolfDigest
Subscribe to Golf Digest on YouTube ►► http://bit.ly/golfdigestyoutubesub
Grab a Golf Digest + membership ►► http://glfdig.st/mFqM50OXuv4
ABOUT GOLF DIGEST
Home of the Hot List, Golf Digest +, news and trends, Golf Digest is the definitive destination for all things golf.
23 Comments
Guilty of slowing down to gain more smoothness ✋
Jake Knapp, Cameron Champ, and Fred Couples all have relatively still heads when swinging. I contend that this is one of the reasons why their swings appear to be smooth compared to others who are jumping and bobbing all over the place, such as DeChambeau. Make no mistake about it, Fred is turning his hips pretty much as fast as he can and giving that ball quite a whack. Don't equate smooth-looking with slow. Fred's swing is anything but slow. Just ask his lower back.
Good video, but looped background music is annoying.
This is the biggest secret that hasn't really clicked over the years. Approach the ball with the intention to only go between 70 and 85%. The club head will do the rest. Huge difference in my game so far
Do you actually believe the engine rotates a different direction?
Low hands, cupped wrist, flying high elbow. Thats his swing.
i guess Morikawa and Im shouldn't watch this video 🤣
I love how they referenced another Golf Digest video
Just a couple months ago when I got a golf GPS watch that has a tempo tracker did I realize how important the 3:1 is. I kept hearing about a 3:1 on some coaching videos and always thought that was just a certain ratio for certain players. Once my watch started showing my tempo, I could feel that the 3:1 was usually the sweet spot. Great video. Couples was a specimen!
We need Charlie Kirk next!
Tiger 2000 (and today!) and Nelly Korda today also keep their shoulders very closed and are gentle on their body. The rear heel coming up is almost an afterthought of carried momentum. It’s a super efficient swing. And the tempo is just lovely. Don’t (actively) turn your body in the downswing, just let it follow your hands. You will hear Nelly talk about her swing thought sometime “shoulder under chin”.
Retif Goosen is definitely a contender .
Say in 5 minutes
Learned something new about Freddie's swing today. I do wonder if you missed something critical about people like him and Jake Knapp, which is how much they supinate their wrists and/or elbows compared to most tour pros. By releasing those rigid hinges, I've always theorized that their release is that much more explosive at impact, and also why it appears that they swing "slow" (i.e. fast hands are much harder for the eye to keep up with then big parts like legs , torso and arms). Ball speed doesn't lie, so you have to wonder how someone can move their body slower than some aggressive swingers and still achieve faster ball speed. I think the big shoulder and body turn is only half of the equation, after all most junior golfs have bigger turns than most pros. It's really the explosive hand and elbow release that helps smooth swingers generate their power.
the best swing, so amazingly smooth and simple. and the lightning crack when it makes contact is unbeatable
No mention of Sam Snead 😢
The most effortless swing I can recall seeing was Ernie Els.
1:25 just look at how forceful he is with the hip movement! It’s like his hips are a piston driving his entire swing- no wonder he can drive the ball a mile. My dad always said Couples was his favorite golfer to watch, and I’m appreciating his craft and precision much more after watching this video!
I think the other keys are that he releases the club head and slows down in a controlled manner. He doesn’t recoil or let the club bounce off his shoulder or saw off the finish. He takes it waaay back then uses his strength and flexibility to slow the club down in a controlled manner during the follow through.
Love this video- the background music has to be quieter or has to change up at some point tho, it’s very annoying to hear the exact same sound for several minutes
Please make a video on Mac O’grady
Poor guy with the drive pulled straight left into the tree at 6:51 made me laugh pretty hard
Freddie had one of the sweetest swings of all…..I will say I do enjoy watching niemans swing too.