NHA and Freddie

[curtisj76]

Ok, I purchased NHA2.0 and like others have enjoyed it. I've read that Couples is the "poster boy" for NHA and have been looking at some of his swings. I'm curious as to his strong grip, what's the purpose of it?

PS Does anyone have any really good quality clips of him? If so, please post.

Thanks, Curtis

 

[thefuture37]

i though toms was the hook model

 

[Notorious B.E.N.]

YouTube - FRED COUPLES Tee

Here is the best I could find of him. Sorry. Hope this helps.

 

[starretj]

I believe that Brian stated that Freddy was the poster child for soft draw, but that he hit fades. I believe that Toms' is the NHA pattern.

 

[birdie_man]

Love Freddie's downswing.

Good one future. (really)

 

[curtisj76]

When Brian said he played his best he thought "Freddie".

 

[Tball88]

Interesting clip, looks like Freddie has very much of a right forearm pickup motion to start his backswing.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Freddie & DT

Interesting clip, looks like Freddie has very much of a right forearm pickup motion to start his backswing.

Freddie does not have a right forearm pickup by actual definition, because by definition, because he does not trace a straight plane line going back.

That's why I despise "book" definitions, because lots of times they were not really well defined.

As far as I am concerned you can have a hands leading the pivot backswing, a pivot leading the hands backswing, or a combo.

Fred Couples uses a hands leading the pivot backswing—for the most part, but he does shift his hips a hair right in the takeaway, and then again—a lot—toward the end of the backswing.

David Toms was the "inspiration" for the Never Hook Again pattern, but Fred Couples could be the "poster boy" for the pattern, because if you thought "Lift, Drop, & Rotate," you'd think of Couples.

I did play my best, back in 1994-1996, using Couples' swing as my "thought."

 

[holeout]

I believe that Brian stated that Freddy was the poster child for soft draw, but that he hit fades. I believe that Toms' is the NHA pattern.

Not Freddy, but Nicklaus. Minus the grip (a touch too weak), hand position at address (a bit farther forward than "typical" SD), wrist position at top (Nicklaus more flat than "soft"), and alignment/ball position (more left and farther forward to promote a fade). I know it sounds like a lot of differences, but Nicklaus still had:

- lagging clubhead takeaway
- inside hands on takeaway
- high right elbow backswing
- slightly across the line at top
- counterfall
- toss release
- one last point/more vertical club at finish

Line Nicklaus up to the right a bit with the ball farther back in his stance and PRESTO, draw.

Another great SD guy is Geoff Ogilvy. His backswing is a not quite SD (too much early set), but once he gets to the top, he's SD all the way.

 

[mb6606]

I agree regarding Nicklaus - his swing is pretty simple and looks to me a lot like Brian's SD pattern. Maybe Mr. Manzella will comment?