Why does Freddy Couple's swing work...?

[MackJL06]

Not sure if this belongs in Golf Talk or Instruction, but here we go.

Probably my favorite golfer to watch is the beloved Boom Boom. As we all know, he has that "buttery" swing and just makes it look so pretty and effortless. Without intention, I copied some of his moves when I first started playing, such as a takeaway that goes "above the line" and far away from the body, and a flared right elbow at the top of the swing.

A few years ago, I started taking a few lessons and was instructed to keep the club low and inside on my takeaway (compared to what i had been doing), a right elbow vertical at the top of my swing (from a rear view, aiming to be on a vertical line with my heals) and to really focus on my posture at the start of my swing.

I took my lessons at GolfTec and had the opportunity to put up swings of a pro and compare them to my own, and I would sometimes pull up Freddy to just watch his tempo. I used to ask my coach....how is it he can do all these things youre telling me not to do, and still get the crazy hip turn, posture at impact, consistency....and all that other wonderful stuff?

The only answer I could ever get was, "Freddy is a freak". I have heard this a bunch of times, and it just seems like there is no explanation other than his natural ability to get himself into the right position(s) when it matters.

So without asking for advice on why what I do doesnt work, I am interested to really find out why Fred's swing DOES work. There are obviously many famous/popular golfers who have had huge success with swings that dont look exceptionally pretty to the eye, and to me this limits the list of things I want or need to think about:

-Delivery of club at impact

-Shoulder turn

-Hip Turn

I know that following advice on parts of the generic "proper" golf swing has helped my game, but watching Freddy makes me want to know WHY I am doing those things.

Not sure if this will make sure to anyone else when they read it, might be a little scatter brained this morning :) but i hope it might spark some interesting conversation.

[mvmac]

If you were to cut Freddy's arms off, his pivot is as good as anyone in the history of the game.  This may be a take you haven't heard before, but imo Freddy does a great job with the pivot due to losing flexion in his right knee.  For more info here is a thread I started http://thesandtrap.com/t/55080/myth-of-keeping-the-rear-knee-flexed

[MackJL06]

his foot/hip work is so cool to watch and he gets a darn good shoulder turn too, even though from what i have read, this is what he feels is a weakness.

it just almost seems from what i have "learned" that he can still hit the ball so great DESPITE his swing. I just know if I was recording my swing and had an elbow position as shown in the first set of images, picture 2, I would be beyond frustrated with myself...and only because i have been told how that is not a good position.

[Jwat381]

Watching Freddy swing is poetry in motion. That's the only thing I'm sure of as it pertains to this topic.

[poser]

I must be one of the only ones who doesn't like his swing.

[Jwat381]

Nothing wrong there. I don't particularly like watching Tiger swing at all. My least favorite golf swing is hands down Zack Johnson. I just don't like him in general though . .

Originally Posted by poser

I must be one of the only ones who doesn't like his swing.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by poser

I must be one of the only ones who doesn't like his swing.

I like his tempo and his lower body work ... but the arms going back, I try not to look!

[Jwat381]

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Jwat381

Watching Freddy swing is poetry in motion. That's the only thing I'm sure of as it pertains to this topic.

His swing looks natural for his body type and setup - a lot of ulnar deviation at address.

[boogielicious]

He is very flexible in the lower back and shoulders too.  It is very fluid.  I think it matches his personality to, calm and smooth.