Fred Couples reflects on his journey, sharing that it all began with practice in his basement. He soon transitioned to the driving range, nurturing a hope that a new strategy might just pay off when he steps onto the iconic greens of Georgia. The scene he recalls is Augusta National, the hallowed grounds of the Masters, where his current crusade took root.
During last year’s Masters, Couples found himself grappling with more than just golf. He grappled with pain, posting rounds of 80 and 76. Yet, it was the way those numbers came about that lingered with him more than the scores themselves. “My back is shot,” he had confessed, memories of his 1992 Masters win likely vivid in his mind still.
He talked about pushing through, clad in gear just to make it through a game. “The longer the club, I’m OK. I didn’t have any speed,” he shared, speaking candidly about driving a mere 260 yards, albeit straight. Although challenging, there was joy in the struggle. Reflecting ruefully, he suggested that with an extra wood, “I probably could have shot 75, but I didn’t know — I kind of downplayed how bad I felt.”
Fast-forward a year, and Couples has made strides. While an 11-wood isn’t part of his kit, he takes pride in adding user-friendly fairway woods and hybrids. Just last week, these adjustments bore fruit: he opened with a commendable 67 at the Hoag Classic on the PGA Tour Champions circuit. Impressively, he shot a stroke below his age, taking a co-lead briefly before securing an eighth-place tie. A promising run indeed.
Couples attributes part of this resurgence to some unconventional practice back in his basement. He’s spent time hitting full-swing shots, noting with a chuckle, “Everyone does weird things.” Yet, something clicked. His experiment transitioned to the range and took root there. Had he not been feeling under the weather, he mentioned he would have continued post-round drills.
Early results suggest his approaches could be lighter in club choice at Augusta. He shared that in the previous year, “hit too many 200-yard shots.”
Reflecting candidly, Couples said before a recent tournament, “I’m playing well and I’m trying to do a couple things in my game which I never really thought about.” His new focus? Swinging his driver with force. “I’ve got to pick up six or eight or 10 yards” for Augusta, he explained. Swinging hard now as preparation, he reported that last week, this effort paid off.
For a former Masters champion like Couples, performing well at the tournament holds special significance. Despite having a lifetime exemption to play, recent talks with Masters officials left him relieved and encouraged. Speaking with Steve Ethun, Masters Chief Tournament Officer, he conveyed his concerns, emphasizing his desire not to embarrass himself or Augusta National. Ethun reassured him, saying, “We want you to keep playing.”
Couples’ relief was palpable. He called his caddie from the 2024 Masters, George Downing, right after. “George could hear it in my voice,” Couples recalled, amusedly recounting how George asked, “Did you win the lottery?” to which Couples joyously replied, “No, George. I get to keep playing the Masters.”
In the world of golf, where skill meets storytelling, Couples continues to craft his narrative, one swing at a time.
