“How can I swing like Fred Couples
and play like Fred Flintstone?”
Dave Johnston
There is one fundamental principle that separates a low handicap player from his double-digit counterpart.
Are you familiar with the maxim, form follows function? The phrase has a scholarly ring to it alright, but what does it actually mean?
The best players in history are those who have been criticized by purists as having unorthodox swings; styles which are beyond the limits of aesthetically pleasing.
Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Moe Norman, Jim Furyk and Annika Sorenstam are only a handful of players whose swings are not pure in the classic sense.
Every generation has had prominent players who seem to violate the apparent essentials of perfect form. The longevity of their careers testifies that they have learned how to deal with their flaws and overcome their effects most of the time. But they still retain the idiosyncrasies that make their swings unique. We tend to regard these deviations in style as exceptions, when in reality, they are the norm.
An aesthetically pleasing swing is a fortuitous by-product of developing a swing that repeats itself.
The silky smooth swings of Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Gene Littler and Julius Boros (sorry, showing my age) make many golfers drool with envy. Admiring their form is understandable. Attempting to copy it is disastrous.
It’s an exercise in futility to try and copy another player. There are essential elements found in every effective swing. Understanding these elements and helping you incorporate them is the task of a competent instructor. The trick is learning how to adapt these essentials into your unique style. You have to discover the motion that feels right for you, work on refining it, and let the aesthetics take of itself.