Okay, so I’ve been meaning to document my “Fred Couples WITB” (What’s In The Bag) experiment for a while now. I’m a huge Freddie fan – always loved his smooth swing and effortless power. So, I decided to try and build a set mirroring what he’s been using, or at least, a close approximation based on what I could find and afford.
Getting Started
First thing I did was a ton of digging online. I watched old tournament footage, read forum posts, and scoured equipment reviews. It’s kinda tricky because, like most pros, Freddie tweaks his setup, and info isn’t always readily available, especially for older clubs.
The Driver Dilemma
This was the toughest part. Finding the exact driver he uses, that is old, is a chore. I know he’s used TaylorMade a lot. I scoured eBay and some used club sites. I ended up grabbing a TaylorMade SIM2 Max that I found, it seemed pretty close to the feel I was going for based on my research. and felt great when i tested it.
Fairway Woods and Hybrids
I went with a used callaway for the 3-wood. For hybrids, I picked up a couple of older Adams Idea Pro models – I saw some chatter online suggesting he’d used something similar in the past. These were easier to find and relatively inexpensive.
Irons and Wedges
For irons, I know Freddie has used Bridgestone. I managed to find a set of used J40 irons that seemed that work, I cleaned them up. They felt pretty good at the range, though definitely a bit different than my usual modern irons.
Wedges were easier. I just grabbed a couple of Titleist Vokey wedges – a 54-degree and a 60-degree. Pretty standard stuff, and I figured they’d be close enough to what Freddie would use.
The Putter
Freddie’s known for his putter, I tracked down an older model, that seemed right. it plays like a dream.
Putting It All Together
The first few rounds were… interesting. Getting used to the older clubs, especially the irons, took some adjustment. My distances were definitely off at first, and I had to really focus on my swing tempo to get the same smooth feel as Freddie.
- Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 Max
- 3-Wood:Callaway
- Hybrids: Adams Idea Pro
- Irons: Bridgestone J40
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey (54, 60)
- Putter: An older model
The Results
Honestly, it’s been a fun experiment! My scores haven’t magically improved (no surprise there!), but I’ve definitely gained a new appreciation for older equipment and the importance of a smooth, rhythmic swing. It’s forced me to be more deliberate with my shots and to really feel the club throughout the swing. I also think working with clubs require more work on my tempo is helping my overall.
It is fun to tinker and try new things, Would I recommend this to everyone? Maybe not. But if you’re a Freddie fan, or just curious about experimenting with older clubs, it’s definitely worth a shot!
