Interviews and Transcripts
Here’s a very good interview Fred Couples gave to Dan Patrick on his radio show. It was recorded on april 30th, 2004. The interview was saved in a low quality .mp3 file for a faster download.
Info on the file:
Quality: 16 kbps, 11 Hz
Format: .mp3
Size: 1,517 kb
Download the interview here
Summary: The live online chat with Fred Couples was a big success. More than 500 people preregistered and submitted questions prior to the event, and more than 3,200 people joined us on the evening of the chat. Many of you have inquired since then if a transcript of the session would be available, and we’ve posted it below so that you can take a look at what Fred had to say.
(From Maxfli - March 28, 2000)
Fred Couples: All entries will be directed to me in the form of a question. Thanks for your judiciousness in asking great questions.
To answer a few questions submitted before tonight, LeeLai, you and many others have asked how I prepare for major events, with the Masters coming up. Basically, I try to make sure that mentally, I try to make sure that I treat it like any other tournament. Once I get on the course, that’s when I treat it differently.
GRsource, when I am not playing, I do watch all the tours on television–PGA, LPGA, Seniors…but I won’t sit still for two hours and watch all of it on television.
Many of you have also asked what my favorite TV shows are. I have gotten addicted to “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire”…and I also watch “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
And of course, many of you have asked about my favorite golf ball. I play Maxfli Revolutions, of course! And, I play #1s and #3s only–because once I hit a #4 out of bounds, so I only use the odd numbers.
Regarding the difference between the Maxfli Revolution and the Strata, I haven’t played anything but a Maxfli golf ball for the past 14 years, and I see no reason to try anything else.
I have hit three holes-in-one in my career. One when I was nine years old in Jefferson Park in Seattle, one on the 11th hole at the Kapalua Invitational in Hawaii, and one a couple of years ago on the 17th at TPC.
I have played the Revolution irons…I tried them out when they first came out and I liked them, but I couldn’t use them because of contractual obligations.
Legend: What is your favorite Major course?
Fred Couples: I would have to say that my favorite Major courses are Augusta, and Pebble Beach for the US Open, and also St. Andrews for the British Open.
Also, many of you have asked who my favorite golfer was growing up…and it was Tom Weiskopf.
Boomboomfan77: Who will win college the basketball championship, in your opinion?
Fred Couples: Boomboomfan, I think Michigan State University will win the NCAAs this year. I watch as much basketball as possible while I am on the road.
Pedro Ochoa: Fred, as a champion, can you play at Augusta whenever you want or can you only play during the Masters?
Fred Couples: Pedro, I can play at Augusta whenever I want, but if I bring a guest, I have to play with another member. And, if you win more than one Masters, I believe you only get one jacket. And, it stays in the locker at Augusta. Whenever I come back to Augusta, to eat dinner or whatever, they ask me to wear the green jacket.
Chambs: Do you use the 90 or 100 comp rev?
Fred Couples: I have always used the 90 compression Revolution. There the ones I first tried, and I liked them and stayed with them. Also, I use the same ball whether it’s hot, cold, windy, whatever…I use the same ball all year round.
Now, to take another presubmitted question: Dave, as far as squaring the club at impact–without seeing your swing, hitting the ball long distance has to do with hitting the ball square at contact. On the backswing, I try to swing down on the same line square to the ball. I use my high irons for my drills.
Fredmagic: Are you still having fun playing competitive golf? Compared to design work? Compared to staying home?
Fred Couples: Fredmagic, I enjoy playing competitive golf–I still enjoy the competition, even though I don’t always show it. Golf course design is fun, and I will probably devote more time to it five or six years from now.
Jackie2: Do any of your kids play golf?
Fred Couples: Oliver and Gigi both hit balls…bang around on the driving range. They’re 7 and 9.
And now to another presubmitted question: Liam from Ireland, the best way that both you and I can be more consistent on the golf course is to a) use a little bit of patience, and b) realize that you can’t hit every shot that stands in front of you the way you think you can. Play within yourself.
Freddiefan: Fred, how many Mustangs do you currently own?
Fred Couples: Freddiefan, at one time I had a few vintage Mustangs, but right now, I have one…a ‘66 hatchback that I bought in Greenville, South Carolina…where Maxfli is located.
Ericwro: Fred, what is the funniest/craziest thing a fan did on tour
Fred Couples: Many of you have asked what the craziest thing a fan has ever done to attract my attention. I have had people follow me all the way home from a tournament. Now autographs have gotten so big that people will go to any lengths to get autographs. A couple of times, I have parked my car, and someone has pulled up next to me…and I don’t quite know why, but it’s all fun. I am so bashful, when people want to meet me and say hello, I find it hard to believe. People just want to touch me!
Golfergirl: Hi, Fredddie, How is your back and what exercises are you doing to help it?
Fred Couples: Golfergirl, you and many others have asked about my back. It’s doing well. I’ve had some very good success with my sports therapist. Throughout the year, I don’t have a huge routine that I do every single day, but sometimes I walk then I stretch, sometimes I stretch and then get on the treadmill or Versaclimber. Sometimes I just don’t want to! And my back seems to be doing okay!
Many of you have asked about my swing…I have had the same loosey-goosey swing since I was 11. It’s not mechanical, it’s all about feel. In any weather, I feel like I can maneuver it around, and I’ve been very lucky.
And, many of you have asked if I play other sports. I grew up playing baseball and soccer as well as golf. I would say I have been an above-average athlete overall, but I absolutely love the game of golf: I grew up on a public course and played with older people, which was cool, and I learned to respect the golf course, and I also enjoyed it because it’s an individual sport.
I got the nickname BoomBoom while playing at a tournament right here in Atlanta…at that time not many people could get to the green, and I hit a driver and got to the green in two, and Gary McCord, who was playing with me, said, “Boom Boom”, and it stuck.
Nick, age 13, was one of many juniors who asked me for advice. I think it’s very important to not play the game every single day and get burned out. Be involved in other sports and other things, whether it’s arts, writing, the chess club, whatever. You don’t want to eat, drink and sleep the game.
Legend: Who are your close personal friends from the Tour?
Fred Couples: Legend, a lot of you have asked who my best friends are on Tour. My best friend is probably Davis Love–I just spent the night at his house Sunday night. When we started playing a lot together, we became friends–we like to do things off the course, we go to dinner and talk about things other than our round. I like how Davis plays.
Many of you have also asked about what my most fulfilling achievement has been to date. I would have to say that the number one thing would be winning Augusta. I had always wanted to win a major, and it was unbelieveable. There have been lots of highlights, but if I never ever won another tournament, I would be a happy man from winning that tournamment.
As far as what tournament I would like to win if I could only win one more tournament, I would have to say the British Open. The courses in England are great, and they have great fans. It’s a different type of golf, and I’d love to win.
Many of you have asked about my upcoming schedule. I choose my schedule by the tournaments I feel like I have always played well. At this time in my life, I don’t choose that many tournaments that I haven’t played the course. I will play Atlanta and Augusta, then I will go home for a couple of weeks, then I will play Houston and Dallas, Westchester, then the US Open. I will probably play 17 tournaments total, which is more than I have played the past couple of years.
And, many of you have asked my favorite foods. Anything that starts with “d” for dessert is good for me…I just had a Haagen Dazs bar. I like Italian food, I have grown to like sushi.
When I am on Tour, I try to get a lot of rest, and eat well and eat early. In golf, people are trying to get in better shape to stay out here longer.
Rochesterdan: How often do you change balls during a round ?
Fred Couples: I always use a new ball on a par 5, because I feel like it’s going to go further. And I never use a new ball on a par three. The balls are made so well these days–the Revolution will take a real beating and you can’t really cut it. I used to use 9 or 12, but now I only use 6 or 7 per round.
Verna from Canada–my brother plays a lot of golf now, and my sister only plays every now and then. My brother is a very good golfer–didn’t start playing until his mid to late 20s and plays all the time now.
Many of you have asked how I know when I am “in the zone,” and I know it after it’s over! When you’re in the zone, you’re just playing, everything is easy and nothing is bothering you. When you’re playing poorly, you notice every little thing. A zone doesn’t have to be something that makes everyone play great, you’re just out there and playing really well.
Gatafan: What player did you most enjoy playing with?
Fred Couples: An ideal group for me would probably be guys that I have always played well with. I love playing with Nick Faldo. It’s always fun to play with the best player.
Geoff Deemer: Do you like cross-handed putting better than regular style?
Fred Couples: Regarding putting, I do like the cross-handed grip. I started putting cross-hand in 1991.
Guest38: How do you feel about the World Golf events?
Fred Couples: I think the World Golf events are a great thing. They put us on a little bit of a stage, showcase the best players.
Fredfan: Fred, I will pay you 15,000 dollars to play 1 round with me, I will play at any course of your choice call me (number deleted). Fred Couples: Fredfan, I’ll get back to you on that one. Maybe we can do some kind of charity thing. Thank you.
Fredcouples78, thanks for your high praise. The greatest influences in my life..my parents were pretty incredible people. My mom would have two jobs during the summer so I could go travel, and my father gave me my gift. Ray Floyd and Tom Watson were two golfers I tried to learn a lot from.
Fredmagic: Did you know there’s a woman in Utah that carries a cardboard cut-out of you to her bowling league each week?
Fred Couples: Fredmagic, I hope it makes her bowl better. If not, tell her to get rid of it! Now I am going to take one last question.
Lynx96: What are you expecting at the Masters
Fred Couples: And for the last question, many of you have asked me about what is going to happen at Augusta. From what I hear, Augusta has a little rough, and the course has changed even a little more from last year, so I feel pretty good about that. I think golf is booming, and I think it is going to be a great event.
Thanks so much to all of you for attending tonight. Sorry I wasn’t able to get to everyone’s question…but we have recorded all the questions you have asked tonight, and will try to get to them as it is possible!
It’s unbelieveable what you can do on the Internet…so maybe I will see you back here soon.
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