Tiger Woods Borrows Unique Warm-Up Routine From Fred Couples

As Tiger Woods (and the golf world) readies for his full field debut from back surgery, it was revealed by Golfweek’s Forecaddie that TW is adopting a new warm up routine from none other than noted back survivalist Fred Couples.

When Woods played with President Obama and Houston Astros owner Jim Crane last week at The Floridian, he walked onto the range and began his warmup by immediately hitting driver. Typically, Woods has prepared by hitting wedges, short irons, long irons and fairway woods before finally reaching for the big stick.

The Man Out Front hears Woods told folks at the Floridian that he got the idea after chatting with Fred Couples, who is known for his driver-first warmup before rounds. Couples has been plagued with back issues for 25 years. 

“Think about it. Short irons into the turf are the worst thing for Freddie,“ says a fellow PGA Tour Champions player and friend of the ’92 Masters winner. “I’ve seen Freddie with six balls teed up in a row and he hits them with driver. He has his caddie tee them up.” 

“It’s a longer swing. It loosens everything up,” says one teacher, explaining the theory behind Tiger’s change. 

Hitting longer clubs to begin a pre-round practice session isn’t just for the infirm. John Daly has been known to hit driver first, while Tom Watson has long started his practice routine with a 3-iron.

As a self-proclaimed Ranger Rick, I curious to try the Driver-First regime. Up till now, its been easy knock down 6 or 7-irons before hitting hybrid then driver before ending with wedges. Even at the sage age of 61, this old dog is open to new tricks.