What's in my bag

Golf Digest, Oct, 2002 by Fred Couples, Mark Soltau

`I'll stick with things a long time.'

I don't pretend to be all that informed about even basic golf technology. For example, a guy once asked me what the loft on my putter was. I had to admit I didn't know and hadn't thought much about it. I guess I'm a little bit of a mess, equipment-wise.

Still, I know what I like, even when it's not the obvious choice. Like the time I borrowed an old Ram women's driver from Tom Watson. I said, "Gee, this looks good," and it stayed in my bag for three or four years, including my win at the 1992 Masters. And I switched to the putter I use now after a guy gave it to me 10 minutes before the pro-am at a tournament last year. I'll stick with things a long time, too. Like my grips. I keep them for as long as I can. Umbrellas, though, are a different story. On the course, I can't find one when I need one. But at home I have about 30.

PUTTER

Mid-length 44-inch Carbite Rick Hamilton model RH1. I've been back and forth with it, but after going 63-64 in Las Vegas last year, it's stayed in the bag.

DRIVER

I switched from TaylorMade's 300 Tour to the 510. It has 8.5 degrees of loft, a True Temper Dynamic Gold SensiCore steel X300 shaft and D-3 swingweight.

3-WOOD

I tried about 10 until I found the right one, an old Callaway S2H2, 13 degrees of loft. I took it from a Callaway rep.

IRONS

TaylorMade 300 Forged. I use Dynamic Gold SensiCore X300 shafts that are a quarter-inch longer than standard, D-2 swingweight.

WEDGE

I have holes drilled in my 60-degree Cleveland 588 wedge because I like the lighter feel. This club and my 3-wood are my favorites. I like to hit 250-yard shots and 100-yard shots, nothing in between.

TRUE GRIT

I don't like changing my grips, so my caddie, Joe LaCava, sands my old ones down with 220-grit sandpaper. You should try it if you've got shiny grips.

BALL

Maxfli [A.sup.10]. I carry nine, always 1s and 3s. Nine is a nice number, and I'm afraid I might lose the other eight.

STUFF

I travel light--one coin in my pocket, some Advil in the bag just in case and white tees. I like the ones with inscriptions. If I hit a good shot with one, it stays in my bag.

MY YARDAGE (carry, loft)

WOODS

Driver:   280, 8.5[degrees]
3-wood:   250, 13[degrees]

IRONS

2-iron:   220, 17.5[degrees]
3-iron:   210, 19.5[degrees]
4-iron:   200, 22.5[degrees]
5-iron:   185, 25.5[degrees]
6-iron:   175, 29.5[degrees]
7-iron:   160, 33.5[degrees]
8-iron:   150, 37.5[degrees]
9-iron:   136, 41.5[degrees]
PW:       125, 46.5[degrees]
SW:       110, 56[degrees]
LW:        90, 60[degrees]