Rickie Fowler Favorites
My 2009 season included a pair of back-to-back events with Rickie Fowler in contention; the Justin Timberlake Shriners and Frys.com Open.
Considering that Fowler only had three PGA starts in 2009, chances are good that I’ve spent more time inside-the-ropes with Fowler and Caddy Joe Skovron than any of my peers.
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/1600 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
As such, I’ve had an opportunity to chronicles numerous elements of his game and thought to share some of my favorites.
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At the heart of his game, his relationship with Caddy Skovron.
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/640 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
The two work incredibly well together; always on the same page, well beyond their cumulative years…
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/1250 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
There relationship reminds me of two brother, with Skovron as the elder, comfortable and exceptional in his roles.
Canon EOS 7D at f/4, 1/1250 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
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Much has been said about Fowler’s throwback swing and the fact that he does not work with a swing coach.
Personally I love it and it just so happens that Top 100 Instructor Jim McLean agrees with me.
In an interview with SBNation.com, McLean compared Fowler’s swing to that of Lanny Wadkins, “one of the greatest ball strikers I have ever seen, and about the same size. Great swings in golf have a certain degree of abandonment. Most people do not recognize how crucial this is to top class golf. Rickie has that gift. My opinion is his swing will last.”
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/800 sec, 420mm, 200 ISO, Manual
“This “abandonment” is evident in his swashbuckler-style finish complete with post-impact stare.
As you can see, I had a lot of fun with this and at one point started a contest with myself. The Contest Rules: To position myself (out of his way of course) such that he would appear to be hitting right into me.
Canon EOS 7D at f/4.5, 1/800 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
This was the best I could muster. And while not directly into me, still a nice shot.
Canon EOS 7D at f/4, 1/1000 sec, 300mm, 250 ISO, Manual
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Keeping with the swing theme, here’s a few examples of Fowler’s body position just after and through impact…
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/1000 sec, 420mm, 250 ISO, Manual
Just look at how he traps the ball. Amazing..
Canon EOS 7D at f/4, 1/640 sec, 300mm, 250 ISO, Manual
And then extends through the hitting zone..
Canon EOS 5D Mark II at f/4, 1/2000 sec, 420mm, 200 ISO, Manual
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/1250 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
Canon EOS 7D at f/4, 1/640 sec, 23mm, 200 ISO, Manual
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/1600 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
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As much as I love the ‘stare’, my favorite photo from the entire set does not include much of a stare at all.
Canon EOS 7D at f/4, 1/2000 sec, 300mm, 250 ISO, Manual
Comment: I spent a lot of time last season working on my lighting and filling the frame. With this photo, all of the elements finally came together and it is easily in my top 10 out of all my shots for the entire year…
Notice his Vokey Spin Mill wedge. Here’s a close-up I took a few holes later.
Canon EOS 7D at f/4, 1/2000 sec, 300mm, 250 ISO, Manual
As with other Tour players, custom stamping is a must. In Fowler’s case, stamping includes his nickname “Steek”, given to him by fellow tour player Chris Kirk a couple of years ago during a tournament in South Carolina.
Fowler was playing well (big surprise) and Kirk said Fowler “stuck every shot.” This somehow evolved into “Steek”.
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Speaking for Fowler, I’m sure a moment he will never forget is his first PGA Tour hole-in-one. Unfortunately I was not there to witness the event, however, I did get photo of his mother, Lynn Fowler, with the ball he signed on the subsequent hole.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II at f/4.5, 1/800 sec, 50mm, 200 ISO, Manual
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – October 25: Rickie Fowler’s Titleist golf ball held by his mother, Lynn Fowler After making a hole-in-one on the par 3 Fifth hole, Fowler signed the ball and wrote “Hole-in-one. Grayhawk #5. 213 yards. 6 iron. 10/25/09″ during the final round of the 2009 Frys.com Open at Grayhawk Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry/Golf Chronicles-US PRESSWIRE
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How good is this position!
Canon EOS 7D at f/3.2, 1/2500 sec, 300mm, 200 ISO, Manual
Yes I know, I broke the number one golf photography rule…….
That’s it for my 2009 Fowler Favorites. Looking forward to starting the 2010 collection at Torrey Pines later this week.
Canon EOS 7D at f/4, 1/800 sec, 39mm, 200 ISO, Manual
PS: Be sure to checkout www.rickie-fowler.com and send him a tweet!
Canon EOS 7D at f/5, 1/1000 sec, 420mm, 200 ISO, Manual
x~ Play Well ~
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