Ben Hogan's Biography

Furrankee · April 11, 2007

Dodson's or Sampson's?

It's interesting reading about Hogan from this author. I was wondering how Sampson's rendition of Hogan is. I never knew about Hogan's tumultuous, dry upbringing. And I never knew about his father committing suicide.

taylormadefan · April 11, 2007

I haven't read James Dodson's book. However, I really liked Curt Sampson's book.

I thought he pulled no punches and shows both sides of Hogan good and bad. However, he does a great job of leaving the reader with a great view of Hogan that others haven't always seen. His love for his wife, his attention to detail, work eithic, and he does a good job of showing Hogan's softer side among his friends and his love of children.

It's a very good entertaining read if nothing else just to see where Ben Hogan came from, how much he struggled early in his life and career, and how difficult the last few years of competition were after his bus accident.

ToneBone · April 11, 2007

I've read the Dodson book. I find it hard to read books that don't spark some kind of interest with me but I had no problem becoming totally enthralled in hearing about his life.

Along the Hogan thread..has anyone seen the DVD's that are out there?

metroplanner · April 11, 2007

Dodson had the full cooperation of Hogan's wife, where Sampson wrote either prior to our outside of her feeling comfortable with the idea. having read both, they are quality books, but the Dodson book is far more thorough, in depth, and of course, it is twice as long. Both are good reads, but in my opinion, the Dodson book is the definitive source. Hehad access to things that no one else had.

hoganfan924 · April 11, 2007

I've read the Dodson book. I find it hard to read books that don't spark some kind of interest with me but I had no problem becoming totally enthralled in hearing about his life.
Along the Hogan thread..has anyone seen the DVD's that are out there?

I've got:

Shell's WWoG "Snead vs. Hogan" - top notch must have for any student of Hogan or the swing. The high speed film (something like 140 frames from start to impact!) face on view of Hogan swinging a driver at the end is worth the price alone. Also has some good DTL shots during the match. Hogan hit every fairway and green in that match!

The McLean "Hogan swing" analysis he did for the Golf Channel - not bad but didn't care for Mclean's analysis - a few nuggets in there though. Better off paying attention to the interviews with Jackie Burke and Venturi than listening to Mclean IMHO.

In pursuit of Perfection filmed at the '67 Masters by Clem Darricott - Decent video - commentary is worthless

"The Ben Hogan Collection" has some swing sequences I'd never seen before - more so-so commentary from Mclean IMHO.

Some other obscure DVD I got off of EBAY with about 45 min. of Moe Norman hitting balls at a driving range and some very poor quality Hogan film that looks like a 10th generation copy. Does have the home video of him hitting balls into the ocean at Seminole but my DVD wouldn't run this portion very well.

If there's anything else out there, let me know where I can get it! I'd love to get some DTL from the front (shooting at the cameraman) video if it exists!

ToneBone · April 12, 2007

Hoganfan..is it easy to get the WWoG w/ Hogan and Snead? I did see that bit with him hitting balls into the ocean.wasn't he quite a bit older or am I thinking of something else? Back to the original post..read one of these books if you want to know about The Hawk he's had quite a rollercoaster of a life.

taylormadefan · April 12, 2007

Hoganfan..is it easy to get the WWoG w/ Hogan and Snead? I did see that bit with him hitting balls into the ocean.wasn't he quite a bit older or am I thinking of something else? Back to the original post..read one of these books if you want to know about The Hawk he's had quite a rollercoaster of a life.

TGW.com has it. Well worth every penny.

hoganfan924 · April 12, 2007

Hoganfan..is it easy to get the WWoG w/ Hogan and Snead? I did see that bit with him hitting balls into the ocean.wasn't he quite a bit older or am I thinking of something else? Back to the original post..read one of these books if you want to know about The Hawk he's had quite a rollercoaster of a life.

yes,

The shell DVD I think is available in lots of places. Got mine cheap from a UK EBAY seller. Think I paid about $15 with shipping. The video of him hitting balls into the ocean at Seminole looks like it could be a great piece, but my copy is a PoS. I'd estimate that he's in his late 60's or early 70's in that video but his swing is still magnificent. Love the part where he moves in super slow motion. At first you don't even realize he's doing it, you think they just slowed the video down - 'till you notice the waves and boat going by in the background.

slicefixer · April 13, 2007

Filmed in 1978 in George Coleman's back yard......Hogan was 65 years old........I saw him hit practice balls @ Shady Oaks in 1984 @ 71 years old......couldn't walk.....looked like an old man........but, when he stood to a golf ball it was EXACTLY like pluggin' in a machine.......went from a crippled old man to a ball striking machine.......he was practicing to go to LA/Riviera to film the last Hogan commercials he ever appeared in hitting golf balls.......the best part of the "Coleman/Seminole video" is Hogan describing the grip.......priceless.....:rolleyes:

Titleist87 · April 13, 2007

I've read Dodson's book and have Sampson's but not yet read. Dodson's seemed complete. I especially liked reference to Hogan saying once about Indian Canyon's #8 as the hardest one shot hole he has ever played - Indian Canyon (Spokane, WA) is one of my favorite courses.