Hogan’s Left Hand Grip

[pacman16]

I always hear about Hogan’s right hand being weak.

 

From my understanding… what he promotes with the left hand in Five Lessons is super strong.  Is my perception correct?

 

He has a super strong left hand grip and a very weak right hand grip.

[TLUBulldogGolf]

It appears pretty neutral to weak to me, he advocates the V pointing to the right ear roughly and the view looking down at it appears to show ~2 knuckles:

 

 

Found this article:

https://www.golfwrx.com/460548/the-evolution-of-the-hogan-grip/

 

Looks like he weakened it quite a bit during his career.

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by TLUBulldogGolf

[N0rs3man]

His hands were always in relation to eachother. Get ur right hand where u want, then put ur left hand on it if u want. Ur right hands palm will fold over ur left thumb perfectly. Then if ir slicing strengthen ur left hand, your right hand will weaken I guess. If ur hooking then weaken ur left hand, your right will strengthen 

[Soloman1]

54 minutes ago, N0rs3man said:

Then if ir slicing strengthen ur left hand, your right hand will weaken I guess.

 

Yes, that way you can hit a pull slice instead of a slice. Yeehaw. Fun times for -4° path.

 

Hogan's left hand wasn't really strong in comparison to what's considered strong today.

 

His hand positions might work for someone 5'-81/2", 150 lbs. with the hands of a blacksmith, swinging on his same plane with the same sequence with the same forces with all of the same muscles.

 

Here is some light reading to understand the simple movements of the golf swing to go along with "make your grip stronger or weaker."

 

↵ 

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Participation in sport and physical activity. Doc No 4177. 0 2002.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Bulbulian R, Ball KA, Seaman DR. The short golf backswing: effects on performance and spinal health implications. J Manipulative Physiol Ther2001;24:569–75.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Watkins RG, Uppal GS, Perry J, et al. Dynamic electromyographic analysis of trunk musculature in professional golfers. Am J Sports Med1996;24:535–8.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Bechler JR, Jobe FW, Pink M, et al. Electromyographic analysis of the hip and knee during the golf swing. Clin J Sport Med1995;5:162–6.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Kao JT, Pink M, Jobe FW, et al. Electromyographic analysis of the scapular muscles during a golf swing. Am J Sports Med1995;23:19–23.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Pink M, Perry J, Jobe FW. Electromyographic analysis of the trunk in golfers. Am J Sports Med1993;21:385–8.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Pink M, Jobe FW, Perry J. Electromyographic analysis of the shoulder during the golf swing. Am J Sports Med1990;18:137–40.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Jobe FW, Perry J, Pink M. Electromyographic shoulder activity in men and women professional golfers. Am J Sports Med1989;17:782–7.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Moynes DR, Perry J, Antonelli DJ, et al. Electromyography and motion analysis of the upper extremity in sports. Phys Ther1986;66:1905–11.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Jobe FW, Moynes DR, Antonelli DJ. Rotator cuff function during a golf swing. Am J Sports Med1986;14:388–92.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Glousman R. Electromyographic analysis and its role in the athletic shoulder. Clin Orthop Relat Res1993;288:27–34.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Bradley JP, Tibone JE. Electromyographic analysis of muscle action about the shoulder. Clin Sports Med1991t;10:789–805.

PubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Hosea TM, Gatt CJ, Galli NA, et al. Biomechanical analysis of the golfer’s back. In: Cochran A, ed. Science and golf: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf. London: E & FN Spon, 1990:43–8.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Glazebrook MA, Curwin S, Islam MN, et al. Medial epicondylitis. An electromyographic analysis and an investigation of intervention strategies. Am J Sports Med1994;22:674–9.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Barclay JK, McIlroy WE. Effect of skill level on muscle activity in neck and forearm muscles during the golf swing. In: Cochran A, ed. Science and golf: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf. London: E & FN Spon, 1990:49–53.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Abernethy B, Neal RJ, Parker AW, et al. Expert-novice differences in muscle activity during the golf swing. In: Cochran A, ed. Science and golf: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf. London: E & FN Spon, 1990:54–60.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Theriault G, Lachance P. Golf injuries. An overview. Sports Med1998;26:43–57.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

McHardy AJ, Pollard HP, Luo K. Golf injuries. A review of the literature. Sports Med. 2005;in press.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Basmajian JV. In: Muscles alive: their functions revealed by electromyography. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1978:23–7.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Lieber RL, Friden J. Mechanisms of muscle injury after eccentric contraction. J Sci Med Sport1999;2:253–65.

CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Proske U, Morgan DL. Muscle damage from eccentric exercise: mechanism, mechanical signs, adaptation and clinical applications. J Physiol2001;537:333–45.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Byrne C, Twist C, Eston R. Neuromuscular function after exercise-induced muscle damage: theoretical and applied implications. Sports Med2004;34:49–69.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Men’s Handicap Indexes. USGA handicap department. http://www.usga.org/handicap/articles/text/mens-hcap.html (accessed 20 Dec 2004).

↵ 

Women’s Handicap Indexes. USGA handicap department. http://www.usga.org/handicap/articles/text/womens-hcap.html (accessed 20 Dec 2004).

↵ 

Australian Golf Union. AGU affiliated clubs membership statistics. May 2003.

Google Scholar

[N0rs3man]

30 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

 

Yes, that way you can hit a pull slice instead of a slice. Yeehaw. Fun times for -4° path.

 

Hogan's left hand wasn't really strong in comparison to what's considered strong today.

 

His hand positions might work for someone 5'-81/2", 150 lbs. with the hands of a blacksmith, swinging on his same plane with the same sequence with the same forces with all of the same muscles.

 

Here is some light reading to understand the simple movements of the golf swing to go along with "make your grip stronger or weaker."

 

↵ 

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Participation in sport and physical activity. Doc No 4177. 0 2002.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Bulbulian R, Ball KA, Seaman DR. The short golf backswing: effects on performance and spinal health implications. J Manipulative Physiol Ther2001;24:569–75.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Watkins RG, Uppal GS, Perry J, et al. Dynamic electromyographic analysis of trunk musculature in professional golfers. Am J Sports Med1996;24:535–8.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Bechler JR, Jobe FW, Pink M, et al. Electromyographic analysis of the hip and knee during the golf swing. Clin J Sport Med1995;5:162–6.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Kao JT, Pink M, Jobe FW, et al. Electromyographic analysis of the scapular muscles during a golf swing. Am J Sports Med1995;23:19–23.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Pink M, Perry J, Jobe FW. Electromyographic analysis of the trunk in golfers. Am J Sports Med1993;21:385–8.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Pink M, Jobe FW, Perry J. Electromyographic analysis of the shoulder during the golf swing. Am J Sports Med1990;18:137–40.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Jobe FW, Perry J, Pink M. Electromyographic shoulder activity in men and women professional golfers. Am J Sports Med1989;17:782–7.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Moynes DR, Perry J, Antonelli DJ, et al. Electromyography and motion analysis of the upper extremity in sports. Phys Ther1986;66:1905–11.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Jobe FW, Moynes DR, Antonelli DJ. Rotator cuff function during a golf swing. Am J Sports Med1986;14:388–92.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Glousman R. Electromyographic analysis and its role in the athletic shoulder. Clin Orthop Relat Res1993;288:27–34.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Bradley JP, Tibone JE. Electromyographic analysis of muscle action about the shoulder. Clin Sports Med1991t;10:789–805.

PubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Hosea TM, Gatt CJ, Galli NA, et al. Biomechanical analysis of the golfer’s back. In: Cochran A, ed. Science and golf: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf. London: E & FN Spon, 1990:43–8.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Glazebrook MA, Curwin S, Islam MN, et al. Medial epicondylitis. An electromyographic analysis and an investigation of intervention strategies. Am J Sports Med1994;22:674–9.

Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Barclay JK, McIlroy WE. Effect of skill level on muscle activity in neck and forearm muscles during the golf swing. In: Cochran A, ed. Science and golf: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf. London: E & FN Spon, 1990:49–53.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Abernethy B, Neal RJ, Parker AW, et al. Expert-novice differences in muscle activity during the golf swing. In: Cochran A, ed. Science and golf: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf. London: E & FN Spon, 1990:54–60.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Theriault G, Lachance P. Golf injuries. An overview. Sports Med1998;26:43–57.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

McHardy AJ, Pollard HP, Luo K. Golf injuries. A review of the literature. Sports Med. 2005;in press.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Basmajian JV. In: Muscles alive: their functions revealed by electromyography. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1978:23–7.

Google Scholar

↵ 

Lieber RL, Friden J. Mechanisms of muscle injury after eccentric contraction. J Sci Med Sport1999;2:253–65.

CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Proske U, Morgan DL. Muscle damage from eccentric exercise: mechanism, mechanical signs, adaptation and clinical applications. J Physiol2001;537:333–45.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Byrne C, Twist C, Eston R. Neuromuscular function after exercise-induced muscle damage: theoretical and applied implications. Sports Med2004;34:49–69.

CrossRefPubMedWeb of ScienceGoogle Scholar

↵ 

Men’s Handicap Indexes. USGA handicap department. http://www.usga.org/handicap/articles/text/mens-hcap.html (accessed 20 Dec 2004).

↵ 

Women’s Handicap Indexes. USGA handicap department. http://www.usga.org/handicap/articles/text/womens-hcap.html (accessed 20 Dec 2004).

↵ 

Australian Golf Union. AGU affiliated clubs membership statistics. May 2003.

Google Scholar

Why would he be hitting a pull slice? Weakening or strengthening a grip is simple.. you don't need to have a PhD.

[Zitlow]

Hogan's fixed ball position off his left heel dictated a weaker left hand position because he was hitting the ball later in the arc. 

 

If he moved the ball back as his clubs got shorter he would push his wedge with the weaker grip because the face would be open. The ball being struck earlier in the arc wouldn't give it time to square up. 

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Zitlow

[Bocaji]

14 hours ago, Zitlow said:

Hogan's fixed ball position off his left heel dictated a weaker left hand position because he was hitting the ball later in the arc. 

 

If he moved the ball back as his clubs got shorter he would push his wedge with the weaker grip because the face would be open. The ball being struck earlier in the arc wouldn't give it time to square up. 

 

Interesting! I was wondering why when I set up the ball more middle and closed stance I hit the ball on line and hooked it with it off of left heel... I have been using a pretty strong grip but trying to weaken it a bit.

Edited August 5, 2021 by Bocaji

[jonsnow]

I wish people who use text abbreviations in their posts would be consistent: if you are going to use "ur" in place of "your", at least use "ur" every instance, not "ur" sometimes and "ir" sometimes. Or is "ir" something entirely different I haven't caught on to yet? Same thing for "u" in place of "you"; please don't use "u" sometimes then "you" in the same post. It really makes it difficult for old f**ts like me to comprehend what you are saying. And we do really want to hear what you have to say...

[Soloman1]

I don't think English is his native language, so we should give some consideration to that.

[jonsnow]

19 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

I don't think English is his native language, so we should give some consideration to that.

Oops, did not know that & did not mean to offend. My apologies.

[Soloman1]

On the other hand, if it is his native language, I encourage you to kick the ever-lovin' Internet poop out of him.

[N0rs3man]

22 hours ago, Soloman1 said:

On the other hand, if it is his native language, I encourage you to kick the ever-lovin' Internet poop out of him.

Think ill just stop wrx... I don't really care if u stay a 15 hc till your 70. Someone else can spend energy trying to help, just isn't worth the effort anymore.

[Bocaji]

22 minutes ago, N0rs3man said:

Think ill just stop wrx... I don't really care if u stay a 15 hc till your 70. Someone else can spend energy trying to help, just isn't worth the effort anymore.

*I’ll

*until*
*you

*you’re

have a great day 

[oikos1]

[dlygrisse]

1 hour ago, N0rs3man said:

Think ill just stop wrx... I don't really care if u stay a 15 hc till your 70. Someone else can spend energy trying to help, just isn't worth the effort anymore.

I am pretty sure that was an attempt a humor by Soloman1, at least that is how I took it....

 

I always viewed Hogan's grip with the left as very neutral, his right hand in the book looks overly weak in the drawing, however if you look at an actual picture of his grip from that era it doesn't look extremely weak.  I think many people misinterpret the arrows on the diagram, pointing at his chin.  Its the V between the thumb and forefinger that points at the chin, not the crease, that should point more at the right shoulder.  

 

At the end of the day I think the diagram is confusing, what really matters if you want a neutral grip is the palm, or base of the fingers,  of the right hand should be square with the clubface, the left hand should be gripped much as he describes.  Everyone is a bit different based on their physiology.  The key is that your grip should allow the face to be square at impact without manipulation.  @Zitlow post about ball position is also a good point, if you grip it with a 4 knuckle grip you ball position needs to change.  The parts need to match.