Ben Hogan

[rony]

As time marches on, Ben Hogan's legend seems to grow by leaps and bounds, much like The "Babe", Joe D, Mickey Mantle, Moe Norman, and so many other great sports figures. As you fellow seniors can appreciate, I grew up in a time when I heard Ben Hogan's name just about every single day. It has only been within the last few years that I have really read up on Ben Hogan and perused the countless number of film clips of him and that magnificent swing. I swing like he did because I am built like him. I'm short of stature and can only launch a powerful drive by swinging my driver more around my body than upright. "Old Timers" have actually asked me if I copied Ben Hogan's style. Not that I am remotely in the same league with Ben Hogan, but yes, I guess I swing like Ben Hogan. I think his was a beautiful, compact, powerful swing; and watching it, you can just feel the power. One can only guess where his record might be had it not been for the horrific accident he managed to survive, and his years off the tour for military service. With all that he endured, the man won on tour 64 times. I never got to see him play in person, but it must have been something to have been able to watch "The Wee Icemon" up close and personal! :yes:

[Baldy]

You would probably enjoy reading Jody Vasquez's book. He was Hogan's shag boy at Shady Oaks for four years as a teenager and spent a lot of time with Hogan catching balls. He was never a caddie. It is an easy read and gives another perspective on the man and golfer. He also claims Hogan told him "the secret" which he says was a braced right knee and cupped left wrist at the top. You hear so many variations on "the secret" you don't know what to believe, but there is some good stuff in the book.

Baldy

[JonT]

Hogan's five lessons was some of my first reading when I started out. After taking lessons, however, I went in a different direction as my teacher at the time was an advocate of the 2 plane swing. Now that I am older and getting back into golf I have been revisiting his swing with some success. Being 5' 5" and 150 llbs I wish I had been adhering to his principles from the beginning as they seem to especially fit for one being of small stature.

[Swingtheclub]

You know its funny, never anywhere have I seen as many Hogan fans than on this forum. Not just fans of him as a player but fans of him as a teacher and a swinger of the golf club. Many people on this forum seem to think his swing came close to perfection.

 

I am not one of them .

 

Now don't get me wrong I have great respect for Hogan and what he accomplished. But I had equal respect for Byon Nelson (father of the modern golfswing) and Sam Snead. I also liked both of their swings better.

 

But like I said mainly I find the Hogan phenomena on this forum strange .