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Ben Hogan's wisdom has inspired many golf instructors, like Chuck Evans and David Leadbetter.
Ben Hogan's wisdom has inspired many golf instructors, like Chuck Evans and David Leadbetter. (Courtesy photo)

Ben Hogan's words and actions still hold true for golfers and instructors

Chuck EvansBy Chuck Evans,
Special Contributor

A few years ago I ran across an old video of Ben Hogan showing some friends how he practiced. The film was taken at Seminole Golf Club - one of Hogan's favorites - in the backyard of these friends.

As Hogan was getting set up he kept directing the person shooting the
video to move the camera so that it would be in the right place - teaching pros that use video take note!

Once he was satisfied with the camera placement he started waggling the
club but in slow motion. Once the waggle was done he started his backstroke - again in slow motion. Once he reached the top of the backstroke he started the downstroke - again in slow motion - all of the way into Impact, follow through, and finish.

One of the ladies present asked, "Benny, why are swinging so slow?"

Hogan replied, "At this pace I can control the golf club and everything in my swing. Whenever I'm working on something I always do it in slow motion. That way I can monitor what I'm doing."

Ben Hogan was way ahead of his time when it came to game improvement and the majority of us would do better if we followed his example.

Here's one of Hogan's best quotes:

"Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing."

Chuck Evans, G.S.E.D., a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, is one of only 31 golf instructors worldwide designated to hold a doctorate in golf stroke engineering. He is executive director of instruction for the Medicus Golf Institute and has served as director of schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy, and as director of instruction for the United States Golf Institute. He is also the author of "How To Build Your Golf Swing."

 
Reader Comments / Reviews Leave a comment
  • Ben Hogan Video

    Rodney White wrote on: Sep 20, 2007

    I am looking for the video Mr. Evans refered to.
    Help.
    Rodney

    Reply

      • RE: Ben Hogan Video

        Chuck Evans wrote on: Sep 20, 2007

        The video I have was taken in South Florida by a friend of Mr Hogans. Prior to that I had seen it a couple of times while spending time with other instructors.
        I thought it may have been on a commercial video of Mr Hogan but cannot remember if that is so or not.
        I did find a source though that offers this tape for sale.
        http://www.giftsforethegolfer.com/brochures/Rarevide.doc
        The phone number is (843) 458-1580
        chuck
        ch

        Reply

  • ben Hogan

    billyT wrote on: Aug 7, 2007

    it would have been fantastic to see MR BEN HOGAN play golf

    Reply

      • RE: ben Hogan

        ed wrote on: Aug 29, 2009

        A member at my club had the priveledge of playing with Hogan at Seminole 6 times,I asked him did Hogan ever hit a bad shot,his reply only once.

        Reply

      • RE: ben Hogan

        steve french wrote on: Sep 28, 2007

        Buy the Shell's Hogan vs Snead

        Reply

      • RE: ben Hogan

        Steve wrote on: Aug 30, 2007

        Not live, but even better. There is a video of him hitting balls, warming up at the Masters (his last). It is from bootleggers. I'm looking for a DVD copy. Better than live as he hits every club in the bad and has a lot of slow motiion.

        Reply

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