It depends what you are looking for in the swing. If we look at impact…and forget the rest
I would suggest many of the players swung similarly (or like Byron Nelson as you suggested jake)… ideal impact positions just different ways and looks of getting there.
Hogan became a cult figure because he was impersonable by many accounts…yet his friends said he was nothing of the sort
Hogan continued on playing and practicing and enjoyed being a loner…Nelson retired early and didn’t play much golf at all
Hogan worked to win…Nelson won to retire
Everyone thought Hogan was hiding a secret because people envisioned he never explained everything that made him a great player… why should he?
Hogan became known as a perfectionist even with equipment and his Hogan company and larger than life stories came about from him not answering calls or giving prompt one line answers
Hogan shunned the spotlight…Nelson was a golf commentator and probably shed some light on the swing and himself that way and by teaching a few players such as Tom Watson…so people thought they knew him better
Nelson was seen every year at his own event (which is on this week)…Hogan rarely ventured out to watch golf whatsoever.
So more mystique by occurrence and things said…than anything to do with the swing probably…people think he is more of a mystery so they are more fascinated with him
Great points and fantastic pictures. Axis tilt and the magic of the right forearm! Every one of these guys had a different release. Now if Bob Murphy looks like this too…
I love that pic. of Murphy…from “The Venturi Analysis”?
I get such a charge out of the Jeep in the background…like he was driving down a dirt road with a driver in the back…saw an open cow pasture, got out and started whackin’ em for no apparent reason.
It’s a very little known fact that just before Bob Murphy turned professional in 1967 he was huge fan of the Beatles and became good friends with George and Pattie Harrison. Murphy accompanied the Harrison’s to Bombay for 6 weeks to study Eastern philosophy and Transcendental Meditation with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Along with learning the mind control techniques of the Maharishi to help his golf; Murphy also studied the physical combat moves of the fighting Buddhist monks of Tibet. Those techniques raised Bob Murphy’s chi (dante) point significantly and he has worn his belts 6 inches higher ever since.
Anytime is a good time to read what others have to say about Hogan, even if it is on another forum. I’ve visited a few sites, like GolfWrx, but they are too big…would take a lifetime to go through it and besides…
…I don’t think anything else “out there” that I’ve come across is as thorough and revealing as what Lag has decoded.
But anytime you find some Hogan stuff out there, bring it over for some good reading and thought. All is good.
He’s got all of them running around in circles chasing their tails. I really dislike that ‘I’ve got a secret & I’m not telling… neener neener neener’ garbage and everybody does it ALL THE TIME, Most teachers use it as a cover for not knowing what they’re doing more often than not. The only difference with Fats is that he does have a good understanding of a lot of things. But if you’re not going to be open or honest or complete any train of thought then don’t start in in the the first place. That’s why I like it here, because ideas & knowledge are more important than propping yourself up.
The pictures that Two posted are awesome love how the ball is gone and the right elbow is still flexed there’s some great post impact stuff happenning there.
Fats was very open with me on a lot of things. He contacted me through the private message system on golfwrx when he read some of my anti S&T posts and we had a great discussion. I have since sent him a few questions and he gives detailed, thorough answers. He’s probably my favorite guy over at golfwrx. He’s also a very accomplished PGA Tour and Senior Tour player. He would fit right in over here.
I agree with that assessment 1000%! I’m not saying that Fats is looking for adulation and attention, but it is a bit selfish to make those statements and chip around the edges. Honestly, “I’m not going to tell because I earned it and that is how I make my living”…please. Write a book, make a DVD, create a gadget. There will still be plenty of student/teacher exposure regardless if you explain your views on the 'net.
I’m not interested in any secrets, but would love to know the conversations between Hogan and Bolt! That’s golfing history! Most anything said would undoubtedly fit some paradigm w/ ABS.
Just knowing stuff is all great… but it’s always a challenge to be able to do it yourself. As an instructor, the real challenge is figuring out how to get students to understand how things are going to need to feel within their body based upon where they are at… in their development.
I have been teaching myself since 1988, and I consider myself a horrible student. I have to exaggerate things to such a degree at times that it’s beyond shocking. But through massive amounts of trail and error, finding out what works and what messes other things up along the way, I am more than happy to help others on their journey through golf. I just try to compensate myself for my time… not so much what I know. I have worked hard so that I can share what I have learned with others. I feel like teaching is a more noble cause than playing for a living. The tour life is extremely self indulgent and narcissistic. With 144 of them (myself included) roaming around the fairways and clubhouses each week, it can be a tough place to feel a true serendipity of spirit so to speak. I had no problem leaving the tour life with stacks of exemptions that everyone else was clawing for.
Ultimately you are competing against the golf course design and architecture, the greens keepers pin placements, the weather
and your own inner demons. I always feel a sense of competition when I stand on the tee, even if I am playing alone. Maybe I’ll try to play a round tomorrow, I don’t think I have played in about 6 weeks since Mashie and I played Pasa Tiempo.
Just posted in The Vault probably one of the best articles and insights on Hogan I have seen. 1970 Golf Digest Article
Talking with Hogan at home , at the course, and during his comeback tournaments and discussions with friends and about the swing and equipment
This is ***** 5 star stuff
Thanks for posting that in “The Vault”. A fascinating read, and lot of things to ponder, not just about golf but topics as diverse as art and politics.
Good point. Just checked and the linked thread just threw up on itself before THE secret could be exctracted. But, 3 points/questions I pulled of interest (at least to me):
Good Hogan video with interesting clinic video reminiscent of the Coleman concentration video at 1:42:
Great video…the driver swing from the British Open at around 3:10 is almost literally a hurricane of module three. I love the post-impact action. I had the same question about non-tapered grips and how they might affect the swing.
