Well, well here we are again with the start of another new year. One of my resolutions is to communicate more with those interested in Ben Hogan fundamentals and philosophy.
In the past I would answer random questions here and there but never really put out information to spark people's interest. So that's what I'm planning to do this year.
I was fortunate enough to have a few words with Hal Sutton last night and I gave him one of my books, "The Secret of Hogan's Swing". It started a little dialogue about the "Hawk" and an old story about him playing with Tex Moncrief. Mr Hogan had apparently hit a shot close to the hole from the fairway and, without thinking, Tex asked him what club he hit. Mr. Hogan did not like people asking him that question. With saying a word, Ben went back to his bag, pulled out another club, dropped a ball and proceeded to hit another shot close to the hole. Ben wasn't done. He went to his bag again, pulled out another different club, dropped another ball and hit that shot close to the hole. Then turned to Tex and said, "It doesn't matter, I can hit ANY club close to the hole."
Ben Hogan's philosophy to play your own game holds true today. Start this year with a concerted effort to learn and understand your own game and you will have more fun on the links.
Later,
Tom Bertrand