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Rating: Summary: Good Supplement to 5 Lessons Review: Ben Hogan's "Five Lessons" is an excellent guide to learning the fundamentals of the full swing; I still strongly recommend it. However, after watching the videotape "In Pursuit of Perfection," I did notice some differences between the lessons in the book and how Mr. Hogan actually swung the golf club. A good example is the amount of lateral hip movement to start the second part of the swing. This book, "The Hogan Way," explains the movements that were excluded, or were not explained in greater detail, in "Five Lessons." I recommend that you read "Five Lessons" first and then read "The Hogan Way" to tie everything together.
Rating: Summary: The Hogan Way?????? Review: The Hogan Way is probably worth the investment in that it has some interesting stories and presents some valid thoughts on the golf swing. Two big points, which the author correctly states were not discussed by Hogan, are tempo and grip pressure. Correct understanding of these two things can really help improve a golf swing. But if you are interested in facts, instruction and a truly accurate analysis of the information in Hogan's two books, Power Golf (PG) and The Modern Fundamentals of Golf (TMF), The Hogan Way is a disappointment.For example, the author states that in 1953, Hogan won the the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA and that he deserved the ticker tape parade that honored him in Manhattan. He did not win the PGA in 1953. The subject parade celebrated Hogan's return from Scotland where he won the British Open, the dates of which conflicted with the PGA prohibiting him from competing in that event. To me, a devoted Hoganophile since 1955, this is an error beyond comprehension for someone who is holding himself out to be somewhat of an expert on the man. He also mentions that only three men have won four U.S. Opens, amazingly omitting the accomnplishment of one Jack Nicklaus. In a picture caption he says that Hogan putted "totally with his arms and shoulders," with an upswing striking the upper half of the ball to give it overspin. Contrarily, Hogan says in PG, "... I make sure not move my shoulders... I put with my arms, hands and wrists." That is what I observed him doing at the 1956 U.S. Open. Hogan also says, "Do not try to hit up on the ball to give it overspin. Concentrate on hitting it square, ... straight back... and straight through...". There are many discrepancies. For example, in the so-called "lost fundamentals," the author claims Hogan didn't tell us about a lateral shift to the left before turning the hips at the start of the downswing. In TMF, he very clearly says, "There must enough lateral movement forward to transfer the weight to the left foot." Watch a video of Hogan and you will see that he shifts laterally and turns simultanously and does not make two complicating movements as the author suggests. Another, the author says Hogan omitted telling about the wide, closed stance he uses. In fact, TMF contains a diagram clearly showing these stance factors. The "lost fundamentals" have merely been overlooked. The author calls PG a flawed book and seems to associate it with Hogan's early, ineffective swing prior to 1940. PG was first published in 1948. Hogan was the tour's leading money winner in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1946, and 1948, absent from the tour during WWII. We should all be so flawed. I have studied, played, and taught golf for almost 50 years. Although Hogan made modifications to his swing and published them in TMF, The information in PG is as good today as it was when written. There is nothing wrong with the grip which the author claims is too strong; many teachers advocate a strong grip for the average player. There is nothing wrong with turning the right foot out at address; ask famed instructor Phil Ritson whom the author quotes on another subject. And, while Hogan was apparently very flexible and could make a big turn that we perhaps should not try to copy, contrary to the author's comments, Hogan did not overswing as he did in prior years. It would be pretty hard to be the leading money winner for so many years without a controlled swing. If you really want to know about Hogan, read Curt Sampson's book entitled simply, Hogan. If you want a more accurate analysis of the Hogan fundamentals and how to apply then to your game, I highly recommend David Leadbetter's very thorough discussion in his book, The Fundamentals of Hogan.
Rating: Summary: The Hogan Way?????? Review: There are a number of differences between the way Ben Hogan said to swing the golf club and the way he actually swung it. This book nicely nicely dissects these differences. It also outlines a number of 'lost fundamentals' -- important aspects of Hogan's swing that were never discussed in either of his books. Finally, there is an extensive discussion of Hogan's "secret", the move that allowed him to be one of the most accurate ball strikers of all time. Of particular value in this regard are a series of rare down the line photos that clearly illustrate to the keen eye how Hogan kept the orientation of his clubhead consistent thru contact.
Rating: Summary: Thorough Review of the Legendary Hogan Technique Review: While awaiting the much anticipated book on Hogan by Leadbetter, I came across this on the shelf - hats off to Andrisiani for being the first to market. Provides a good overview of the Hogan fundamentals while clarifying some of the key ideas contained in Hogan's first two attempts to communicate his thoughts to the world ("Power Golf" and "Five Lessons"). Andrisiani interprets some of Hogan's classic tips and generally hits the target. He even dares to disagree with some of Hogan's fundamentals. The part on Hogan's early failures and his search for corrections was particularly helpful. The most important bits to take away - 1) Hogan invented the compact, 3/4 swing and few people appreciate just how short (efficient) a swing he took with every club but the driver; 2) Hogan shifted his weight dramatically toward the target before "turning the hips back to the left". So, while I wait and wait for Leadbetter's book, this was a nice snack and a must read for any swing mechanic geeks.
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