The Hawk
Ben Hogan is one of the greatest golfers to ever play the game having won 9 majors and one of only 5 golfers to win all 4 majors. He was famously known for tirelessly hitting balls on the range, and famously said, that the secret to great ball striking is found in the dirt. He was a steely competitor with not much personality or banter on the course. He was all business and earned the nickname "The Hawk" for his steely eyed gaze during tournaments.
Ben was known for his ball striking and toughness. He learned the game at the age of 11 as a caddie at Glen Garden country club with fellow caddie Byron Nelson. He turned pro just shy of the age of 18 and did not win his first tournament until 10 years later. Ben took a head golf pro position at Hershey Country Club to supplement his income. Talk about persistence.
He survived a devastating car crash when a bus veered into his lane, Ben reached over to shield his wife and suffered major injuries including a broken pelvis and collarbone. After recovering from a hospital stay of two months, Ben went on to win 3 majors in a single season at the age of 40.
Hogan went on to author, with the help of legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind, a classic golf teaching book known as "Five Lessons. The Modern Fundamentals of Golf". The book is a concise how to on learning the golf swing with simple instructions and incredible drawings by Anthony Ravielli depicting the muscles utilized in hitting a golf ball.
Ben Hogan after winning his third major of the year at the British Open in 1953 played at Carnoustie, one of the toughest golf courses in the world, returned to a hero's welcome receiving a ticker tape parade in New York city.
While golf can be intimidating for a lot of people, the game offers a slew of benefits including the ability to play throughout your lifetime. You can buy the book for around $10 and it may be the best golf investment you can make.
With Love,
Coach K
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