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 is one of only 31 teachers 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 the director of instruction for the United States Golf Institute. He can be reached at cevans@medicusgolfinstitute.com
