Hogan's Secret

[lagster]

Originally Posted by birdie_man

Originally Posted by Delaware Golf The Hogan secret was the action of his RIGHT KNEE. Right Knee at the ball during the downswing.... DG I don't see how this could be his secret... If you're referring to that GD article then I don't agree with you. Unless you can explain further.

The comment about the right knee is in the book by his caddie....I don't remember the name of the book....I just remember thumbing through the book at a local borders store and finding the comments on THE HOGAN SECRET...

I actually really don't study the Hogan swing anymore (it doesn't fit in with the TGM model ie; TGM promotes the Straight Line Delivery Path for starters).....all you need is a good understanding of TGM....and your on the path to great golf.


DG

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The book is "Afternoons with Mr. Hogan". The author shagged balls for Mr. Hogan at Shady Oaks. Mr. Hogan eventually told him the ENTIRE SECRET. The other articles, etc., according to the author, were only parts of THE SECRET. He goes into a fairly detailed explanation of THE SECRET, with pictures.

It has to do with a motionless right knee and cupped left wrist, and the action of the right knee on the downswing.

It did seem to work well for Mr. Hogan!!!

In TGM speak... Right Anchor, Delayed Hip Turn, Double Wrist Action

[birdie_man]

Yes Hogan's swing worked well for Mr. Hogan.

So it is a good swing and a proven swing obviously.

But I just think...that to try and isolate one component of one guy's swing....and say it is "THE SECRET".....is absurd.

If anything, I think what you'll get is one of Hogan's "swing keys" or something based on feel that works for him.

You have to keep in mind that he prolly went through tons of trial and error piecing together that fine swing of his (i.e. PIECE BY PIECE- trial and error- hitting tons and tons of balls- obsessive). He did not just arrive at where he ended up because he stumbled across one swing secret.

He just "put the puzzle together" if you ask me.

He wanted a swing that met his strict tolerances (never hit left, works for every club, trajectory, power, repeatability, versatile for different shots, felt natural to him ETC...) and he found it.

He never hit it left....I like that one.

[birdie_man]

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In TGM speak... Right Anchor, Delayed Hip Turn, Double Wrist Action

BTW, if anything, I think his grip + his wrist action are the two main elements to his swing.

And some people would argue with you about that Double Wrist Action thing. I think he could have been Double or Standard, depending on when you looked at his swing.

I think Brian has said that when he had that year when he won 3 majors his wrist was basically flat at the top (or very close to it), not Double-Cocked (think Fred Couples).

[Delaware Golf]

I'm fine with Homers Secret, it really is the secret.....SUSTAINING THE LINE OF COMPRESSION See 2-0.

DG

[lagster]

I'm fine with Homers Secret, it really is the secret.....SUSTAINING THE LINE OF COMPRESSION See 2-0.

DG

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It is actually a pretty interesting little book. There is only the one chapter on HOGAN'S SECRET. It is more of book that contains little stories about Hogan.

Another thing he mentioned as part of Hogan's Secret is....BALANCE.

Mr. Kelley, I was told, used one of Hogan's early books, I believe "Power Golf", and a few other books of that time. He studied the pictures, I was told.

[mb6606]

I watched the Byron Nelson video this weekend. Great video and explanation of his grip. Perfect single action. Swing plane, flat left wrist etc. I have a feeling that Homer might have studied Byron as well.

[Yoda]

I watched the Byron Nelson video this weekend. Great video and explanation of his grip. Perfect single action. Swing plane, flat left wrist etc. I have a feeling that Homer might have studied Byron as well.

Homer Kelley actually met Byron Nelson at an exhibition near the peak of his career. After witnessing a dazzling display of golfing skills, Homer -- always the seeker -- was able to ask him a question. Unfortunately, he received a very benign answer, something like "I just hit it."

After relating the story to our assembled class, Homer summed it up this way:

"Not much help there."

[birdie_man]

Another thing he mentioned as part of Hogan's Secret is....BALANCE.

I can see that. Definately.

I think I read about Hog. saying something like: "The stronger my legs are, the better I hit it."

And I think Sam Snead said he thought Hogan had some of the strongest legs he'd ever seen...."for a small guy," I guess.

[spike]

Maybe his secret was making everyone believe he had one.

spike

[EdZ]

"The proper stance and posture enable a golfer to be perfectly balanced and poised throughout the swing. Only then will his legs, arms, and body be able to carry out their interrelated assignments correctly"

Hogan - 5 Lessons, page 39

How many of you are "perfectly balanced and poised throughout the swing"?

Note Homer's importance of balance (essential) and 12-3-0 (checklist) - first and last item - BALANCE

Efficient force is balanced force. This is the root of the 'effortless' swing. The 'glue' that holds everything in place.

Close your eyes, find your balance. You learned to walk by finding your balance