Let it go

Neil18 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 10:33 AM

Hi all,

I picked up my new clubs this week and got to try them out last night for the first time.

They're a set of Ben Hogan Apex blades. And they are to die for. Beautiful clubs.

I've been looking a lot more at Ben Hogan's swing lately, and I am of the unwavering belief that nobody since the great man has ever "discovered" how to truly swing the club. Nobody. Snead was ever-so-close, but Hogan was the master.

When putting my swing next to Mr Hogan's it became apparent that I had so much more physical desire to control the clubhead with my hands (and consequently body) than he did. When Hogan swings, the tiny amount he moves his body even on a wood shot, goes to show how much he learned to let the club do what it will, and to harness it.

I tried this approach last night with my new Hogan's and the results were very encouraging. The old cliche came back; "let the club do the work".

Now, I didn't get it absolutely right last night, but boy is it the right idea. An average pace of 186 yards for a six iron (including some roll), and almost all the balls were grouped within what i would term a decent sized green. No slices. The odd pull 10 yards left (5 out of 60ish). But mostly straight as you like with a penetrating flight. The odd thing is, I didn't feel like I was doing anything strenuous at all and can, in fact, do even less to get it better!

So for any of you who have the feeling that you're still in the way of the club, or forcing it somewhat, then consider the phrase "allow the club to swing around you". Whilst allowing it, you can start to time where the fastest part of the swing is (which should be after impact).

For any that still don't comprehend this concept fully, consider some other words that the Roget's thesaurus has for "allow". Something in here should strike a chord:

accept, acknowledge, approve, authorize, concede, consent to, consider, deign, empower, enable, grant, indulge, let, license, oblige, pass, permit,

Authorise the club to strike the ball.

Empower the club

Permit the club to swing around you

etc etc.

The results are nothing short of fantastic.

bill reed · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 11:42 AM

hi Neil
I'm a believer in not controlling the club head and letting it do the work.
i do think from the top of the back swing till after impact the swing is a reflex action to what has gone before.
Like Hogan said in his book, get the grip and setup right and let the club do the work.
he did also say he wished he had two right hands and he powers his hand through the ball i think that was more the feeling he got rather than him doing it intensionally.
after working on the Mindy Blake swing for over a year now i know that the reflex swing works and i do feel if you watch hogan he lets the swing happen rather than controls it.
it sounds like your on the right road Neil so stick with it you will have a few ups and downs but I'm sure you will see the results you want sooner than later.
cheers
bill

jbrunk · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil18

Hi all,

I picked up my new clubs this week and got to try them out last night for the first time.

They're a set of Ben Hogan Apex blades. And they are to die for. Beautiful clubs.

I've been looking a lot more at Ben Hogan's swing lately, and I am of the unwavering belief that nobody since the great man has ever "discovered" how to truly swing the club. Nobody. Snead was ever-so-close, but Hogan was the master.

When putting my swing next to Mr Hogan's it became apparent that I had so much more physical desire to control the clubhead with my hands (and consequently body) than he did. When Hogan swings, the tiny amount he moves his body even on a wood shot, goes to show how much he learned to let the club do what it will, and to harness it.

I tried this approach last night with my new Hogan's and the results were very encouraging. The old cliche came back; "let the club do the work".

Now, I didn't get it absolutely right last night, but boy is it the right idea. An average pace of 186 yards for a six iron (including some roll), and almost all the balls were grouped within what i would term a decent sized green. No slices. The odd pull 10 yards left (5 out of 60ish). But mostly straight as you like with a penetrating flight. The odd thing is, I didn't feel like I was doing anything strenuous at all and can, in fact, do even less to get it better!

So for any of you who have the feeling that you're still in the way of the club, or forcing it somewhat, then consider the phrase "allow the club to swing around you". Whilst allowing it, you can start to time where the fastest part of the swing is (which should be after impact).

For any that still don't comprehend this concept fully, consider some other words that the Roget's thesaurus has for "allow". Something in here should strike a chord:

accept, acknowledge, approve, authorize, concede, consent to, consider, deign, empower, enable, grant, indulge, let, license, oblige, pass, permit,

Authorise the club to strike the ball.

Empower the club

Permit the club to swing around you

etc etc.

The results are nothing short of fantastic.

For some. There are plenty of people out there who need to learn to control the face/head with their hands. I was/am one of those folks.

LowPost42 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 05:05 PM

I've overcooked passive hands. I need to learn to have active hands to do their thing through impact.

bill reed · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 05:13 PM

hi
i think you may need active hands if hitting a draw as you need to turn over the club from open to closed.
in a fade i think you can have passive hand as you don't need to close the face of the club.
Lowpost do you find with chipping and pitching you still need active hands.
cheers
bill

cyc53870 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 06:41 PM

Hogan is old hat and way overrated... cold history pizza... Today's modern swing is done far better by the New Young Turks such as Woods, Garcia, Singh, Harrington, etc...

Sheesh, even Palmer and Nicklaus had a better swing than Hogan.

And I don't see how those latest clubs have any connection with Hogan other than simply having his name stamped on them.

Just my opinion.

jbrunk · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyc53870

Hogan is old hat and way overrated... cold history pizza... Today's modern swing is done far better by the New Young Turks such as Woods, Garcia, Singh, Harrington, etc...

Sheesh, even Palmer and Nicklaus had a better swing than Hogan.

And I don't see how those latest clubs have any connection with Hogan other than simply having his name stamped on them.

Just my opinion.

I disagree 1000%. Nicklaus was asked in a GD article 2-3 years ago if Tiger Woods was the best ball striker he ever saw. His answer was "oh, no, Ben Hogan, and it's not even close"

bill reed · #8 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 07:45 PM

hi
Jack Nicklaus said the best striker of a ball he had ever seen was Trevino and then was Moe Norman.
again he did say SEEN!!!!
when asked who had the best swing he had seen he said Hogan!!! he had it all.
cheers
bill

Neil18 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyc53870

Hogan is old hat and way overrated... cold history pizza... Today's modern swing is done far better by the New Young Turks such as Woods, Garcia, Singh, Harrington, etc...

Sheesh, even Palmer and Nicklaus had a better swing than Hogan.

And I don't see how those latest clubs have any connection with Hogan other than simply having his name stamped on them.

Just my opinion.

This is the only response I'm going to dignify the above comments with.

BrianW · #10 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 09:45 PM

If I leave my hands to do their own thing they usually do and it's not what I wanted

I tend to control the clubface with the palm of my right hand, I can square the face, leave it open for a fade, turn it over for a draw by feeling what it does.

I do appreciate that others seem to be able to somehow keep them passive but not me. Funny O'l game

PS:

Neil, Just had a look on their web site, beautiful looking clubs. I'ts nice to have some kit you really like.

ogallalabob · #11 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 11:34 PM

Best ball striker does not equal best swing. There are certain guys who who have great hand eye cordination and seem to always find the center of the club.

Jimenez is a believe a good example of this he is a great ball striker but has a terrible swing. Parts are moving all over the place but he hits the middle of the club every time.

Hogan was a great ball striker, but I do not think he had the classic swing you want to try and emulate.

jbrunk · #12 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogallalabob

Best ball striker does not equal best swing. There are certain guys who who have great hand eye cordination and seem to always find the center of the club.

Jimenez is a believe a good example of this he is a great ball striker but has a terrible swing. Parts are moving all over the place but he hits the middle of the club every time.

Hogan was a great ball striker, but I do not think he had the classic swing you want to try and emulate.

Why?

Great balance, lots of lag, great pivot, flat left wrist................He was maybe a touch too flat for some, but where did the ball go?

A lot of people would benefit from watching Hogan instead of following the flavor of the month that comes out in each new issue of GD.

rotator · #13 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill reed

hi
Jack Nicklaus said the best striker of a ball he had ever seen was Trevino and then was Moe Norman.
again he did say SEEN!!!!
when asked who had the best swing he had seen he said Hogan!!! he had it all.
cheers
bill

That is exactly what Nicklaus said, because I saw the interview. I happen to believe Trevino was the best ball striker also. I've likely seen more golf telecasts than anyone, going back over 40 years.

And by the way, Trevino says that Norman was the best, and then Hogan.

The best strikers, you could tell from the sound off the irons. It's distinct from the others.

BrianW · #14 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 09:15 PM

The best ball striker ever (Not the best golfer) didn't hit a ball out of bounds for 11 years, used the same tee for two years, had 17 holes in one, three scores of 59, four scores of 61, and over 30 course records during his career, hit 1,500 drives in a little over 7 hours, all of which where within 15 yards of one another and hit over 3 million golf balls in his life.

Now who was that

bill reed · #15 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 09:26 PM

hi Brian
i still think Trevino was the best ever striker of a ball as he did it under the pressure of top tournament golf but think your talking about Moe Norman.
cheers
bill

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