Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamental Tips for #Golf

When an advance copy of Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamental came to me via snail mail, my husband, an avid player, snagged it for himself.

Uncovering golf tips from a legend who was one of the best technicians of the game can always help those who want to learn.

My better half took some of Hogan's "secrets" to the range and, when he returned, acknowledged that this book helped him through some of his rough moments.

That being said, it was my turn to read golf tips offered by the great Ben Hogan, written by direct protege, Larry Miller, and to learn a few secrets to take to the course with me.

What is Ben Hogan's well-guarded "Secret"?

According to Miller, some of the best golfers in the world had their own opinions; Sam Snead said, "hands never cross" and Harvey Penick, in his "Little Red Book" touches upon the secret, basic geometry of right angles and parallel lines which Hogan used to create his "perfect golf swing". This new book, in my opinion, is NOT for beginners, unless, of course, that newbie has the fundamental knowledge of the golf swing and can put these tips into practice.

In this Golf for Beginners Podcast, we help break down Ben Hogan's secret into simpler terms.

How Ben Hogan Created Power

Hogan was not a big man and created a tremendous amount of lag but there were other factors which were present in his golf swing. "The Hawk" had a very consistent golf swing, kept his swing on track, considered geometry in relation to his hands, knees and position and had perfect acceleration and speed through to impact. 

Putting Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamental to Work for You

Ben Hogan once said, "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."

Read the book with Hogan's quote in mind, considering the scientific aspect behind the golf swing.

There are some really good golf tips within this book, starting from the basics and moving deep within the geometric framework of your body in correlation to the golf club. A few thoughts to consider when swinging away involve:

- Starting from a completely neutral address position

- Keeping the triangle intact from your shoulders at takeaway until the shaft of the club is horizontal

- Keeping your golf club on the line in which it began.

Ben Hogan was also terrific with keeping his focus / concentration and course management, to such a degree that, when you turn to page 123, Miller states, "Implementing this section is a guaranteed way to lower your scores even if you ignore the rest of the book."

From Hogan's strategic way of mapping the golf course to walking the course backward and the value of "pin high", just reading this section starts the average golfer thinking of ways to better visualize shots, approaches and how to avoid trouble.

One drill which was regularly used by Tiger Woods and Johnny Miller is called the "Nine Shots Drill", where you practice hitting different trajectory shots - draws, straight shots and fades.

"With each club you are hitting nine different shots," mentions the author. The idea behind this drill is to gain confidence in your ability to use each club in a different way - the more shots in your bag, the more comfortable you are when in a particular situation using the idea of "I can do this!"

Watch as Johnny Miller on this YouTube.com video explains the Nine Shots Drill.

Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamentals book should be added to your "must-reads" list if you are ready to attack your golf game and take it to the next level. I am personally going to re-read sections of this book and take parts from it that I need help with, mostly to improve my course management skills.

Which Ben Hogan Golf Tips Do You Use? Post your comments in this golf blog and tag @Golf4Beginners on Twitter with your responses.

How to Play #Golf in the Twilight Zone

Which golf books are on your Memorial Day weekend reading list?

Almost everyone has a few books lined up for lazy beach days, from "how-to" improve the golf swing to mental game tips, possibly with a New York Times best-selling fiction thrown into the mix.

Since the start of 2015, although I have been reading books on game improvement, I have also been enthusiastic about fictional tales written by storytellers who weave golf into the mystery of life.

This year, my first tale of machinations and conspiracies, Shari's Shot by noted author James Ross, proved to be a real page turner filled with intrigue and a plot which ended quite differently than I anticipated - kudos to James!

My next page turner was "Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most."

Currently I am in the middle of "Golf is No Ordinary Game" by G. Guilford Barton. Have you read it?

Each of the fourteen tales is its own chapter and takes the reader into a world of imagination, science fiction and magic - similar to tales by renowned Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling but not as dark (so far) as The Night Gallery.

So, if you are intrigued by a magical golf club that can change a life, wonder what it would be like to play golf with a clairvoyant caddie or, maybe, you're considering taking a train trip to get to your next golf destination, you may want to read this book before you pick up your next iron.

The Golfing Bard (internet nom de plume for G. Guilford Barton) sells this book on Kindle for $2.99. The quick-read tales allow you to put down/pick up the book at intervals and begin a whole new journey with your next poolside margarita.

Enjoy and have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Which books are you reading this Memorial Day? Share on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on this golf blog!

Who is it --- #Tiger Woods or Rory #McIlroy?

Thank you to Author James Ross for this submission to Golf for Beginners blog.

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The golf season was around the corner and the grinding professional Tour was about to begin. The weather outside was gloomy. It was way too cloudy and windy to even think about playing. Of course flurries of snow were predicted in the forecast. That was also a discouraging factor.

What’s a fellow to do? If you’re a golfer the local pro shop and clubhouse is the perfect meeting place. It was no different at Prairie Winds Golf Course high atop the Mississippi river bluffs just east of St. Louis. Fred, the portly one with a baker’s dozen of doughnuts, was the first to arrive. His rotund backside had left an impression in the booth nearest the far corner.

J Dub, the nice looking, lanky head pro had a pot of coffee brewing before the night maintenance foreman at the local auto plant had come through the front door. Julie, his chic assistant, was filling the cash register with petty cash. They expected a slow day of golf but plenty of banter from the regulars who considered the clubhouse their home away from home.

Captain Jer, the functional alcoholic, arrived early. He had travelled to the course with two sidekicks. Doc, the elderly veterinarian, and Trot, an old vaudeville comedian, entered behind him. As news of the upcoming golf season flashed across the TV screen the conversation switched to controversy.

“That kid from Ireland can play,” Fred shouted.

“Rory?” Doc questioned.

“Yeah, McIlroy.” Fred wiped the back of his oversized hand across his mouth in an attempt to clean the excess cream filling from the doughnut off the side of his mouth.

 “Lots of talent there,” Captain Jer agreed, “but I still think that Tiger is the guy to beat.” The retired airplane pilot motioned for Julie to bring a cold beer to his table. “When they tee the ball up I guarantee you the rest of the guys in the field are looking out the corner of their eye to see where Tiger is.”

“Maybe so,” the head pro said as he threw his opinion out, “but Tiger doesn’t put the fear in them like he used too. There are a lot of new guys out there that can flat play the game.”

“Guys you’ve never heard of,” Trot added. “There are hoards of young kids that rip the ball.”

“But that McIlroy kid is the best of the young bunch,” Fred argued.

“No question,” Doc said, “but you know the way sports are. On any given day…”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Captain Jer shot back. “Give me Tiger Woods anytime. He has that uncanny ability to will the ball in the hole. When he’s got his putting stroke going there is nobody that can stay with him.”

“Granted, but the others know that if he’s in the hunt it just might be his tournament to lose.”

“I’ll still take the new kid on the block.”

“He can roll the ball in the hole with the best of them.”

“And his ball striking is as good as Tiger’s was in his prime.”

“Why don’t you guys take a break for a while?” Julie butted in. She was no novice when it came to the gentleman’s game. “Nobody is going to win this discussion. Was it Jack or Arnie? Or how about Ben Hogan or Sammy Snead? Each era has its own hotshot --- and the opinions will always vary.”

The others exchanged glances. They wondered how the lady in the group could be such a golf historian.

“That’s why golf is the truest sport out there. The guy that plays the best for four days will win the tournament.” Julie placed another beer in front of Captain Jer, delivered a screwdriver to Trot and filled up Fred’s coffee mug. “That’s the one that deserves the moment. Be glad that we have the opportunity to disagree.”

“Yeah, it makes for great viewing on Sunday afternoon!”

“And everybody has their favorite.”

James Ross has written five novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. Visit Amazon online on Wednesday #12_12_12 for a book promo on his latest, Pabby’s Score. The story delivers innocence, greed, corruption and Internet dating as well as mysterious intrigue from the cast of recurring characters --- and two newcomers with special needs, Pabby and Shae.

Join James Ross on Twitter as @golfnovels and @JamesRossBooks or on Facebook.

And... as always, voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Facebook page.

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The Caddie Who Won The Masters-more golf suspense at Augusta

After watching the dramatic finish of The Masters, I couldn't help but feel a longing for more visions of Augusta National Golf Course. The azaleas in bloom, the walk through Amen Corner, the history that surrounds this golf mecca has me wishing the first major of the season was just beginning and not at an end.

For book lovers who also wish to prolong the magic of The Masters golf tournament, John Coyne has written "The Caddie Who Won the Masters" a suspenseful novel about a middle-aged amateur’s seemingly impossible quest to win the prestigious Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

Although this very brief synopsis cannot do the book justice, it may entice you add this to your summer reading list.


A college English professor from Southern Illinois reawakens a dormant golf game that had earned him a scholarship to Wake Forest University and, more recently, a ticket to Augusta, Georgia. With suitcase in hand and golf clubs on his shoulder, the aging muni-course player finds himself walking down famed Magnolia Lane toward every accomplished golfer’s dream—a coveted spot alongside the world’s best players in the Masters field.

Seven-time bestselling author and creator of the highly acclaimed caddie novel series that includes The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan, The Caddie Who Played With Hickory, and the newly released The Caddie Who Won The Masters, former caddie and caddie master John Coyne has authored more than twenty-five books of fiction and nonfiction. The New York author also maintains a single-digit handicap and tries not to lose distance off the tee!

John Derr, award-winning golf journalist and CBS-TV announcer who covered 62 Masters Tournaments, said about John Coyne, “I am impressed with Coyne’s ability to so clearly depict the nuances that make Augusta National such a different shrine. His description of situations—the unique, the weird and the nearly unbelievable—mirrors many I have seen over the years. Some rarely seen.”

Roland Merullo, Author of Golfing with God stated, “John Coyne knows golf and golf history, and he understands the intricate workings of the human heart. Anyone who loves golf — and  many readers who don't know a five-iron from a free-throw — will appreciate his skill and be happily drawn into this fine story.”

In his most recent blog, "Our first "Homebred U.S. Open Golf Champ, Johnny McDermott", John Coyne mentions that he collects stories about great players from the past; stories from when golf was more of a game, less of a television show. The same is true with "The Caddie Who Won the Masters" as Coyne's style uniquely blends his deep knowledge of golf and Masters tradition with his affinity for the supernatural to spin a riveting tale.

The Caddie Who Won the Masters is available at Amazon.com and downloadable on your Kindle.

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