Learning from Ben Hogan's Practice Approach
Reporter to Jack Nicklaus: “Is Tiger Woods the best ball striker you have ever seen?”
Nicklaus: “No, no – Hogan, easily.”
Ben Hogan built his golf swing in the years before high-speed cameras could capture your impact position and before software existed to compare your swing to other golfers. Was his swing perfect? Nope. In fact, most pros of the era would say that the best swing on tour belonged to Sam Snead. Yet Hogan is still regarded as the best ball striker of all time.
For years, golfers have searched for the secret sauce behind his swing. There are many theories on Hogan's secret sauce, but one consistent theme is present in all the theories – hard work. Hogan was addicted to the range. He is famous for saying that he would “Dig answers out of the dirt” and he practiced what he preached (pun intended).
What lessons can you take from the 9-time major championship winner and 71-time winner on the PGA Tour to improve your own game?
- Even when you are at the top of your game, practice. Hogan built a 7-shot lead heading into Sunday at one PGA tournament. What did he do after the round on Saturday? He practiced. Most golfers celebrate good rounds in the 19th hole. Great golfers continue the grind.
- Go with what you got. Hogan did not have a pure, “perfect” swing like Snead. Yet he got the most out of his swing by practicing and building confidence in his own move. There are plenty of pro golfers that have unorthodox swings (see Jim Furyk and Matt Wolfe) that have won on tour. Coaches can help you improve your game but there is no substitute for practicing.
- Find your practice “zone”. Hogan would get into the zone during practice sessions by going all the way to right side of the range to hit balls. This location would allow him to ignore all other golfers on the practice range so he could focus only on what he was working on for the day. We talk a lot about focus on the golf course. Not enough attention is given to focus on the practice range. Build a practice plan and stick to it when you get to the course. Try not to get distracted by other golfers (or your cell phone). Headphones can be a great way to signal to other golfers on the range that you are in your “zone”.
Hogan’s work ethic and dedication to practice led him to become a legend in the game. What will your legend be and how will you get there?
