I came across this great video from Golf Digest with Luke Kerr-Dineen presenting a look at Ben Hogan’s swing and his so-called “secret.”
I would recommend watching the whole thing, because it tells you exactly what I’ve been telling you all for years – Ben Hogan’s swing was his own swing, and it isn’t to be copied nor emulated.
Of course, what I always add is that Hogan had the perfect pivot action, so you should try to emulate that move, by all means.
Here is the best quote from that video:
“… but the golf swing itself is ultimately, just a big turn back with your body, and a big turn through.”
No truer words have ever been spoken, and it’s the one thing that is missing from all of those Hogan imitators – the full-body pivot action using the hips and legs.
Here is the video, which I recommend if you have 8 minutes to set aside, because it is a great clip from beginning to end:
Kerr-Dineen, in the video, lays out exactly why Hogan’s swing isn’t for the average person – it’s because he had three – not one, not two, but three anti-hook moves in it, which is death for the average golfer who struggles with slicing the ball rather than hooking.
He also reveals that Hogan was double-jointed in his thumbs, which could bend back to touch his wrists, and that’s how he created that incredible lag on the on the downswing that people are always trying to create:
It’s not the swing to copy, friends – just the pivot. Just the pivot.
Like in The Godfather, where Clemenza says, “Leave the gun – take the cannoli…”
Leave Hogan’s swing to Hogan, but take the pivot.
I have something else that I loved in this video – another new clip of Hogan swinging that I’ve never seen before and which I will feature in some gifs. and still-pics in the next post.
For now, watch the video, if you care anything golf swing mechanics and Ben Hogan.
Only 300K views in 11 months, which is absolutely criminal.
WAX Golf 
Thanks for sharing DJ. That part about the thumb is important. It’s actually one of the most overlooked parts of the golf swing. Even though how you place your thumb and how long or short you have it when gripped determines the shape and flight of your ball.
Great video. It’s not everyday I learn something new about Hogan.
are you referring to the trail hand thumb or both? and could you elaborate on the influence of its position on ball shape & flight
The thumb position aspect is just what makes a grip strong, neutral or weak, Kaushal. The forearms and wrists rotate on the back pivot and down swing, so if the thumbs are too far to the right on the shaft, you will have the face closing sharply and creating hook problems. Too far to the left, the face doesn’t close in time and you’re slicing.
Another reason to not try to swing like Hogan, because his double-jointed thumbs meant he needed a super-weak grip, which is death for the average swinger.
Makes sense – Assuming the hands are in the optimal grip setup – what are the effects on the impact of having the thumb down the shaft vs. wrapped around vs on index knuckle (basically a left shaft, center, or right shaft thumb)?
It’s not so much the position of the thumbs as the grip itself, which will determine where the thumbs end up. Moving the thumbs themselves whilst keeping the same grip position on the club does nothing in and of itself. The thumb position is just a quick way to check most grips to see if they’re neutral to strong to over-strong.
But they play no real role in swinging the club. In baseball, the thumbs wrap all the way around the shaft because a baseball shaft is much thicker than your standard golf grip. For me, it’s where the trailing palm or the back of the leading hand are facing that is important. Down, too weak, at the target, neutral, upward, too strong.
The only reason the thumb is spoken of this extensively here is because of Hogan’s double-jointed thumbs. If they hadn’t been, we wouldn’t be talking about thumbs 😉
Makes sense thank you
The Hogan mystique launched innumerable “secrets” and a huge golf swing instructional industry. DJ, your noted observation is all one needs to know: pivot like Hogan. What is so important here is that Hogan’s pivot is likely the easiest motion all can imitate and perfect. Do that and the balance of the swing each golfer can find with some time in the dirt. GREAT video find, DJ!
Cheers, Peter – I was pleasantly shocked when I watched the video. More of this, please!!