Book Reviews....

[JohhnyThomas1]

I spotted your book review comment Brian and don't think you got around to it. I'm sure multitudes of us would LOVE some reviews by you. Even if for a start you give marks such as your A, B, C+ card etc. Books i am particulary interested in are

John Redman
Bertholy and/or Ferrari
Hogan
Dunigan
TGM
Kostis
Leadbetter's
Hebron's
Dante
Hall
Johnson
Faldo
Pelz
R. Mann
Toski
Flick
Hibbard
Cochran
Wiren
Ritson
Haney
McLean
Ballard
Harmon
D. Lee
Bloomer

etc )))))

It would be an extravaganza

 

[Brian Manzella]

John Redman: Never read his book, but heard him speak live.
He was better than the Flick's of the world, but no real substance and a few downright misconceptions......C

Paul Bertholy: He never did ANY good in New Orleans (yes he taught there), Jimmy Self (of all people) ran him off. I read his book and articles.
He understood what MAXIMUM was as an idea......B+

Ben Hogan: Power Golf was great for the pictures, but basic otherwise. 5 lessons is really good, but I find NEXT TO NOBODY except me and Lynn and Ben had any idea what they were reading. Too bad guys like Nick Seitz got to interview him. Those guys NEVER know what to ask.
Hogan also confused shoulder plane and swing plane (like Hardy)......A

(i'll get to the rest of 'em).....

Dunigan
TGM
Kostis
Leadbetter's
Hebron's
Dante
Hall
Johnson
Faldo
Pelz
R. Mann
Toski
Flick
Hibbard
Cochran
Wiren
Ritson
Haney
McLean
Ballard
Harmon
D. Lee
Bloomer

 

[JohhnyThomas1]

Man, thanks heaps!!

 

[David Alford]

Brian wrote:

< NEXT TO NOBODY except me and Lynn and Ben had any idea what they were reading.>

If you really understand Hogan, you can do it...Leadbetter, McLean and others have books on Hogan and they can't do his swing...THAT IS THE TEST!

I also say (and have said for years so I'm not copying Lynn), DO OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY...

 

[holenone]

quote:Originally posted by David Alford

Brian wrote:

< NEXT TO NOBODY except me and Lynn and Ben had any idea what they were reading.>

If you really understand Hogan, you can do it...Leadbetter, McLean and others have books on Hogan and they can't do his swing...THAT IS THE TEST!

I also say (and have said for years so I'm not copying Lynn), DO OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY...

And NOBODY understood Ben Hogan's swing better than Ben Hogan himself. His swing was carefully choreographed to repeat from the time the Club left the Bag until the time the Ball hit the ground. He was the most outstanding Golf Stroke Mechanic of his time -- arguably of anybody's time -- and was fully aware of his every move.

Anyone who has seen the homespun Coleman Palm Beach Estate video where the Aged Warrior of the Links demonstrates his swing in super-slow motion knows what I'm talking about. With Driver in hand, he begins his 'slo-mo demo' with the 'walk-in' and 'waggles' and 'three looks' toward the Target. You can almost feel the Power being Accumulated as he moves purposefully into Start Up and through the Backstroke to the Top. Then the Loading and Storage of Power as he Starts Down unwinding from the Feet up, the Club left well behind at the Top. Through the Downstroke, his Lower Body Leads and his Upper Body Lags and the Club trails way behind. His Turning Hip brings his Right Elbow into its Maximum Trigger Delay position for Release. The Left Wrist Uncocks and his Left Hand Rolls in perfect Sequence as he proceeds through Impact (where he 'clips' the Ball precisely off the tee). He ends in the beautifully extended Hogan signature Finish to the absolute glee of those few friends who watched it happen.

The Lion In Winter: He was indeed the 'Pro's Pro'.

 

[horton]

quote:Originally posted by holenone
And NOBODY understood Ben Hogan's swing better than Ben Hogan himself.

Not according to Leadbetter in his book -- The Fundamentals of Hogan -- where he also incidentialy states::

quote:As much as the book is an opportunity for me to engage with Hogan's thinking, I am at the same time reminded that I never saw the man strike a ball. This is my one big regret in golf.

Have you ever seen Homer swing the golf club? Is there any video showing Homer's swing I wonder? Sometimes it's hard to follow one's own advice as in Hogan's case and his 5 Lessons according to Leadbetter and others too.

I guess everybody is left guessing how to interpret Homer and TGM, much as we do with Hogan ..... but certainly to a lesser extent.

 

[EdZ]

quote:Originally posted by David Alford

Brian wrote:

< NEXT TO NOBODY except me and Lynn and Ben had any idea what they were reading.>

If you really understand Hogan, you can do it...Leadbetter, McLean and others have books on Hogan and they can't do his swing...THAT IS THE TEST!

I also say (and have said for years so I'm not copying Lynn), DO OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY...

A test which you have passed as well as anyone I have ever seen David!

For those of you who have not seen David's swing, it is a wonderful tribute to Hogan.

 

[David Alford]

Thanks for the kind words, Ed.

 

[mclare]

quote:Originally posted by holenone

quote:Originally posted by David Alford

Brian wrote:

< NEXT TO NOBODY except me and Lynn and Ben had any idea what they were reading.>

If you really understand Hogan, you can do it...Leadbetter, McLean and others have books on Hogan and they can't do his swing...THAT IS THE TEST!

I also say (and have said for years so I'm not copying Lynn), DO OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY...

And NOBODY understood Ben Hogan's swing better than Ben Hogan himself. His swing was carefully choreographed to repeat from the time the Club left the Bag until the time the Ball hit the ground. He was the most outstanding Golf Stroke Mechanic of his time -- arguably of anybody's time -- and was fully aware of his every move.

Anyone who has seen the homespun Coleman Palm Beach Estate video where the Aged Warrior of the Links demonstrates his swing in super-slow motion knows what I'm talking about. With Driver in hand, he begins his 'slo-mo demo' with the 'walk-in' and 'waggles' and 'three looks' toward the Target. You can almost feel the Power being Accumulated as he moves purposefully into Start Up and through the Backstroke to the Top. Then the Loading and Storage of Power as he Starts Down unwinding from the Feet up, the Club left well behind at the Top. Through the Downstroke, his Lower Body Leads and his Upper Body Lags and the Club trails way behind. His Turning Hip brings his Right Elbow into its Maximum Trigger Delay position for Release. The Left Wrist Uncocks and his Left Hand Rolls in perfect Sequence as he proceeds through Impact (where he 'clips' the Ball precisely off the tee). He ends in the beautifully extended Hogan signature Finish to the absolute glee of those few friends who watched it happen.

The Lion In Winter: He was indeed the 'Pro's Pro'.

I'd forgotten about that slow-motion sequence, I'll have to dig out my copy and watch again. I agree that one gets the impression that every move is well orchestrated and understood by Hogan. There is no uncertainty. You really appreciate Hogan’s attention to detail when he steps into the ball, waggles, then swings so very slowly and deliberately. Does anyone else practice in slow motion this way (or teach their students to do this?

 

[pixie]

David Alford,
are you going to put your swing up on the web somewhere?

 

[David Alford]

I wasn't exactly happy with the video I sent to Ed for review. I purchased a nice digital camcorder & was going to shoot some new sequences for Dave Clary and RWS; and promptly strained my elbow so I'm out for awhile. Sorry guys, stuff happens. I was trying...

 

[Brian Manzella]

David.

You are correct to some extent.

You should at least be able to POSE Hogan's swing.

 

[David Alford]

Poses? Nooooh. My swing speed is probably as fast as anyone on the PGA Senior tour (I'm 56). In fact the tape I sent Ed juxtoposed my sequences with some big hitters like Tom Weiskopf, Jack Nicklaus, and Hogan himself; inviting comparison. I wanted to be compared by the best who ever played.

 

[David Alford]

Let me ask, Brian, when you click on my personal page link, do you think that pic is posed? Angles too optimized for a real swing, maybe?

 

[mgjordan]

David,
I remember you sending Ed your tape. I would like to see a copy if you have one.

 

[David Alford]

I confiscated it. lol.

 

[JohhnyThomas1]

Wow, that's some angle retention.

 

[JohhnyThomas1]

Actually i'll add (angle) creation to the mix as well.

 

[MizunoJoe]

Good angle creation and retention at that point in the Swing is no big deal. What happens from that point to Impact is the real story. The trick is to learn how to move the handle past the ball while leaving the clubhead as close as possible to the position it is in that photo.

 

[JohhnyThomas1]

Hey Joe, right for sure. I am 100% positive tho that David will have no probs whatsoever using his lag correctly from there. It's pretty close to a Garcia look.