Why are so many people enamored with Ben Hogan?

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ftcmnc

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I truly don't understand why so many people are enamored with Ben Hogan.

I believe he was a great golfer, but I don't think that his books are that good and from the many things I have read he comes across as a real jerk.

I know that in the past his golf clubs were supposed to be of superior quality compared to everyone else, but I have seen his clubs and known people who played them and the clubs didn't seem to be anything special.

Again, I will acknowledge his contributions as a great golfer, but that doesn't mean that he was a great person.

So why is it that so may people are enamored with Ben Hogan?
 
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Damon Lucas

Super Moderator
For me, he represented all that was 'pure' about golf. He played, practised, created clubs, followed tradition, encouraged several young golfers, etc, all with the intent of getting the most out of himself, others, and the game.
There was no b.s, just a 'search for perfection' that epitomises many on this forum's concept of the game.
 
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FanofHogan

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Well for me he is the embodiment of a person who came from absolutely nothing with no hope for much of a future and worked his butt off to make something for himself. His father committed suicide at an early age. He just had a tough life starting out. Yes, he was crass and not easily approachable. He did not suffer fools gladly. But the tour player of his time did not have the contracts and sponsorships that today's pros have. He just came from nothing and never forgot what it was like to not have anything. Have you ever read the Sampson book, "Hogan"? It gives you a good idea of what his early years were like. My mother in law is from the same home town as he was, Dublin Texas. My inlaws also used to live nextdoor to a childhood neighbor of his when he lived on Allen Street here in Fort Worth. She said he was always just a standoffish person. When he ran Hogan golf, the clubs where nothing but quality. I heard a story on another forum where when his company forged the first several sets of irons, he wasnt happy with them and ordered them melted down. I dont know if that is true or not, just something I heard. As for being a great person? I guess that depends on how you feel a person should be rated and on what they are rated for in order to equal your standard of greatness. Hogan was just not someone that socialized with people a great deal. He valued his privacy. If that makes him a jerk, so be it. Tiger Woods from all accounts is standoffish and not trusting. Doesnt socialize with a great amount of his peers. When they won the Ryder Cup in Brookline the other players were celebrating and he was in his room until someone dragged him to the party. Does that make him a jerk? I dont think so. I guess what sums it all up for me is basically how I started this book here. Hogan came from nothing and made something. Then when doctors said he might not walk again, not only did he walk, but went on to play the best golf of his career. Read some things that Tommy Bolt has to say about Hogan. Read some things that Dan Jenkins has to say about him. Jimmy Demaret. Hogan didnt have a lot of friends, but the ones he had he was eternally loyal to him. Demaret said one time that Hogan often would give a struggling touring pro money so that they could make it to the next tournament.
 
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drewitgolf

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The Hogan Mystique; "The Will to Win" dispite any obstacles and adversity, 24-7. Perfection (or as close as there will be) in a game where perfection is unattainable.
 
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ftcmnc

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I respect anyone who overcomes adversity and tragedy in their life.

I respect anyone who strives to better themselves and pursue perfection in a given area.

I don’t respect anyone, including Tiger Woods, who acts like a jerk.

It just bothers me when people try to apologize or excuse someone’s poor behavior by saying:

They can’t help it, they were born that way.
They have always been that way.
They have had a hard life.
Don’t pay attention to how they say things, just pay attention to what is said.
Yes, they are difficult to get along with, but look at what great things they can do or have done.
And a myriad of other things.

I am always puzzled when people talk about how great a sports figure or some other public person is when they help someone out who exists on a totally different plane of existence than them. Isn’t that what we all should do as human beings? I don’t think that there should be any awards for that.

My biggest example of the above is Bobby Knight. While I think he knows basketball, I also think he is a bully and a lousy individual. So many people excuse his outlandish and inappropriate behavior in a variety of ways, but the most common way of humanizing him or making him appear better in the public’s eye is to talk about how many of his former players he has helped. What is so great about that? Isn’t that what a coach or friend or human being should do?
 
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FanofHogan

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Okay, since he was unapproachable and not a social person we should forget about the level of perfection he achieved as a golfer? If we were to only admire a person if they were 100% perfect in all aspects of there lives, that might only leave Jesus, Mother Theresa and Ghandi. None of them played golf so I guess we have no golfer to admire. I am not criticizing you for not being a Ben Hogan fan. I am not a Greg Norman, or Tiger Woods fan in the least. Doesnt mean I cant admire them for their skill when it comes to swinging a golf club. My wife is a school teacher and I admire her head and shoulders above any athlete who ever graced this planet, but this a golf forum and we talk about golf and golfers. As a society we put way too much emphasis on sports and sports figures. I will definitely agree with that. I am a Ben Hogan fan for what he accomplished on the golf course, not for the person he was, or how many people he helped etc.
 
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6bee1dee

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quote:Originally posted by FanofHogan

Okay, since he was unapproachable and not a social person we should forget about the level of perfection he achieved as a golfer? If we were to only admire a person if they were 100% perfect in all aspects of there lives, that might only leave Jesus, Mother Theresa and Ghandi. None of them played golf so I guess we have no golfer to admire. I am not criticizing you for not being a Ben Hogan fan. I am not a Greg Norman, or Tiger Woods fan in the least. Doesnt mean I cant admire them for their skill when it comes to swinging a golf club. My wife is a school teacher and I admire her head and shoulders above any athlete who ever graced this planet, but this a golf forum and we talk about golf and golfers. As a society we put way too much emphasis on sports and sports figures. I will definitely agree with that. I am a Ben Hogan fan for what he accomplished on the golf course, not for the person he was, or how many people he helped etc.
Click to expand...

Mother Theresa had a bad habit of getting in front of the camera for her picture and was a marketing genius that cause other smaller charities to lose money to hers. See real world is different then folk legends. Everyone can smell bad if that is what you look for.

Snead could tell the dirtest joke to a girl scout and be charming. Why? People didn't want to smell that smell. Hogan can ask to be left alone and wow, he reeks. [8D]
 
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FanofHogan

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quote:Originally posted by 6bee1dee

quote:Originally posted by FanofHogan

Okay, since he was unapproachable and not a social person we should forget about the level of perfection he achieved as a golfer? If we were to only admire a person if they were 100% perfect in all aspects of there lives, that might only leave Jesus, Mother Theresa and Ghandi. None of them played golf so I guess we have no golfer to admire. I am not criticizing you for not being a Ben Hogan fan. I am not a Greg Norman, or Tiger Woods fan in the least. Doesnt mean I cant admire them for their skill when it comes to swinging a golf club. My wife is a school teacher and I admire her head and shoulders above any athlete who ever graced this planet, but this a golf forum and we talk about golf and golfers. As a society we put way too much emphasis on sports and sports figures. I will definitely agree with that. I am a Ben Hogan fan for what he accomplished on the golf course, not for the person he was, or how many people he helped etc.
Click to expand...



Mother Theresa had a bad habit of getting in front of the camera for her picture and was a marketing genius that cause other smaller charities to lose money to hers. See real world is different then folk legends. Everyone can smell bad if that is what you look for.

Snead could tell the dirtest joke to a girl scout and be charming. Why? People didn't want to smell that smell. Hogan can ask to be left alone and wow, he reeks. [8D]
Click to expand...


Tough crowd huh? :D
 
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dss

New
Had dinner with Mr. Hogan in 1985. He was gracious, courteous and displayed a very sharp sense of humor. His handshake was extremely firm, and when he spoke to you, there was no intent to deceive or confuse or obsfucate. He worked really hard for what he got out of life and I sensed he felt that that is the way we all should go about our lives. If we are given anything, it won't be appreciated as much as if we EARN it. Was he 'tough'? Yes...he had to survive through the Great Depression, and many, if not most, of the people I've met who lived through that era were tough people because they HAD TO BE. Mr. Hogan had a strong sense of purpose about what his life was about, and he really didn't care whether you or I liked it or agreed with it or not. A very intelligent man who had a strong sense of right and wrong, and a very moral man. And...the best golfer who ever played the game, in my opinion.
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
Ben Hogan.

One of my junior students, Brent White, is the Head Golf Professional at Shady Oaks (Ben Hogan's club) where he worked his way up from the BAG ROOM.

I have heard 100's of FIRST PERSON Hogan stories from him and love all of them.

From all accounts Mr. Hogan was a great man.

And for the knuckleheads on the internet that think he was a lefty at birth...nope...righty.

My Teacher Ben Doyle won the NATIONAL BEN HOGAN COMPANY sales golf professional of the year award once and got to go to Fort Worth and meet Mr. Hogan and have lunch with him.

Ben absolutely loves the man, and BEN is a great man.

As for myself, I got to have a set of irons made by his club makers and got to visit his office and 'waggle' his personal clubs. A treat I will never forget.

Oh yeah, Ben Hogan hit it better than anyone who ever lived.
 
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dss

New
At dinner, Mr. Hogan cut his steak with his right hand, held his cigarette in his right hand, and signed some autographs with his right hand. Anyone out there still think he was a lefty? Brian, isn't Brent the same guy in the new Hogan commercials? I thought his name was Mike Wright...
 
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