Ben Hogan's Five Lessons The Modern Fundamentals of Golf

1. The Grip: Foundation of a Repeating Swing

In a good grip both hands act as one unit.

Grip as the heartbeat. The grip is the only physical connection between the golfer and the club, making it the foundation of the entire swing. A proper grip allows for the efficient transfer of power from the body to the clubhead, ensuring control and consistency. Without a solid grip, the swing will be flawed from the start.

Overlapping grip. Hogan advocates for the overlapping grip, popularized by Harry Vardon, as the most effective way to unite the hands. The left hand should be placed on the club first, with the shaft pressed under the muscular pad at the inside heel of the palm and across the top joint of the forefinger. The right hand then overlaps, with the little finger locking into the groove between the left forefinger and big finger.

Pressure points. The pressure should be "active," with the main pressure points being the last three fingers of the left hand and the two middle fingers of the right hand. Avoid gripping too tightly, as this can stiffen the arms and wrists, hindering the swing's fluidity. The V formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand should point to the right eye, while the V of the right hand should point to the chin.

2. Stance and Posture: Balancing Power and Control

Power and control must be combined in a good golf swing, and the stance is that step in which a golfer sets himself up so that 1) his body will be in balance throughout the swing, 2) his muscles are ready to perform fluidly and, 3) as a logical result, all the energy he pours into his swing will be channeled to produce maximum control and power.

Stance sets the stage. The stance is more than just aligning to the target; it's about setting up the body for balance, fluidity, and efficient energy transfer. A proper stance allows the golfer to maintain equilibrium throughout the swing, enabling the muscles to work in harmony.

Foot placement. For a standard five-iron shot, the feet should be shoulder-width apart. The right foot should be perpendicular to the line of flight, while the left foot should be turned out a quarter of a turn to the left. This stance facilitates hip rotation and allows the body to move freely through the ball.

Posture and knee flex. Maintain a naturally erect back, bending at the knees from the thighs down, as if sitting on a spectator-sports-stick. The weight should be slightly more on the heels than the balls of the feet, and the knees should be flexed and working "toward each other." This posture promotes balance and readies the legs for action.

3. Backswing: A Chain Reaction Initiated by the Body

On the backswing, the order of movement goes like this: hands, arms, shoulders, hips.

Backswing basics. The backswing is a coordinated movement initiated by the hands, arms, and shoulders, followed by the hips. The shoulders should turn as far as possible, with the back facing squarely toward the target. The hips should be restrained initially, allowing for a build-up of tension in the muscles between the hips and shoulders.

Shoulder turn. A full shoulder turn is crucial for generating power. The chin should touch the top of the left shoulder at the end of the backswing. Many golfers fail to complete their shoulder turn, leading to a breakdown in the swing's mechanics.

Hip restraint. Resisting the urge to turn the hips too early is essential for creating tension and power. The hips should be pulled around by the turning of the shoulders, not initiated independently. This tension is key to the downswing.

4. Downswing: Hips Lead the Way to Impact

The hips initiate the downswing.

Hips initiate the action. The downswing is initiated by turning the hips back to the left, transferring weight to the left foot. This movement creates early speed, clears space for the arms, and channels force toward the target. Starting the downswing with the hands is a common error that disrupts the swing's sequence.

Weight transfer. The lateral motion of the hips transfers weight from the right foot to the left, while the right knee breaks in toward the target. This coordinated movement multiplies the swing's velocity and power.

Chain reaction. The hip movement triggers a chain reaction, with the shoulders, arms, and hands following in sequence. Each component adds to the multiplying speed, culminating in the clubhead tearing through the air at impact.

5. Impact: The Sweet Spot of Truth

At impact the back of the left hand faces toward your target.

Impact insights. At impact, the back of the left hand should face the target, with the wrist bone raised. This position prevents the left hand from checking the clubhead's speed and allows for a clean, powerful strike.

Supination. The left wrist should supinate (turn from palm down to palm up) throughout the downswing. This action promotes a wide forward arc, extends the arms at impact, and helps strike the ball cleanly.

Avoid pronation. Poor golfers often pronate (turn palm up to palm down) the left wrist, shortening the arc and slowing down the clubhead. This leads to inconsistent contact and a loss of power.

6. Follow-Through: A Natural Consequence of a Correct Swing

At that point just beyond impact where both arms are straight and extended the clubhead reaches its maximum speed—not at impact.

Follow-through fundamentals. The follow-through is a natural result of a correct swing, not a forced action. At the point just beyond impact, both arms should be fully extended, and the clubhead reaches its maximum speed.

Body rotation. The belt buckle should point to the left of the target at the completion of the swing, indicating a full rotation of the hips. The left leg should break resiliently to the left, and the right leg should break in at the knee.

High finish. The swing should finish with a high, balanced position, with the top of the right shoulder hitting against the chin. This indicates a complete and uninhibited release of energy.

7. The Plane: A Three-Dimensional Road Map

On the backswing, the plane serves the golfer as sort of a three-dimensional road map.

Plane definition. The plane is an angle of inclination running from the ball to the shoulders, serving as a guide for the swing. Maintaining the arms and club on this plane ensures correct alignment and efficient energy transfer.

Backswing plane. The backswing plane is crucial for positioning the body correctly at the top of the swing. The shoulders, arms, and hands should rotate on this plane, neither dropping below nor lifting above it.

Downswing plane. The downswing plane is slightly different, oriented with the ball differently from the backswing plane. The golfer gets on this second plane when he turns his hips back to the left at the start of the downswing.

8. Practice: The Key to Mastery

The greatest pleasure is obtained by improving.

Practice makes permanent. Consistent practice is essential for mastering the golf swing. Devote time to practicing the grip, stance, backswing, and downswing movements.

Waggle. The waggle is a miniature practice swing that previews the shot and establishes rhythm. Modify the waggle to suit the demands of each shot.

Training exercises. Use training exercises to school the body and arms, entrusting the swing to the body rather than the hands. Visualize the plane and keep the arms traveling on that plane as you swing the club back.

Last updated: March 9, 2025