The Hawk
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Added: 3 years ago
From: PMcG6
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  • this is the last known footage of ben hogan taken by one of his rich friends with the understanding it would never be shown to anyone :P

  • @silowhore with a club in his hand that is

  • I feel truly honored to be watching this video. Its a real privilege that he allowed this to be filmed.

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  • The sound of the sea is strong. He says something at 6:18 like, 'downswing... impact... behind me... and that's all I practice'. Then when his friends say 'any other angles?'. He says 'No, that's it.' What does he say from 6:20-6:30 approx?

  • @lithepanther he's saying the FREE RIDE happens behind him...that's all he practiced. This piece of information alone won't help you, but if you combine it with a couple of his other moves, you hit the jackpot.

  • in 'modern fundementals', hogan says the grip lies at the ROOTS of the fingers. no other instructor has ever said that! at least not on yuoutube.

  • this is ben hogan?

  • @Ben67898765 Yes, THE Ben Hogan; flawless, what a swing.

  • wonderful video, too bad it's not in HD, lol. few, if any, have better understood every aspect/detail of their golf swing. seems like a man of few words, but when he does speak, you'd better pay attention because it's something important.

  • the fingers are always coming up. what a great thought for so many reasons. never heard any one else say the same.

  • amazing swing,so solid at impact

  • This is the last videotape made of Hogan's swing, according to the book 'Ben Hogan An American Life', by James Dodson. It was indeed at the home of George Coleman, a mansion built by Henry Ford II that was on Ocean Blvd., facing the Atlantic. Coleman's longtime butler, Franco Rosiello held the camera--which was a new one they were trying out. He only did this on the guarantee that no one else would view it except the Coleman's and their closest friends. This is a pirated copy,/Dawn Coleman.

  • Again on idolatry, Hogan is one of the best of all-time. I am into golf, thusly I study him. (among others) In truth, I think people go overboard with the Hogan stuff. Though with all the acclaim (regarding his skill) it is hard to ignore him. Really, I have posted more than this on too many subjects to count. I call it truth-seeking. (in this case) And OCD. (I don't care) We still don't know what your deal is. You go on about Hogan (same old though) yet seem to deny us insight into yourself.

  • If it were'nt for the car wreck, he may have won a ton more tournaments. He won over 60 playing in just 6 or 7 tournaments a year!

  • arms .... soft as a baby .... not tight & together per five lessons .... 0 tension

  • Hey boys, pipe down. Though very interesting, I do not think this is the latest Hogan swing footage - check the 'ben hogan CM' video where he is wearing the yellow sweater - that one dates from a 1979 or 1980 golf club commercial.

    If this home film was made in 1977, Hogan would have been 64 or 65? List to the sound of the ball at impact, time after time.

  • This video is amazing, there's really rare footage which shows Ben Hogan's grip of the golf club in closer detail! Finally I get to see what he describes in his five fundaments book! Thanks for uploading this!

  • This guy nails, the ball. It's evident he was no ordinary player. Was he at Seminole?

  • super

  • You for sure are right. Look when he switches drivers. He looks to miss one right a little. When he then holds out his hand for another golf ball it looks to me like he is is very abrupt about it...as if he is determined to do better. (he does next shot)

  • This was shot in George Coleman's back yard in 1977....Mr Coleman's butler held the camera.

    It was Mr. Hogan's wish that this footage be private and seen only by Mr. Coleman and their close friends. Keep in mind this was very late in Hogan's career and he being the perfectionist that he was didn't want this to be seen by everyone, then again who knew 30+ years ago it would be so easy to spread something to the masses.

    Thank you for posting this jem, it's a rare chance to see Hogan the man.

  • He seemed very happy to show what he was doing, these must of good friends of Hogans he seems very happy to accommodate the folks there at the beach house.

    I had always heard Hogan was a jerk, maybe he was not as bad as folks say.

  • He was very task oriented and quite assertive. Perhaps he did overdo it at times. Who does know though right. There seem to be somewhat differing accounts. What's for sure is he worked very hard and could hit a golf ball like none other. Gotta respect the work ethic. Or passion. Or OCD. Doesn't matter much as far as respect is concerned.

  • Wow he was really cracking it with the driver, how old was Hogan it this video? he was still a great swinger at this point.

    Stuart

  • I think he was about 60 but that is just ballpark. He is a fair bit beyond 50 though.

  • 65 years old here...! Born in 1912.

  • Everyone! Give up! WALRU11 has more insight into the mind and motivations of Hogan than anyone else alive. Just read! And feel lucky to be allowed to do so.

    Either that, or he's the ghost of Lloyd Mangrum.

  • this guy is a walking golf almanac

  • Are you guys serious or being sarcastic? If it is sarcasm you may have done a good job.

  • WALRU11 Please look up the word "character" which means "the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual." Why say Hogan will only "be admired for his skill but not for his character."? Because he didn't walk around whistling a happy tune, and kissing everyone's ass? If the sports writers of the day had been truthful in their columns and quotes, Hogan would not have denied interviews. Which is the whole reason they made up derogatory statements about him. Unlike your Mr. Golf!

  • Sounds like jealousy to me. What disaster are you talking about anyways? For what happend to him in his life, I think he managed himself just perfectly.

  • I'm not jealous of Hogan. For what he witnessed in his formative youth, his solipsistic reclusion into a realm of golfing perfection is understandable. His father, committing suicide before his eyes, negated Ben's validity as a person. The cruelest act a father could inflict upon a son - yet in the man's mind he was doubtless only consumed with his own deeply depressive thoughts to even consider his son. The tragedy is, in order to prove his worth in life, Ben became equally self-possessed.

  • lets get something straight, you never knew ben hogan, all you go by is what stories you are told or read. and just because some pro talked down on him, there are plenty of pros that loved him. The man loved golf, this video proves it. Also, what worth are you talking about, it wouldnt matter if he had never won a tournament, he would have still been on the golf course practicing until it got it right.

  • I agree with you.

  • Are you fucking kidding me. What a crock of shit. Who are you to say such things?

  • What a crock. Please tell us if you knew him. If you did then yes this changes everything. As it stands your accusations are very harsh. You know this. If you are uninformed, and you are as smart as you think you are, you should know that there are all kinds of people out there...and all kinds of different viewpoints- depending on who you ask. At this point I think it may be you who has the problem. Please prove me wrong if I have you wrong. (honestly) I desire to be nothing but fair.

  • hes a champion. I hope you dont like tiger woods either because i heard plenty of stories and seen plenty of footage of him being a deutche. hes trying to make a living, not friends

  • Hogan was indeed a champion. Ben could not otherwise have been. With him it was destiny or death. But he sacrificed the finer qualities of character on the unholy altar of conquest & that, sadly, is not something to be greatly admired. Attila the Hun was a great warrior. But he probably didn't get invited to too many parties. Hogan didn't care. He had Valerie and that was enough. He is respected as an executioner of swing dynamics & for human tenacity. But that's the limit of his excellence.

  • Who the hell are you to say that...and to judge. You didn't know the guy. I wouldn't be surprised if he was difficult to approach or even somewhat surly at times but I wonder if you are in any position to say these things. You can overdo anything...that may apply to Hogan...and I believe to you as well.

  • Paulski: I watched Hogan play & have friends who competed on tour against him. He was a fine player, fiercely competitive, & a respecter of the rules. But he had MAJOR shortcomings as a human being. Your idolatry of him is evident in your posting 11 remarks to my one concerning his psychological burden as the witnessing son to his father's violent suicide. Look, that's bound to scar one mentally & emotionally. I'm not judging him, just pointing out the facts & their logical outcome. Relax.

  • @WALRU11 How does his "character" compare to Tiger Woods?

  • @deanw0rmer Such comparisons have no bearing on Hogan's legacy or place in history. His own character must stand the test of public scrutiny and although a great golfer, Ben sorely lacked in terms of admirable personality traits. But if you insist on a comparison with Woods, I'll suffice to say: Woods was privately lewd; Hogan, publicly rude. Better you should contrast Hogan with Palmer, who is the epitome of admirable character.

  • @WALRU11 Idolatry? I don't know. On posting comments, you have posted well over 11 in the various Hogan vids around. The number doesn't concern me. You seem to go out of your way to add negative commentary about him. You seem intent on smearing him, or "exposing" him, or something. From what I have seen, you have exposed little. Others have already called him the things you have. It all should be noted no doubt, but your going on about it is noted as well. Maybe it's bitterness. Who are you?

  • Eek...open shut case?

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  • WOW! WALRU11, Hogan "an abrupt, rude, self-absorbed individual who may be admired for his skill but not for his character".? Hogan was an extremely shy person that didn't suffer fools. Hogan hated the fact that most sports writers in his day, sat in a club house and wrote an article about a golf tournament that they never bothered to get off a club house bar stool to watch. He was sick of reading embellished golf stories, and being misquoted by inept sports writers.

  • Please site examples and their source(s).

  • Hogan's swing was as seamless as his behavior was unseemly. A great ball-striker, he was abominable to others. an abrupt, rude, self-absorbed individual who may be admired for his skill but not for his character. Perhaps the most anal-retentive competitor in the annals of sport he was simply anal to others. A shame. He should have taken lessons in humility & humanity from fellow Texan, Byron Nelson who was a greater golfer & better human being.

  • Don't know if you're aware, but Hogan watched his father commit suicide in their home when he was 9 years old. I'm sure this effected him in many ways, and I cut him slack for this reason alone, as I'm sure Byron did as well.

  • Tim:

    Yes, I am aware of this tragic fact & I too cut him slack as the act virtually nullified any sense of self-worth the poor child may have had. I attribute Hogan's drive & behavoiral problems directly to this harrowing event. Nelson was extremely gracious to Ben Hogan who was be turns extremely jealous but respectful of his adversary's skills. Hogan's self-reliance and aloofness came from his determination to prove himself worthy in a world where even fathers show you are nothing to them.

  • "I attribute blah blah blah"...honestly who the fuck are you to make that judgement. Please explain. You must have had many in depth Psychiatry sessions with Hogan. Or maybe you called him Ben.

  • I have to disagree with you. Not everyone is a personable outgoing person. Doesn't mean they are rude or self-absorbed. Many don't know of the generous and caring side of Hogan. Hogan adopted and cared for many stray dogs. Had a soft spot for children. And would help out his factory workers financially if he knew they were having a rough time.

  • you're right about that one. no disrespect to nelson (18 wins, 13 in a row) but from the time he returned from active duty right up until the crash hogan won 37 tournaments, including the us open and the pga championship (twice). it was like he entered each tournament expecting to win, and then did win more often than not.

  • Hogan was back when Nelson won his 18 straight. As kids competing in caddie tournaments in TX, Nelson beat Hogan like a drum & did the same as an adult. It was rare for Ben to best Byron whose mastery of the swing & character far surpassed Hogan's & Ben knew it. Nelson retired because he, like Jones, had won enough & golf for him was a means to an end (a ranch). Hogan ONLY won what he did AFTER Nelson left the circuit. Hogan is overrated & for accuracy, I'll take Moe Norman over Hogan any day.

  • i don't know if that's accurate. the year nelson won 18 tournaments, hogan was fighting the battle of ft. worth. he didn't go back on tour until 1946.

  • Hogan & Snead both were released early in 1945 & thus played in many tournaments. Nelson competed against Hogan in at least 18 events. Snead played even more: 26. When Hogan shot 261 @ Portland (saying "that will be enough 'Mr. Golf'" - referring to Nelson) Byron came back 2 weeks later in Tacoma & shot 259 - a 4-round total that held up for 10 years until Souchak shot 257 at Brackenridge in the '55 TX Open. In 1945 Nelson was almost unstoppable.

  • I will say I do appreciate BN.

  • Nelson had some sort of excuse not to go to war. The only reason he won 18 that year, was because the big boys were over seas fighting, while Nelson was at home winning tournaments against little boys. Nelson is over rated, and Hogan is under rated. You have it backwards my friend.

  • Wrong. Hogan played in 18 events that year & Snead, more than 20. Nelson beat them both along with everyone else. As caddies who played, Byron beat Ben regularly, & did the same as an adult. Hogan had a wild hook that he later corrected, but Nelson could manuever the ball with every club in the bag. Nelson never had the massive ego Hogan had. It's why he retired in 1946. He had won enough to start his farm. Hogan had to prove his self-worth via golf after his father suicided in front of him.

  • I think I agree with your first three sentences (believe it or not) but am not sure of the exact figures. I HAVE read that he played Hogan and Snead during that year though which may be about all that needs to be said. Dunno why you are bringing up the wild hook and all this junk though. It doesn't matter because he more than corrected it in his winning years. Maybe Hogan liked golf and had a passion for golf and improvement that kept him in the game. Please tell me how you are not a douche bag.

  • your wrong, Hogan has never beaten Nelson head to head and they have been in about 5 playoffs together.

  • Nelson I will say must be grossly underappreciated. I wish he had played longer to show what he could really do and how long he could do it. It would validate him more with regards to GOAT discussions. I guess he was not overly concerned though which is interesting in itself. I will say I have heard when he hit balls even in his later years (clinics or w/e) he would go basically the whole time without really missing a shot. Played a straight ball. Missed a few yards either side on a miss.

  • Moe Norman was AMAZING by all accounts. (HOF players) He wasn't too known until his later years as well. That is to say, his power would have diminished at that point. Anyhoo though, Norman ain't the only one multiple HOF golfers weighed in on. I will say that I will listen to them over you with regards to Hogans abilities. Unless you can explain why you have any kind of real credibility. BTW again yes I am gunning for you a little now. I also can write the same thing in multiple videos as well.

  • My God, this video gives me chills when I watch it. He's swinging a driver with a persimmon head with a shaft that's stiff as a damn pole and he's still able crush the golf ball at 70 years old with a body that was crushed in an automobile accident!!!

  • LMAO! The dude at 3:40 told Hogan that the driver on his shaft might be a little stiff!!! Funny funny funny.

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  • That, my friends, is the sound of power. Unbelievable for man of almost 70 to be able to crush the ball like that. God, I wish I could hit it like that.

  • Wow it's like the Holy Grail.

  • it is the holy grail..... the explaination of his hands at the end was killer...!!!

  • alongside Byron Nelson, that is the best swing of all time - smooth as silk, and even at near 70 years of age its still the same. Amazing.

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  • Like finding gold! great post.

  • Unbelievable, nearly 70 and still perfection and great power. Just wow!

  • Aaah..sweet..this is probably THE most pleasant surprise on youtube ever ! Thanks a lot mate for sharing this extraordanary video of an extraordanary man !

  • knocked the crap out of it

  • When watched in VHS format it is even more remarkable - you expect to see your own fellow family members walk in and out of frame. It is like being there. Urban Legend has it that if you are able to see where his first driver tee shot lands in the ocean and mark it in some way, you will see that they all land in almost the same exact spot.

  • Awesome as fuck...such a gem of a private video going public!

  • WOW! He was about 66 or 67 years old here. I hope I can swing with that kind of flex and power at 47!  I've never seen this--thanks a lot for posting this vid!

  • awesome video!!!

  • Wow, what an amazing man and swing.

  • This video was taken at George Coleman's house in Florida and was never supposed to be released for publication.

  • If anything this proves he had it right.  I find it interesting that when he is swinging he looks 30 years old and when he isn't swinging he appears to be an old man.

  • What a pleasure, to see this video of an awesome man.

  • Its like watching bruce lee, Ben was simply the best at swinging a club.......fullstop.....

  • Sensei himself, perfect and fluid swing...

  • Great..many thanks for posting.

  • hogan seemed so chilled around his friends and family

  • This is priceless money!! Thanks!

  • You have to love Ben Hogan, he was amazing. However, his slow motion swing is not like his actual swing in the downswing. At full speed his back swing is underneath and on to the shaft plane and the downswing is directly down the shaft plane. His downswing is perfectly on plane it just happens to be on top of his back swing plane. In the slow ones his back swing and downswing are underneath the plane, ie he is off plane. If you like Hogan read 'the plane truth for golfers: masterclass' Then

  • Read the post on the Jim Hardy Golf website's forum - FAQ/Greatest instruction posts, Jim hardy on the swing plane. Watch the video on here entitled Hogan's Mystique and you will see what Hardy is saying about the right elbow. Then compare the two swings by placing a line to mark the shaft plane at address and you will discover the secret of Ben Hogan's golf swing. An amazing claim i know.

  • Love it when George says, "Hey Benny." instead of Ben. The slow motion swings are very cool.

  • This is a great treat to golfing aficionados who believe that Ben Hogan has one of the greatest golf swings of all time!!! Thank you so much for posting this for every golfer to savor.

  • I've never seen better footage of this great master showing his brilliant technique. It's like watching his book "Five Lessons" on tape and he goes about it with such class. Wow!

  • This footage was taken in north Palm Beach at George and Dawn Coleman's home. Mr. Coleman was the President of Seminole for many years. The Coleman's were the most gracious of people.

  • armensunny is absolutely correct about the specific location of this video. I have heard conflicting dates about the specific year but it's sometime between 1977-81, . This leaked out from the golf staff in the Seminole pro shop which is how I first saw it in 1992. It was very, hush hush then as the version I first saw had recently been either heisted or illicitly copied and you couldn't spill the beans that you knew it existed.

  • my God... what can a person say? we've all heard ben could be surly, curt, difficult... but what a generous wonderful man he was to these friends. can you believe it... ben hogan home movies. personally, i've always thought he was the best and until someone walks around a golf course on busted legs and a bad eye that won't change.body i met him once and the word i'll use for him is gentleman. absolute gentleman. didn't know how to say anything without a thank you involved. great man...

  • Wow. If this is the footage I was told about a few years ago, it took place at a house close to Pebble, with some of Hogan's friends asking him for a demonstration. Supposedly, the balls all splash in the same place. Don't know if this is true. It looks like he has less mobility here than in the Shell's match, so could be 1970's or early

    80's. I didn't think I would ever actually see this. Thanks for uploading.

  • Amazing! It's fun to watch him doing the slo mo swing! ;^) thanks for the post!

  • The greatest.....thanks, Mac. ;)

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