In simple terms, a great swing sends the ball to the target
shot after shot. There is a big difference between a great swing and a pretty
one. With cameras and computers, today’s golfers spend a lot of time comparing
their swings to Tiger Woods’ in search of an esthetically pleasing motion. But
Ben Hogan always looked for a swing with pleasing results.
The differences between Hogan’s and Woods’ careers are
fascinating. Hogan was in his eighth season on tour before notching a win, while
Woods had 39 victories at the same point in his career. Tiger had 10 major
titles before turning 30, while Hogan didn’t win his first until he was 34. It
may have taken more time, but once Hogan figured out the best swing for him, he
owned and controlled it better than Tiger or anyone else.
The stories about Hogan’s precision are endless. My favorite
takes place on the 2nd hole at Augusta National. One year at the Masters, Hogan
drove the ball over a hill to a small flat spot tucked in the corner of the
fairway, not visible from the tee but providing a perfect angle to the green.
Hogan placed his drive in that tiny area all four days. Most tour pros today
would have trouble hitting that spot four days in a row with a wedge.
Ben was the only player who surprised his fellow pros when he
missed a fairway or green. Even though he was one of the longer hitters on tour,
Hogan could go a full season and not hit a drive 40 yards off line.
By comparison, it’s rare for Tiger to play a round without
spraying a drive well into the trees. He can’t put the ball in play consistently
with the driver, and as long as that is the case, his swing can’t be classified
as one of the game’s greatest.
In Tiger’s defense, today’s higher clubhead speeds allow for
a much smaller margin for error. But it’s interesting to note that when Tiger
hits his controlled “stingers,” he gets closer to looking like what Hogan was
trying to do. I really like that shot in Tiger’s bag; I think he could play his
stinger exclusively—the way he did at the 2006 British Open—and win more often
than he does now.
Tiger is still young, so it’s possible that he will one day
master the swing the way Hogan did, but so far I haven’t seen it.
Here’s why: Tiger is the greatest athlete to ever play golf
at the highest level. His talent, his instinct for playing golf shots, and his
short-game skills are the most refined the game has ever seen. Today, tour golf
is so power-oriented that you can win a lot of tournaments with a driver, wedge
and putter.
Under pressure, Tiger’s the best with two of those three.
Frankly, he doesn’t need the best swing to dominate, which is
why he may never develop a swing as good as Hogan’s was.
Bob Toski is a member of the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame
and led the PGA Tour money list in 1954.
