Ben Hogan

[wvbucco]

The man could teach golf as well as he could play it, it seems.  I picked up a copy of his book Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf a couple of weeks ago at a local thrift store for $2 and have been reading it.  It was a series of articles produced for sports illustrated in 1956 (I think) then compiled into a book in 1957 due to the extreme popularity of the articles.  Mine's a first edition and in excellent shape.  I had to laugh at the 'modern' bit since this thing was published in 1957.  Really, though, how much has golf actually changed in the last 50 years? Clubs and balls have changed, but the fundamental mechanics of the golf swing are essentially the same.  Ben boils it down to the very basics, emphasizing simplicity and repeatability as well as maximizing the transfer of power from the swing through the hands into the ball.

So far I have read only lessons one (grip) and two (stance and posture), but this book has the most clear, concise golf instructions I have ever read.  I have improved both my power and accuracy since practicing his techniques (as well as watching some youtube footage of him).