I’m convinced Ben Hogan knew more about the golf swing than anyone else who ever played the game. In posts prior, we’ve touched on how he was the quintessential true golfer and his amazing comeback at Merion Golf Club, but in this post we’re taking a look at the best digital footprint Ben Hogan left golfers through his golf videos to learn from.

Ben Hogan Teaches the World

This video of Ben on an evening talk show conveys many sides of him that is rarely displayed. When Ben Hogan smiled and laughed it was because he was happy and something was funny. Many stories have confirmed time and time again, Ben wasn’t someone who placated to folks. Another reason this video is fantastic; Ben simplified the swing for the world in this one short clip. He understood his audience and suggested the tip anyone could do.

Ben Hogan’s Swing at Augusta National Golf Club

This video is amazing because it shows his weight shift very well. Observe how he begins his downswing: the timing, balance, and rhythm are perfect.

The Best of Ben Hogan

This might be some of the best video of Hogan’s swing ever. This video was taken in 1953, the same year he won The Masters, The U.S. Open and the British Open. Enjoy because it really doesn’t get better than this.

Ben Hogan in “Slow Motion”

Ben Hogan’s concentration was one of his greatest assets. He practiced a drill where he would swing the club as smoothly, slowly, and rhythmically as possible. This feat required significant amounts of concentration. See below and be amazed that none of the video was slowed down.

Ben Hogan Actually in Slow Motion

This is an actual slow motion video of Ben Hogan hitting his driver. The quality of this video is superior. Ben’s classic attire — white cap and white shirt — shows the viewer what you could expect any day on the course from him: sharp dress and a gorgeous swing.

Ben Around The Course

Prepare to be mesmerized. Ben’s trajectory, ball flight, and course mannerisms are all displayed in this video…oh yeah and he’s striking it pure on 13 at Augusta National Golf Club.

Ben Hogan and Rock’n'roll

I’m not sure if Ben Hogan was a rock’n'roll fan, but the soundtrack to this video juices up this Shell Wonderful World of golf clips…like videos of Hogan needed any more juicing. The coolest item about this video is the perspective. It’s in color and the camera frames and shots are close to how we view golf today.

How to Hold a Putter: 8 Correct Putting Grips

The game of golf is won on the putting green. As we pivot most of our content on ATrueGolfer, it’s logical to start with putting, the most important part of the game. Careers have been built and ruined in thanks to the putter; how you hold the putter is the first step in finding your true golfing persona. Quality putting comes and goes and knowing your options on how to grip the putter is critical to adaptation, experimentation, and decision-making.

With the help of UGA standout and 09′ Walker Cup player, Adam Mitchell, we explore how to hold the putter through 8 different variations and the benefits and short-comings of each grip.

Remember, there is not a perfect putting grip. Each grip will provide different results based off your personal feel and experiences. After this article you should know some of the more popular ways to grip a putter.

Overlap Putting Grip

Used by the majority of golfers, the overlap putting grip is the most traditional putting grip. It provides minimum wrist flexibility while still maintaining a high degree of feel. Players who use the the overlap putting grip inclue, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. When beginning to learn the game of golf, most golfers start off using the traditional overlap grip, it’s normally months if not years after beginning does one experiment with other grips. A major weakness in the overlap is the susceptibility of becoming too handsy and consistently mis-time the putting stroke. Below, Adam Mitchell shows us how he grips the putter using the overlap grip:

Overlap Putting Grip

Interlock Putting Grip

The interlock putting grip is another popular putting style used amongst golfers. Similar to how many golfers hold an iron, the interlock putting grip is done by simply locking the pointer finger and the pinky. The benefit of this putting grip is the provides a significant amount of feel for the putter. Sometimes on very slow and bump greens a putter may switch to interlock grip in order to gain more feel on less consistent surface. The interlock grip can also lend itself to inconstancies that lead a golf to experiment in a grip that produces less feel but a more stable stroke. Below, Adam shows us how he grips the club using the interlock grip.

Interlock Putting Grip

Cross Handed Putting Grip or Left-hand Low Putting Grip

The cross handed putting grip (often referred to as left hand low putting grip) gained popularity in the 90′s and remains prevalent in golf. There are many variations of the the cross handed putting grip and the benefits and weaknesses very significantly for person to person. However, in general, cross handed putting squares up the shoulders along the golfer’s line causing the shorter putts to have more consistency. The general short comings of cross handed putting is the lack of feel for the longer distanced putts. There have even been occasions where golfers will putt overlap for putts over 15 feet and cross handed for putts inside 15 feet. Below, Adam shows us how he holds the putter when he putts cross handed.

Cross Handed Putting Grip

Reverse Overlap Putting Grip

The reverse overlap putting grip is very similar to the overlap putting grip except the following. Instead of your right hand’s pinky finger (for right handed players) overlapping the pointer finger of the left hand, the reverse occurs. The left hand’s pointer overlaps the right hand’s pinky. This is a small variation but produces an entirely different feel. The pros and cons of this grip are too individual to post. Below, Adam shows us how he grips the putting when using the reverse overlap putting grip.

Reverse Overlap Putting Grip

Ten Finger Putting Grip (Baseball Putting Grip)

The ten finger putting grip was most popular in much earlier era of the sport. Back when the putting greens weren’t as smooth or consistent as they are today, golfers would use ten finger putting grip to maximize feel on the putting green. The ten finger putting grip is simple, below Adam shows us how golfers use the ten finger putting grip.

Ten Finger Putting Grip

The Claw Putting Grip

The Claw Putting Grip has become a house hold name in the last decade of the sport. There are many variations of the claw which we show below. However, the greatest benefit of the claw is how it takes much of the wrist action out of the putting stroke causing the shoulders to do most of the work; thus creating a more consistent, steady stroke. Many players who develop the yips use the claw putting grip as it’s been found to take take much of the wrist break out of the stroke. Below, Adam shows us three different ways the claw putting grip can be used on the course.

The Claw Putting Grip 1

The Claw Putting Grip 2

The Claw Putting Grip 3

Conclusion

Every golfer will have their preference when it comes to putting grips. The 8 different ways to grip a putter shown above the most common you’ll find today. It’s important to experiment with each one and remember that as your putting comes and goes, you’re now informed of the options available on the putting green. Good luck and let us know which one you like the most.

I started this blog over two years ago with the intent to share a side of the game — in new mediums (blogs/Twitter) — that’s rarely seen online. After 100+ posts covering golf’s culture ranging from essays on modern day comebacks to historical recounts of Ryder Cups, I’ve learned a few things worth sharing.

The culture of golf has always fascinated me. I’m not sure if it’s the natural development of friendships, the post-round drinks, or strategizing during the depths of winter about the annual Member-Guest…held later that summer. Regardless, the ancillary benefits of our game are too many for this piece. However, I have to be honest with myself and the viewers of the site: I got bored. I realized the culture didn’t make the sport, the sport made the culture. It’s like a chef writing how to properly consume his dish (fork on the left side, knife on the right, and don’t forget your napkin in your lap), yet leave out the details of how to make it.

Respect in this game is not earned through absolute perfect etiquette or the location of your next Member-Guest, it’s earned by conquering your doubts, honing your skill, and digging deeper than you’ve ever dug before to improve. The internal battle, if lost, can leave us in a week-long state of depression or, if conquered, can put us in a land of serenity and even provide a few moments of divine confidence.

This epiphanic realization was spawned by many factors, most of them through personal observation and reflection, but the final straw was — of course — after I read yet another Bernard Darwin essay. His The Golfer and the Crossword piece states it best: “The childish ups and downs of joy and sorrow are not for the mature golfer. He realizes it in the fullness of time all too clearly and envies, not without bitterness, those who are young either in actual year or in golfing years, that they can look forward to a genuine and last improvement. The world has few things better to give.”

When I started this blog, it was my intent to never get into instruction. I remember saying to a friend, “how many ways can you write about fixing a slice?” Surprisingly a lot, but I was missing the point. In respectful disagreement with Bernard Darwin, I think even the mature golfer can “look forward to a genuine and last improvement.” I make this claim only a month after one of our time’s greatest players (Tiger Woods) significantly improved his putting, due to a simple tip offered from fellow player, Steve Stricker. There are hundreds, if not thousands of tips, no matter how many times written or read, will have a place for the golfer of any skill looking to hone their craft.

By now you may have guessed, but I’ve decided to pivot A True Golfer towards more of an instructional blog. The format will still be similar to previous posts, where as, instead of me writing strict instruction, I’ll be aggregating only the purest instruction and presenting it in a format easily consumable for every golfer. There will still be culture posts, but they won’t be as frequent. Whether you think this change is improving ATG’s future or hampering it is up to you, but I’m confident the truest form of the game is when we seek to play our best.

I’m very grateful for the readers and commenters of this blog; I can’t thank you enough for your readership.

Sincerely,
Jon Birdsong

2011 was the year of the Irish golfer. Witnessing the vulnerability, humility, fortitude, and grit displayed through our beloved sport was revitalizing — it’s almost as if a level of purity was brought back to the game.

The media focus on the Irishmen raised a greater curiosity into the native land churning out these immensely talented, yet down-to-earth characters. I still can’t decide if I’d rather get their autograph or catch the next pint-filled card game. Even their cherry-looking agent was refreshing. Regardless, it’s indisputable that 2011 was the year of Irish-born golfers so when I had the chance to review 18 Greatest Irish Golf Holes it was met with excitement.

My exposure to Irish golf has been limited to Tralee, Lahinch, and Waterville; this was many years past — Lahinch before they redesigned it to the original MacKenzie days. Obtaining 18 Greatest Irish Golf Holes is like having one of New York’s finest steaks served to you…but you’re only allowed to eat two bites before having it removed from your table. Reader beware, after reading 18 Greatest Irish Golf Holes you will want to go there — this is a simple warning and I’m sure a small percentage of the author’s intention was to evoke such a feeling.

The authors (Craig and Andrew) do a phenomenal job of representing the culture of Ireland. Like the country, it’s welcoming — not stuffy — well-informed, with a splash of showmanship to drive, rightfully so, the point that Ireland has some of the best golf in the world. Ireland’s diverse conditions are represented throughout the mesmerizing photography sprawling the pages…it’s painfully inviting.

The name brands average golfers will know are covered such as Ballybunion, Lahinch, and the K Club. However, this book doesn’t rest on Ireland’s most storied clubs, through design analysis and course strategy it educates the reader as to why they’ve chosen holes on courses that may not be known even to the truest of golfers.

My greatest contention with the book is the author’s belief that a hole’s value is barely altered due to its historical importance. Applying similar logic, one could argue some of the U.S.’s finest courses lack the maturity and expertise of a contemporary architect and therefore shouldn’t be held in as high esteem. This stance prompted me to re-read their introduction and they masterfully address their reason:

“Historical importance has no bearing on judging the quality of a hole yet profundity, if not the ghosts of golfers and Architects past, counts for something.”

However, I still place a higher regard on a hole’s ghosts than the authors, but appreciate their stance because the reader is exposed to the fundamental best holes and courses.

Minor contention aside, a reader will leave 18 Greatest Golf a more informed golfer, a desire to travel to Ireland, and a belief that perhaps Ireland does have some of the greatest golf in the world.

The game and cigarettes have always had an interesting relationship. After reading Bernard Darwin’s essay titled The Golfing Cigarette, a post was warranted. Growing up, cigarettes were a part of my experience – the long drag remains in my father’s pre-shot routine.

In Darwin’s essay, he conveys 5 (of many) different types of cigarettes on the golf course. They are:

1. “There is the one that a man lights on the tee just to steady him and help him over the first hole.”
2. “There is the one, particularly applicable to medal rounds, which follows a disaster in a bunker leading to a six or a seven.”
3. “There is, in a match, the one that is felt to be absolutely necessary when a nice little winning lead of three up or so has suddenly been reduced to a single hole.”
4. “There is the cigarette to be smoked at the turn, irrespective of the state of the game, but because the turn is a definite occasion and an occasion calls for tobacco.”
5. “Finally and most blissful is the dormy cigarette…”

Golf and cigarette’s relationship has been like any other; good times and bad times ebb and flow. In the early years of competitive golf, it was viewed as disrespectful to smoke in a match. Americans slowly morphed the perception as even the great Bobby Jones took a few drags during critical moments.

Unquestionably the pinnacle of golf and cigarette’s relationship was during the commercialized boom years of golf. The years of post-war golf seemed to curb the stigma and when the likes of Ben Hogan and others made it a habit, the act was more accepted; proven by the King’s promotion of LM’s (image below).

The relationship of cigarettes and golf today is still strong, but more subtle. Although, an opponent lighting up a Camel is in no sign of disrespect, it’s more likely to be perceived as a weakness. Vernacular has even changed. Smoking cigarettes, is no longer called smoking cigarettes, but ‘ripping nails’ is just as easily interpreted in the golfing elite’s terminology.

Cigarettes and golf will always be married together. Both need each other: cigarettes because without golf, there would be less moments needed for them, and golf, because without cigarettes, the game would be that much more difficult.

Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan smoking cigarettes before their shot.

Darren Clarke smokes a golfer's cigarette.

Post-round cigarette for Ben Hogan

Miguel Angel-Jimenez smokes cigarettes and cigars.

Arnold Palmer promoting LM's.

Angel Cabrera is one of the most prolific smokers on tour.

I’m convinced there are not enough golf books in this world. Millions of fantastic golf stories are untold because they were never journaled. Fortunately for the golf world, Tripp Bowden chronicled his experience as one of the first white caddies at Augusta National Golf Club. His book, Freddie and Me, takes the reader inside the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club and tells stories from the club with Freddie Bennett — the revered caddie master of 30+ years — as the focal point.

Freddie and Me touched on many of life’s greater observations. Tripp was kind enough to answer my follow up questions about Freddie, the course, and golf.

Humor and Golf:

There are so many stories in Freddie and Me that epitomize Southern wit, charm, and humor — metaphors are a significant portion of that humor. What are the top three metaphors or Freddy-isms every golfer should know, but doesn’t.

Top 3 Freddie-isms/metaphors. Hmmm. Well one of the classics is: “You don’t read Augusta’s greens, man. You remember them.” And that was so true. The greens were so consistent day to day, month to month, year to year, that they did the same damn thing every time. It was rare when I wouldn’t smile when a guest or member said, “give me a read and I was thinking—read my ass. I am giving you a memory.” I got to where I could “read” the shit out of them cause they did the same thing every time. It all came down to how hard the player was going to hit the putt—in the end I always knew which way the putt was going to break. Which is something very difficult to do at Augusta—especially if you try to “read” the putt.

Don’t ever tell anyone to lay up on the chance of a lifetime is another great one. This is one he told me when he gave me the crash course on how to caddy at Augusta. It was a great point made—most guests know they won’t be coming back, so if you got a guy standing on 15 with a 3 wood on his mind put it in his hand. He also said: You can lay up when you are dead. I love that one too! And how true that is. I think Freddie believed like I believed: that life is designed to pass you by if you just sit back and let it. So get your ass out there and let the fur fly, baby!

My all time favorite may be the one he told me when he was trying to get the caddies to shut up with all the noise in the caddy house after a long day for him. Pretty much told em that if they didn’t shut the hell up he wasn’t going to pay em shit for their work that day. When he is telling me the story he looks at me, smiles and says: Mannnn that caddy house got some kinda silent. So quiet you could hear a rat pissing on cotton!

So quiet you could hear a rat pissing on cotton! Now that is an analogy for the ages!

Freddie the Man:

Freddie seemed to be the father, leader, banker, dictator, bondsmen – just to name a few, of the caddie society at Augusta National Golf Club. One of the most impressive talents he had was his ability to manage the members as well as the caddies. Freddie’s versatility is remarkable and inspiring. What are the qualities and characteristics that made him so respected from both ends of society; the crack-pipe smoking, murderer caddie to the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world?

I could write a book on that attribute alone. In a nutshell, I think it was because of a few things. The first being he treated everybody the same, whether you were a caddy who had won the Masters, or just your first time out, or the chairman of Augusta National or a brand new member. He was also so damn smart—and everyone who spent time with him knew that. You could not fool him for nothing, nor play him for a fool. I think the members deep down knew that if Freddie would have grown up in a different time he would not only be a member of Augusta—if he accepted the offer—but he could run the joint. He used to tell my dad: “I’m the strongest, the smartest, the biggest and the blackest!” When Pop asked how he became caddy master at Augusta. My dad, who speaks Greek, Latin, is one of the most highly touted gastrointestinal surgeons in the world, plays 11 instruments, paints, draws, is also an Episcopal priest with his own church, considers Freddie Bennett the smartest man he has ever known. By far.

I guess that says it all…

Freddie was also very fair, caring, honest, and at the same would work the system if he thought it would help a caddy out. Was he a Christ figure who dropped the F bomb when needed? No doubt in my mind.

Race and Class:

It seemed like there was an inherent belief that the black caddies knew Augusta National Golf Club better than anyone — including any members or pros. It was almost as if you’re white, you only play the course, but you don’t actually know it — you would need the expertise of a black caddy to truly understand its entire offering. You seemed to be the the first white person to break the belief barrier that you (White Boy) had almost as good of an understanding of the course as the most respected black caddies. Can you elaborate on this divide?

Interesting question, as I never thought black and white when I was out there. Freddie was color blind in that respect. But certainly when, at least in the early days, a guest or member saw my white ass on their bag on the first tee they were thinking: “Damn, I got me one shitty ass caddy. A frickin’ white boy.” First time I played Augusta years after my caddy days and there was a white boy on my bag I thought the same damn thing. And I was right. He sucked.  Difference was I did not, thanks to Freddie. He put me out with the best caddies at Augusta—and I learned every single thing I could—soaked it up like a sponge in a white jumpsuit! The majority of the caddies out there today are white, thanks to Caddy Master Incorporated, which took over while Freddie was still there and in my eyes took away his magic. I will bet you a dollar to a doughnut that they, as a group, can’t hold so much as the wick of the proverbial candle in comparison to the old Augusta caddies. I know for a fact they can’t.

Storytelling:

Storytelling is a very big asset to any golfer. Freddie and Me is almost a contemporary golf version of Aesop’s Fables. From your years of telling stories to members, writing novels, and sharing metaphors, how can the average golf enthusiast improve their storytelling ability in order to have a more memorable and enjoyable golf experience?

Whoa—another great, and rather tripping, question. Hmmm. Love your comparison to Aesop’s Fables..never thought of it like that, but Freddie certainly had some Aesop in him. If there is one thing I could tell every golf enthusiast who wants to have just what you describe it would be this: Pay attention, and lock in on—to everything. The starter on the first tee, the assistant pro who either welcomes you or is a jack ass, the price of beer at the halfway house, where are the ball washers—very few are on the back tees btw, the condition of the greens, are there benches on the tee box, is the parking lot convenient, is there a bag drop, most importantly is there a shoe shine guy, can you bring in your own beer, does the cart boy clean your clubs before you tee off. After? Do you feel welcome if you are a guest? Did it rain. Did the score matter most or the experience?

It should always be the experience…

Storytelling, at least good storytelling, is always from the heart. You don’t make that feeling up—in fact you can’t. So—soak it all in, and when you tell the story of your experience at course xyz, squeeze it out pdq if you are a northerner, or slow as cream rising on buttermilk if you are a Southerner.

—–

You can find more excerpts and reviews of Freddie and Me at http://www.trippbowden.com/.

For the past two decades — yes, two decades exactly (that is when Tiger won his first of three U.S. Junior Amateurs) there has been one, contemporary model of how to dominate golf. The blueprint was witnesses by thousands of junior golfers and attempted by most to achieve one man’s level of greatness.

Getty Images

The blueprint: a compulsive practice regime — to the extent of sacrificing social development, weekly meetings with the sport psychologist, morning workouts, and little time for growing up. The game of golf is a microcosm of life, not the other way around.  A pint of Guinness? Forget about it. Joking back and forth on the latest social network? No need, the PR team includes it in their services.  All business with scheduled pleasure was the model: sacrifice the whole for the sake of the specific.

This model crumbled when a well-rounded, normal twenty-two year old Irishman named Rory McIlroy proved there is another way to dominate.

Same Story, Different Ending

I’ve rooted for Tiger in every tournament he’s competed. Starting when national superstardom blanketed him in the 1996 U.S. Amateur final against Steve Scott. Two down with three to play, Tiger willed his way to victory on the 38th hole of competition at Pumpkin Ridge. It’s important to remember, Tiger had what Rory has.

During the Tuesday practice round of the 1997 Masters was the first time I spoke to Tiger. He walked off the 8th green to the 9th tee — if you can believe it, in the afternoon — and surprisingly there weren’t many people following him. As he approached the 9th tee box, I said, “Good luck this week Tiger, I’m rooting for you.” He looked me in the eye and said, “Thank you” with a happy-go-lucky grin. He had a fan for life.

It was years later the superstardom facade would crush the foundation of a hero.

This can’t happen to Rory. He grew up in Northern Ireland; regardless of skill and promise, oversized-egos will get you beat out of the bar (I’ve seen it before). Rory’s home town will always be a retreat from superficial levels the media thrusts him. Tiger’s retreat was his father; with Earl’s passing so did the final part of Tiger pre-superstardom.

A New Model

Rory’s veteran-stomping proved to the world there is another way to dominate besides being manufactured by a hired entourage. Talent, hard work, and constant improvement are always the recipe, balancing them with life’s most important building blocks is the hard part. He’s accomplished that magnificently and there’s no reason to think he won’t continue for years to come. All juniors should replicate the new model.

When your friend or relative invites you to a Member-Guest, it’s a big deal. They are, in essence, saying, “I want you to come represent me in front of my friends at my club.” It is a true honor. This privilege creates a lofty amount of responsibility; below are 4 simple, easy ways to get invited back to your friend’s Member Guest.

Make Your Partner Look Good

There are many ways to do this and not do this. A few that come to mind include:

• Tell stories of the past you have together. Each of you know one another for a reason, let his fellow members in on a side of your host they may not know — a good side that is.
• Do not talk about or compare your club. Any form of trying to “keep up with the Joneses” or commenting on how your club does it always comes off awkward.
• Dress like your partner. This doesn’t mean wear the exact same item…that would be ridiculous and is highly ill-advised. But dressing beneath your partner (shirt untucked or tennis golf shoes) could create tension and dressing above him (a flamboyant-Poulter outfit) could make him feel out-of-place at his home course. Best advice: stay traditional and classic.

Play Well

This might be too simple, but depending on your partner, being in contention is a high priority and if you get waxed, coming back may be a tall order. Weeks leading up to the tournament, take some extra range time, bring the putter to work, and get mentally prepared for firing at pins and dropping putts.

Write Personal Thank You Notes

Writing thank you notes is one of the least time consuming ways and potentially has the greatest “remembrance factor” because so few people do it. Notice “Thank You Notes” is plural. This means writing two is best form: one to your host and one to the head pro — both thanking them for the weekend, accommodations, and experience. Notes should only be written if the message is authentic and sincere, otherwise don’t bother.

Reciprocate

Some of the greatest relationships are formed on the golf course. As most know, relationships are a two way street and if an individual doesn’t reciprocate in anyway, it hints a lack of appreciation. There are many ways to reciprocate including a gift, a golf trip that you initiate, or your Member-Guest.

These were just 4 ways of many to get invited back to the Member Guest. Good luck and hopefully your host will see you next year.

There are many areas of Atlanta that remind me of Bobby Jones. Whether it’s East Lake, his old house (Whitehall) off Tuxedo Road, the law office where he practiced in historic downtown, or the Atlanta universities he attended, there is always a piece of Bob Jones in the city.

Today, I had the opportunity to visit the archives at Georgia Tech’s library and found the 1922 edition of The Blueprint – the university’s yearbook.

Bobby while at Georgia Tech

Below is the 1922 yearbook of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The Georgia Tech Yearbook – “The Blueprint”

A fascinating piece about Bobby’s profile in The Blueprint is how involved he was with campus life. His activities, as enumerated below, were vast and diverse including: Golf Team, Koseme, Bull Dog, Cotillion Club, Secretary Senior Class, Pan-Hellic Council, Skull and Key. Amazing.

Bobby Jones’ Profile in the “The Blueprint”

The following is the write up on Bob Jones in the “The Blueprint:”

Yes, this is none other than the famous Bob, of golfing fame. We can’t tell much about him that you don’t already know unless that he’s a darn good student as well as a golfer, not to mention that he is exceedingly popular with his fellow students.

Bobby Jones continues to inspire, years after his passing. More to come from Mr. Jones soon…