Friday, April 24, 2009

Professional Tour Players Swings, Any Ben Hogan Swingalikes?

Naturally having a standard for the golf swing as golden as Ben Hogan's leaves a TV viewer of the top players on the various professional tours sometimes making comparisons of their techniques and compliance with swing fundamentals. In 'The Five Lessons, the Modern Fundamentals of Golf' Hogan laid out some of the most critical of the fundamentals in an instructional style, aided by writer Herbert Warren Wind and illustrator Anthony Ravielli.

Who has the most Hoganesque swing on each tour? Beats me. There are some candidates that we hear about from the PGA Tour and the golf analysts that lead us through the broadcasts on the Golf Channel and the network coverage. Chad Campbell comes to mind. So does Trevor Immelman. Also, Jonathan Byrd. Who else? Well how about tall and lanky amateur Danny Lee? Very nice swing according to Bob Toski who saw it in person at the Masters this year when he was up there with Ken Duke for practice rounds.

There some teaching professionals that also sport Hoganesque swings. First on the list would be Jim McLean. Jim demonstrates his swing in his instructional dvds. V.J. Trolio has a very close action to Hogan's. You can see his on YouTube.

You can see quite a bit of Ben Hogan in 'The Ben Hogan Collection' dvd set. It fully meets its purpose of providing extensive film footage of Mr. Hogan hitting various shots with different clubs and demonstrating his wonderful golf swing.

I am sure there are many more pros and amateurs that have Hogan like swings. I wonder who they are!



Tom

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Ben Hogan Video Clip - Ben Hogan Collection

From our library at McTee's Champions, 'The Ben Hogan Collection' I found a video clip of Mr. Hogan hitting a shot. Its from a new angle and venue so it probably has not been seen before except for those folks that were in audience at the time. The best thing about it is that the angle shows the action of the right leg and hip in Mr. Hogan's swing. It is a very strong move away from the ball on the back swing that sets up his tremendous swing through the ball.

Maybe its a view that will click with some folks and help them improve their swing. A lot of people learn a good golf swing by imitating someone else who has a good swing. I can think of no better model than Ben Hogan. Here it is! Enjoy the show.
Tom

Monday, April 20, 2009

Ben Hogan's 5 Lessons DVD Celebrity Host


It takes a long time and a fair measure of patience to produce a DVD that technically sound and has international interest in the golf world. We have completed most of the elements of a promotional/sponsor package for the 'Five Lessons, The Modern Fundamentals of Golf by Ben Hogan'.


The process of finding a celebrity host has begun. Wouldn't it be great to have someone like Justin Timberlake take the role of celebrity host. Timberlake is passionate about the game is a serious golfer who understands the game and its history. He hosted the fall PGA Tourn event last year (Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open) and he is going to be a player at this summer's US Open Challenge at Bethpage Black promoted by the USGA. I really think he would enjoy working with a classic project like the 5 Lessons that has such long term relevance in the golf world. Everybody likes him and his 'creds' in golf and the broader entertainment world is growing.


McTee's Champions and Platinum Studios in LA have partnered to produce this classic dvd. Platinum Studios is famous for its library of over 5000 comic book titles and its work with several major studios to produce 'Men in Black' brand, 'Witchblade', 'Atlantis Rising' , 'Cowboys and Aliens', 'Unique', 'Dead of Night', WOWIO website library, and other projects currently being filmed. Their website is at http://www.platinumstudios.com/.


To do this dvd properly with the technical elements of computer generated graphics in three dimensions and motion capture technology plus live filming at sites such as Riviera Country Club, Colonial Country Club, and Shady Oaks CC requires great producers, scripting, and scheduling. Its expensive but worth it. Ben Hogan's legacy on golf swing instruction, his championship record, his life values will all be displayed for audiences young and old in a very entertaining and informative way. The final cost for the dvd will be less than a dozen mid price golf balls! Promotional efforts will link the 'Ben Hogan Collection' 3 dvd set and its interactive software with the 5 Lessons in various ways. (http://www.thebenhogancollection.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/).


The project is licensed by the Ben Hogan Estate and will provide support to the Ben Hogan Foundation.


A note on the Ben Hogan Foundation. It has worked the past year on the inaugural Ben Hogan Invitational Golf Tournament in Fort Worh Texas. Its going to be an annual event with Shady Oaks CC hosting the first tournament. The Ben Hogan Learning Center will benefit from the event which is being assisted by the Henry House Foundation. The date is September 20, 2009. Professionals and amateurs are welcome with a four ball stroke play format. It should be terrific and a chance to play Ben Hogan's home course. (http://www.benhoganfoundation.org/ and http://www.henryhousefoundation.com/). There is also a big gala event called 'The White Hot Night' the night of the 20th celebrating the tournament kickoff.


Also, Colonial CC is hosting 'The Ben Hogan Award' sponsored by Chesapeake Energy on Friday May 22, 2009 and supported by The Ben Hogan Foundation. This prestigious award is given annually to the top collegiate male golfer. Last year Ken Venturi was the master of ceremonies and this year CBS golf analyst Jim Nantz will take the podium. The winner of The Ben Hogan Award is announced at the dinner who receives an exemption into the 2010 Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Rickie Fowler from Oklahoma was last year's winner.


I hope to go to both events somehow, someway!


Should you need some additional information you can contact me via email at mcctee@aol.com.


Tom