biographies

Not much here that hasn't already been written about Hogan. The so-called "Secret" is nothing more than a rehash of old swing tips that the author (a scratch golfer) apparently never thought was significant enough to incorporate in his own swing, but now after 37 years, believes is "book material". In my opinion, there isn't much to this book and it wasn't very interesting. I watched Hogan hit shag balls and that was a lot more interesting than reading this book.

This is a pleasant little book of not much consequence. Golfer's probably won't learn anything about Hogan that they didn't already know, but they'll have a few more stories to share. Let's face it, he wasn't a bucket of laughs. The famous "secret" isn't all that secret. The cupped left wrist was revealed in Hogan's own book, and the action of the right knee isn't much of an addition. Frankly, the most interesting parts of the book are the descriptions of Hogan's clubs and practice routine. We learn here for the first time that Hogan's clubs were 4 degrees open and, hence, produced his famous power fade. Unfortunately, we're not told how he hit a hook, a shot at which he was equally adept. That would have been interesting. We also learn that he practiced from the bottom up, i.e., he hit short clubs before long clubs, and that he alternated fades and draws in succession. His command of his shotmaking is emphasized over and over, but we already knew that. So, if you're a Hogan aficionado, here's nice book to read. If you're not, there are better choices.

This is simply a great book on one of, if not the best golfer ever. He did it with intense work, not pr or friendliness. He knew the golf swing for himself, and demonstrated that.

Here an amazing sharing of his involvement with this man, a young man who shags balls and watches, and shags and watches and interacts for the rest of their lives together.

The simpleness, yet dramaticness of this relationship is revealed in brevity in terms of words and pages, but pondering what goes on in these 160 pages is intense and profitable for golfers.

For those outside golf, Hogan must come off as insolent and insensitive. Yet, he is ultimate golfer. The Swing Secret is revealed, and it is amazing, right knee and left wrist. Am going to find out "in the dirt myself."

The stories here are priceless and will continue the great mystique and rightful place of the Hawk. Favorites include the response to the German pro watching him during Kostis GD story, "You're a golf pro. You should know the answer."

The second was the ad shoot. Hogan readies himself for filming hitting three consecutive terrible swings. Then on cue, perfect contact and swing.

People want the easy way out. To hurdle over the time and expenditure of effort and toil and yes, dirt. Hogan was not of this mold. Golfers appreciate this. You must find yourself and have confidence that you know what the shot required feels like and can repeat it.

A rare one to be reread, and rethought, and used "in the dirt." Thanks, Jody.