Questions for author, VJ Trolio

V J, some people have suggested that Mr. Hogan had many 

"secrets" that he revealed in pieces and parts, but never 

gave the whole, or as you suggest the "whole puzzle".

Is the position of his right knee as so often featured and discussed 

especially in, Afternoons with Mr. Hogan, at least a part of the Puzzle?

Hogan Fan- Dallas- USA

VJ answers:

The action of the right knee is a result. The knee will basically keep its flex, the knee cap

will rotate, but the use of the right knee is controlled by the sequence and

movement of the center of mass.

Did Hogan reveal his Secret?

In a Life magazine article published in 1955, Ben Hogan discussed his swing thoughts and revealed he had a  "Secret".

In this article, he challenged the world to find it by stating it is easy to see," if I tell you where to look". He then wrote Five Lessons and created a remarkable golf swing puzzle, but somehow ( those who have tried to adapt his method will know) it seemed that one important piece was missing. 

VJ Trolio explores this missing piece and brings to bear an interesting yet overlooked concept of Hogan's swing that can indeed transform your game. 

Do you know where to look?

VJ Trolio responds to reader comments

Hogan fan- Dallas - response to Hogan's  shift pre and post accident.

Hogan fan-dallas you are correct. Hogan did not shift back onto his right side LATER in his career. The sequence of his body's movement (after the wreck) changed the location of low point at impact, which changed the ball position and ultimately the ball flight.

Just take a look back to Power Golf and get some footage of his swing in the late 1940's. Then look at Five Lessons and get some footage of the swing in the 1950's

Response to VJ's interest in Hogan and the lateral movement of the swing while starting down.

The idea of lateral movement at the top of the swing is nothing new. Homer Kelley, Bob Toski, Ben Hogan, and many others discuss a "bump to the left" to begin the downswing.

The reason I studied Hogan so much was because it took him so long to get good; much like you and I. Most of us did not come into this world with as a prodigy to the game of golf. Mr. Hogan certainly did not, but later he did accomplish unbelievable achievements on the golf course. He turned professional in '30, won (individually) in '40 and then had the unusual accomplishment of '53. Ladies and Gentlemen, that is 23 years.

His golf swing was watched with amazement and wonder, mainly after the wreck. There was also something very different about the swing. The bump to start the downswing was no longer there. Do you know where to look?

Have questions for VJ?  Post a comment and look for future responses.

Hogan's Posture and your game!

Ben Hogan had a distinct and powerful looking posture that often featured his legs set further apart than most golf instruction advocates.

Would this work for the average golfer and what might be the advantages, disadvantages?

Reader's comment on Hogan's Swing

Does Hogan Have a reverse weight shift or reverse pivot?

See Comments...

      
 

       

Conversations with VJ Trolio, author of Hogan's missing Puzzle

V.J. you seem passionate about teaching golf and about helping others, what brought you to the golf business?

The passion comes from trying to tie up loose ends. I was a solid junior golfer, a solid college golfer, a solid mini tour player; but my ball striking and knowledge of how to swing the club was not enough to get me to the next level. Everyday my goal is to give players the informantion they need to get better. Whether it is how to practice, how to get to a position, or how to hit a high fade, I want them to know what to do.

When did you first discover the concept of the missing puzzle piece in Hogan's swing?

I began downloading massive amounts of Hogan footage some 5 years ago, Five Lessons has always been a part of my bedside reading library. I would read, think, read, think and attempt to make sense of it. One afternoon I saw something I could not imagine. It was a rear view image of Hogan in black and white (hitting) with a short iron. The image made it all click. The turning of the hips to start the downswing,the extra spike ( on right shoe), the stored elastic strip;all the pieces fell into place.

contact V.J. Trolio at www.troliogolf.com

Continued later...stay tuned...

What works and what doesn't?

Golfers of all abilities are always looking for a tip or technique that improves some aspect of their game.  Most tips and drills are often "temporary fixes" or going from one extreme to another. "Keeping your heard down, swinging through the ball, turning your chest, or rotating your forearms", often sound interesting, especially if demonstrated by a recognizable player or teacher.  We all have a tip or two that works for a time, then "it" seems to loose its impact and we are on to the next hot concept.

One plane or two, stack and tilt, natural golf, an x factor here,a y factor there, all seem interesting but do they work?  And, what about secret moves, is there such a thing and how do you trust the information?