Hogan's Puzzle

Hogans Pivot- Demonstrated by VJ Trolio

2008-10-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

VJ on ESPN Radio discussing Hogan's Final Missing Piece

2008-10-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

VJ Trolio was recently a guest on ESPN Sports radio discussing Hogan's Swing and The Final Missing Piece. Click on the link below to listen or to download his visit.

http://golftalkradiomikeandbilly.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=393073#

The golf swing and low point.

2008-10-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

Every golf swing has a low point. Whether hitting a putt, or striking a long shot, understanding and contacting low point is critical to a successful, repeating swing.

What and where is low point? Why should it matter?

Join us for VJ's answer and additional discussion.

Ben Hogan and Moe Norman- Can you see the "Puzzle" Piece?

2008-10-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Is Tiger now using the secret puzzle piece?

2008-05-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Golf Digest

You can make you weight shift or transition early or late. Has Tiger started to incorporate the concept of Hogan"s Secret Puzzle Piece , as identified by VJ Trolio?

Hogan comments on "starting down"

2008-04-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Ben Hogan comments on his golf swing "movement down", from Shell's Wonderful World of Golf . Did he really do as he demonstrates?

Conversations with VJ Trolio, Part 2

2008-04-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

V.J., other than Hogan, are other professionasl showing evidence of this move in their swing?

Chad Campbell, Zack Johnson, Jim Gallagher, Garrett Osborn ( when he worked with me)

Have you had success in implementing this concept with all levels of golfers?

4 of the 6 high school state champions last year in Mississippi use it. Dave Hamilton shot a 66 last year ( he is 65). I won the state open last year. I have older men that walk in here everyday hitting the outside of the ball. I get them turning their hips more first. Then I explain to them the hula action of the hips . Next I implement some of the secret and 99 of 100 hit it from the inside. That's proof the path of the club is effected by the body.

Is Hogan's puzzle piece, a fad, or a solid concept?

The Hogan puzzle was written with all sincerity. We used math. physics and geometry to look closer into the distinct hip action of Ben Hogan. The book is as solid a concept as the science we used to explain it.

A leading instructor examines Hogan's hip action as discussed in 5 Lessons

2008-04-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

Discussion of Ben Hogan's hip movement or slide?

A unique move only to Hogan's swing? Would it work for the average guy?

And what really is the move? Discover the secret puzzle piece!

Questions for author, VJ Trolio

2008-03-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-03-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-21T10:54:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-03-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-09T15:43:00.001-07:00

Does Hogan Have a reverse weight shift or reverse pivot?

See Comments...

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

2008-03-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-03-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

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?

The modern day golf swing with the "missing piece" added

2008-02-28T08:18:00.000-08:00

V.J. Trolio demonstrating the modern day golf swing, featuring the "final missing piece",

can you find the move?

Did Hogan Really Do It?

2008-02-28T06:30:00.000-08:00

Several Book have been written over the years addressing, Ben Hogan's Secret move.

Some have suggested it was his right leg position", others have mentioned it may have been the "pronation of his left wrist", and many others believe it was Hogan"s left hip movement", that held the key.

A secret is a secret for a reason. A closely guarded man, Hogan was often asked for golfing tips and seldom relented, suggesting only, "to dig it out of the dirt".

So, what did Ben Hogan do that no one else really did, or at least did consistently and, on purpose to maximize the effectiveness of the golf swing?

Where do we look to see the move or action, and can the average person use it to get improved ball striking results?

5 Lessons- The Modern Fundamentals of Golf

2008-02-27T15:11:00.000-08:00

Ben Hogan's 5 Lessons has been the definitive golf instruction book since it initial offering in 1957. In this book, Hogan carefully discusses - grip, posture, waggle, swing plane, ball position, right arm position, arm motion and footwork.

Many golfers of all levels have found success within Hogan's teaching, but are often left with feeling they have not achieved the desired results. Did Hogan leave something out, or were readers missing a piece of the puzzle?

VJ Trolio offers some interesting and unique insights into Hogan's swing and a motion that unlocks the missing concept. Check out ,The Final Missing Piece of Ben Hogan's Secret Puzzle

The Mystery of Hogan's golf swing!

2008-02-27T13:16:00.000-08:00

How could a small, short man with two rebuilt legs hit a wound, balata-covered golf ball 300 yards with a wooden driver?

Why does Hogan's swing methodology continue to be a topic of conversation more than 30 years after his distinguished playing career?

Did Hogan really have a "secret" that transformed his game and that still remains a mystery and topic of conversation for avid golfers?

If the secret were revealed, would this concept or technique be of any use to the average golfer?