The Comeback of the Century - Ben Hogan

Ben Hogan has always been a mythical figure to me. His swing and instruction on the modern golf swing was decades ahead of it’s time.

Who was this guy who’s name is on your friend’s magical hand-me-down 3-hybrid he always seems to have last minute heroics with.

Long before Tigers comeback, there was another golf legend’s story.

Early Life

Well before he was ripping heaters with Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan was born on August 13, 1912, in Stephenville, Texas.

The youngest of three children born to Chester and Clara Hogan. When Ben was just nine years old, he was the one to find his father, a blacksmith, had committed suicide, an event that profoundly impacted young Hogan.

Following this tragedy, the Hogan family moved to Fort Worth, Texas. To help support his family, Ben took up a caddie job at the age of 11 at Glen Garden Country Club.

It was here, on the lush fairways and well-kept greens, that Hogan's lifelong relationship with golf began. His natural talent for the game quickly became apparent, and he spent countless hours honing his skills on the golf course.

At Glen Garden, 15-year-old caddies Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson, faced off in the annual Christmas caddie tournament in December 1927. Tied on the final hole, Nelson forced an extra nine holes with a dramatic 30-foot (9m) putt. In a tense showdown, Nelson clinched victory by a single stroke with another remarkable putt on the last green.

From Underdog to Having That Dog in Him

Hogan was small in stature, which initially made it difficult for him to compete with stronger, more physically developed players. But he turned this disadvantage into a strength by developing a swing that was both efficient and repeatable, qualities that would later become synonymous with his name.

At the age of 17, Hogan turned professional in 1931, but his early years as a pro were very difficult; he went broke more than once.

Hogan grappled with financial challenges, often working as a modestly paid club pro and facing monetary hardships. However, his steadfast companion and eventual wife from 1935, Valerie, was a constant source of support and belief in his potential. Her unwavering encouragement was a key factor in his persistence, preventing him from giving up.

He did not win his first tournament until March 1940.

A wave of victories ensued. From 1940 to 1948, each year he competed, Hogan clinched a minimum of four tournament wins (excluding his service as a US Army Air Forces pilot in Fort Worth from 1943 to 1945).

But he went off in 1948, where he truly stamped his authority on the US professional golf landscape. Hogan dazzled with an astounding ten tournament victories, notably clinching both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship (also won in 1946), solidifying his status as golf's preeminent force.

Up to this point in his career he had 3 Majors and 30 tour victories. That’s pretty comparable to Rory’s entire career so far.

The Crash

On February 2, 1949, Ben Hogan and his wife, Valerie, were involved in a serious car accident. The crash occurred on a bridge near Van Horn, Texas.

As they traveled through a heavy fog in the early icy winter morning, a Greyhound bus attempted to pass a truck on the narrow, two-lane highway, moving into Hogan's lane. When Ben saw the headlights coming towards him, and there was no way of avoiding collision, he threw himself over Valerie’s lap to protect her from the impact. He did so effectively, and she suffered no serious injury. The bus hit their Cadillac, causing significant damage.

Hogan suffered multiple life-threatening injuries;

He had a double fracture of the pelvis, a fractured collarbone, a left ankle fracture, a chipped rib, and near-fatal blood clots; he would struggle with the latter for years to come.

Upon visiting Hogan after the accident, fellow pro Herman Keiser initially doubted Hogan's chances of survival.

Hogan weakly whispered, "Herman, can you check on my clubs?" indicating his enduring spirit.

The Comeback

It was uncertain if Ben Hogan would ever walk again, let alone play golf.

About a month after the accident and being released from the hospital, Hogan began a rigorous physical rehabilitation regimen. This included a careful and gradual exercise program to rebuild his strength and mobility he had created.

By May, barely able to stand, he was chipping and putting.

Given the severity of his injuries, particularly his fractured pelvis, the process was slow and extremely painful.

As he regained some physical strength, Hogan started to adapt his golf swing to accommodate his injuries. His legs had been severely weakened, and he had to develop a swing that would not put excessive strain on them. This required a significant amount of practice and experimentation.

Hogan methodically worked on adapting his swing to minimize the strain on his legs. This meant adjusting his stance and the way he transferred his weight during the swing. He had to find a balance between protecting his body and maintaining the precision and power he was known for.

This process involved a great deal of trial and error. Hogan spent countless hours on the practice range, fine-tuning each aspect of his swing. The focus was on efficiency – getting the maximum result with the least physical strain.

In late 1949, Hogan led a under classed U.S. Ryder Cup team to a win at Ganton. Following his return from the UK, he started practicing full shots again.

Hogan's return to golf was gradual. He could barely walk 18 holes.

His first appearance after the accident was in January 1950 at the Los Angeles Open, where he tied for first but lost in a playoff at Rivera to ‘Slammin’ Sammy Snead. What a stud.

1950 U.S. Open

Just 16 months after a life threatening head on collision with a Greyhound bus, Ben Hogan with wrapped legs and in tremendous pain tee’d it up at the 1950 U.S. Open.

Hogan had already silenced doubts about his competitive edge. His tie for fourth at The Masters and a ten-shot victory at the Greenbrier Pro-Am were testaments to his readiness. The question remained: could his body endure the demands of a U.S. Open on such a challenging course?

Hogan's pre-round ritual at Merion involved an hour-long soak in a hot Epsom Salt bath. Following this, he tightly bandaged each leg to reduce swelling, a necessity that also intensified his discomfort in the heat. To alleviate the pain, he took Aspirin. Despite the agony, Hogan kept his struggle private, determined not to reveal any sign of weakness.

Round 1 & 2

Back then you had to play 36 holes a day. Sometimes back-to-back days. This was the case at Merion.

In the opening round of the tournament, Hogan carded a two-over-par 72, placing him in a tie for 18th, a significant eight shots behind the then-unknown and unattached Alabama pro, Lee Mackey. Mackey, who set a tournament record with a 64, was suddenly overwhelmed with media attention.

The sudden spotlight proved too much, and he shot an 81 in the following round, quickly fading from prominence and only appearing twice more in the U.S. Open.

Meanwhile, Hogan's trajectory was upward. A second-round 69 brought him within two shots of PGA Tour veteran Dutch Harrison's lead at the midpoint. Yet, Hogan was battling severe leg cramps and faced the daunting task of 36 holes the next day. It was later revealed that he confided in his wife, Valerie, his doubts about being able to complete the tournament.

Round 3 & 4

Hogan's third-round tee time at 9.30 am, later than the first players at 8.00 am, was a relief given his extensive pre-round routines. He had to wake up at 4:30 am to get his body working.

After the third round, Hogan was two shots behind leader Lloyd Mangrum, the 1946 U.S. Open champion. Tied with Hogan were Dutch Harrison and Cary Middlecoff.

As the leaders, including Mangrum, faltered, Hogan's lead shrunk due to dropped shots on the 12th, 15th, and 17th holes, with his leg condition worsening.

Facing the challenging 18th hole, Hogan was hunting for a par to enter a playoff. He opted for a 1-iron for his second shot, resulting in an iconic golf moment – a clean strike leading to a two-putt par from 40 feet. Hogan's resilience tied him with Mangrum and Fazio, setting up an 18-hole playoff the next day.

Aware of Hogan's intense discomfort, many might have questioned his capacity for another demanding round at Merion. Yet, Hogan, with his remarkable resilience, delivered an exceptional round of 69, surpassing Mangrum by four strokes and Fazio by six. His incredible journey from a near-fatal accident to U.S. national champion in just 16 months stands as one of the most astounding feats in sports history.

Interestingly, the 1-iron Hogan used on the 72nd hole at Merion wasn't with him for the playoff. That night, it was stolen from his locker along with several other items. The club's location remained unknown for over 30 years until 1982, when it resurfaced.

An unidentified man brought a set of Ben Hogan signature MacGregor clubs, including the 1-iron, into Bob Farino's golf collector's shop in Williamsburg, Va. Farino purchased the set for $150, noticing the 1-iron, marked "personal model," didn't match the set.

In 1983, Farino managed to send the club to Hogan's office in Fort Worth. Doug McGrath, former VP of sales for Ben Hogan Company, recalled Hogan authenticating the club and saying, “Good to see my old friend back. Give it to the USGA.” Today, the club is exhibited at the USGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J., in "The Comeback Age" gallery.

The Champion

Ben Hogan would go on to win 6 more majors after the accident including the 1950 U.S. Open;

1. 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club: This victory is particularly legendary, as it marked his return to the pinnacle of golf just 16 months after his accident.

2. 1951 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club: Hogan secured his second Masters title with this win.

3. 1951 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club: Hogan successfully defended his U.S. Open title, adding to his growing list of triumphs.

4. 1953 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club: This was Hogan's second victory at the Masters.

5. 1953 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club: Hogan's performance here was part of his incredible 1953 season, where he won three major championships.

6. 1953 British Open at Carnoustie Golf Links: This win was Hogan's only appearance at the British Open and completed his unprecedented triple-major-winning year.

Talk about a heater for ‘The Hawk’.

Legacy

It still stands among the greatest single seasons in the history of professional golf. Hogan, at 40, won The U.S. Open, The Masters, and The Open. The Triple Crown.

He was unable to enter—and possibly win—the 1953 PGA Championship (to complete the Grand Slam) because its play (July 1–7) overlapped the play of The Open at Carnoustie (July 6–10), which he won. It was the last time that a golfer had won three major professional championships in a year until Tiger Woods won the final three majors in 2000 (and the first in 2001).

The Wee Ice Man

In Scotland, Hogan earned the nickname "The Wee Ice Man" or sometimes "Wee Ice Mon," particularly following his memorable victory at the 1953 British Open in Carnoustie. This nickname reflected his cool, unflappable composure, a trait born from a meticulously crafted golf swing that seemed to improve under pressure.

Renowned for his silence and solitary nature during tournaments, Hogan was also admired by his peers for his exceptional course management abilities. During his prime, he was known for only attempting shots in competition that he had perfected in practice sessions.

Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf

Hogan was renowned for his meticulous approach to the golf swing. His book, “Five Lesson: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf” published in 1957, remains a seminal work on golf swing mechanics and is considered a bible for many golf enthusiasts.

Knowing what we know about him reimagining his own swing after the accident really shaped his understanding and breaking down the swing. A true artist and visionary.

Hogan played and practiced golf without gloves, using only his bare hands. Moe Norman did the same, playing and practicing without gloves. The two were arguably the greatest ball strikers golf has ever known.

More than just a golfer, Hogan was a true artist, inspiring us to face life's challenges with the same grit.

Next time I’m bitching about being in any sort of pain on the course, I’ll remind myself of ‘The Wee Ice Man’.

Gonna go for a dart,

Rex Trous