I really wish I could’ve met and spent some time with this golf legend and champion. Absolutely have to respect Ben Hogan, without question in the top three greatest golfers of all time. RIP great man.
A man of great integrity, sheer class and yet so incredibly humble. In my opinion, he is arguably the greatest golfer that’s ever lived. Obviously, his statistics don’t match up to Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, but consider that his career was interrupted by World War 2, and even more so by his horrific car accident. The doctors even mentioned that he may never walk again, but back he came to win 6 of his 9 major titles along with many other wins on the tour, even though he struggled to walk 18 holes. The other factors were his classic and fluid golf swing, unsurpassed ball striking, incredible work ethic and gritty determination to be the best irrespective of the obstacles in his way. Legend forever!!!!!!
Actually his statistics do. He was as good as Tiger from 46-48--won 30 tournaments in those 3 years alone. He never finished out of the top 10 from 40 to 60 in the US Open. Even WITH his accident he had still arguably a better year than Jack or Tiger ever had, 53. And had he been able to play the Open (too expensive) and the PGA in all his prime years, his major count would have likely been double what it was. Then if you give back the war years, the accident year and leave him healthy O dont even think we'd be debating who was best. I loved Jack, admired Tiger's talent, but neither accomplished anything like what Hogan did.
@@nicholasschroeder3678 when Mr. Hogan won the 1953 Open at Carnoustie he hit every fairway and only missed two greens. That's for 72 holes! Unbelievable ball striking!
William Ben Hogan is the single most compelling and fascinating individual in the history of sport. His story is one of uncompromising dedication to perfection in every aspect of his life. When it comes to knowledge of the golf swing and golf clubs he is unapproached Who else would throw away 100,000 dollars worth of equipment because they didn't meet his standards? The world will never see his like again.
Actually, despite his prime being interrupted TWICE (the 2nd time came as close to death as is possible) it's all the other guy's records that don't match up to his. Between 1941 & 1956 he finished top 10 AND UNDER 290 in 12 consecutive US Open attempts. He won 5 times (of course I always include his 1942 Hale America National Open win) and did it on 12 different courses. The next longest streak by anyone else is still 4. Think it's been a little easier to break 290 during the last 60 or so years. To put this amazing achievement of consistent excellence into perspective consider the following: In the 1970 Open Nicklaus, Palmer & Player all failed to break 300!! Between mid-1945 & Feb. 1949 Hogan won 37 times on tour and is still the only one to win 10 in 2 different years. Between 1948 & 1953 he won 8 majors in 11 attempts. In 1942 he won 2 of the top 4 stroke events in golf for that year (the Hale American National Open & the North&South Open at Pinehurst) with 271s which were incredible scores for that technological time frame. In 1948 he won the US Open at 7000 yard Riviera with a USGA record smashing score by 5 shots of 276. Oh, and he did all this while not being allowed to clean the ball on the green. The more one learns about Hogan and golf history, the more Hogan separates himself from everyone else who ever played the game.
@nobodyaskedbut and he accomplished everything with an extremely inferior ball in which he went to exhaustive measures to discover the few balls in every batch that woyld fly straight. Despite this, he remained with the Tourney due to his unwavering loyalty towards the company that gave offered him his first sponsorship until he eventually began his own company. An attribute seldom seen today.
America became the greatest country ever because of men like Hogan who had a great work ethic and were more concerned about doing things well rather than seeing how much money could be made by cutting quality. Unfortunately our demise is upon us due to the lack of this attitude.
Bought a set of Hogan Apex forged blade irons in a thrift store and it was the best set of clubs I’ve ever owned. Beautiful to look at and play,thank you Mr. Hogan!
Now HE was a role model. "I had to be on the straight and narrow. They don't feed you well in prison. " LOL In all seriousness, I always loved how Hogan pursued perfection on just sheer guts and determination. What a man. Doesn't mince words.
I know he stayed in the same field, but it's amazing how seamless (obviously not) he went from professional golf to managing a successful company. He had the necessary temperament to be successful in both, no mean feat. You can see the steel in his eyes, I'm a huge Hogan fan but if I were working in his company I would shit myself if I saw him overseeing my work!
Huh, imagine him ever knowing the clubs that bear his name, are now made in China! I have a pretty good inclination that he wouldn’t be very happy about that..
@@johnnyreb3542 Yeah its a shame. Was gonna buy a set but didn't after finding that out. My 73 apex's are still in good shape. guess ill play em till the grooves are gone.
My hero! He grew up around the time of father. He had to be tough to survive like many people in that generation. I have a 1 iron in my bag in his honor!
Got my first set of Apex Plus back in 2000, the Endo forged. Just bought another set of the 1999-2000 Endo forged Apex Plus Irons today. My favorite irons still
it's a shame that you didn't have REAL Hogan irons -- ones he personally oversaw being made though which ended in the '80s...I still have several sets and they're works of art
Mr. Hogan is absolutely right. Last year I treated myself to a set of irons I saw on eBay, Ben Hogan Apex Edge Pro irons from the early 2000s. The very first thing I noticed once I got them was the quality of these irons. They just took my breath away!
he died in 97 and by then those were Callaway clubs. still high quality but not really the same. The type of clubs he is talking about legacy wise died with the AMF acquisition in the 70s or 80s.
When Ben won the Open in Carnoutis in 1953, theyasked him if he was interested in playing some rounds at St Andrews only about a half hour away. Hogan's response was to the point no not really
In some of the comments here below, Hogan - The Hawk - is criticized on his lack of relationship with Arnie (The King). I've read alot about that from several angles. Firstly, their games were so totally different, Arnie in his peak heyday (early 60's) was long but wild, and an absolute magician with the wedge and putter, to make up for it. Hogan hated golf like that. Totally opposite from his controlled disciplined accuracy. Second, Hogan was formal, and an introvert, not a back slapper type, Arnie was an extrovert, another opposite situation. Third, Arnie could be flashy and cocky, example when he was coming to the 1967 Ryder Cup practice that Hogan was Capt of, Arnie (then at his peak) made a show to fly over the golf course low in his plane to make sure everyone saw - that was really a Hot Dog show off move. Hogan was not impressed. When Arnie later on approached the group with Hogan there, and said - "Hey Ben when do we tee off to play those guys", Hogan said something like: "Well Mr Palmer, I'll let you know IF you make my team". And that - was the Hawk.. I don't think he was jealous of Arnie. Arnie was gifted with talent and gifted with people, we luv him for what he did for golf and miss him, and Arnie had his share of adoration- Hogan was deeply respected for what he overcame, his discipline, and his premier accuracy in ball striking - never surpassed since. Ben Hogan - the Hawk.
Just bought some Apex ll w/white cameo a week ago, wanted these so bad in 1980, but I was 15 and mom couldn’t afford them, so after 44 years I saw them on Ebay. Hogan in a way continued in his dad business of forging iron, his dad was a Blacksmith, except Ben only designed them and had some else forge the iron,
Still game a 70s Hogan Forty Seven sand wedge. It's been in and out of my bag since the 80s. Never had a better club out of the sand. It's in my bag now. Lots of life still left in it.
Years ago, Gary Player in his prime called Ben Hogan asking his advice on hitting a certain shot Hogan asked Player what clubs was he playing. Player responded Dunlap. The conversation ended with a simple statement from Hogan......Well then, call Mr. Dunlop.
Going back to the antique store today to see if the Hogan clubs are still there in the back room collecting dust. I bought a 4 wood last month from that store for $3, and it feels like it was made for my hands and height, nothing else like it in my bag. There's something seriously wrong with metal fairways these days. All the great names are in that club barrel.
I hand wrote Mr. Hogan a perfect 20 page letter in 1995.He wrote me a perfect reply. On 11/14/2012 I was ran over by a car. I suffered traumatic brain injury, broken back,broken sternum, CRUSHED pelvis. I now hit a Hogan 2 iron of the dirt evey day! Ben Hogan would shake my hand! RIP Ben
Michael Libert I had a set of Hogan Apex redlines 2I-E with apex 4 shaft. Beautiful irons. Just make sure you get blades and not cavity backs. When you strike the ball on the sweet spot with a blade the feeling and satisfaction is beautiful.
Augusta North You are correct. I believe his quote was, "I play golf with friends, but they're not friendly games." He was out there to win, not socialize. Off the course he was a perfect gentleman. Few people know he was good at other things besides golf. He was an excellent horseman, ballroom dancer and could deal cards like a pro. He was a excellent pilot in WWII.
ben, without a doubt, was the most self serving individual that i have ever heard or read about. All this man cared about was himself. me me me me me me oh please everyone please look at me. DRIP don't rest in peace
Hogan loved his wife Valerie very deeply. He did what he did to provide for her. The dude threw himself in front of her when that bus crashed headlong into their car. It's a good thing he did that or he would've been impaled by the steering column.
i think ben was a self centered individual and all he wanted to do was hit golf balls. can u imagine the life his wife led. I sure hope he didn't have any kids. He would not have given them the time of day.
I really wish I could’ve met and spent some time with this golf legend and champion. Absolutely have to respect Ben Hogan, without question in the top three greatest golfers of all time. RIP great man.
To have a day with Hogan, Snead, Demaret and Nelson would be like winning the golf lottery.
A man of great integrity, sheer class and yet so incredibly humble. In my opinion, he is arguably the greatest golfer that’s ever lived. Obviously, his statistics don’t match up to Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, but consider that his career was interrupted by World War 2, and even more so by his horrific car accident. The doctors even mentioned that he may never walk again, but back he came to win 6 of his 9 major titles along with many other wins on the tour, even though he struggled to walk 18 holes.
The other factors were his classic and fluid golf swing, unsurpassed ball striking, incredible work ethic and gritty determination to be the best irrespective of the obstacles in his way. Legend forever!!!!!!
Actually his statistics do. He was as good as Tiger from 46-48--won 30 tournaments in those 3 years alone. He never finished out of the top 10 from 40 to 60 in the US Open. Even WITH his accident he had still arguably a better year than Jack or Tiger ever had, 53. And had he been able to play the Open (too expensive) and the PGA in all his prime years, his major count would have likely been double what it was. Then if you give back the war years, the accident year and leave him healthy O dont even think we'd be debating who was best. I loved Jack, admired Tiger's talent, but neither accomplished anything like what Hogan did.
@@nicholasschroeder3678 when Mr. Hogan won the 1953 Open at Carnoustie he hit every fairway and only missed two greens. That's for 72 holes! Unbelievable ball striking!
He speaks with efficiency. No effort is wasted. The same went for his swing. Truly a remarkable man.
Started with his blades as a kid , and still using his Apex irons 37 years later .
William Ben Hogan is the single most compelling and fascinating individual in the history of sport. His story is one of uncompromising dedication to perfection in every aspect of his life. When it comes to knowledge of the golf swing and golf clubs he is unapproached Who else would throw away 100,000 dollars worth of equipment because they didn't meet his standards? The world will never see his like again.
When He say's, "As long as i'm here" just cuts right through me ...this is amazing stuff. if you have more please add it. wow
Superb answer to the last question
Actually, despite his prime being interrupted TWICE (the 2nd time came as close to death as is possible) it's all the other guy's records that don't match up to his. Between 1941 & 1956 he finished top 10 AND UNDER 290 in 12 consecutive US Open attempts. He won 5 times (of course I always include his 1942 Hale America National Open win) and did it on 12 different courses. The next longest streak by anyone else is still 4. Think it's been a little easier to break 290 during the last 60 or so years. To put this amazing achievement of consistent excellence into perspective consider the following: In the 1970 Open Nicklaus, Palmer & Player all failed to break 300!! Between mid-1945 & Feb. 1949 Hogan won 37 times on tour and is still the only one to win 10 in 2 different years. Between 1948 & 1953 he won 8 majors in 11 attempts. In 1942 he won 2 of the top 4 stroke events in golf for that year (the Hale American National Open & the North&South Open at Pinehurst) with 271s which were incredible scores for that technological time frame. In 1948 he won the US Open at 7000 yard Riviera with a USGA record smashing score by 5 shots of 276. Oh, and he did all this while not being allowed to clean the ball on the green. The more one learns about Hogan and golf history, the more Hogan separates himself from everyone else who ever played the game.
agreed, thanks for watching.
Ty
@nobodyaskedbut and he accomplished everything with an extremely inferior ball in which he went to exhaustive measures to discover the few balls in every batch that woyld fly straight. Despite this, he remained with the Tourney due to his unwavering loyalty towards the company that gave offered him his first sponsorship until he eventually began his own company. An attribute seldom seen today.
America became the greatest country ever because of men like Hogan who had a great work ethic and were more concerned about doing things well rather than seeing how much money could be made by cutting quality. Unfortunately our demise is upon us due to the lack of this attitude.
Yeah we'll be fine
@@Somerled_1 Will you though?
Its not the 'greatest country ever', its just another country
@@otisbdriftwood6520 ...I just fact checked your statement, and it appears to be inaccurate...Now, go back to your antifa protest.
Not the greatest country any more
I would like to see this entire interview!
My first full set was a set of Apex, with the "Equalizer" pitching wedge, and the persimmon woods. My God I loved those clubs!
Bought a set of Hogan Apex forged blade irons in a thrift store and it was the best set of clubs I’ve ever owned. Beautiful to look at and play,thank you Mr. Hogan!
Ha!About 3 years ago I grabbed a full set of mint 87 Radials and wow are they great! Especially at 1.99 a club!
What a score! ⛳
My goodness, this man could've run any fortune 500 company today and demolished his competition. The Hawk is the BOSS.
Now HE was a role model. "I had to be on the straight and narrow. They don't feed you well in prison. " LOL
In all seriousness, I always loved how Hogan pursued perfection on just sheer guts and determination. What a man. Doesn't mince words.
I just picked up a ben hogan forged E (pitching wedge) from 1989 at goodwill for a dollar and its amazing.
Stunning answer to that last question at 1:57. Rich kids watching this should feel humbled by that response.
Glad to see he didn't bring any of the religious nonsense into his answer.
I know he stayed in the same field, but it's amazing how seamless (obviously not) he went from professional golf to managing a successful company. He had the necessary temperament to be successful in both, no mean feat. You can see the steel in his eyes, I'm a huge Hogan fan but if I were working in his company I would shit myself if I saw him overseeing my work!
Imagine being one of his employees walking into his office and asking for a pay rise with those eyes looking back at you. No hope lol
Huh, imagine him ever knowing the clubs that bear his name, are now made in China! I have a pretty good inclination that he wouldn’t be very happy about that..
@@johnnyreb3542 Yeah its a shame. Was gonna buy a set but didn't after finding that out. My 73 apex's are still in good shape. guess ill play em till the grooves are gone.
@@PhillyBatts I have a hand-me-down set of Apex's, I should get them fitted and adjusted for me but hitting blades is probably above my skill level.
This is so important to me. His answer was "Well, I couldn't veer off"
tougher than a coffin nail
My hero! He grew up around the time of father. He had to be tough to survive like many people in that generation. I have a 1 iron in my bag in his honor!
My gosh ....he has always been a role model to me.....but after seeing this......i realize now how committed the man truly was.....
Would be interested to know the year of this interview and also see the rest of it.
1990
@@norrispg4212 He looks to be about 65 here so I would say late 70's.
Got my first set of Apex Plus back in 2000, the Endo forged. Just bought another set of the 1999-2000 Endo forged Apex Plus Irons today. My favorite irons still
it's a shame that you didn't have REAL Hogan irons -- ones he personally oversaw being made though which ended in the '80s...I still have several sets and they're works of art
@@norrispg4212do you play with those clubs?
I'm a Ben Hogan fan, and i've seen a few of his later interviews. In this one, he did look a little more ornery than usual. He was the best!
Mr. Hogan is absolutely right. Last year I treated myself to a set of irons I saw on eBay, Ben Hogan Apex Edge Pro irons from the early 2000s. The very first thing I noticed once I got them was the quality of these irons. They just took my breath away!
he died in 97 and by then those were Callaway clubs. still high quality but not really the same. The type of clubs he is talking about legacy wise died with the AMF acquisition in the 70s or 80s.
When Ben won the Open in Carnoutis in 1953, theyasked him if he was interested in playing some rounds at St Andrews only about a half hour away. Hogan's response was to the point no not really
In some of the comments here below, Hogan - The Hawk - is criticized on his lack of relationship with Arnie (The King). I've read alot about that from several angles. Firstly, their games were so totally different, Arnie in his peak heyday (early 60's) was long but wild, and an absolute magician with the wedge and putter, to make up for it. Hogan hated golf like that. Totally opposite from his controlled disciplined accuracy. Second, Hogan was formal, and an introvert, not a back slapper type, Arnie was an extrovert, another opposite situation. Third, Arnie could be flashy and cocky, example when he was coming to the 1967 Ryder Cup practice that Hogan was Capt of, Arnie (then at his peak) made a show to fly over the golf course low in his plane to make sure everyone saw - that was really a Hot Dog show off move. Hogan was not impressed. When Arnie later on approached the group with Hogan there, and said - "Hey Ben when do we tee off to play those guys", Hogan said something like: "Well Mr Palmer, I'll let you know IF you make my team". And that - was the Hawk.. I don't think he was jealous of Arnie. Arnie was gifted with talent and gifted with people, we luv him for what he did for golf and miss him, and Arnie had his share of adoration- Hogan was deeply respected for what he overcame, his discipline, and his premier accuracy in ball striking - never surpassed since. Ben Hogan - the Hawk.
Two very different people, thanks for sharing.
Just bought some Apex ll w/white cameo a week ago, wanted these so bad in 1980, but I was 15 and mom couldn’t afford them, so after 44 years I saw them on Ebay. Hogan in a way continued in his dad business of forging iron, his dad was a Blacksmith, except Ben only designed them and had some else forge the iron,
He was so serious....
My idol
The GOAT
Mr. Hogan's quest to make the best clubs might have been born in the fact that during his prime he played the best, MacGregor.
My kind of redass. Love Mr. Hogan.
Still game a 70s Hogan Forty Seven sand wedge. It's been in and out of my bag since the 80s. Never had a better club out of the sand. It's in my bag now. Lots of life still left in it.
This man was very serious.
Intriguing interview with an interesting man.
This man had impeccable values and morals....unlike the many jerks on the tour...like "Tiger"!😂
He wasn't nicknamed "The Hawk" for nothing.
Ben Hogan makes Jack Nicklaus seem - like a party hostess. That's one tuff dude.
doubt they had an employee lounge.
The Hawk. Still compelling today. Always fascinating to listen to.
Years ago, Gary Player in his prime called Ben Hogan asking his advice on hitting a certain shot Hogan asked Player what clubs was he playing. Player responded Dunlap. The conversation ended with a simple statement from Hogan......Well then, call Mr. Dunlop.
Legends don't take shit from other legends. If he was still alive and Tiger asked him for advice he'd tell him to fuck off.
The other part of that story is that Hogan had approached Gary Player to play his clubs and Player went with the more lucrative offer from Dunlop.
Classic!
What a great man.
Going back to the antique store today to see if the Hogan clubs are still there in the back room collecting dust. I bought a 4 wood last month from that store for $3, and it feels like it was made for my hands and height, nothing else like it in my bag. There's something seriously wrong with metal fairways these days. All the great names are in that club barrel.
"Well....I couldn't veer off. I had to eat."
~Ben Hogan
I would like to have played clubs he made
I think he’s probably the greatest of all time.
Haha they don’t feed you very well in jail love it.
I hand wrote Mr. Hogan a perfect 20 page letter in 1995.He wrote me a perfect reply. On 11/14/2012 I was ran over by a car. I suffered traumatic brain injury, broken back,broken sternum, CRUSHED pelvis. I now hit a Hogan 2 iron of the dirt evey day! Ben Hogan would shake my hand! RIP Ben
Good on You! That's awesome.and some story. Yeah he was a special man. Check out Z/health & Posture doc. They could maybe help you.
quit playing golf in the street. That is where the cars are. But I guess you know that now!!!!
Those are some pretty damn steely and intimidating eyes. Like Hogan a lot, though. Nobody tougher.
Had the Apex Edge Pro back in the early 2000. A masterpiece of golf clubs.
The company went BK and has since been sold more than once, now not selling through pro shops
The very best - any thing he did came off i am sure. Wonderful guy.
My God what a giant of a man.
The General Patton of Golf.....
The Wee Ice Man showing us all how he got the moniker! Great stuff.
What a man!
Compare Ben Hogan to Joe Biden. Which one would you trust with your wife, or life?
Still the golfing Bible 🏌🏿♂️
Man I'd kill for a fresh set of hogan irons! They're gorgeous
Michael Libert
I had a set of Hogan Apex redlines 2I-E with apex 4 shaft. Beautiful irons. Just make sure you get blades and not cavity backs. When you strike the ball on the sweet spot with a blade the feeling and satisfaction is beautiful.
@Dean Mitchell Bens original club maker designed them and hand forged them
They don't feed you very well in jail 😄
And calla*** killed it
What ever happened to Hogan golf clubs. I know the pros don't use them. Are they even manufactured anymore?
I bet he's a barrel of laughs 😀
When men were men and weren't afraid to be so...
I bought hogan gap wedge and sandwedge I will never buy another brand best clubs
Wasn't the nicest guy on the course, was he. Lol.
Augusta North You are correct. I believe his quote was, "I play golf with friends, but they're not friendly games." He was out there to win, not socialize. Off the course he was a perfect gentleman. Few people know he was good at other things besides golf. He was an excellent horseman, ballroom dancer and could deal cards like a pro. He was a excellent pilot in WWII.
He was an arrogant prick as a man. He never would recognize Palmer and call him by name. That says a lot.
@@fayette202 He was an instructor pilot during WW2 and yet he had a morbid fear of heights. Just goes to show the man's inner steel
Stud
He did not like Arnold Palmer, Hogan called him Buddy. Arnold took Hogan's thunder away and Hogan never got over it.
Hogan clubs were good. Balls weren’t
ben, without a doubt, was the most self serving individual that i have ever heard or read about. All this man cared about was himself. me me me me me me oh please everyone please look at me. DRIP don't rest in peace
I agree Allen. Anyone who would not call Arnie by name is a prick in my book.
Try Thinking For a change
Ben had the Golden bear washing his balls and no, not his golf balls.
Away from golf, Hogan was known to be kind and caring...
Hogan loved his wife Valerie very deeply. He did what he did to provide for her. The dude threw himself in front of her when that bus crashed headlong into their car. It's a good thing he did that or he would've been impaled by the steering column.
i think ben was a self centered individual and all he wanted to do was hit golf balls. can u imagine the life his wife led. I sure hope he didn't have any kids. He would not have given them the time of day.
Valerie Hogan was one tough lady, who in their latter years, ruled Ben Hogan with a rod of iron. So much so he left her for a short period of time.
He didn't have kids, but he had a life to be proud of. Off the course and away from golf Hogan was know to be quite affable and kind.