Ben Hogan was a legendary golfer who is frequently mentioned with other golf’s top names like Tiger Woods, Walter Hagen, and Jack Nicklaus. He is recognised for his “golf swing philosophy” and ball-striking prowess and is regarded as one of the finest players in the game’s history. Throughout his career, he wrote the golf instructional book “Five Lessons: Golf pros and aspiring amateurs alike still read The Modern Fundamentals of Golf frequently.

He was a strong perfectionist with an iron will who had a profound impact on sports and left a lasting legacy. He was one of just five golfers in golf history to have won nine major tournaments at the height of his career, including two Masters, one British Open, four United States Opens, and two P.G.A. titles.

Despite a serious injury that nearly claimed his life, he made a remarkable comeback, to the delight of all of his followers. He was the proud recipient of many awards and accolades, and he was renowned for his exceptional golf course management abilities, which could make even his most formidable rivals submit.

Quick facts of Ben Hogan

Nick Name: The Hawk, Bantam Ben, The Wee Iceman

Also Known As: Ben Hogan

Died At Age: 84

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Valerie Fox (1911–1999)

Father: Chester Hogan

Mother: Clara Williams Hogan

Siblings: Royal

Golfers American Men

Died On: July 25, 1997

Place Of Death: Fort Worth

U.S. State: Texas

Career

At the age of 17, despite a horrible hook, he made his professional golf debut at the Texas Open in San Antonio, dropping out of Central High School to concentrate on his game.

He took part in his first P.G.A. Tour event at the 1932 Los Angeles Open, when he earned $.8.50 and finished in 38th place.

He began working for Century Country Club in Purchase, New York, in 1938 as an assistant professional before rising to the position of the head pro. He couldn’t refuse the offer of the head position at Pennsylvania’s Hershey Country Club in 1941.

He had competed in several professional tournaments up to March 1940, but without much success. However, following that, he won three events in a row in North Carolina.

He quickly found success and, thanks to a method he affectionately referred to as his “secret,” became an expert at the game. By releasing his left grip and swinging his arm like a clock, he was able to hit a power draw that he could manage.

His career was put on hold from 1943 to 1945 due to a call to military duty during World War II. He worked for the United States Army Air Force as a utility pilot and was based in Fort Worth, Texas.

He missed a few years playing golf because of World War II. He did, however, make a full comeback to the sport in 1946, the year he won the P.G.A championship. He won the tournament once more two years later.

Hogan earned 37 victories between August 1945 and February 1949. However, a tragic automobile accident in 1949 knocked his career off course and left him paralysed for sixteen months.

He was resolved to play again despite the doctors’ warnings that he would never be able to, and he did it during the 1950 U.S. Open. He not only took part in the competition, but he also ended up winning it by playing 36 holes on the last day despite excruciating discomfort.

He decided to play seven PGA Tour events every year starting in 1950 and went on to win 13 additional competitions, including six majors. Hogan was the only person to ever win three major championships in a calendar year until Tiger Woods surpassed him in the new millennium.

He competed in five tournaments in 1951, winning three of them, including the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the World Championship of Golf.

He was the only golfer in history to win all three tournaments in the same year when he won the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open. He had intended to compete in the PGA Championship as well, but the British Open’s dates prevented him from doing so.

He established his own golf company, the “Ben Hogan Golf Company,” in Fort Worth that same fall. He wrote the educational golf book “Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf” in 1957, which was a commercial success.

He sold the business to American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1960 while continuing to serve as chairman. Following sales to Cosmo World of Japan, Bill Goodwin, Spalding, and Callaway Golf, the business was eventually shut down.

At the Masters in 1967, Hogan shot a tournament-best 30 on the back nine before he officially retired four years later.

Awards & Achievements

In 1940, 1941, and 1948, he took home the Vardon Trophy three times for having the lowest overall score.

He was admitted to the “World Golf Hall of Fame” in 1974.

The “Bob Jones Award,” one of the greatest honours bestowed by the United States Golf Association for sportsmanship in golf, was given to him in 1976.

In 1999, ESPN ranked the “SportsCentury 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century,” placing him at number 38.

Golf Digest magazine named him the “second greatest player of all time” in 2000.

Ben Personal Life & Legacy

In April 1935, he wed Valerie Fox. He first met her in Fort Worth while attending Sunday school, and then reconnected with her while working as a club professional.

On February 2, 1949, the couple avoided a devastating head-on collision with a bus. He threw himself across his wife to protect her to save her, which also saved his life. He would have been pierced in the chest by the steering column if he hadn’t gotten up from his seat to shield her.

After the accident, he spent several months immobile, and the doctors predicted that he would never be able to walk again, let alone return to the game. But 59 days after the accident, he was released from the hospital, and he shocked all of his fans by making a comeback.

He was in terrible health following colon cancer surgery when he passed away in Fort Worth, Texas.

He leaves a big legacy. Glenn Ford played Hogan in the film “Follow the Sun: The Ben Hogan Story,” which was based on his life.

The USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History include a specific section devoted to Ben Hogan’s career, comeback, and accomplishments.

Nine of the 18 holes at the Trophy Club Country Club Golfcourse are referred to as the “Hogan” course since when he was alive, he contributed to the original plans’ creation.

In addition, there are two Ben Hogan Awards in golf: one is given to a collegiate player, and the other is given to any golfer who overcomes a handicap or other injury to return to the game.

Trivia

Contrary to other players at the time, this well-known American golfer, who was regarded as one of the “greatest ball-strikers,” played and practised the sport without wearing any gloves.