Learning from the Great Walter Hagen

This 12 months I plan to attempt to pull a few hints from the legends of the game, and my first one in all 2015 is Walter Hagen. Many of you have visible him portrayed in movies about Bobby Jones due to the fact he changed into considered one of BJ's primary competition. During his career -- he became pro in 1912 -- he had as a minimum seventy five wins (forty five on the PGA Tour) and he ranks 3rd inside the all-time listing of principal winners. He has 11, at the back of most effective Nicklaus (18) and Woods (14).

In addition to two US Opens, Hagen received four Open Championships and 5 PGA Championships. (The Masters didn't exist for over 20 years of his career; he only performed in 6 of those.) I assume the PGAs are most astonishing because it changed into a match play match back when he won them between 1921 and 1927.

Here's a very good video of his swing from the British Golf Museum, from the year he gained his third Open Championship, complete with some slo-mo.

The "tip" I want you to choose up from his swing -- besides that easy rhythmic motion of his -- can be visible inside the slo-mo starting around the :40 2d mark. Many of you try to use waggles and forward presses to begin your backswing -- nothing incorrect with that, you may see Hagen the usage of them as properly -- however what I need you to peer is his hip movement.

Hagen starts his takeaway by turning his hips TOWARD the target. It's not a big movement and it can be a bit hard to see at full speed because it happens quickly, but you can see it very clearly in the slo-mo.

For the ones of you who locate that waggles and ahead presses don't experience pretty proper to you -- perhaps due to the fact they cause you to alternate wherein the membership face is aimed before you even start your swing -- but you want something that will help you get your swing began, this is a superb movement to try. Most weekend players who have problem beginning their swings have a tendency to be a piece stiff inside the knees. Hagen's flow is a great natural manner to "loosen them up" without changing the attitude of the membership face at address.

0 comments