Way back in the mists of time, a young fella was out on the practice ground hitting balls before a big tournament.
He wanted to get in some last-minute prep before the first round and thus we find our man out on misery hill beating balls.
Now back in the day professionals when they practiced used to have to hit their own balls. Of course, they didn’t want to pick them up after they’d hit, so they would send their caddies up the driving range and hit towards them.
A process known as “shagging balls”.
Professionals used to take pride in hitting towards their caddy and the caddy not having to move in order to field the ball, it was a status thing, showed how much control you had and how good you were.
So back to the episode in question.
It’s the early to mid-1950’s and we are on the practice ground prior to the US Open. The young fella hitting balls?
That was Ben Hogan, who as it turns out would become a modern legend of the game.
Ben is quietly practicing away, cocooned in his own little world, hitting 4 irons towards his caddy, who’s not moving one inch incidentally.
Now if you have ever read about the great Ben Hogan, you will undoubtedly know he could be a bit of a grumpy sod, especially when people disturbed him when he was practicing.
So on the day in question, Ben Hogan is hitting laser like 4 irons to his caddie, with a baby fade.
The ball starts out like tracer bullet, gets to the top of its flight and then peels slightly to the right, descending down to the caddie, who lets it bounce once and then snaffles it up into the bag.
Now what you need to remember was that back in the day, the golfing world and his wife were obsessed with hitting a draw, it looked pretty, it was considered more macho and it went further.
Fading the ball was a big no no.
Back on the range, out of nowhere a young British pro, Max Faulkner who was a British Open Champion, walked past Ben and commented on his striking.
“You know Ben; I could fix that pesky fade for you if you just give me ten minutes”.
Hogan carried on hitting balls in stony silence for what seemed like eternity until he suddenly stopped, turned round and fixed Max Faulkner with the icy stare he was famed for and replied “you don’t see the caddy moving do you Max”.
And the returned to hitting balls in stony silence, sending little old Max on his merry way.
And there endeth the lesson.
Much wisdom in that little story if your eyes are open and you know what to look for.
Bob James PGA