Golf tip: Waggles from Ben Hogan to Michelle Wie (Video)

Ben Hogan (1912-1997) is generally regarded as one of the greatest ball strikers in the game and Hogan’s swing technique is as much a part of his reputation as his championship record. Many believe Hogan invented the modern golf swing, which he broke down into 5 separate elements in his Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.

As Hogan breaks down the golf swing, the waggle comes into play between the set-up and the backswing. It’s as much a mental preparation for the golf shot as it is a tension relieving technique.

As you watch the slow motion video of Hogan’s waggle, take special note of his hands and how his grip works to activate the waggle. It’s not a practice swing – not even the beginning of a practice swing. Yet Hogan’s waggle is a visible and exact sequence of motions that involve his wrists, hands, club shaft and head.

It’s almost as though Hogan is storing shaft and club head energy with his waggle, mentally preparing for that delayed release that marked his exceptionally powerful golf swing.