Butch Harmon says six-time major winner with ‘unusual’ swing is the best ball-striker golf has had since Ben Hogan and above Tiger Woods

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While it is impossible to compare golfers from various eras, there are a number of names who arguably stand out amongst the rest for being particularly influential in shaping the game’s direction – with Ben Hogan one of those who has had a much larger impact than most.

Ben Hogan had a remarkable career. He won nine major titles, even with his career interrupted by both World War II and a serious car accident which so nearly claimed his life.

But it is perhaps his work on the golf swing which became his greatest legacy. Much of what Hogan wrote on the swing continues to set the standard to this very day.

So it is no surprise that Hogan is widely considered one of the finest talents the game has ever had. Jack Nicklaus picked Hogan as the best ball-striker of all-time.

Butch Harmon names golf’s best ball-striker since Ben Hogan

Meanwhile, it is a similar story for Butch Harmon, with the legendary coach telling Fairways of Life that he would put Hogan above the rest – with just one player since coming even close to him.

And it is perhaps not the player who immediately comes to mind.

“For me, I actually do think Ben Hogan was the best ball-striker I’ve ever seen in my life, meaning the way he controlled his ball through the air, the trajectory of the shot. Modern times, the closest I would say Lee Trevino,” he said.

“Lee Trevino was another one that controlled his ball through the air beautifully, the trajectory of the shot, the shape of the shot. He was another one that had an unusual golf swing in the way he took the club back a little out, dropped it under. But if you look at pictures of him at impact, look at how much he cleared his hips out of the way so that his hands and arms had a chance to follow.”

How Tiger Woods reminded Harmon of Hogan at the start of his career

Trevino had an unbelievable career in his own right, winning six major titles. He was a Masters victory away from completing the career grand slam, having won each of the other three majors on three occasions.

It may surprise some to see someone like Tiger Woods miss out, especially with Harmon working so closely with him at the start of his career. However, Harmon has previously drawn comparisons between Woods and Hogan.

In fact, Harmon said he had not seen someone unwind their body as quickly as Woods could since Hogan. And that was when he saw Woods playing for the very first time.

It would be interesting to know how many majors Hogan could have won without an interrupted career. Clearly, Harmon would probably suggest that he would be alongside the likes of Woods and Nicklaus