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Ben Hogan Putter: His Most Iconic Moments on the Greens

By puttmasterPublished 4 min read

Ben Hogan is widely regarded as one of the greatest ball strikers in golf history, but his putting was often seen as the weakest part of his game. While his meticulous approach to the full swing revolutionized golf instruction, his putting was more inconsistent.

However, despite this, Hogan still managed to win nine major championships, thanks to his legendary precision and an unwavering mental game.

Ben Hogan’s Putting Stats & Performance on the Greens

Hogan played during an era when advanced putting statistics weren’t recorded, so precise data like Strokes Gained: Putting is unavailable. However, based on historical records, eyewitness accounts, and tournament performances, here’s an overview of Hogan’s putting performance:

General Putting Stats & Characteristics

  • Strengths: Short putting (inside 6 feet), lag putting, and clutch performances under pressure.
  • Weaknesses: Mid-range putting (10-20 feet) and adjusting to slower greens.
  • Putting Stroke: A firm, wrist-controlled stroke with minimal arc, often criticized for being too mechanical.
  • Green Reading: Relied on intense focus and precision but lacked the natural touch of players like Bobby Locke or Ben Crenshaw.
  • Most Notable Putting Performances:
    • 1950 U.S. Open (“Miracle at Merion”) – Drained critical putts to force a playoff and win after his return from a near-fatal car crash.
    • 1951 Masters – Holed a key birdie putt on the 17th hole to help secure his first Masters victory.
    • 1953 U.S. Open – Overcame shaky putting with iron play and clutch putts to win at Oakmont.

While Hogan wasn’t the best putter of his era, he compensated for it with nearly perfect ball-striking, giving himself easier putts.

What Putter Did Ben Hogan Use?

Hogan was particular about his clubs, and his putters evolved throughout his career. Here are the most notable putters he used:

1. MacGregor Tommy Armour Ironmaster (Early Career – 1930s & 1940s)

  • A classic blade-style putter with a thin profile.
  • Favored for its precise feel, but Hogan struggled with consistency on longer putts.

2. Ben Hogan Precision Putter (1950s – Custom Model)

  • A putter designed and manufactured by the Ben Hogan Golf Company.
  • Featured a classic blade design with subtle refinements for balance and weight.
  • Used extensively during his 1953 Triple Crown season (Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship).

3. Bulls-Eye Putter (Later Career – 1960s)

  • Occasionally experimented with the Bulls-Eye putter, a center-shafted design popular at the time.
  • Provided a softer feel compared to previous models.

Hogan was constantly searching for the perfect putter, but unlike his legendary iron play, putting never felt natural to him.

Hogan’s Most Iconic Putting Moments

While Hogan wasn’t known as a putting wizard, he had several clutch putting moments that solidified his greatness.

1. 1950 U.S. Open – The “Miracle at Merion”

  • After recovering from a near-fatal car crash in 1949, Hogan played through pain and exhaustion.
  • Drained a 15-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff against Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio.
  • In the 18-hole playoff, Hogan’s steady putting led him to victory, marking one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.

2. 1951 Masters – Birdie on 17

  • Hogan struggled with putting on Augusta’s undulating greens but sank a crucial 10-foot birdie putt on 17.
  • Held off Skee Riegel to claim his first Masters Green Jacket.

3. 1953 Open Championship – A Rare Clutch Putting Performance

  • Hogan’s only appearance in The Open, at Carnoustie, required adjusting to slower, bumpier greens.
  • Sank a 30-foot putt on the 5th hole, a pivotal moment in his dominant wire-to-wire victory.
  • Won by four strokes, completing his historic 1953 Triple Crown (Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship).

Hogan’s Struggles & Adjustments on the Greens

While he was a genius ball-striker, Hogan admitted that putting wasn’t his strong suit. Some reasons for his putting struggles included:

  1. A Mechanical Stroke: His full swing relied on precision, but that same rigidity didn’t always translate to putting.
  2. Late Career Yips: In the 1960s, Hogan reportedly developed the putting yips, which hurt his ability to compete at the highest level.
  3. Preference for Fast Greens: Hogan preferred faster greens, which rewarded his firm stroke. On slower greens, he struggled.
  4. Reluctance to Adapt: While other golfers experimented with putter shapes and grip changes, Hogan stuck with traditional blade putters and a conventional grip.

Despite his issues, Hogan won nine major championships, proving that exceptional ball-striking could compensate for average putting.

Hogan’s Putting Legacy & Influence

Although Hogan was never known for his putting prowess, he still influenced future golfers in several ways:

  1. Focus on Practice & Routine: His methodical approach to putting drills inspired generations of pros.
  2. Fast Greens Suitability: Hogan’s firm stroke worked best on modern, fast greens, which are now common on the PGA Tour.
  3. Mental Toughness: Even when struggling on the greens, Hogan’s unshakable mindset allowed him to sink pressure putts.
  4. Design Influence: The Ben Hogan Golf Company produced some of the finest blade putters, many of which remain collector’s items today.

Final Thoughts on Hogan’s Putting

Ben Hogan was not the best putter of his era, but he made putts when it mattered. His precision iron play reduced the need for long putts, and his incredible mental toughness helped him sink clutch putts when necessary.

While he struggled at times with putting mechanics and consistency, his legendary performances in major championships—especially the 1950 U.S. Open and 1953 Open Championship—prove that his putting, though flawed, was still effective under pressure.

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