I am 64 and remember whaching SWWOG with my grandpa in the sixties. Such a great time to grow up. SWWOG, A COLD 7UP AND VIENNA SAUAGE SANDWICHES WITH Gramps. Great memories.
@@iron-farmer. As long as you weren’t drafted and sent to Vietnam. In 1965 I was in training getting ready to deploy. Other than that, the 1950s and ‘60s were great. So were my Eye-O-Matic persimmon woods.
You’re welcome. I was so upset the full version wasn’t on UA-cam, I had to buy the VHS on eBay and convert it. Then figured the world deserves to see this too!
@@WhereTheyPlayForPay I didn't even realise these were available on VHS. I'm looking through those I haven't seen now and thinking about ordering some that haven't already been uploaded. One of the Knudson matches and the one at Bamf springs were what got me started playing golf. Great stuff, best golf presentation ever in this Shell Series in my opinion, and this particular episode is a rare chance to see two of the all time greats from the pre TV era in color both still playing very well (In Hogans case on this day exceptionally well).
@@poocrayon4588 I believe a few were released on VHS ~30 years ago. I love George Knudson - thankfully many of his episodes are on UA-cam. I also just bought the book by Fred Raphael that goes over the history of the series!
GREAT MATCH! two legends! there is also a match on youtube from shell's wonderful world of golf between jack nicklaus and sam snead. it was played at pebble beach and is also an ABSOLUTE classic! if you liked this one, the other is just as good. happy viewing!
A friend in my old golf league, somewhat older than I, played very good golf with an aged set of Ben Hogan irons until just a few years ago, when somebody talked him into buying a set of Pings. I'll bet he misses his old Hogans.
Hi Mick. When I was a 11 year old boy we lived on a golf course in Christchurch, New Zealand. This was 1969-70 and Friday nights (Still black and white TV but who cared) we used to have an episode of the World Series Of Golf, out of the Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio. It was a pairs event and it was my first sighting of Mr X, Miller Barber and his partner Orville Moody. Ken Venturi was the commentator and to this kid it was Christmas. Gene The Machine Littler and his mate Al Geiberger and so forth. I was wondering if you or any of the folks reading my comment, if they know where I could source it, it would be great to watch and also to see if I remember any shots they are about to play etc. One shot that sticks out was a quick time filler of Ken Venturi (who evidently was a great wedge player on Tour, but they say his 'Hands' went on him after a near fatal car wreck, he eventually rose to the lofty heights of his pre wreck game but people at the time reported that he appeared to have somewhat lost his fantastic 'feel' around the greens and from 100 yards out where he once was an Al Geiberger equal. Geiberger came Downunder in the late 70's or early eighties where he won the tournie but showed New Zealand how a pitching wedge is supposed to be played, from 100 yards he was always within 10 feet but usually six feet. The guy calling the TV feed commented before Al's first hole just how accurate his shortish game is and Al delivered. Back to Venturi and his wedge shot from 50 odd yards, he explained as he hit the ball that ideally the ball lands and does three little 'hops' to the hole. Ya wouldn't wanna know it, Venturi holed out after hop number three. I actually didn't realize at the time that it was a set up for TV, it was the Pro at the course next door to our course who wised me up that Of Course he was going to hole the approach but it looked fine to this kid until that big meanie the late Brian Sharpe explained the TV facts of life to me. He was American.I haven't watched this vid yet but I wanted to get this comment out there. Thanks Mick and anyone who can point me to the World Series of Golf I mention...I will give you ten million dollars. PLUS, a BIG Thank You. Actually, forget the $10 million, one golfer to another of our age should have enough money already so $10 million is Meh money, your reward will be of intrinsic value, PLUS if ever in New Zealand we have a spare room you would be welcome to stay in and we are a pitching wedge from the Golf Course, and one mile from GREAT Fishing spots. Be prepared to want to remain in New Zealand, it is that sort of place.
What a great upload. Even the music was great. Loved the intro with the neighborhoods and background info. I know it’s been said over and over, but their talent was unreal. That old equipment, 7000 yards,….they could handle it. Sure, it’s been mentioned almost cliche and I’m doing it here, but fun to imagine what these two men would do with todays equipment and technology. The best today would still be incredible if they were given this old equipment to mind you.
culture makers have culture bombed us all. i recently turned to gambling on golf and watching it more. sadly it's the only telecast you can watch now and it still feel somewhat how it once was. watching basketball or football on tv is over. too much rap music and culture bombing going on. it's over.
@@thegoose0m1 have to disagree, goose. america still has great parts to it. but, the fifties and sixties were the BEST times for america and we will never see those again.
Yes, Gary Player recently made his opinion that Hogan is the greatest of all time. Also, he said he would have won many majors if the WW2 didn’t happen. He was a captain for the US air army forces.
My hands are stinging with just the thought and I haven’t even tried it yet. I had a one iron back in my younger days but it’s full steam ahead with hybrids nowadays. Lol
Green Distant Star's comment is spot on. William Ben Hogan is the greatest shotmaker in the history of golf. That includes Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, or any other player before or since!! What makes this clip so compelling is that Hogan, in this match, was absolutely brilliant. Even for Ben Hogan!! He hit every Fairway, Every Green. In doing so, his shots didn't vary 10 feet the entire day from the tee shot to the flag!! A true case study in the golfing genius of the "Wee Ice Mon." As the Scots referred to him. Even scarier is that Hogan in an average round was almost as good. Probably the most unbelievable golf stat I've ever heard is what Hogan accomplished in 1940, while winning three consecutive tournaments in North Carolina. In those 216 holes played, Hogan missed a total of two greens!! The average leader in GIR on the current tour is about 75 percent. How about 99 percent for Hogan?! What kept Jack and Tiger in the discussion for the greatest player was their superior putting. No one, NO ONE, controlled a golf ball like Ben Hogan. This great video is a timeless look at a genius like no other.
@scottreiber6879 We have to agree to disagree on this one. The Merry Mex was a solid number two. In the wonderful golf channel bio "Hogan" Trevino joked that "you had to turn sideways to see the flag because his golf ball covered it every time he hit it!! Their other similarity is in how rough they had it growing up. Trevino didn't have a home with electricity until he joined the Marines. Both outworked their peers in every way. "The greatest thing in golf is confidence," Trevino observed in Hogan. The more dirt you move, the more confidence you get." Both had another less fortunate similarity in their career. They both suffered terrible accidents. Hogan from a terrible car collision with a Greyhound bus. Trevino, decades later, was struck by lightning. It's easily the toughest pair ever to trod the links. Anytime. Anywhere.
Hogan hit every fairway and green in regulation, his shots never straying more than a few yards from their intended target. He did so with butter-knife blades and balata balls, at the age of 52. Some of his avid fans have said that if he'd had the putting game of his contemporaries like Casper, he'd have been shooting low 60s and even sub-60 every time he stepped up. IMHO, if he were playing today at his peak, he'd have ground most everyone into the ground.
" IMHO, if he were playing today at his peak, he'd have ground most everyone into the ground." His ball striking was beyond compare. However, his putting was poor, by his own admission, and that would prevent him from grinding everyone today into the ground. He'd certainly hold his own, though.
@@johndickson9542 I agree, putting was his Achille's Heel. By 'grinding' I mean this. Hogan was frequently outdriven by his contemporaries. He ground them down by approach shots that put pressure on them. His consistency was the key to his success. It's very tricky to make generational comparisons. But I've an idea that with identical equipment, he would give any of today's players a tough time, especially in matchplay. If he had Jack or Tiger's putting game? Scary thought.
@@FabrisFanatic Not to mention the constant pain in his legs. And yet he won 6 of 7 tournaments he entered in 1953, including 3 majors. Astounding, indeed.
12:50 lightning strikes twice. Snead doesn’t even re-start his pre-shot routine. Just stripes it long and straight with a club that today would be size of a hybrid.
This is the equipment that should still be used today and then you would know how much of the distance is due to technology and how much is die the skill of the player. Current pros hitting 350 yard drives with the current club technology and juiced balls is like pro baseball players being allowed to use metal bats and then crowing about how far they hit it or how many homers they hit. Nobody would buy that as legitimate, yet in golf the powers that be have allowed technology to take over the game. Aaron Judge hits his 450’ bombs with a stick of wood just like Ruth & Gehrig did.
@@dorothygale1104 Exactly, it's ruined continuity within the game and many courses and the overall style of play (not to mention it looks cartoonish to see those big ass driver heads, they're like bumper bowling for golf). The metal drivers were first meant to be for women and the elderly so they could keep some pace with grown men - now we have the best of the grown men using models far easier to hit with than those meant to give worse players an advantage. It's a ridiculous situation which should never have happened.
This head-to-head format would be nice to repeat with some of today's Senior golfers. Shell is still around, too. They might sign on to be sponsor again. Other than the Majors, I'm not too interested in the big 4-day tourneys anymore. But I might watch a shorter one-day event like this, on youtube.
Agreed. They are an absolute delight. George Thomas is smooth. To anyone who knows, Gene knows the game inside out and we get to see some players who were regarded as the best in the 60s and were so good they are still regarded as the best 6 decades later . Sam played pretty well and Ben without even seeming to hole much best him by 3. 😊😂
Would be great to see this without the screen being stretched to fit. They look 5ft tall and their swings look flatter than they were. Other videos of this match are the same unfortunately.
if it can be downloaded then played on VLC I'm sure a proper aspect ratio can be found. I'm not even sure I can watch this, Snead's body looks freakish.
The grass on the greens in those days was probably longer than the grass on the fairways the pros play on today. There were a lot of 'wristy' putters. Here's Billy Casper, one of the best putters of his era: ua-cam.com/video/mXDwxMXUpB0/v-deo.html
Now you can see why he went side saddle and even croquet style later on until they banned the croquet style. I never really noticed his putting stroke before but you are correct that shit is all over the place. I thought my stroke was bad. Lol
“Par 72 and it’s a long baby playing 7,056 yards”. 😊 The PGA at Valhalla this year is 7,609 yards and is a par 71. Amazing what technology and player fitness has done to the game. I like the old days better though. Skill and a good golf noggin was required more than in today’s game.
The avg driving distance on PGA Tour in 1980 was 256 yards and I am positive it was lower by at least 10 yards in the 1960’s. The avg driving distance on PGA tour is about 300 yards. And all clubs are going much further because of the ball on irons, fwy woods. And Hogan and Snead were 52 years old so they were playing a course that was considered long by 1964 PGA tour standards. The U.S. Open at Congressional was 7056 yards and was the longest US Open course up until 1964
Aside from a few people really training speed I think it's mostly the tech. It's not just that the drivers (especially) hit further, you can also swing like crazy because you dont have to really middle the ball in a smaller sweet spot. There may be some distance increase without the tech because of players working out, but I dont think it would be anything crazy. You've gotta remember both these guys were in their 50's at this point.
What was up with the design of that guys walking stick? It looked like it was for picking up trash or cutting a hole or something. I couldn't figure it out.
"The Houston Country Club, one of the Lone Star States outstanding tests of golf." Let's not get carried away. I'm not sure it's one of the outstanding tests in Houston, let alone Texas.
Watching this video , it’s ironic that one of the greatest golfers of all time wouldn’t be allowed to play this course due to his colour. Tiger would be able to be a fore caddie or a locker room attendant or perhaps work in maintenance. 1965 wasn’t a great time in the U.S. if you were black or Hispanic. Like baseball, you have to wonder how many talented black players were prevented from participating.
a moron always brings his racist card !!! imagine tiger playing with those clubs and a dead ball even rory couldnt hit a persimmon wood 275 yards. 1965 America was so much better , compare houston than and now how about all the great cities Detroit, Philly NYC LA SanFran Chicago yep those talented Black and latinos leaders sure did improve things
250+ yard drives on soft fairways and 190 yard 6 irons with those old clubs. I played with these kind of clubs when I was a kid in the 80's. Those 6 irons have the loft of today's 8 irons of course. I hit one drive 275 downhill when I was 15 and I thought I was headed to the PGA. How good were these guys? And how hard did they hit it? I would love to know if someone could find a way to estimate their club head speed. It had to be moving good to carry 250 with persimmons. Not to mention the old, wound golf balls. It also boggles my mind that modern players don't move their drives in both directions. Was Hogan that much more talented then them?
You could be sure both players in their prime would be as long as the top pros today, given the same equipment. Especially Snead. He absolutely crushed it in his youth. Old drivers had a different weight distribution and characteristics that made it easier (and necessary) to work the ball. Balata balls spun like crazy not only on approaches but all the time. This helped a draw or a fade. Today with the giant heads it is almost impossible.
I played persimmon clubs back in the 70s which was only 10 years after this and I gotta believe they were hitting it past 250 yds. Today’s pros on a 7000 yd course would be driver wedge all day.
The Astrodome is NOT EVEN COMPLETED in this video! When i saw it, all i could think of was the smell of the hamburgers they sold there. And yes, Slammin' Sammy has a swing that is unmistakable. 7,000 yards was long when you hit wooden drivers and irons that have a sweet spot the size of the tip of your little finger. I think i remember that the Colonial course in Ft. WORTH (Byron Nelson open) was 7200 in 65 and 7700 in 75.
@@patrickdumass7611 I think you are correct, I thought about it afterwards. I know and watched an amateur who played in the pro-am in 79?. I just remember looking down some of the par 4s from the black tees... I hit it a long way back then, but man... 6 par 4s over 440 yards and a 585 yard and 635 yard par 5.
7000 yards with those clubs and balls, and in Houston's low elevation and high humidity. That course was playing LONG. Modern equivalent would likely be well over 8k.
I think it goes to show that you work with your natural swing. To me it looks like Hogan never takes a “full” backswing. It’s the speed coming forward that counts
These swings were perfect due to heavier clubs being used back then. Now manufacturers produce lighter, longer clubs which are harder to control, resulting in more swing faults and less accuracy.
5 grand in those days was a lot for a golf match. In tournaments, guys who made the cut for the weekend but finished at the bottom of the heap would take home less than $100 bucks.
Absolutely. One of the biggest changes since Tiger came along has been that mediocre players, who may never win in their careers can still become very rich men.
There is no better golf video that exists than this one.
You’re welcome
I am 64 and remember whaching SWWOG with my grandpa in the sixties. Such a great time to grow up. SWWOG, A COLD 7UP AND VIENNA SAUAGE SANDWICHES WITH Gramps. Great memories.
I’m also 64 and same memories
I’m 69. Same memories..miss my dad and both grandpa’s
64, yep,a simpler time
If only golf was still this great! 😊
I wish I had been born in 1935 so in 1955 I would be 20. The mid 50’s in my opinion would have been a great time to be alive.
Couldn't you just wish now was a great time to be alive?
As long as you weren't poor, female or gay etc
The era has a great aesthetic and charm to it for sure. Post A-bomb sci fi goes hard
Lol. Bring your work boots...
@@iron-farmer. As long as you weren’t drafted and sent to Vietnam. In 1965 I was in training getting ready to deploy. Other than that, the 1950s and ‘60s were great. So were my Eye-O-Matic persimmon woods.
lol. you must be a straight, white guy
I wasn't even alive, but this is so nostalgic and comforting. Even the intro exploring Houston in 1965 tugs at my soul.
You said it Mike!
Agreed
This reminds me of when I was a kid watching with my Dad.
2 of some of the best swings in golf.
I miss this America
We all do class of 65.
Me2
Fabulous to get to watch extended coverage of two of the very greatest golfers in history.
Yes, they were amazing
Two of the Greats..Thanks Shell for this clip.....
Thanks for putting this on UA-cam! It was cool to get a lesson from Hogan and Snead!!
No problem. It bothered me the full version wasn’t on here!
My God. These swings are flawless.
Thank you for posting this. I should be watching the 2024 PGA championship, but I love this period and these players more.
21 under winning score - what a joke
Oh man, finally! I've been waiting years to see the full version of this. Thanks buddy.
You’re welcome. I was so upset the full version wasn’t on UA-cam, I had to buy the VHS on eBay and convert it. Then figured the world deserves to see this too!
@@WhereTheyPlayForPay I didn't even realise these were available on VHS. I'm looking through those I haven't seen now and thinking about ordering some that haven't already been uploaded. One of the Knudson matches and the one at Bamf springs were what got me started playing golf.
Great stuff, best golf presentation ever in this Shell Series in my opinion, and this particular episode is a rare chance to see two of the all time greats from the pre TV era in color both still playing very well (In Hogans case on this day exceptionally well).
@@poocrayon4588 I believe a few were released on VHS ~30 years ago.
I love George Knudson - thankfully many of his episodes are on UA-cam. I also just bought the book by Fred Raphael that goes over the history of the series!
This match is a real treasure, and now having the full version (and especially with lessons at the end) is awesome! Thanks for the upload!😊
9:20 The tempo, the sound, and the divot are all superb. First iron of the match, and just an absolute peach. I could watch that shot over and over.
Beautiful swings.
Loving these clips and George Rogers’ soothing, classic voice.
Great footage 👍🏌🏿♂️😊
That was amazing.
GREAT MATCH! two legends! there is also a match on youtube from shell's wonderful world of golf between jack nicklaus and sam snead. it was played at pebble beach and is also an ABSOLUTE classic! if you liked this one, the other is just as good. happy viewing!
So much better than any of today’s you tubers it’s laughable.
These are two of the greatest ever...
For napping, definitely
I've never seen Hogan golf, but I've seen Snead many times in his later years. Snead was incredible. I've only heard of Hogan being incredible.
Amazing! YT wins!! I didn't know this existed. Ben Hogan is my hero!!!!
You’re welcome 😂
Thanks for uploading this!!
You’re welcome!
What a time to be alive, Not like now.
I have a set of Hogan and Sneads Clubs in my shed Still in great condition
A friend in my old golf league, somewhat older than I, played very good golf with an aged set of Ben Hogan irons until just a few years ago, when somebody talked him into buying a set of Pings. I'll bet he misses his old Hogans.
@@jackarcher7495 I have a set in my shed as well as Jim Ferrier Sam Snead Jack Nicklaus
That's cool
Thank you for posting, I was wanting to see this since I was -5
You’re welcome
I like watching these matches better than tournaments
Unbelievable match, The Hawk vs The Slammer.
Hi Mick. When I was a 11 year old boy we lived on a golf course in Christchurch, New Zealand. This was 1969-70 and Friday nights (Still black and white TV but who cared) we used to have an episode of the World Series Of Golf, out of the Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio. It was a pairs event and it was my first sighting of Mr X, Miller Barber and his partner Orville Moody. Ken Venturi was the commentator and to this kid it was Christmas. Gene The Machine Littler and his mate Al Geiberger and so forth. I was wondering if you or any of the folks reading my comment, if they know where I could source it, it would be great to watch and also to see if I remember any shots they are about to play etc. One shot that sticks out was a quick time filler of Ken Venturi (who evidently was a great wedge player on Tour, but they say his 'Hands' went on him after a near fatal car wreck, he eventually rose to the lofty heights of his pre wreck game but people at the time reported that he appeared to have somewhat lost his fantastic 'feel' around the greens and from 100 yards out where he once was an Al Geiberger equal. Geiberger came Downunder in the late 70's or early eighties where he won the tournie but showed New Zealand how a pitching wedge is supposed to be played, from 100 yards he was always within 10 feet but usually six feet. The guy calling the TV feed commented before Al's first hole just how accurate his shortish game is and Al delivered. Back to Venturi and his wedge shot from 50 odd yards, he explained as he hit the ball that ideally the ball lands and does three little 'hops' to the hole. Ya wouldn't wanna know it, Venturi holed out after hop number three. I actually didn't realize at the time that it was a set up for TV, it was the Pro at the course next door to our course who wised me up that Of Course he was going to hole the approach but it looked fine to this kid until that big meanie the late Brian Sharpe explained the TV facts of life to me. He was American.I haven't watched this vid yet but I wanted to get this comment out there. Thanks Mick and anyone who can point me to the World Series of Golf I mention...I will give you ten million dollars. PLUS, a BIG Thank You. Actually, forget the $10 million, one golfer to another of our age should have enough money already so $10 million is Meh money, your reward will be of intrinsic value, PLUS if ever in New Zealand we have a spare room you would be welcome to stay in and we are a pitching wedge from the Golf Course, and one mile from GREAT Fishing spots. Be prepared to want to remain in New Zealand, it is that sort of place.
What a great upload. Even the music was great. Loved the intro with the neighborhoods and background info. I know it’s been said over and over, but their talent was unreal. That old equipment, 7000 yards,….they could handle it. Sure, it’s been mentioned almost cliche and I’m doing it here, but fun to imagine what these two men would do with todays equipment and technology. The best today would still be incredible if they were given this old equipment to mind you.
And don't forget the technology of golf course management and conditions too!
beautiful, wonderful golfers
We use to have such a nice country. Its easy to see we are watching what is a lost civilization.
culture makers have culture bombed us all. i recently turned to gambling on golf and watching it more. sadly it's the only telecast you can watch now and it still feel somewhat how it once was. watching basketball or football on tv is over. too much rap music and culture bombing going on. it's over.
This Country is still a great nation and not in decline. We're just experiencing some growing pains...
@@thegoose0m1 have to disagree, goose. america still has great parts to it. but, the fifties and sixties were the BEST times for america and we will never see those again.
Ask a black person
loved this series
Could you imagine these gentleman playing with today's technology !!
such gentleman
I didn’t know they had such long par 3’s… The ladies look lovely in this video
Hogan was THE master golfer and likely considered the greatest of All-Time if he didn't have that terrible car wreck. The man was a machine.
Didn't use steroids or blood spinning whatever they call it
9 of 16 majors that stretch with 6 majors after the wreck thats whats incredible
Yes, Gary Player recently made his opinion that Hogan is the greatest of all time. Also, he said he would have won many majors if the WW2 didn’t happen. He was a captain for the US air army forces.
I wish they would bring these kind of golf back
Thank you !
You’re welcome
Great video, how good were both swings!
I played with a set of Sam Snead "Wilson Blue Ridge" clubs in HS in 1964.
Lived near Champions Club in 1981. Heard after Hurricane Katrina you need a bullet proof vest to drive by there today
Not true. I live in Houston
I can’t even imagine hitting a 1-iron manufactured in 1960.
I have a few... not that hard to hit... but they do require a a fair amount of club head speed and strike accuracy
My hands are stinging with just the thought and I haven’t even tried it yet. I had a one iron back in my younger days but it’s full steam ahead with hybrids nowadays. Lol
@@Tom-ok2rh Can you imagine trying to hit that club on a cold day?
@@SammySnead we call those mis hits when it’s cold “stingers”😄😄
I can’t hit a 3 iron now. Lol
Never saw this show originally but I wish they would do a remake today.
They did a remake in the mid to late 90s
sam snead and ben hogan are both dead so that would be tough to film and pretty boring to watch
@@cromandum217 🤦♂️. Seriously dude?
@@louisbrugnoni7639 you wouldnt like me when im angry....
Green Distant Star's comment is spot on. William Ben Hogan is the greatest shotmaker in the history of golf. That includes Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, or any other player before or since!! What makes this clip so compelling is that Hogan, in this match, was absolutely brilliant. Even for Ben Hogan!! He hit every Fairway, Every Green. In doing so, his shots didn't vary 10 feet the entire day from the tee shot to the flag!! A true case study in the golfing genius of the "Wee Ice Mon." As the Scots referred to him. Even scarier is that Hogan in an average round was almost as good. Probably the most unbelievable golf stat I've ever heard is what Hogan accomplished in 1940, while winning three consecutive tournaments in North Carolina. In those 216 holes played, Hogan missed a total of two greens!! The average leader in GIR on the current tour is about 75 percent. How about 99 percent for Hogan?! What kept Jack and Tiger in the discussion for the greatest player was their superior putting. No one, NO ONE, controlled a golf ball like Ben Hogan. This great video is a timeless look at a genius like no other.
Moe Norman
Lee Trevino.
@scottreiber6879 We have to agree to disagree on this one. The Merry Mex was a solid number two. In the wonderful golf channel bio "Hogan" Trevino joked that "you had to turn sideways to see the flag because his golf ball covered it every time he hit it!! Their other similarity is in how rough they had it growing up. Trevino didn't have a home with electricity until he joined the Marines. Both outworked their peers in every way. "The greatest thing in golf is confidence," Trevino observed in Hogan. The more dirt you move, the more confidence you get." Both had another less fortunate similarity in their career. They both suffered terrible accidents. Hogan from a terrible car collision with a Greyhound bus. Trevino, decades later, was struck by lightning. It's easily the toughest pair ever to trod the links. Anytime. Anywhere.
Tiger had 2 car accidents. GOAT?
@@aq7705 No one accident was when he was not in contention that often
two of the greatest natural swings of the 20th century.
I'm a huge Hogan fan but I love Snead's tassled golf shoes!
Hogan hit every fairway and green in regulation, his shots never straying more than a few yards from their intended target. He did so with butter-knife blades and balata balls, at the age of 52. Some of his avid fans have said that if he'd had the putting game of his contemporaries like Casper, he'd have been shooting low 60s and even sub-60 every time he stepped up. IMHO, if he were playing today at his peak, he'd have ground most everyone into the ground.
" IMHO, if he were playing today at his peak, he'd have ground most everyone into the ground."
His ball striking was beyond compare. However, his putting was poor, by his own admission, and that would prevent him from grinding everyone today into the ground. He'd certainly hold his own, though.
@@johndickson9542 I agree, putting was his Achille's Heel. By 'grinding' I mean this. Hogan was frequently outdriven by his contemporaries. He ground them down by approach shots that put pressure on them. His consistency was the key to his success. It's very tricky to make generational comparisons. But I've an idea that with identical equipment, he would give any of today's players a tough time, especially in matchplay. If he had Jack or Tiger's putting game? Scary thought.
It's worth noting that Hogan's left eye was damaged in the car accident, hurting the depth perception necessary for good putting.
@@msalzberg4962 indeed. He had impaired vision and significant nerve damage in his hands. It's astounding how well he did after the accident.
@@FabrisFanatic Not to mention the constant pain in his legs.
And yet he won 6 of 7 tournaments he entered in 1953, including 3 majors. Astounding, indeed.
6 iron looked like the same loft as an 8 iron today.
it sure did
It is!
Good quality thanks slicky micky
lol. You’re welcome
This could be from another planet, wonderful stuff, what happened to us ?
12:50 lightning strikes twice.
Snead doesn’t even re-start his pre-shot routine. Just stripes it long and straight with a club that today would be size of a hybrid.
This would be like playing with equipment from a thrift store 20 yrs ago. Amazing golf swings.
This is the equipment that should still be used today and then you would know how much of the distance is due to technology and how much is die the skill of the player. Current pros hitting 350 yard drives with the current club technology and juiced balls is like pro baseball players being allowed to use metal bats and then crowing about how far they hit it or how many homers they hit. Nobody would buy that as legitimate, yet in golf the powers that be have allowed technology to take over the game. Aaron Judge hits his 450’ bombs with a stick of wood just like Ruth & Gehrig did.
@@dorothygale1104 And to extrapolate further if I may, Ruth and Gehrig hit a ball that was a little different as well.
I keep hoping there will be an annual tournament just using vintage equipment like this, open to all the pro players. Call it the Vintage Open!
To say from a thrift store 20 years ago is being way too generous… lol
@@dorothygale1104 Exactly, it's ruined continuity within the game and many courses and the overall style of play (not to mention it looks cartoonish to see those big ass driver heads, they're like bumper bowling for golf). The metal drivers were first meant to be for women and the elderly so they could keep some pace with grown men - now we have the best of the grown men using models far easier to hit with than those meant to give worse players an advantage. It's a ridiculous situation which should never have happened.
THIS, is what the internet was invented for.
This the same clubhouse they used in the movie The Long Game? Great movie btw
Pure Class
50'45". That's poetry is that.
Thanks for posting this! It was fun to watch some of golf's greats play a match like this. ✌🏌⛳❤💯
You’re welcome
This head-to-head format would be nice to repeat with some of today's Senior golfers.
Shell is still around, too. They might sign on to be sponsor again.
Other than the Majors, I'm not too interested in the big 4-day tourneys anymore.
But I might watch a shorter one-day event like this, on youtube.
Snead’s one iron is only useful on the kitchen table for us mere mortals.
Years ago, I read that Sam Snead, in his youth, could kick an eight foot ceiling!
Yes, Gary Player said he was the finest natural athlete he ever knew.
@@afritimm And Peter Thomson said it as well Snead would room with Thomson in Scotland because Peter did not smoke
These guys were golf hustlers, living out of there cars....what a life. 2000 was a lot of money! Look at the crowds! Look how nice everyone dressed.
Amazing how hard they have to hit those butts on those greens.
6i in this era was 38-42°
haha. The putting strokes are crazy. Probably due to the super slow greens but still funny to watch.
Please post as many Shells as you have. Thanks.
I’m trying to get my hands on some more!
Agreed. They are an absolute delight. George Thomas is smooth. To anyone who knows, Gene knows the game inside out and we get to see some players who were regarded as the best in the 60s and were so good they are still regarded as the best 6 decades later . Sam played pretty well and Ben without even seeming to hole much best him by 3. 😊😂
SHELL, let's get this show back on the road. First up: Padraig Harrington Vs Phil Mickelson played at The RIV. I'm waiting ⏳😁
Snead had a really powerful build, hyper athlete. Hogan was pure perfect technique
When America wasn’t a shit hole
No kidding
What is that theme music at the beginning ?
I love these old golf shoes. The fact remains if you cannot properly swing the club the results will quickly be shown. Jack also could hit a one iron.
Would be great to see this without the screen being stretched to fit. They look 5ft tall and their swings look flatter than they were. Other videos of this match are the same unfortunately.
if it can be downloaded then played on VLC I'm sure a proper aspect ratio can be found. I'm not even sure I can watch this, Snead's body looks freakish.
With that extra long intro about Houston you wonder if this is one of those shows where much of Gene's play by play commentary was edited out.
Wow, Sam's putting stroke was wild
The grass on the greens in those days was probably longer than the grass on the fairways the pros play on today. There were a lot of 'wristy' putters. Here's Billy Casper, one of the best putters of his era: ua-cam.com/video/mXDwxMXUpB0/v-deo.html
Now you can see why he went side saddle and even croquet style later on until they banned the croquet style. I never really noticed his putting stroke before but you are correct that shit is all over the place. I thought my stroke was bad. Lol
“Par 72 and it’s a long baby playing 7,056 yards”. 😊 The PGA at Valhalla this year is 7,609 yards and is a par 71. Amazing what technology and player fitness has done to the game. I like the old days better though. Skill and a good golf noggin was required more than in today’s game.
The avg driving distance on PGA Tour in 1980 was 256 yards and I am positive it was lower by at least 10 yards in the 1960’s. The avg driving distance on PGA tour is about 300 yards. And all clubs are going much further because of the ball on irons, fwy woods. And Hogan and Snead were 52 years old so they were playing a course that was considered long by 1964 PGA tour standards. The U.S. Open at Congressional was 7056 yards and was the longest US Open course up until 1964
Aside from a few people really training speed I think it's mostly the tech. It's not just that the drivers (especially) hit further, you can also swing like crazy because you dont have to really middle the ball in a smaller sweet spot. There may be some distance increase without the tech because of players working out, but I dont think it would be anything crazy. You've gotta remember both these guys were in their 50's at this point.
What was up with the design of that guys walking stick? It looked like it was for picking up trash or cutting a hole or something. I couldn't figure it out.
So damn cool!
just wondering: why do they seem to hit every iron shot with an open clubface? new to golf. different from what i'm used to seeing
Great to see pro golfers hitting more than a nine iron into the green. Also great to the Squire Gene Sarazen!
Ben always looked stylish dressed simply in grey and white
"The Houston Country Club, one of the Lone Star States outstanding tests of golf." Let's not get carried away. I'm not sure it's one of the outstanding tests in Houston, let alone Texas.
Watching this video , it’s ironic that one of the greatest golfers of all time wouldn’t be allowed to play this course due to his colour. Tiger would be able to be a fore caddie or a locker room attendant or perhaps work in maintenance. 1965 wasn’t a great time in the U.S. if you were black or Hispanic. Like baseball, you have to wonder how many talented black players were prevented from participating.
MLB was fully integrated by 1959.
a moron always brings his racist card !!! imagine tiger playing with those clubs and a dead ball even rory couldnt hit a persimmon wood 275 yards. 1965 America was so much better , compare houston than and now how about all the great cities Detroit, Philly NYC LA SanFran Chicago yep those talented Black and latinos leaders sure did improve things
This is sick
"Ben has hit his opening tee shot just a little bit right-to-left" 😄
250+ yard drives on soft fairways and 190 yard 6 irons with those old clubs. I played with these kind of clubs when I was a kid in the 80's. Those 6 irons have the loft of today's 8 irons of course. I hit one drive 275 downhill when I was 15 and I thought I was headed to the PGA. How good were these guys? And how hard did they hit it? I would love to know if someone could find a way to estimate their club head speed. It had to be moving good to carry 250 with persimmons. Not to mention the old, wound golf balls. It also boggles my mind that modern players don't move their drives in both directions. Was Hogan that much more talented then them?
You could be sure both players in their prime would be as long as the top pros today, given the same equipment. Especially Snead. He absolutely crushed it in his youth.
Old drivers had a different weight distribution and characteristics that made it easier (and necessary) to work the ball. Balata balls spun like crazy not only on approaches but all the time. This helped a draw or a fade. Today with the giant heads it is almost impossible.
@@TheMightySandow Impossible to shape the ball with todays drivers? I beg to differ! You should see my slices haha
I played persimmon clubs back in the 70s which was only 10 years after this and I gotta believe they were hitting it past 250 yds. Today’s pros on a 7000 yd course would be driver wedge all day.
@@Clyde__Frog haha I agree..and I have to differ when they say the modern golf ball doesn’t curve that much. Sure curves for me. Lol
I don't think the WWOG was ever televised in Australia.
I like the fore-caddies with the orange suits.....
The Astrodome is NOT EVEN COMPLETED in this video! When i saw it, all i could think of was the smell of the hamburgers they sold there.
And yes, Slammin' Sammy has a swing that is unmistakable.
7,000 yards was long when you hit wooden drivers and irons that have a sweet spot the size of the tip of your little finger. I think i remember that the Colonial course in Ft. WORTH (Byron Nelson open) was 7200 in 65 and 7700 in 75.
The Colonial course is currently about 7300yds. The PGA tour is actually playing there next week. I don't think any course was 7700yds in 1975.
@@patrickdumass7611 I think you are correct, I thought about it afterwards. I know and watched an amateur who played in the pro-am in 79?. I just remember looking down some of the par 4s from the black tees... I hit it a long way back then, but man... 6 par 4s over 440 yards and a 585 yard and 635 yard par 5.
7000 yards with those clubs and balls, and in Houston's low elevation and high humidity. That course was playing LONG. Modern equivalent would likely be well over 8k.
6 iron from 240 on the first hole 😳
I think it goes to show that you work with your natural swing. To me it looks like Hogan never takes a “full” backswing. It’s the speed coming forward that counts
I could only imagine them playing today with our equipment and courses...SMH
Even $3,000 back then was a LOT.
These swings were perfect due to heavier clubs being used back then. Now manufacturers produce lighter, longer clubs which are harder to control, resulting in more swing faults and less accuracy.
2:22 RIP
Enjoy these matches so much. Have no interest in the game they play today.
It would be awesome to implement shot tracer to this video.
5 grand in those days was a lot for a golf match. In tournaments, guys who made the cut for the weekend but finished at the bottom of the heap would take home less than $100 bucks.
Absolutely. One of the biggest changes since Tiger came along has been that mediocre players, who may never win in their careers can still become very rich men.
@@johncassani6780 Palmer did the same thing for golf back in the 60s to lift the top money higher back when $20,000 was a lot of money.
Yep. Jack Nicklaus cashed in $33.33 for a tie for 50th in 1962.
@@Tom-ok2rh Ya
Ya. Arnie helped the top end but not the bottom end.
21:37 this hole layout can't be real haha
How did Hogan have 255 to the green on the 1st hole when it was only 443 yards? And he hit a 6 iron 255? Something not right.
I think them guys were hitting it well past 250
7000 yards, that equipment and “those” trousers….. great stuff