Deep thinking about shotmaking

In a competitive pro career that started in 1930 and ended in 1971, Ben Hogan was acknowledged as the best scorer of his time, the man who could analyze a course and shoot a number.

He had either zero or two holes-in-one on Tour, and he said that he might have had more if he'd aimed for the flag, but that was something he RARELY did.

Huh? The best scorer of his day, maybe of all time? And Tiger Woods has 18 now in a career that is in its 11th year? 

Hogan was aiming to set up a one-putt. He understood, better than anyone else, that the game is about making the lowest score on the hole. In reference to #11 at Augusta, he said, "If you see me on that green in regulation [two shots] you'll know I made a mistake" because he figured it was easier to make a four chipping from off the green (or a three) than trying to get a long putt close.

Ya think Ben knew something you don't?

Maybe that was his secret.