First time author Jody Vasquez delivers a unique perspective on Ben Hogan in his recent book, Afternoons with Mr. Hogan: A Boy, A Golf Legend, and the Lessons of a Lifetime. Vasquez provides a series of short easy-to-read stories highlighting his personal experience with Mr. Hogan as a then seventeen-year-old shagging golf balls for him at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth Texas from 1964-1968.

With each story Vasquez presents a human side of Mr. Hogan that previous books on him seldom seem to be able to capture. It provides insight to Ben Hogan’s personality on playing and practicing golf while revealing much about his character and beliefs. We enjoyed every chapter in this book but found Chapter 4 to be particularly enlightening as it is titled “Tools of the Trade” and offer excellent insight into Ben Hogan’s personal equipment specifications and presents a case for custom fitting. With permission from Mrs. Hogan, Vasquez unveils Hogan’s Swing Secret for the first time since told to him in 1967 during one of Hogan’s practice sessions. Chapter 6 is titled “The Secret: A Revelation of Cause and Effect” and provides a detailed summary of the secret held by Hogan complete with excellent pencil sketch illustrations.

The book takes you as the reader back to a simpler time in golf and is a refreshing read on one of the game’s most elite and complex personalities. We highly recommend this book to those interested in learning more on the mystique surrounding Ben Hogan the man.

Additional information on the Afternoons with Mr. Hogan book can be found at http://www.jodyvasquez.com.