Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf. This column came to life with one singular goal in mind: helping our readers become ...

CHASKA, MN - AUGUST 13: Justin Rose of England looks over the third green during the first round of the 91st PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club on August 13, 2009 in Chaska, Minnesota.

It was 1948 when Ben Hogan's first instruction book, "Power Golf," hit the shelves. It was an iconic manual that popularized many of the golf swing ideas we take for granted today. Hogan's unique ...

Ben Hogan's story is the stuff of legend. An undersized kid and iffy ball-striker who, seemingly overnight, transformed himself into one of the best golfers ever. And, perhaps, the best ball-striker ...