The book Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf (compare prices) by Ben Hogan remains a must-read for golf instructors everywhere. The fact that it was published nearly 60 years ago hasn't dimmed its relevance or importance to instructors and to golfers who are very serious about the golf swing and the history of swing theory.
And it's about to become a video game. A Michigan company called Pixofactor Entertainment has budgeted $2.7 million to create an instructional game for Wii built around Five Lessons.
In addition to a Nintendo Wii version, Pixofactor is also planning versions of the Five Lessons instructional game for mobile applications (including iPhone), plus a DVD version and an interactive Web site.
According to MLive.com, the company plans to have the Web site running by next Father's Day, with the Wii release expected in time for Christmas 2011.
Pre-production for the Ben Hogan Wii title included November casting calls for golfers capable of re-creating Hogan's swing.
"Generally ... what is being searched for are accomplished male and female golfers who can demonstrate/imitate Ben Hogan's golf swing from 1948," says a blog post by the video producers.
One of the golfers who answered the casting call and was apparently chosen is known: Maiya Tanaka, from Big Break Sandals Resorts, posted today on Facebook that she is in Michigan shooting for the Ben Hogan Wii video game.
According to the producers' blog, a Ben Hogan avatar will star in the Five Lessons instructional game. Wonder what Hogan would think of that?
I wonder what Hogan would think of any of this. And I bet he wouldn't mind at all - at least from the perspective of new technologies being applied to his teachings (whether he would sell rights to his name and likeness for this is another matter - but don't forget that Hogan appeared in plenty of advertising over his lifetime; I bet he'd be fine with that, too - if the money was right). Hogan was a tinkerer; former LPGA player Kris Tschetter, mentored by Hogan late in his life, wrote in her recent book Mr. Hogan that Hogan was always experimenting with homemade training aids, many of which prefigured popular swing aids that hit the market years later.
What do you think about the idea of a Ben Hogan Wii game?
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And it's about to become a video game. A Michigan company called Pixofactor Entertainment has budgeted $2.7 million to create an instructional game for Wii built around Five Lessons.
In addition to a Nintendo Wii version, Pixofactor is also planning versions of the Five Lessons instructional game for mobile applications (including iPhone), plus a DVD version and an interactive Web site.
According to MLive.com, the company plans to have the Web site running by next Father's Day, with the Wii release expected in time for Christmas 2011.
Pre-production for the Ben Hogan Wii title included November casting calls for golfers capable of re-creating Hogan's swing.
"Generally ... what is being searched for are accomplished male and female golfers who can demonstrate/imitate Ben Hogan's golf swing from 1948," says a blog post by the video producers.
One of the golfers who answered the casting call and was apparently chosen is known: Maiya Tanaka, from Big Break Sandals Resorts, posted today on Facebook that she is in Michigan shooting for the Ben Hogan Wii video game.
According to the producers' blog, a Ben Hogan avatar will star in the Five Lessons instructional game. Wonder what Hogan would think of that?
I wonder what Hogan would think of any of this. And I bet he wouldn't mind at all - at least from the perspective of new technologies being applied to his teachings (whether he would sell rights to his name and likeness for this is another matter - but don't forget that Hogan appeared in plenty of advertising over his lifetime; I bet he'd be fine with that, too - if the money was right). Hogan was a tinkerer; former LPGA player Kris Tschetter, mentored by Hogan late in his life, wrote in her recent book Mr. Hogan that Hogan was always experimenting with homemade training aids, many of which prefigured popular swing aids that hit the market years later.
What do you think about the idea of a Ben Hogan Wii game?
See also: Wanted: Your Reviews Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter
Comments
It’d be great if these products turned out to be more useful/valuable than the book itself. My guess, however, is that the won’t.
I’m not too confident about this because Hogan developed a swing to fight a hook… and most amateurs are fighting a slice!
Wow, that is cool. I don’t think of video games as tutorials very often, but with today’s technology, I guess anything would be possible. I would sure like to try it.
There is already a Wii based training aid, My Personal Golf Trainer with David Leadbetter and IMG academies, excellent reviews and player endorsements, it really works. Technology gives you feedback that even an experienced Pro can’t see.