(The following account was written by Grantland Rice and was first published in 'The American Golfer, April 1923. The words are Hagen's own words.)
There is really nothing in the following article that could not be applied to the modern game! ("The more things change the more they stay the same.") Ed.
Grantland Rice writes:
When asked for a description of his putting system Hagen was quite willing to spread the gospel-
"In the first place I walk up, look over the line of the putt, decide how keen or slow the green is, and then decide definitely just how hard and on what line I must hit the ball. Once I have made this decision it is fixed and I no longer give it a thought.
"On taking my stance I putt with the ball just about opposite my left ankle, with about two thirds of my weight on my left foot. My right hand has about two-thirds control with the left largely used to steady the club and help hold the line. Having taken my stance I take one more look at the line and then start the blade of theputter back as straight as possible from the ball. The things must all be done mechanically. It is a mistake about any of these details when you are ready to putt - as the sole idea then should be hitting or stroking the ball. There should be no other thought at that moment for broken concentration is almost sure to make you hurry the stroke, move the body or lift the head.
" I am more deliberate than I used to be - much more careful - up to the point where I take my stance. But having taken my stance I don't believe in standing or waiting too long. When this happens the the muscles begin to tighten and there is no freedom of movement left.
"There was a time when from fifteen or thirty foot away , I merely tried toto get the ball dead. Now I have confidence enough to get the line and give the ball a chance unlees I happen to be on very keen or trickey greens. It is wonderful how many fifteen, twenty, andtwenty-five foot putts will dro when you make a habit of getting the ball up as far as the hole. Did you ever stop and think after a round how many putts on the right line stopped from two feet to four inches short of the cup where a little more daring would have saved a stroke?
"I use a putting cleek, fairly upright and never try to cut the ball. I believe in tapping or stroking straight on throug, being careful to keep firm control of the putter. If the golfer is upset mentally, if he is still guessing as he takes his sta and stats to swing, if he hasn't any confidence, he will never have any putting luck.
"When you see a golfer starting the club back at top speed, or with a jerk, you can know that he is headed for trouble. Complete concentration on the job of holing the ball at this moment is necessary. You can't be thinking of anything else. You can't be wondering whether you have the right line, how fast the greens are and how hard you must hit and then concentrate on the job of hitting at the same time. Remember the old dope -"Be sure you are right and then go ahead'. Maybe you are wrong, but don't think about that side of the caseafter you have made up your mind. Stand Pat on the decision carefully made."