A shot that goes in the cup is pure luck, but a shot to within two feet of the flag is skill.
Ben HoganRead
You only hit a straight ball by accident. The ball is going to move right or left every time you hit it, so you had better make it go one way or the other.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success often requires intentional action rather than passive waiting.
Ben Hogan's quote highlights the importance of actively guiding our efforts towards a goal. It suggests that, just like a ball can veer off course, our paths in life may not always be straightforward, and thus we must take decisive action to influence the outcome instead of relying on chance.
Themes
SuccessActionIntentDecisivenessEffort
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a motivational speech at a team-building event.
More from Ben Hogan
All quotes →As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.
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Golf is not a game of good shots. It's a game of bad shots.
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I see no reason that a golf course cannot be played in 18 birdies. Just because no one has ever done that doesn't mean it can't be done.
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Every day that you don't practice is one day longer before you achieve greatness
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Every day you miss playing or practicing is one day longer it takes to be good.
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