Harry Cooper, also known as Lighthorse, was a professional golfer in the 1920’s and 30’s! Throughout his years on the tour he was considered one of the unluckiest golfers on tour. Winning 31 tournaments in his career he was never able to get a major under his belt while being ahead of Lee Trevino, Tom Watson and Gary Player in the PGA Tour Career Rankings. He’s now a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the Professional Golfers Association Hall of Fame.

Tom Stickney gives us his rendition of what Harry Cooper was doing (and teaching) back in the 30’s. Check out how this golf lesson can help you today with your golf swing!

Cooper’s Advice

Cooper’s advice is simple: make a level hip and shoulder turn and move to the top. The mistake that most amateurs make is they make that same level shoulder and hip turn all the way down. This promotes an out in swing path, which can lead to club base backing up and high proof balls.

To maximize power, Cooper recommends making the same level shoulder and hip turn to the top and then gently bumping the hips into right field. This will allow the club to drop under and create a whip-like effect, resulting in maximum distance.

It’s important to note that Cooper is talking about a slight bump, not a full-fledged slide. There should be gentle pressure on the left toe, not a bowing of the left knee and weight going into the outside of the left foot.

Conclusion

Light Horse Harry Cooper’s 1968 Power Tip is a timeless piece of advice that can help golfers of all levels improve their swing and maximize their power. By making a level hip and shoulder turn and gently bumping the hips into right field, golfers can create a whip-like effect and maximize their distance.

MORE ABOUT LIGHTHORSE HARRY COOPER

Why did they call Harry Cooper “Lighthorse”? He was known as one of the fastest players on tour at the time. In 1926 Cooper won the Los Angeles Open and played his last round with George Von Elm in 2 hours and 30 minutes. Cooper would often say to people, “you need a horse to keep up with me”. To many people, Cooper was the best golfer that had never won a major tournament. He was very close to grabbing the victories at the US OPEN in ’27 and ’36 and the Masters in ’36 but let them slip away late in the final rounds.

After his career on tour ended, Cooper became the head professional at the Metropolis Country Club in Greenburgh, New York. He held that position from 1953 to 1978. Following his retirement from Metropolis, he took a teaching position at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York,[3] where he remained until his death. He was remarkable for his ability to work in the golf industry into his nineties. When Cooper died, he was the longest-serving member of the PGA of America.

Starting in the 1950s, Cooper became the director of golf for Home Lines, sailing first on their ship the Homeric and later the Oceanic. They sailed between New York City and the Caribbean Sea each year from the Christmas season through to the spring when he would return to his club. Aboard ship he taught golf and ran daily golf clinics for the passengers and when they reached the islands he arranged golf on shore for the passengers.

“Lighthorse” Harry Cooper passed away in 2000.