Thinking about PGA Tour pro Lee Hodges might bring to mind his wire-to-wire victory at the 3M Open or his consistent, powerful swing. A common question that comes up with rising stars is about their investments and business ventures, which naturally leads to: What golf course does Lee Hodges own? The short answer is that Lee Hodges does not currently own a golf course. This article will clear up that question and then dive into what's more relevant for your own game: his home base, his journey to the tour, and the practical lessons you can take from his powerful, efficient golf swing.
While stories of legends like Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer designing and owning dozens of courses are well-known, it's actually quite rare for a currently active Tour professional to own a golf course. Especially for a younger player like Lee Hodges, who is in the prime of his playing career, the focus is almost entirely on competing, training, and staying healthy. The business of golf course ownership is an immense undertaking requiring huge capital investment, management teams, and near-constant attention - all things that would be a major distraction from shooting low scores on the weekend.
Golf course ownership tends to be a post-career passion project or a major business enterprise for players who have already built a global brand over decades. For now, Lee Hodges is wisely concentrating on what he does best: playing world-class golf on the PGA Tour.
Instead of owning a course, Lee Hodges has a home base where he hones his skills. He is proudly associated with The Ledges in his home state of Alabama. Located in Huntsville, The Ledges is a private club that stands out as one of the best and most challenging courses in the state - a perfect training ground for a PGA Tour professional.
Designed by renowned golf course architect Mike Hurdzan with his associate Michael Gracz, The Ledges is built on the highest point in Madison County. This provides two key elements that are invaluable for a pro's practice regimen: variety and challenge.
Having a place like The Ledges to call home gives Hodges a distinct advantage. He can prepare for tournament conditions in a challenging and familiar environment, allowing him to show up to Tour events fully prepared for whatever the course throws at him.
While you might not play at The Ledges, you can certainly learn from the swing Hodges has perfected there. His action is a fantastic model for amateur golfers because it's built on powerful, efficient fundamentals rather than any complicated or quirky moves. It’s all about creating power through rotation, which is exactly what I teach my students.
Watch Lee Hodges swing and you’ll notice that the main power source is his torso. He makes a full, athletic turn away from the ball, coiling his shoulders and hips to create a tremendous amount of stored energy. This is a point I stress in every lesson: the swing is a rounded action moved by the body, not an up-and-down lifting motion with the arms.
Your Actionable Tip: At the driving range, hit some shots at 70% speed with one thought in mind: "Turn back, turn through." Feel your chest and hips rotate away from the target in the backswing, and then feel them unwind powerfully toward the target in the downswing. Don't think about hitting the ball with your hands, think about delivering the club to the ball with your body's rotation. This will not only increase your power but also improve your consistency.
Many amateur golfers complicate the first few feet of the swing. They might snatch the club inside, lift it straight up, or roll their wrists excessively. Hodges' backswing starts in one unified piece. His arms, hands, and club move away from the ball together, powered by the initial rotation of his torso. As the club moves back, his wrists naturally hinge, setting the club on the perfect plane.
Your Actionable Tip: To feel this "one-piece" takeaway, place a headcover under your lead armpit (the left armpit for a right-handed golfer). Take a few slow-motion practice swings. To keep the headcover from falling, you have to keep your arm connected to your torso as you rotate. This prevents your arms from flying off on their own and promotes a smooth, connected start to your swing.
Hodges generates incredible clubhead speed by using the ground effectively. As he starts his downswing, you can see a slight squat or "re-centering" motion. This is him pushing into the ground to create leverage. Then, as he unwinds, he pushes off that lead foot, transferring all of that energy through the ball.
Your Actionable Tip: To get a feel for this, take a few practice swings without a club. Get into your golf posture and make a backswing. As you start the "downswing" motion, feel your weight shift to your lead foot and feel a slight increase in pressure under that foot, almost like you're preparing to jump sideways. Then, turn your hips and push up through that lead leg to a full, balanced finish. This sequence - shift, rotate, and push - is the key to unlocking effortless power.
Hodges’ journey is a blueprint for aspiring golfers. He didn't just appear on the PGA Tour. He paid his dues, starting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) before transferring to the powerhouse University of Alabama program. After turning pro, he navigated the tough road of the Korn Ferry Tour, the primary path to the PGA Tour.
His win at the 2023 3M Open was a clinic in what happens when hard work pays off. He didn't just win, he dominated. Leading wire-to-wire, he demonstrated incredible mental fortitude. Staying in the lead for four straight days is one of the toughest challenges in golf. He stuck to his game plan, trusted his swing, and never let the pressure get to him. This is a powerful lesson for all of us. When you're playing well, don't change what's working. Trust your preparation and stay focused on executing one shot at a time.
So, while Lee Hodges doesn't own a golf course, his career and his game provide a far more valuable asset for the average golfer: a roadmap for improvement. By understanding his journey, his home course advantage, and the simple-but-powerful fundaments of his swing, you can find actionable insights to apply to your own game.
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