Offset Irons

[derekp]

As you may or not be aware from an earlier thread, I am looking to put together my first set of clubs and now I have another question. So basically I was browsing and started to like the Ben Hogan BH-5 Offset irons because they seemed like a decent set of irons (3-PW) at a really good price. My questions is this, the irons are Offset and I was wondering if that's a good thing for a beginner player like myself. To my understanding an offset club is to help with forgiveness for those mishit shots. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. If people have any experience with these irons and can shed some light that would be great, even though they have seemed to get some good reviews from previous users. Also, for $119.99 for like new clubs off of the callawaypreowned website, I feel that is a damn good deal. One last thing, when websites say this item is "Like New" do they mean that it's pretty much brand new and it was just maybe a floor model or an opened box that was returned? Thanks again.

[Eore]

i'm fairly sure that the offset helps stop you slice. so if that's your problem, offset is the way to go. almost all irons (except the better-player irons) have offset as well. also, it's likely that these clubs have a "fatter" bottom, helping your mishits go further. i would recommend trying clubs at a store, just so you can see what they feel like

like new could mean a floor model, or they were used a few times on the range and returned.

good luck!

[kafka01]

A couple of weeks ago i picked up a left hander club at the range cuz i wanted to fool around a bit - checking the head and shaft and then telling the guy the club belonged to that his club is seriously "damaged" - he told me that this was offset - ohhhh, thats how i learned what offset meant, and as Eore already pointed out, when you hit the ball the head comes slightly after your hands forcing the clubhead to close a bit reducing an open clubface and thus reducing slice.

My concern with this concept would be, that when i wanted to switch over to irons with less or no offset later that this might inflict my ball flight drastically since i am got used to the offset concept esp. if the offset is big like it was with the club i had in my hand.

[derekp]

unfortunately, the ben hogan line isn't being sold at any stores local to me. i'm going based off reviews from other people and the price for what seems like a quality set. i'm on a budget for my first set, being a college student so high end clubs aren't an option. basically, would i benefit more from more offset clubs than regular due to me being new to the game?

[kafka01]

unfortunately, the ben hogan line isn't being sold at any stores local to me. i'm going based off reviews from other people and the price for what seems like a quality set. i'm on a budget for my first set, being a college student so high end clubs aren't an option. basically, would i benefit more from more offset clubs than regular due to me being new to the game?

What does the ballflight of your bad shots look like - right short(slice) or left normal/long(hook). If slice then you profit from an offset (thats what you normally find with beginners)

[derekp]

What does the ballflight of your bad shots look like - right short(slice) or left normal/long(hook). If slice then you profit from an offset (thats what you normally find with beginners)

i've only golfed a few times at a par 3 course and when i do miss it's off to the right. although i dont slice terribly, would specific irons with a little more offset help more than regular irons?

[B.T.]

Offset= Higher ball flight (Usually good for beginner golfers). Helping square up the clubface at impact (Good for slicers or beginners who don't understand the full concept of how the hands work)

Those Hogans are a cheaper version of a Callaway BB iron. They are owned by Callaway, so it's their way of putting a decent product in the hands of golfers at a lower cost. The only downside to them, the shafts are your standard steel shafts. Nothing glorious, but good for a beginner whom just wants to learn the game right now.

[topspin4hand]

I had thought offset irons means the hosel has a little bend in it so that where the shaft and hosel meet there is a change in the angle ... ? Though looking at the pics of the Hogans I see what they mean by offset.

[B.T.]

I had thought offset irons means the hosel has a little bend in it so that where the shaft and hosel meet there is a change in the angle ... ? Though looking at the pics of the Hogans I see what they mean by offset.

Not sure what you mean by your first sentence. Offset is "offset from ceter". Take a blade, there is no offset, the hosel and the leading edge are nearly "straight"... Not very forgiving unless you are a pure ball striker. Offset is VERY forgiving, hense why Callaway has made alot of their money on those lines.

[Caddyshack]

If offset is supposed to help with slices then can too much offset cause a hook? i have been pulling the ball a lot with my new irons and am wondering if it has something to do with too much offset, if so whats the cure? without having to buy new irons!!

[B.T.]

If offset is supposed to help with slices then can too much offset cause a hook? i have been pulling the ball a lot with my new irons and am wondering if it has something to do with too much offset, if so whats the cure? without having to buy new irons!!

The answer to your question is YES! If I was to play these Hogans, my hook would surely become a wicked hook!!!

If you are "pulling" the ball without hooking it, I would say its more of a swing path issue then it is the offset. Think of shooting out towards the target with your swing path and not so much across your body. Your divot direction will tell you alot about your swing! Check it!

[Caddyshack]

The answer to your question is YES! If I was to play these Hogans, my hook would surely become a wicked hook!!!

Thanks for that, hopefully it is my swing and not the offset, im going to get some lessons come summer that should tell me what im doing wrong

[derekp]

The answer to your question is YES! If I was to play these Hogans, my hook would surely become a wicked hook!!!

so umm should i be worried that these offset irons might cause me to hook the ball or am i being too paranoid at this point?

[B.T.]

Go out and play. Just dont ALWAYS think its the clubs fault! Haha Take a look at your divots! If they are headed to the target and you hook them still, then I would say you have a set of very active hands and offset might be to much for you. But just go take a look at your divots. Especially on what you THINK is a GOOD swing, take a look, see where your at!

[longfornothing]

Pretty sure blades have offset too. Just not a lot like a Ping G10. I think all clubs have at least a tad of offset.

[iacas]

Pretty sure blades have offset too. Just not a lot like a Ping G10. I think all clubs have at least a tad of offset.

Yes. I was going to say something too, but you beat me to it. Yes.

[Wisco-Kid]

I have am currently playing the BH-5 irons (non-offset). I have mixed feelings about them. I played a set of Tommy Armour 845's before I bought the Hogans and I liked the 845's but felt like it was time to try something "new". The BH-5's feel great the shafts are great and they are a great club and have even better price. I have the non offset and my shots are going left with a slight draw something I am not accustomed to. I dont like the draw shot shape and had more of a fade with the Armours. What I am trying to say here is you should avoid getting the offset version. IF you can still find the non offset version of the BH-5 I think you can learn to hit them without a horrible slice. I think even the non offset are offset, after all they are game improvement irons...
Feel free to PM me if you have anymore questions about the BH-5's

[derekp]

I was recently just recommended taking a look at the Ben Hogan Edge CFT irons because they were supposed to better than the BH-5 irons and are only $20 extra. I'm still slightly skeptical about getting offset irons because the few times that I've played I haven't noticed too much of a slice to warrant specific offset irons. Anyone use the Edge CFT's and can give me some feedback would be great.