Who Manufactured the "Tour Model III Evolution" Clubs?

[Angera]

For maybe 13 years, I've had a set of irons that are "Tour Model III Evolution". Does anyone have any idea who manufactured them?

Knowing what I know now, I bet they are probably knockoffs of Pings or something like that. They've actually have help up quite well, except for the 7 iron which met its demise a few years back. I bought them used, if I recall correctly.

Just random curiosity.

[BigAl5150]

After a quick Google search, my guess it that yes, they were knockoffs or component heads for a golf chain (like Golf Smith). Glad to hear they held up for 13 years!

[Angera]

Thanks. I tried the ol Google, but didn't find anything.

[Schnabbs]

Hello

Did you ever find out who makes the tour model III evolution irons.  i have a whole set that was handed down by my father. i have had them for about i have had them for 13 yrs as well and would like to sell them or at least find out how much they are worth on the pga value guide. thanks for you help

[trutemper]

I have the Tour Model III.  What these two inquirers are asking is solved in the name of "Ben Hogan."  The orginal grips, which I have, are "Ben Hogan" "Exclusive Design Hogan."  Ben Hogan started his own golf company decades ago.  I never head what became of it as far as how long it lasted or whatever, but if anything, the newer Pings, as you suggested were originals that the Hogans were knockoffs is likely the reverse.  Hogan designed some great clubs and once in a great while you'll see a set of "Tour Model III "Red Dot" Evolution clubs for aroun $300.  That is what they still fetch today.  I hope that this is the beginning of a helpful answer and I hope that the old times who have a lot of head knowledge of the Hogan days can fill in the blanks.

[trutemper]

According to some online aucions, the shaft was manufactured, at least for a while, by Brunswick, U. S. A.

[wufpack]

Tour Model irons have been around for about 30 years. There are small shops and individuals who put together their own clubs and these heads are a PING knock-off style that comes, or at least came if they are still made, from China. One of my early sets were Tour Model II Pro Trajectory that a local shop put together for me. I didn't stay with them long as the trajectory was 1 club less than what I was previously using so I had to hit a 7 iron to my old 8's distance. The quality of the metal itself I cannot comment on but metal alloys are not all the same and often manipulated. Knowing how pro-line clubs are marked up Tour Model clubs are probably well suited for average to beginner player but a tour pro would certainly tell a big difference. In most golf equipment from gloves to balls to shoes you get what you pay for. The heads can be matched with most any grip and shafts available and thus usually cost much much less than the expensive high end clubs. They aren't bad clubs, and are designed after PING's design but don't expect them to hit like PINGS. Why pay hundreds of dollars for clubs for the novice, beginner or Sunday golfer when these will certainly let you know if it's a sport you want to continue and invest more time and money into. Hope that helps and sorry it took 6 years to get you an answer.     

[Dubber]

On 1/22/2013 at 9:51 PM, trutemper said:

I have the Tour Model III.  What these two inquirers are asking is solved in the name of "Ben Hogan."  The orginal grips, which I have, are "Ben Hogan" "Exclusive Design Hogan."  Ben Hogan started his own golf company decades ago.  I never head what became of it as far as how long it lasted or whatever, but if anything, the newer Pings, as you suggested were originals that the Hogans were knockoffs is likely the reverse.  Hogan designed some great clubs and once in a great while you'll see a set of "Tour Model III "Red Dot" Evolution clubs for aroun $300.  That is what they still fetch today.  I hope that this is the beginning of a helpful answer and I hope that the old times who have a lot of head knowledge of the Hogan days can fill in the blanks.

Just bought a full set of these in great shape for 30 bucks and i'm tickled to have them.

[Buckeyebowman]

On 4/25/2012 at 6:30 AM, Schnabbs said:

Hello

Did you ever find out who makes the tour model III evolution irons.  i have a whole set that was handed down by my father. i have had them for about i have had them for 13 yrs as well and would like to sell them or at least find out how much they are worth on the pga value guide. thanks for you help

I think that any time you see words like "Tour model" on a club, you should take that like "chocolaty flavor" on a food product. What those words mean is that it's not REAL chocolate! It's some brown substance that has been flavored with chemicals that taste like chocolate! 

[carl77]

Was doing a search and came across this post and the dates are around that time. I bought my first set of clubs as a beginner around 1995 and sadly, it's still the same set I use today in 2020. I've only added a Driver to my original set.  I've probably played over 400 rounds with them and they are still in great shape.  From my memory they  were advertised as replica Pings. I didn't really care, they were clubs and the whole set cost me $200! I'm comfortable with them and consistently play high 80's low 90's as a casual weekend golfer.