Ben Hogan Iron Set - Which One for a Skilled Golfer?

[Etzwane]

I have the Apex+ from the early 2000's and I love the very soft feel.

[mvarley84]

If you want a set of Hogan's because they "are hogans", then buy something that was actually made by Hogan. Everything from 1984 or earlier has Hogan's input all over em.

[Old Timer]

If I recall, the Hogan brand was sold several times over the years to several companies including Spaulding and as of 2003 Callaway. Did Callaway make any Hogan brand clubs? I don't remember but i believe in their last incarnations they were leaning more toward making the forgiveness clubs rather than the low handicappers. If that's the case, perhaps a set of early Hogan's with updated shafts might fit the bill?

[Golfingdad]

OP, I can't help you because I don't know anything about Hogan irons, but your question reminded me of an old post I saw on here once from a regular poster, who's also a very good golfer.  You like Hogans?  Check this out ...

http://thesandtrap.com/t/9065/how-many-sets-of-irons-do-you-have-what-are-they/30_30#post_97863

I would imagine that he knows everything there is to know about Hogan irons :)

[Hacker James]

as I mentioned previously, I have owned 2 sets of Hogans. Both were Hogan Edges. The first set was with stiff graphite shafts and looked brand new. I do not know what year they were made, but I got them in the late 90's at a golf shop in a mall where they were on consignment. The recent set have steel apex 3 shafts.  As you know, the "Edge" is a perimeter weighed cavity back, but it is forged. They are pretty forgiving, but if you do not hit them on or near the sweet spot, you will definitely feel a little sting. When hit on the "button" it is almost effortless and as they say a very soft feel.  I am also looking for a set of like new condition Hogan Apex Plus. Mostly for the looks and I think they would play very nearly to what I am accustomed to.  As for Calloway, I do not know if they actually made any Hogan irons or not, but I am sure a google search would render results.  As the other poster alluded to, the older Hogans (Pre Edge) would probably be more for a low handicap or scratch player.  There was also an edition of the Hogan Edge called "GS" which were done with collaboration of Ben Hogan and a respected associate of his , hence the initials "GS", I do not recall his name though.

[Hacker James]

Just checked and found it was Gene Sheely, Hogan's club designer. I am learning, albeit slowly, that every question one might have , has already been answered in this forum. So, it would appear that the Hogan Edge Irons were still made by the Hogan Company while he still had it. Correct me if I am wrong.

[xkaspar]

Hi Tobish,

In my opinion the best Ben Hogan ever made irons are "Ben Hogan Apex 50" blades, produced in 2002. It was the last blades produced by Ben Hogan company before the company was sold to Callaway I think. I play this irons and I love them so much that I do keep one more brand new set in secret under my bed : ) ). I bought the second set about 3 years ago when I saw that it was the last brand new set on all the internet on the world. They still keep pace with actual models of the best irons as Titleist MB for example but they are one of most beautifull irons ever made. On every golf tournaments I am in limelight, specially then If I win the tournament : ) ). Also I can say they are very endurance because I play them 5 years and they are still in perfect condition so the second set I do have under my bed I will probably take out in at least 10 years later : ) ).

[newtogolf]

If you want to see a pretty complete list of the Hogan irons take a look at this site;

http://web.archive.org/web/20011206100727/www.benhogan.com/53-99_Clubs.html

Any of the irons pre-1980 are clubs Hogan designed or had input designing.  With regards to irons that are pretty easy to find on eBay, most people talk about the Director, Producer and Apex II as being pretty tough irons to hit.

[LocalPro]

Late to this thread but....

I have played several different Hogan clubs since high school (two sets of Apex II's, then PC's in college) and now own several sets.  I would recommend PC's with Apex 4 (stiff) shafts.  They are readily available on e-bay for about $100 and have great feel.

Stay away from the commemorative models unless you plan to collect them and not hit them.  They are expensive (although any price over about $1200 is probably too much) and they will lose 50% or more of the value if you hit just one club one time.

Good luck and enjoy them, they are great clubs.

[Rshiffer]

Are you still interested in hogan irons? I have played apex '73, Apex II, PC, directors. Radials and edge

[Joe Cartpath]

Nice to see that people still like Hogan clubs. Every club in my bag is a Hogan:

Woods:

Big Ben C-S3 10.5 with Aldila NV-H 70R shaft (made in about 2007 as I recall)

1w and 3w: Apex persimmon (circa 1983) with Apex 3 shafts

4w: Speed Slot persimmon with Apex 4 shaft

5w: Speed Slot persimmon with Apex 3 shaft

6w: Speed Slot 404 (laminated) with Apex 3 shaft

Irons:

3-Equalizer: Director (circa 1980) Apex 3 shafts

Wedges (all with Apex 3 shafts)

49 degree Colonial

Special 56 K Grind

Special 62 K Grind

Putter:

Radial PO2 (brass flange)

Yes, I know that's 18 clubs. I vary the set somewhat depending on the course, how I'm playing, etc, ...sometimes 14 clubs....sometimes as few as 11. Being 65 years old typically walking the course and carrying my bag (a Hogan stand bag) I'll often leave out a couple of clubs to lighten the load a bit. I don't hit it as far as I once did, so I tend to carry more woods...and I've finally learned to like hitting a big modern driver. Right now the clubs in the bag are the Big Ben driver, the 3-4-5-6 woods, the 4-Equalizer Directors and the Special 56 K Grind sand wedge and, of course, the putter.

The least used clubs recently have been:

Apex persimmon driver: love the club, but have learned to like the Big Ben

3 iron: the 6 wood is more versatile - at least in my hands.

49 degree Colonial wedge: The Equalizer is essentially a PW with the head shape of the other irons...and it's my preferred club for short shots, chipping and pitching, etc.

Special 62 K Grind: I never have been good with the very high lofted wedges...and rarely even use the 56 degree wedge except when in a bunker or a really deep lie in the rough that has to be played like a bunker shot.

[Par3magician]

On 6/14/2013 at 12:10 PM, tobish said:

You are right. They are not in production anymore and it is possible to buy cheap clubs on the internet. But . Therefore I maybe have to buy some used clubs. But I would like advice on what clubs I should buy. I have the opportunity to buy Apex Edge, but have been told that they are the best for beginners (The game improvement is high). Somewhere it does not matter that they are for beginners, but I would like some clubs, that are a bit more advanced - like the one most tour players use.. The question is whether there is some clubs that are cooler than Apex Edge? Of course there are such clubs (a lot actually), but if anyone has experience with anyone I would like to know (Maybe I will play with them sometimes)..

Thanks again

Don't bother getting fitted.choose regular or stiff shafts that's about all.Getting fitted is vastly overrated.Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what he is talking about.Regards David 

[Shorty]

5 minutes ago, Par3magician said:

Don't bother getting fitted.choose regular or stiff shafts that's about all.Getting fitted is vastly overrated.Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what he is talking about.Regards David 

Pretty sure you don't know what you're talking about. You have replied to a post that is  8 years old. You don't even know what is stiff and what is regular.

[RBlount]

why not go to the Hogan website and order a new set?  they will custom build what ever your specs and are the most affordable forged irons on the market.   I paid $700 for a set of Hogan Edge, (I'm 10 handicap) best deal out there

[DuckmanNM]

When I lived in southern California, I happened to be in the San Fernando Valley one night when the wind was blowing about 30 mph, and gusting higher.  If you've ever seen the Clint Eastwood movie "Every Which Way But Loose", that was the driving range I stopped at.  The pro shop had a used set of Ben Hogan Apex irons for sale, and I asked if I could hit some balls with them them.  I gave him my Driver's license for security and he gave me the 6 iron and a small bucket.  I had to hit off the plastic mats, but every ball I hit was a draw, even though the wind was blowing the other direction.  I bought them and it wasn't till I got them home that I realized the were regular shafts.  Wish I still had those clubs!  I've never hit any other irons as well!  As far as which Hogan clubs a good golfer should use, I'd say any of them.  Those Hogan irons were the closest thing to custom, professionally fitted clubs as I've ever had, or used.  I've been playing since the late 70's and I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Ben Hogan golf clubs! S'truth!

[Ben]

On 6/14/2013 at 2:48 AM, tobish said:

Hi all.
I have played golf for a couple of years now (hcp 13) and now I really want to buy Ben Hogan clubs. But what are the best choice for a skilled (I assume that I will use the clubs when my hcp is below 10 or more) guy like me?? There are many to choose from on ebay, but I do not know what I should choose. Is it also the best place to shop? Do you know anywhere else I can buy the clubs??

 

Thank you

This is clearly a very old thread, but, any talk about Ben Hogan Co irons is worth talking about. 

The thing about a good set of forged irons is that, they can last for years. If you want to play Redlines or Bounce Soles, just make sure the grooves or in good condition, and have the lofts and lies checked before you put a set into play.  

That said;

Justin Leonard won the 1997 British Open using Hogan Channel Back irons. 

What's more, the 1972 Hogan Apex irons are widely regarded as the best set of clubs the Hogan Co ever produced. 

Where are the Hogan fans?? 

 

[iacas]

@rwolfe is one.

[billchao]

I own a set of Apex 2s I used to play with once in a while. I occasionally pull out a club or two when I’m practicing.