Hogan Apex Plus (forged)

Picked up a set of Hogan Apex Plus Forged with the Apex 4 (stiff) steel shafts and Ben Hogan grips. Clubs are overall an 8 out of 10. Grips look good but feel slightly slick. can probably clean them, rub a little sandpaper, etc.... to get them tacky again. Picked up the entire 3-E set for $32.

$32 is a steal.

The Apex Plus is a phenomenal iron. It has everything you would want from a players cavity... classic shape, squared toe, and smaller(ish) footprint. Plus they are dirt cheap and have more traditional lofts, which makes it more fun for wedge gapping when building a set. They are a great option for those who play infrequently and can't afford to drop $$$ on a "modern" set.

I built a short set with the Apex Plus earlier this year. I found a few clubs at a local thrift store, but had to buy a few on ebay to finish the set. Heads are around $20 each on the bay, so great grab on your part. The short set I built is a throw back to my dream set when I was in high school — Steelhead driver, Apex Plus 3-5-7-9 irons, 52 & 58 raw Vokeys, and a SC Bullseye Flange putter.

Here's some pics. Barely any bag chatter. Paint on soles look great. Faces have some slight discolorization. Grips look fine and with just a slight rubbing already tackier (so will clean them more thoroughly). The shaft band is Apex 4 with Spalding on it. The entire set is matched serial# H-00009849.

Can someone tell me what year these are? I think I read the Apex Plus were made 1999-2001 and then another round later in 2006 after Callaway picked up the brand? I'm not clear on all of that.

Most likely the Callaway version. Callaway bought the Topflight brand which was originally Spaulding so...

Is there a way to tell by the serial#? Or any other markings?

Good grief! 32 bucks for those is heck of a deal. Look like they hardly saw any action.

OK, found the answer I think at this older thread: https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1692846/ben-hogan-apex-plus-1999-2006-differences/p1

"Exactly. 2006 Plus was a totally different and new model. Much more compact, identical to the 2006 Apex blade, but with a straight cavity back muscle line. Also, much MUCH LESS offset than the earlier/original Plus.

The best way to differentiate though, is definitely the cavity muscle line. VERY STRAIGHT on the 2006. Subtle but noticeable curve on the 2000-2005 original model. Those 2006's are uber rare and a great forged CB offering."

These appear to have the subtle but noticeable curve at the cavity muscle line. So these appear to be the pre-Callaway model. Woohoo!!

Also the shaft bands have Spaulding on them (Callaway reissues obviously did not).

> @storm319 said:

> Also the shaft bands have Spaulding on them (Callaway reissues obviously did not).

Now that I think about it, *that* was a far easier way to deduce the make/year!! Anyway, I'm so pumped to have these Hogan Apex Plus irons because I sold my 1978 Apex blades back around 2002 and always regretted that.

Jeff Sheets design. Endo Forged.

I know this is a bit old. But I JUST picked up a set of these (3-E plus 3 wedges) for $50, and they look the same. But they were looking a lot rougher than yours, so good job on your deal! Fortunately I've cleaned them up pretty nicely. It included the inspection sheet which shows they left the factory in June, 2000. Serial # is H-00045328, so definitely made after yours. 

Wow amazing cleanup! How did you clean them out of curiosity? And where did you find these for $50?

3 hours ago, nikeblades00 said:

Wow amazing cleanup! How did you clean them out of curiosity? And where did you find these for $50?

Thank you. I had an automated notification on OfferUp for anything with  "Ben Hogan" in the title and they popped up. The guy had them in a storage shed and was moving. Inside the bag (which was disgusting and immediately thrown out) there was a green fee receipt from 2010.

Surprisingly, most of the gunk came off with hot soapy water, brushes, a groove tool, and a scrubbing pad. 

After that, I hit any residual spots with Flitz Metal Polish and a rag.

Finally the few stubborn rust spots I got with a gentle application of a small metal brush bit in my Dremmel tool. 

I then picked up some Testors Model paint (dark red and black) with thinner for the letters. I used a toothpick to fill the lettering, let it sit, then wiped gently with a paper towel damp with thinner.

that is amazing. Thanks for sharing, might come in handy as I'm always looking for a nice set of older clubs at 2nd hand stores! I'll check out offer up as well.

1 hour ago, nikeblades00 said:

that is amazing. Thanks for sharing, might come in handy as I'm always looking for a nice set of older clubs at 2nd hand stores! I'll check out offer up as well.

I have stated many times in the past that I had a set of Apex Plus and they are as good as any more recent players cb's I have hit.

On 11/23/2021 at 9:12 AM, Bad9 said:

I have stated many times in the past that I had a set of Apex Plus and they are as good as any more recent players cb's I have hit.

I've seen similar sentiments in several places, That's the reason I was trolling for an old set like this. From what I read, this year's model was a decent hybrid between blades and cavity backs. Once my grips arrive and I give them a test drive, I'll decide if they're for me or not. Regardless, I enjoyed saving some old clubs from the bargain barrel. 

What a great clean up on those. Timeless iron too. Have fun with them. 

Me again. I've since collected 3 sets of the Apex Plus irons (I'm done I swear). This morning I noticed different dot patterns around the "FORGED" stamp. One set has no dots, one has one dot, and one has two dots. I've been unable to find a definitive explanation on internet searches. I'm tempted to contact Mr. Sheets as he seems to have been part of the design. Photo is of the 5 irons. The clubs with 1 and 2 dots have an Apex 3 shaft, and the no-dot club is an Apex 4 shaft. I haven't been able to perceive any other differences. But if they indicate offset lofts (as some have suggested) I can't measure a difference that small at home. 

Sell me a set 

On 5/12/2022 at 12:15 PM, DymnDog said:

Me again. I've since collected 3 sets of the Apex Plus irons (I'm done I swear). This morning I noticed different dot patterns around the "FORGED" stamp. One set has no dots, one has one dot, and one has two dots. I've been unable to find a definitive explanation on internet searches. I'm tempted to contact Mr. Sheets as he seems to have been part of the design. Photo is of the 5 irons. The clubs with 1 and 2 dots have an Apex 3 shaft, and the no-dot club is an Apex 4 shaft. I haven't been able to perceive any other differences. But if they indicate offset lofts (as some have suggested) I can't measure a difference that small at home. 

The club without dots is surely the 2000 Apex Plus. The clubs with the dots are probably post-Spaulding (i.e. Callaway). The difference is the notorious loose ferrules, with the gap between ferrule and hosel, on the dotted clubs.