Ben Hogan Apex FTX

[jmcorr4]

Anyone game these? I've been eyeing a set of these on ebay, I like the idea of the combo set and love the idea of Hogan irons. Just curious as to how playable these irons are. I'm sure they feel great, though they were the later Hogans so a little concerned. Just looking for ideas, thoughts. Thanks

[BC33]

I played these for about 4 seasons. A really good forged iron that is extremely playable, able to be worked and have a perfect trajectory with the stock Apex shaft.

I still have them in a Hogan staff bag, take them out about once a season. If the price is good, I would say jump on it!

[Funkey]

I think they are good irons if you hit the sweet spot. They are not real forgiving and will punish toe and heal strikes. If your a good iron striker they are sexy.

[guisician]

BUY them...they're more forgiving than most sets of Hogan irons, but still have a pinch of DNA from these:[attachment=1538305:image.jpg]

[seasterl]

I use these Apex FTX as my primary set:

 

 

I had mine reshafted with TT DG Sensicore X100. I believe these were forged by Endo around 2004-2005. I use the Hogan Riviera wedges with this set. The one-iron is the Apex Plus and matches nicely.

[Mirage]

I bought a set years ago but they sat in the garage as I played the MacGregor Pro CM combo, then a set of Adams CB2s. I had previously owned the original Hogan Edge, the Edge GCD Forged, and a set of he 1997 Justin Leonard Commemorative Apex blades.

Last year, I wanted something with less offset than the CB2s had, which were very solid clubs for me, and realized that the FTXs might be perfect, so I re-shafted and re-gripped the FTXs.

I've been playing, and loving them, since. Great clubs you likely won't regret. I wish I'd put these into play sooner.

[Guia]

I found them to be average. There are better cavity back irons available. Hogan made great blades, not
so great cavities.

[clamp]

Great irons. Shot my first sub par round with them. Great control and feel.

[Oldplayer]

Great forgings. I have a set and recommend them highly. They firstly have a really great soft feel. Most Hogan forgings have an excellent feel and these are no exception. A very beautiful looking set as well. They are very playable and the blades in the set perform very nicely. They have a progressive offset which is just right and the look of the mid irons it perfect to my eye. Size and shape is very pleasing for people who prefer the look of a better player iron. By the time you get to the 3 and 4 iron they can be a little demanding to play but still very good for a players cb. Forgiveness is relative and I personally don't have any trouble using them (4 capper).
I don't have anything bad to say about them. One of the best (and prettiest) combo sets I have played.

[harold baines]

great irons, and more forgiving than you'd expect blade short irons to be

they're overall not too forgiving though, depending on what you're used to they could be a rude awakening or frustrating

they're great irons, but if you're expecting modern forgiveness... it's not there

[Imp]

[quote name='Oldplayer' timestamp='1360918639' post='6432741']
Most Hogan forgings have an excellent feel and these are no exception.[/quote]My Apex PCs only have an excellent feel when you can find the sweetspot.

--kC

[outwardnine]

I loved mine. And sold them like a muppet! Looking for another set now. Only problem is that I'm a lefty in the UK and the choice is non existent.

[sm_watts]

I'm about a 12 handicap, and I love the short irons in my set. I normally play a reg flex in irons, but I have the stiff Apex and they work great. They are very long for me and are a blast to hit on the sweet spot. I recently traded mine out for some Adams CB2's, but it might not be a permanent switch. The CB2's are easier to hit and more forgiving, but I always felt like I could go right after any pin with the 8-E of the FTX. I've even toyed with going 5-7 with the CB2's, 8-E with the FTX's, but it would be too odd-looking. My misses are draw-to-hook, and I don't even carry the 4 or 5 iron of the FTX because I KNOW it will be a big hook. If the FTX's are in the bag, I carry 6-E and a 25* hybrid. With my CB2's, I carry 4-PW and skip the hybrid.

And they look really cool.

[OK_Golf]

Is it just me or do these look a lot like the new (2013) Callaway X-Forged? someone tell me the perform anywhere near as well and I'm buying!

[DrDal]

[quote name='OK_Golf' timestamp='1360960812' post='6435781']
Is it just me or do these look a lot like the new (2013) Callaway X-Forged? someone tell me the perform anywhere near as well and I'm buying!
[/quote]
Certainly some similarities. I haven't played the FTXs for a couple of years now, but they are probably the nicest feeling (and best looking irons) I've owned. Have only hit the X Forged indoors so for. Nice feel (but not FTX soft). On the other hand, they are more forgiving. [attachment=1539475:P1000990.JPG][attachment=1539481:P1000991.JPG][attachment=1539491:P1000993.JPG][attachment=1539493:P1000995.JPG][attachment=1539495:P1000996.JPG][attachment=1539497:P1000999.JPG]

[richard t]

I play Pings mostly now, but I grew up on Hogans. Some sets were better than others, but there were no 'bad' Hogans. Those FTXs were damn nice clubs. I would have bought a set but had a set of Apex's. (99') Like others said if you like them jump on them. No one serious about playing golf has regretted the Hogans they have/had.

[jmcorr4]

[quote name='BC33' timestamp='1360884549' post='6430537']
I played these for about 4 seasons. A really good forged iron that is extremely playable, able to be worked and have a perfect trajectory with the stock Apex shaft.

I still have them in a Hogan staff bag, take them out about once a season. If the price is good, I would say jump on it!
[/quote]How do the Apex shafts play? I play Proj X 6.0 hard stepped in my Z101's, plus they are about 1/2 inch long too. I'm a hit ball hitter so.

[richard t]

I'm not an authority, but... Apex shafts, as I always understood, were made by True Temper for Hogan ONLY. They resemble the TT Dynamic Gold Lites. They come/came 3 (reg.) 4 (stiff) and 5 ( fence post ) I really think the 4s I played were somewhere between an S-300 and 400, but because they were lighter in weight they are/were easy to handle. I still play mine occasionaly and have no real difficulty. My Ping I20 irons are KBS Tours - regular. The Hogans are certainly stiffer, but just as easy to play. Obviously, there are lots of folks with Hogans which have all kinds of shafts. Again, I may be wrong, but when Callaway took them over they offered Apex's, FTX included, in TT shafts (DG S-300s) as well as Apex. Some other people may be more knowledgeable, but I really liked the Apex shaft. Ball flight for me was medium high, but I hit a high ball anyway. FWIW a friend of mine has the FTXs. Bought them new. Still playing them. He's 65, a 5 hdcp. Doesn't hit it a mile, but boy can he make them go where he wants them. I grew up on these shafts so when I went to Pings years ago their shafts were similar. Light, stiff, easy to play.
Hope this helps some.

[CatBox]

I should get my Hogan Apex blades back from the Iron Factory this week. I'm stoked.

[three-putt-pete]

[quote name='CatBox' timestamp='1361964441' post='6512279']
I should get my Hogan Apex blades back from the Iron Factory this week. I'm stoked.
[/quote]

Please post some pics!!!

[guisician]

[quote name='three-putt-pete' timestamp='1361973089' post='6512637']
[quote name='CatBox' timestamp='1361964441' post='6512279']
I should get my Hogan Apex blades back from the Iron Factory this week. I'm stoked.
[/quote]

Please post some pics!!!
[/quote]

+ 1 on the pics; was going to ask which Apexes but I'm content to wait and see!

[pdaero]

Really liked the Apex FTXs. 04 to 06, if I remember right. Grew up playing golf in Fort Worth, and Ben Hogan clubs were all the rage!

[costast]

I absolutely love these irons. They are just great, so sweet when you flush one. Hogan Apex 4's are great shafts too. I think I'll wear the grooves out on these before I switch to anything else.

[BoyntonGolfinOwl97]

Had em in the bag since 08 scored a set that had been hit less than 10 round's with true temper x100 +3/4 length 2* up (I'm 6'5) for $265. Like a gift from heaven!! They are absolutely the sweetest feeling irons I have ever struck. The combo set suits my game perfect and there really is nothing like flushing a hogan iron. I have had a few chances to switch irons and can not seem to get em out the bag. Craftsmanship is top noth.

[Danny Young]

I have just picked a set of these up really cheap and was wanting some more info on them this post was just what i needed cheers guys

[CD17]

I've just picked up a mint set of these, cheap as well as a mint set of Apex 99 (not quite as cheap) I really miss playing with blades & I've been listening to the audio book Miracle at Merion while I drive, which has got me wanting to play blades again.

[goodvibes]

So I recently got a set of these. I can handle the heads just fine and feel great when well struck but the well struck part is not happening for me due to the Apex 4 shaft. It's a bit soft with more kick/higher flight compared to what I recall from the early Apex 4 shaft. I guess I'm still a heavy shaft guy and like stiff dynamics or stepped TCs. Question is, should I bother reshafting them or move them? Not because they may not work. They will but unless they are real special, it's probably not worth it. I can hit my Mizuno tn-93 or Cobra fly z+ forged just fine. but they have the previous mentioned shafts. I obviously don't need another set. Just looking for opinions here. Or maybe offers, LOL.

[buynagame]

I have a nice set of these for sale in the classifieds.