Old Hogan's

[Zigzog]

I have been playing a lot of golf recently, pretty much golfing all the time and not working so much :)

I have been going between some Ping S55s and Srixon 745s recently. I have tried loads of others, including all the recent stuff - as we all like to do - but these have been sticking around in my bag as the best for me.

In my garage I found some old Hogans - I think from around the 99 period. They heads were still in ok shape, but the grips were done and the shafts were not what I am playing just now. Had no labels on them, but from memory were some sort of PX.

So I spent last weekend giving them a re shaft - put in my Modus 125x. I built them up, then took them and had lofts and lies checked, all were good and no adjustments were needed :)

Took them out today, and is amazing how I forgot how good these were. The feel in incredible, I think from memory these were Endo forged. Got used to them instantly - 20 balls in the net before I went out.

Hit 16 greens and shot 4 under - 6 birdies and two bogeys. Both bogeys from missed greens in trap, misjudged the wind on both shots. The sand was not the greater due to a lot of rain recently (my excuse anyway) The dispersion and distance control of these was awesome. Four of my birdies were from inside 7 feet, these really were like a laser.

Now I have been playing a lot of golf recently, and have been scoring well - but these were the best I have hit my irons for some time - the way they sit behind the ball gives me massive confidence. So much of this game is in the head :)

Just wanted to share, these are staying in the bag for now.

 

[sprcoop]

Fresh meat syndrome. Don't worry, it will pass.

 

Just kidding, ride that wave!

 

I recently took an ancient Bristol Victura 5 iron to the range and hit it as well as my Mizuno. No explanation.

[Joe S]

I had a set of these 99 Hogan Apex heads in my basement for about ten years and finally re-shafted them with S300's in mid 2018. They are really something special. I thought I would play a few rounds then store them with the rest of the collection. But they've stayed in the bag and I have no plan to replace them.

[Shallowface]

I've long held the opinion that the Hogan clubs produced by Spalding (which would include the 1999 Apex) were the best Ben Hogan branded clubs ever made.

[RobotDoctor]

I still game the '99 Apex blades. I have tried to replace them over the past three years or so but nothing I've tried has the feel and response these do. These are about as forgiving as blades come but you still have to put a good swing on the ball. I reshafted them with Nippon Modus Tour 120 stiff shafts and bent then 2 degrees stronger. I absolutely love these blades!!!

[Zigzog]

Still using them now and again and playing great with them.

Had a game at North Berwick last week and hit 16 greens - lovely!

My main set now though is a set of T100s - they gave me a fair bit more ball speed, so as I am getting older it had to be done! :)

[wildcatden]

I found of a set of 1999 Hogan Apex Plus (3-E) with Apex 4 shafts at a local thrift store before Christmas. They have been in my bag ever since. To be honest, the Apex 4 shaft is beyond my swing these days and I need to reshaft to probably an R-Flex. However, these clubs are just fantastic feeling!! Far and away some of the best clubs ever made.

[nitram]

I agree and will also add they feel as good as any iron ever made.