Ben Hogan Ft. Worth Irons and TK Wedges

[Imp]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1421860385' post='10791109']
Did they seriously post a pic of a toe shot on a Hogan forged iron?

Animals...




(jk, but kind of not, too...)
[/quote]Check the medical tent for someone reporting complete loss of feeling in the fingers (that's what the old Hogans I had did).

--kC

[artica]

In going to assume these are better player irons?

Would love a cavity back with the loft option....

[jldavis73]

The only thing keeping them from being perfect, at least to me, is being forged in China. If they were truly Made in America, I would donate plasma and other fluids to pay for a set. Or just ring the divorce lawyer and pull the trigger on a set. I can't stand the beauty. It's like the first time I saw a naked woman.

[roundersmitty]

[quote name='ZBigStick' timestamp='1421809503' post='10787821']

I didn't think they felt very good but that may have been attributed to them being too flat. I don't know their specs but they appear flatter than most standard spec irons these days, and I usually go 1 up.

[/quote]

Classic Hogan Apex PC irons I found to be more upright in the high lofts clubs, and flat in the low lofted clubs compared to standard, with the 7 iron being the same as most standard specs. So I have to progressively bend the 8-PW flat, while bending the 3-6 more upright.

[hogans71]

[quote name='TPG1971' timestamp='1421808663' post='10787715']
Was hoping for a more square toe, and a slightly thinner top line, still very pretty though.
[/quote]

Kind of what I was thinking..

Nonetheless, I look forward to checking them out...

[Argh]

I really want to like these clubs. However, even if I learn to love their bulbous silhouette, I have concerns regarding their " interesting " specs. In particular, I find their shaft length progressions to be a tad weird. 1/2 inch progressions are the norm and 3/8 inch progressions are often suggested to be better. The new Hogans use 3/4 inch progressions for all irons with less than 32 degrees of loft. this means that if I were to go with a 4-PW configuration starting with a 46 degree PW and going up 4 degrees, my 4 iron would be 39 inches long. Has anyone heard of any other mfg or builder using 3/4 inch increments? Why would they?

[dmblanch]

[quote name='Argh' timestamp='1421877593' post='10792989']
I really want to like these clubs. However, even if I learn to love their bulbous silhouette, I have concerns regarding their " interesting " specs. In particular, I find their shaft length progressions to be a tad weird. 1/2 inch progressions are the norm and 3/8 inch progressions are often suggested to be better. The new Hogans use 3/4 inch progressions for all irons with less than 32 degrees of loft. this means that if I were to go with a 4-PW configuration starting with a 46 degree PW and going up 4 degrees, my 4 iron would be 39 inches long. Has anyone heard of any other mfg or builder using 3/4 inch increments? Why would they?
[/quote]

I'm not sure you are reading the shaft length progression chart correctly and remember it is NOT there to show you what a stock Hogan set would be. In fact, there is not going to be a stock Hogan set. All will be custom based on a fitting. Note how the shaft length is the same for all four degrees in each club length "group", for example the 20, 21, 22, and 23 all show a "39.0 inch" length. For me, this group encompasses BOTH my Speedblade 4 and 5 irons at 20 and 23 degrees respectively which measure 39,25 and 38,75 respectively for me. Hogan's intention is for their Hoganfit matrix to measure you and spit out the lengths and lies you need OR that you know exactly what you want and state it to them. Those clusters are merely centered averages.

They don't want to shoe-horn you into anybody else's idea of "proper" loft steps or shaft lengths. They really want to cover your gaps and so their Hoganfit will ask you to stick in your Fwoods, hybrids, and wedges specs and distances, then it will spit out the Hogan specs and distances that it recommends to evenly cover the gaps. I was able to stick my data in before they shut the system down temporarily and it returned EXACTLY my current distances and specs of the Speedblade set I'm going to replace. I'm going to go a step further and order my shafts uncut, so'll I'll be able to make them match exactly.

BTW, Scor used to measure shaft length to line on the grip cap, not to the butt end, so I always found their wedges would arrive about 1/4" longer than I expected anyway.

[BILSKI]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Was never a fan of the Hogan irons, and they picked up right where they left off.

[dunn]

Shaft options are a little weird...bring back the Apex shaft!....I really liked that shaft...and a DGS300 should be in there as well

Overall I like em...I like loft options as well...it's more important to know your loft and gaps vs the iron number...

Dig the ferrules!

[ZBigStick]

That's news to me. Whose analysis is this?

 

KBS describes the Tour-V as:

 

STIFF TIP SECTION

 

ADVANCED TAPER AND OD

 

INTEGRATED WEIGHT AND FLEX

 

FIRM BUTT SECTION

 

How do they achieve lower spin than the Tour with a softer tip section?

 

http://kbsgolfshafts.com/shafts/kbs-tour-v

 

[kmac02576]

I like having the lofts on the sole. I had predicted that many companies will switch to that due to such confusion in what loft constitutes what iron with the new clubs and technology. This solves all those problems and complaints.

Since it is change, people will be resistant at first and won't want to have to relearn what degree club to hit from 150 yards and what to hit from 130 out, but I think this will become the new normal withing 5 years.

[ZBigStick]

[quote name='kmac02576' timestamp='1421952046' post='10798285']I like having the lofts on the sole. I had predicted that many companies will switch to that due to such confusion in what loft constitutes what iron with the new clubs and technology. This solves all those problems and complaints.

Since it is change, people will be resistant at first and won't want to have to relearn what degree club to hit from 150 yards and what to hit from 130 out, but I think this will become the new normal withing 5 years.[/quote]

What about length and lie? I know my specs based on the iron number. Lofts don't bother me. Just adjust at the top or bottom end of the set.

Cleveland and Tommy Armour tried it but it never caught on. It would take Ping or Titleist to create a shift.

[golfjackel]

[size=4]I have four sets of Hogans...real beauties....[/size]

[gunmetal]

-"We've got about 198 to the pin - most guys hitting 6 irons, Peter?"

-"Indeed, although John here is taking a 31 iron."

Har har.

Good looking sticks.

For all those disappointed about the geography of the forgings...the reason they are forged in China is because they do it for almost half the cost and do just as good of a job. Probably why Mizuno has their forged irons finished in Japan and so many other from Cally to Nike and TM to Titleist all have at one point offered forgings that were pounded out in The People's Republic. It's all about quality control friends. If they have propper QC measures, the billets of steel don't mysteriously turn out sucky when shipped a few hundred miles east.

[Doublebuck]

[quote name='grooveballer' timestamp='1421808423' post='10787671']
Beautiful irons. Reminds me a little of the RAM FX Pro set from some years back.
[/quote]

Exactly, and they were great in their day.

[bayougolfer]

beautiful looking irons!

[staysober for golf]

Chrome and medallions are missing but the individual lofts selection is going to be a hit, am sure.

[tbowles411]

[quote name='hogans71' timestamp='1421874981' post='10792711']
[quote name='TPG1971' timestamp='1421808663' post='10787715']
Was hoping for a more square toe, and a slightly thinner top line, still very pretty though.
[/quote]

Kind of what I was thinking..

Nonetheless, I look forward to checking them out...
[/quote]
You're going to love them. Seriously. If you're a blade guy, you won't be disappointed.

[Arafel]

They appear to be Grain Flow Forged too, just like Mizuno.

[Sledge Hammer]

[quote name='Arafel' timestamp='1422022414' post='10802965']
They appear to be Grain Flow Forged too, just like Mizuno.
[/quote]

Obviously can't use that phrase, but it appears that they use a similar process as I'm sure many others do as well. I think the most important & expensive parts of the manufacturing are the number of strikes & the progression of the die sets used and the Quality Control that's implemented.

Something I didn't initially notice, but I really like is the lightly brushed finish. Seems very practical, not distracting with reflections at address and won't show bag chatter as badly.

[Arafel]

[i]Grain Aligned Forging[/i] sound good?

You can have the name Hogan.....just let me have a set sticks.

[AC-Golf]

[quote name='Oliver Klozoff' timestamp='1421846449' post='10789441']
Huge Hogan fan. Had Apex, Apex Plus, and FTX sets. Persimmon drivers.

I'm sure these are great feeling and I like the loft numbering scheme. Two things that strike me are 1) there is like negative offset, and 2) the top line is a touch too thick for my liking. Still want to give them a try.
[/quote]

I noticed these 2 things too, and they are my only pause for concern. I love the looks and individual lofts though! Hope to find a place to try them. Or better yet, someone put up their set on the BST after 3 rounds.

[RQgolfer]

Ever since the announcement that Hogan irons were making a comeback, I have been looking forward to their re-release, and delayed upgrading my current Mizunos. Previously played with Hogan Apex irons in the 80's and 90's - still have a mint set 1 - E with Apex 5 shafts.

Must say I am left underwhelmed by this poor rendition. Lofts stamped instead of numbers, I could give a toss either way.

They are plug ugly! Terry you promised so much and delivered little.

Next stop TourSpec Golf to check out their JDM blades.

Too bad - so sad.

[Arafel]

How could anyone expect one set of irons would please everyone's tastes? I am surprised at how many crybabies are out there.

[bueller]

[quote name='Arafel' timestamp='1422106635' post='10808863']
How could anyone expect one set of irons would please everyone's tastes? I am surprised at how many crybabies are out there.
[/quote]

agree. They have one set of premium irons for whom ever thinks they are the right stick for them, not making 4 or 5 different sets of crap trying to hit the whole market

[CyFan]

Been a Hogan fan for years, my first set of clubs were Hogan bounce sole blades (69-70 era). Was sad when Callaway shut down Hogan, sadde when the brand started showing up at Walmart (clothes). So was really looking forward to the rebirth of Hogan - specifically the forged irons.

Gotta say these are "ok" and "nice", but nothing more. But I hope they are successful so they can grow the brand and develop additional models that may provide broader appeal.

[MJisGOAT]

The more I look at them the less I like them.

[nova6868]

I can't believe all the people complaining about this set. Honestly what did you expect?

It's a modern blade with the classic Hogan blade-on-blade design. Some amount of forgiveness designed into the set. Forged. Minimal offset. Clean at address. And the loft number instead of iron number... [b]this actually seems like something Hogan would have[/b] [b]loved[/b]. He was all about precision and having things a certain way. He would probably be all over this idea. Hell, he might have wanted it down to a decimal point.

[Sledge Hammer]

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/14708-arafel/"][color="#353535"]Arafel[/color][/url]/bueller, I agree and I understand that some are not enthralled. My very first impression when I saw them on the website was neutral to maybe slightly disappointed. But I remember when I was a kid in the pro shop in the 70s & 80s, I never thought Hogan clubs were the best looking. They always seemed awkward to my eye. Yet most of the best players at our club played them. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, I finally decide I'm going to try a Ben Hogan forged iron. I find a set of Apex PCs on eBay for a great price, probably the last real blade iron, not a muscleback a simple blade on blade. I didn't find them to be that attractive, but as I hit them I really learned to love them. Now I see the simple beauty in the club.

I now see so many of the old Apex Blades in the new Ben Hogan clubs in subtle ways, with a blending of some new tech. More than anything I'm interested to hear how people who have hit them find the feel, because that will be most important for me. Everything else is Blonde or Brunette or Redhead. I want to fall in love with the feel & the heart, in order to do that you have to keep an open mind and really try it yourself.

[HoganApexBlades]

[quote name='nova6868' timestamp='1422117342' post='10809667']
I can't believe all the people complaining about this set. Honestly what did you expect?

It's a modern blade with the classic Hogan blade-on-blade design. Some amount of forgiveness designed into the set. Forged. Minimal offset. Clean at address. And the loft number instead of iron number... [b]this actually seems like something Hogan would have[/b] [b]loved[/b]. He was all about precision and having things a certain way. He would probably be all over this idea. Hell, he might have wanted it down to a decimal point.
[/quote]

Nova, GREAT POST!

Hogan was all about perfection. Isn't that what we all strive for in life?