Help identify these Ben Hogan Irons

[wdabney]

Can anyone give me the year of these irons and any other information on them? They were my grandfathers and he passed away 6 months ago.

[wdabney]

This photo is better.

[wdabney]

This one.

[traderjason]

I believe those to be the 1973 Apex model, which is highly regarded as being one of the more playable vintage models. Some who know far more than I will chime in shortly I'm sure.

 

What shafts are in them? Again, I believe Apex was the standard, with 4 being stiff, 3 being regular.

 

Hope you enjoy them!

[rex235]

dabney-

 

Condolences on the passing of your grandfather.

 

As you already know, these are the 1973 Ben Hogan Apex "Sunburst" Iron, and quite a few people covet them....Including me. (Thanks Teevons!)

 

John Schlee finished second to Johnny Miller at the 1973 US Open at Oakmont, and the Apex irons were in his bag.

 

Hogan won at Oakmont in 1953, as part of Golf's Triple Crown.

 

Arnold Palmer used a Hogan Driver in '62 US Open at Oakmont, but he lost to Jack Nicklaus in the 18 hole playoff.

 

How many irons are in the set?

 

What is the shaft flex?

 

Teevons, '53 Precision, and Texsport are among those with more than common knowledge.

 

Wonder if Tom Stites will ever finish his series on working for Hogan?

[wdabney]

3 iron to pitching wedge. Shafts are a 3 flex. I have another set of Hogan irons in a second bag I found at his house today. I'll post those soon. I'm pretty pumped to put some new grips on these and see how they work in comparison to my Ap2 irons.

['53 Precision]

You will find the lofts to be closer to a 4 - GW in comparison to today's clubs...not a bad thing, once you know the lofts you can play off of the lofts and not the numbers stamped on the bottom of the clubs...which are effectively an arbitrary number. I would not recommend strengthening the lofts as this will also increase the off set...I have installed Apex 3's in my 735C.M's and love them! It is a great shaft, somewhere between an R and a S. You have found a great set of irons, thank your grand dad and honor him by playing them often!

[fun4golf]

 

 

Hope this helps.

[Muirfield Willie]

Yes those are 73 Apex. I have a set of them 2-Equalizer that my grandfather played for years with apex 3 shafts. Lofts range from i think 19* 2 iron to 51* equalizer (pitching wedge). Probably the finest set of irons the original Hogan company produced. Also could be argued that they are one of the finest irons produced ever. Definitely hold up to any iron, forged or cast, blade or game improver, Ive ever played. I wouldnt sell mine for a million dollars due to the sentimental value. My grandfather played them with friends and acquaintances of his you wouldnt believe if i told you so i wont. When i was a kid, once i found out who hogan was, i lusted over them. When he passed, my grandmother only had to utter "what should i do with those old" when i answered before she could finish "ill take them". Unfortunately he quit playing about five years before he passed and the woods dry rotted in a sweltering florida garage. But the irons survived and once i put a good cleaning on them they polished up like new except for the wear spots on the Equalizer, 8,5 and 2 irons. I used a little 100 grit and some bleche white and dish soap to soften the grips a bit to make them playable. Wont change them if you held a gun to my head. As for another poster who said they play like a 4-gw set I totally agree.

[gsea33]

i have the exact same 73 Apex's 1 - E, plus an old Hogan SW (not an apex the Sure Out) that I play with these irons. Also have 73 Speed Slots, D,3,4,5. Put all in a Hogan Blue/Red White bag. They turn heads sitting in a cart on the first tee.

[russad]

Nice set up, thanks for sharing.

[wdabney]

Here is the other iron set. It appears to be older. Anyone have a year and other information on these?

[fun4golf]

 

 

 

1958-59 Sunburst or Starburst.

[yaquigrande]

You have to be careful with identifying the 70s hogan apex. There are similar heads some with frosted backs or matte finish almost a sand blasted or bead blasted finish on the back, or there are shiny backs or polished chrome not frosted. There is a group 1973 to 1975 and another group 76 to 78. See attached pics. Hope this helps! Ironfinder .com has great pics and dates for hogans

[gsea33]

You have to be careful with identifying the 70s hogan apex. There are similar heads some with frosted backs or matte finish almost a sand blasted or bead blasted finish on the back, or there are shiny backs or polished chrome not frosted. There is a group 1973 to 1975 and another group 76 to 78. See attached pics. Hope this helps! Ironfinder .com has great pics and dates for hogans

 

Thanks for the info. Mine have the legends so they must be 77-78. The guy I got them from back when said he thought his father bought them in 73, guess it is hard to remember that long ago. I know I wouldn't be able to.