Are these '73 Hogan Apex's???

[Ackergolf]

On 10/29/2022 at 7:53 PM, T308 said:

 

Hogan changed the methodology in 1983.  They dropped the year and put three digits of the item number instead.  They were not making substantive changes year to year on the clubs so the replacements weren't year dependent as they'd been in previous years.  So for yours, F is lot number, 5900 is Decade.  Apex 4 shaft and D2.

 

Hey @T308,

I have had a set of ‘73 Apex irons I’ve always thought were unique - that I love. Their serial number is YJ0870. I always wondered what year they were made. Never knew that the Y meant they were custom even! Sounds like you may be a good source to ask. Thanks!

Edited January 23, 2023 by Ackergolf
@

[T308]

On 1/22/2023 at 11:02 AM, Ackergolf said:

Hey @T308,

I have had a set of ‘73 Apex irons I’ve always thought were unique - that I love. Their serial number is YJ0870. I always wondered what year they were made. Never knew that the Y meant they were custom even! Sounds like you may be a good source to ask. Thanks!

 

Yes, the Y is special order.  the J series is likely 1976-7.  Could be special loft, length, lie, grind, swing weight etc.  I always enjoy trying to measure up the Y clubs I find to see if I can deduce the specs.  I guess I'm weird that way....

[T308]

Shameless plug for a video I made for the '73 Apex clubs.

 

 

 

[Foozle]

21 minutes ago, T308 said:

Shameless plug for a video I made for the '73 Apex clubs.

 

 

 

I came across your video on You Tube some months back. An excellent detailed guide which I encourage all on here to watch.

Thanks for creating and posting.

[T308]

2 hours ago, Foozle said:

I came across your video on You Tube some months back. An excellent detailed guide which I encourage all on here to watch.

Thanks for creating and posting.

Thanks.  Working on the next one.  1965-7 Percussion Centers.

[bcstones]

10 hours ago, T308 said:

Shameless plug for a video I made for the '73 Apex clubs.

 

 

 

Just watched your video - no such thing as "shameless"....lots of excellent info. I watched cuz I have a "set" of BH irons I thought were '73 irons. The 3 thru 8 irons have the same flange # (L25231), the 2 & E irons have nothing, the 9 iron has a number beginning with "CS" (can't make out the numbers behing that)....all have the circular/spiral grip and all but the 9 iron have the red sunburst 3 shaft band (the 9 has a red sunburst 3 band)....
So would I be far off if I thought these were '73 irons...does the "L" signify a Ladies/Senior shaft????
Oh yeah...all the grip ends say "Hogan Exclusive Design"....

 

I also have a set of Apex irons that the Sheets diagram show as "74 Apex" models...did Hogan Golf Company make two different Apex models at the same time?

Edited January 29, 2023 by bcstones

[Swingingk]

Okay so what about Slazenger Hogans?  I picked these up a few years ago as a 2-e set with matching driver, 3, & 4 woods.  I cleaned them up a bit and re-did the paintfill on the irons but otherwise they are stock original.  The stampings are a bit different but they appear basically the same as "Hogan" Hogans.  What do y'all think about those serial numbers?

 

 

 

[T308]

15 hours ago, bcstones said:

Just watched your video - no such thing as "shameless"....lots of excellent info. I watched cuz I have a "set" of BH irons I thought were '73 irons. The 3 thru 8 irons have the same flange # (L25231), the 2 & E irons have nothing, the 9 iron has a number beginning with "CS" (can't make out the numbers behing that)....all have the circular/spiral grip and all but the 9 iron have the red sunburst 3 shaft band (the 9 has a red sunburst 3 band)....
So would I be far off if I thought these were '73 irons...does the "L" signify a Ladies/Senior shaft????
Oh yeah...all the grip ends say "Hogan Exclusive Design"....

 

I also have a set of Apex irons that the Sheets diagram show as "74 Apex" models...did Hogan Golf Company make two different Apex models at the same time?

Your clubs would be Model Year 1973 Apex made in late '72.  Equalizers are often without a ferrule stamp.  The 2 iron usually would have one, but may have either worn off or was repaired.  The CS mark would be a regional repair facility stamp.  The "L" mark is just a lot number, not a ladies.  The "3" shaft band is Apex Regular flex.  A ladies would have been "1".

 

The original Jeff Sheets poster doesn't show a 1974 Apex, but the "Ben Hogan Vintage" Poster shows a 1974-1978 Apex but incorrectly shows it as a polished version, only late 77s and 78s were polished, 1974-1977 (early) are frosted.  

 

Hope that helps.

[T308]

13 hours ago, Swingingk said:

Okay so what about Slazenger Hogans?  I picked these up a few years ago as a 2-e set with matching driver, 3, & 4 woods.  I cleaned them up a bit and re-did the paintfill on the irons but otherwise they are stock original.  The stampings are a bit different but they appear basically the same as "Hogan" Hogans.  What do y'all think about those serial numbers?

 

 

These appear to be '73 type Canadian Slazengers.  The general club head shape (squared off) and the double circular knurl are characteristic of Canadian manufacture.  Slazenger started using US components (grips and shafts) and once the manufacturing license ran out, they transitioned to a subcontract manufacturing relationship with Hogan and the Slazenger name was dropped.  The clubs were marketed in Canada under the Hogan name only, yet retained a characteristic shape of the Toronto forge.

 

I don't have enough data points on the Canadian serial numbers, but I'm slowly gathering them (I have more info on the UK version, and a little on the Australian).  The Hogan Slazengers are not well researched and most of what I know came from discussions with Hogan staff in the Import group in the mid 1980s.