Ben Hogan's 1953 irons, lead tape on the back of the iron heads ?

[wkuo3]

Can anyone make out the back of the irons in the left photo, were they the wear marks or I'm guessing the massive of lead tape or soldered weight ?

 

 

 

[Jagpilotohio]

Almost surely lead tape.

 

 

[wkuo3]

That 7 iron ? looks like it was plastered with lead tap. Such long hosel could be used for tip weights.

So assuming Mr. Hogan is not big on tip weights, to avoid the left side.

[Jagpilotohio]

Screw tip weights...Real men have lead tape on their blades my brother.

[teevons]

pretty sure it was poured lead on head, dont think they made lead tape in early 50's??

[wkuo3]

pretty sure it was poured lead on head, dont think they made lead tape in early 50's??

 

My thoughts also.

Did they just add weight then file down to what they wish to keep ?

 

How did they make the lead stay put ? remove the chrome or drill small holes on the surface for anchor ?

[Jagpilotohio]

Not sure when they invented lead tape actually. They invented Duct tape during WW2 in the early 40’s for military purposes, so I don’t know why they couldn’t have figured out how to put lead on adhesive tape by the 50’s.

 

Maybe one of our members that is more advanced in their years than I can chime in about it.

[dlygrisse]

It looks to me like the chrome has peeled off the 7 iron. That’s not uncommon. For irons of that era; especially with heavy use. Definitely some lead tape on all of them. Assuming those irons were several years old and as we know Hogan practiced a lot, they are probably in rough shape compared to what you see today. Tools not jewels.

 

Also, we don’t know what happen with the irons after 1953. Hogan started his company the next year, surely he retired these. Did they just live in a box in his basement? Did he give them to a friend? Did the friend game them for 10 years? How many years did he use them prior to that season?

 

In those days guys played clubs for many years once they found something they liked.

[dlygrisse]

Wonder what happened to the rest of the set? 1,2 iron PW and SW? Woods?

 

According to Power Golf Hogan had 16 clubs, picked the 14 he needed for the course.

 

1-9,PW,SW putter, 1,2,3,4 wood.

[wkuo3]

Some better pictures in this archived article. Can't tell if the lead was tape or poured on lead but looked more like worn out lead tape. and according to the article, this set and the other set in the USGA museum were not complete set of irons.

https://www.pgatour.com/equipmentreport/2014/03/28/ben-hogan-historic-1953-iron-set-auction.html

 

I'd imagine someone close to the Hogan family should possess Ben Hogan's personal golf clubs. There could have been many sets through his life. His own company would deliver him a new set when each model came out.

[wkuo3]

This close up of the 3 iron sure looked like a poured on lead and filed down to fit.

 

[BIG STU]

That 7 iron ? looks like it was plastered with lead tap. Such long hosel could be used for tip weights.

So assuming Mr. Hogan is not big on tip weights, to avoid the left side.

I ain't no Ben Hogan but that is why I do not like clubs slugged in the hosel as the old timers used to say. And remember anything with a long hosel is a little hosel heavy to begin with.

[wkuo3]

That 7 iron ? looks like it was plastered with lead tap. Such long hosel could be used for tip weights.

So assuming Mr. Hogan is not big on tip weights, to avoid the left side.

I ain't no Ben Hogan but that is why I do not like clubs slugged in the hosel as the old timers used to say. And remember anything with a long hosel is a little hosel heavy to begin with.

 

I think that's why the sweet spot was closer to the heel than in the middle of the club face.

I just love the look and the long leather wrap grip.

[Chris122]

+1 on old school grips especially those long cord grips that properly allow you to 'go down the shaft'.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

Not sure when they invented lead tape actually. They invented Duct tape during WW2 in the early 40’s for military purposes, so I don’t know why they couldn’t have figured out how to put lead on adhesive tape by the 50’s.

 

Maybe one of our members that is more advanced in their years than I can chime in about it.

 

People who are old enough to remember are old enough not to be able to.

[BIG STU]

Not sure when they invented lead tape actually. They invented Duct tape during WW2 in the early 40's for military purposes, so I don't know why they couldn't have figured out how to put lead on adhesive tape by the 50's.

 

Maybe one of our members that is more advanced in their years than I can chime in about it.

 

People who are old enough to remember are old enough not to be able to.

Sprinkle strikes again---- Plus remember if we are that old we probably chewed lead paint :taunt:

[wkuo3]

Not sure when they invented lead tape actually. They invented Duct tape during WW2 in the early 40's for military purposes, so I don't know why they couldn't have figured out how to put lead on adhesive tape by the 50's.

 

Maybe one of our members that is more advanced in their years than I can chime in about it.

 

People who are old enough to remember are old enough not to be able to.

 

Change of time. One of my colleague refused to use a desk top for work until maybe 5 years ago. She got around by using assistant to do the basic footwork but that cost her the wages for the helper.

She then started using the PC to play games as her daughter suggested and gradually started to use the technology for work, but she's not verse in the network connection, printers and WiFi ..... She said she's pass the age to learn new tricks. She is very good with her trade and super smart about getting along with different walks of people.

I turned around and see a bunch of older folks at work, then looked in the mirror to discover a stranger.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

Not sure when they invented lead tape actually. They invented Duct tape during WW2 in the early 40's for military purposes, so I don't know why they couldn't have figured out how to put lead on adhesive tape by the 50's.

 

Maybe one of our members that is more advanced in their years than I can chime in about it.

 

People who are old enough to remember are old enough not to be able to.

 

Change of time. One of my colleague refused to use a desk top for work until maybe 5 years ago. She got around by using assistant to do the basic footwork but that cost her the wages for the helper.

She then started using the PC to play games as her daughter suggested and gradually started to use the technology for work, but she's not verse in the network connection, printers and WiFi ..... She said she's pass the age to learn new tricks. She is very good with her trade and super smart about getting along with different walks of people.

I turned around and see a bunch of older folks at work, then looked in the mirror to discover a stranger.

 

In the past couple of years, on two separate occasions, I tried to get a drink of water out of the back doorknob (it is right next to the refrigerator). The worst part is I stood there for about twenty seconds, both times, not being able to grasp what was wrong. On the other hand, I did do a full split for the first time in my life about a month ago.

[Chris122]

....and currently auditioning for the Vienna Boys' Choir.....

[Colonel_Steelhead]

Not sure when they invented lead tape actually. They invented Duct tape during WW2 in the early 40's for military purposes, so I don't know why they couldn't have figured out how to put lead on adhesive tape by the 50's.

 

Maybe one of our members that is more advanced in their years than I can chime in about it.

 

People who are old enough to remember are old enough not to be able to.

 

Change of time. One of my colleague refused to use a desk top for work until maybe 5 years ago. She got around by using assistant to do the basic footwork but that cost her the wages for the helper.

She then started using the PC to play games as her daughter suggested and gradually started to use the technology for work, but she's not verse in the network connection, printers and WiFi ..... She said she's pass the age to learn new tricks. She is very good with her trade and super smart about getting along with different walks of people.

I turned around and see a bunch of older folks at work, then looked in the mirror to discover a stranger.

 

In the past couple of years, on two separate occasions, I tried to get a drink of water out of the back doorknob (it is right next to the refrigerator). The worst part is I stood there for about twenty seconds, both times, not being able to grasp what was wrong. On the other hand, I did do a full split for the first time in my life about a month ago.

 

Hell age aint got nothin to do with that. I'm 37 and just last weekend I got drunk and "allegedly" pissed in the trash can. I say allegedly because thats what I was accused of by the wife, for the 4th time :).

[Andrew Bond of Glencoe]

I could have bought that set about 10 years ago for $10K. I passed on it because back then only collected golf items pre-1930.

 

Not my best moment.

[mocokid]

the sweet spot is about 1/4 inch from the hosel.

[majic]

In the old days we used solder. Not sure about these.

[bl8d]

I'm just going to throw this out there, but Hogan was ticked that MacGregor would not le him play his ball of choice (Titleist) insisting he play their inferior ball .

 

the imposition of their ball was the last straw so to speak and he left soon after.

 

Maybe the lead obscuring the MacGregor name was his get back.

[wkuo3]

It may very well be the case, but I seriously doubt Mr. Hogan would cover up the MacGregor trade mark with lead , while risk changing the balance of the golf club.

All of them are big time golf equipment tinkerer, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer.................