Thrift Store find Ben Hogan Decade Irons.

[SandBaggerVance]

I don’t know much about old clubs but recently went to a thrift store and found some cool looking Ben Hogan Irons. I’ve seen some info on them but not much. They are Ben Hogan Decade 2-9 but missing the 7 iron. In some pictures I’ve seen they have striped Ferrell and these are just black. Just cleaned the rust off a bit.

Any info would be appreciated.

[HackDaddy360]

Pretty sure those are from the 70s.

I have a set very similar to those somewhere but I believe mine are Hogan Apex blades from the 70’s - been a long time since I dig them out though. Great feeling irons.

I shot the best round of my life with the Apex blades. Dropped 63 when I was ~17 with them after my dad found them at an estate sale and I took them out for fun.

who says you need modern technology ?

[Joe S]

These are remakes from 1983 of the 1973 model Apex irons. It was a collectors set to celebrate the ten year anniversary. As far as I know they are identical to the 1973's except for the "Decade" stamp and the lack of "Apex" stamped on the sole. They tend to be listed on Ebay for a much higher price than the 73's because they are more rare. I hope you can find a 7, those would be nice for a classic Hogan collection.

 

[pahogan]

My first set of blades, I got mine on eBay. They were listed as directors, was not at all disappointed when they showed up. I played them 3 or 4 years until I saw the price tag on eBay, switched them out for my Ben Hogan grinds. I really learned how to strike and feel my irons with that set. Great find!

[SandBaggerVance]

Thanks for all the info guys! What are your thoughts on regripping the clubs? The grips are pretty shot and dry rot. Should I put classic looking grips, new, or just keep the old shot ones. I am not looking to go out and play with them.

[raggal62]

I would vote for regripping with something period correct if you can locate any.

[disco111]

 

[SandBaggerVance]

Yes I saw this picture before but didn’t see the decade irons on there. That’s why I was asking about them.

[disco111]

https://www.benhoganvintage.com/shop/ben-hogan-iron-set---1983-apex-decade---2-e---new-and-extremely-rare-280p.html

[Mr_Wolfe]

In case you want that 7i. (no affiliation) RARE Ben Hogan Golf DECADE Single 7 IRON Right RH Steel Apex #4 STIFF Used SET | eBayMr. Wolfe

[grooveolator]

Thank you, disco111, for the pic! As it happens, two days ago I picked up half a set of Edge GS irons (4,7,8,9) at a thrift shop; ($7.16 for 4 forged irons? I'll do that all day!😁), now I know where they fit into the line of succession.

 

Odd thing is, even though they are Apex 3 which I take to be regular, and 1" over standard length, and I'm not a tall person, I hit them way better than my standard length reg flex Tommy Armour clones.

 

So now I need to find out more about the Apex 3 shaft flex rating, etc, because they sure hit like they are a senior flex, which is what I should be playing these days. If I shorten these 1/2" will they then play too stiff for me? I wouldn't mind finding a 6 iron to fill out the set, but I am not sure if an Apex 3 from a different set will have the same "magic"😆

I have read that the Apex 3 was basically a TT Dynalite, which are of course unavailable now.

 

Any info appreciated. Thanks

 

 

On 1/15/2020 at 7:37 AM, disco111 said:

 

 

Edited March 19, 2022 by grooveolator

[Texas Golfer]

Ironfinder.com has a 5 and 6 iron, but with an Apex 4 shaft.

[grooveolator]

There are some 6 irons on ebay. But after a day on the course today, I need to go back to the range and confirm that they are really working as well for me as they did at the range on Tuesday, because on the course today they weren't so well behaved! 🤣 Couldn't have been me! 😂😂