2020 Ben Hogan Icon blades

[dmeeksDC]

Were you able to confirm the hosel diameter and whether the factory shafts are parallels?

[3_Jack_Par]

They're .355 tapered. https://benhogangolf.com/pages/technical-questions

[dmeeksDC]

I would have no performance complaints about a full set with the co-forged scoring irons (I was an early fan of the innovative MP59), I just always have enjoyed the feel of a muscleback.

Did another session last night with the PTX Pro 6 and 9 irons and it was just like the first. Very nice irons. I like the look from address. Ball feels great off the face, they’re precise yet the distance is solid and spIn is in range. Hit several knockdowns with both clubs, not a problem. I definitely would go with the Tour V stiff. I started getting used to these heads and getting a little more ballspeed, and the Tour 90 stiff was feeling a little loose.

Still, those Icon short irons look so good. Nice to see Ian on the TXG review raving about the wedge.

[RobotDoctor]

This question was answered on the first page. Yes, these are taper tip bore, per the Ben Hogan company.

[CC Stryder]

Three rounds in and there is no doubt I love everything about these sticks! If anyone is on the fence, do it. Love these Hogan’s!

[The Big Pinch]

 

No more fancy packaging ?. No protective cushioning either though ?

[shanksgiving]

Mine are on order. That is disappointing to see.

[RobotDoctor]

No, these are not as well packaged as the '99 Apex blades were. The box isn't as fancy nor is there foam for added isolation and protection. That said, I care more of the contents of the box than the box. Also, the irons are individually wrapped in a plastic bag and fit snug enough to come in without any impact marks. I had no issues with the Icons I received. Also, the price was outstanding so I'm certainly not complaining.

[The Big Pinch]

You can't tell from the photo but there was a fairly pronounced dent in the middle of the box, as I opened it I was sure that there was going to be some shaft damage. Thankfully there was none. For north of $700 I still think the nice packaging that the clubs shipped in until recently is not too much to ask for. Just my opinion.

[golfaddict1015]

Has anybody else had this experience with the packaging?

[RobotDoctor]

This is not an issue related to the box. I still have my box and it is not cheap corrugate. A bent box is due to improper handling by the shipping company, not the Ben Hogan Company. That is unfortunate that your box had a bend in it. It is very fortunate that the irons came out ok.

[Nixhex524]

Are the Icons basically the same thing as the Ft Worths when it comes to forgivness? I had the FW black and I was a little more concerned with the longer irons... I kind of want to go straight Icons, but the idea of a little forgiveness up top is nice, also prefer the black so I am kind of torn... Not playing the best golf of my life right now, but if the 4 and 5 irons aren't too punishing, I would pull the trigger on the full Icon set.... input?

[Nixhex524]

Ordered some demo clubs today, Icons with S300 and some PTx Pros with Tour V 120. I am pretty sure the Tour V 110 is the right shaft for me but really want to see these in hand and get a feel for forgiveness. How long are the demo clubs taking to arrive these days?

[3_Jack_Par]

I ordered demo clubs on May 22nd and they were delivered on May 30th

[dmeeksDC]

This will be a worthy test. Look forward to hearing how you like both heads. I have been surprised at how easy the PTX Pro 6 iron is to hit and how good it sounds. Doesn’t seem like a hollow iron. It is compact too. The 9 is a lot like an MP59 in feel, IMO, and I really enjoyed the 59.

The Icon head is a beauty. If it can deliver similar playability to the PTX Pro due to its blade on blade design, that is big.

You could have a huge influence on me. Again.

[Nixhex524]

I'll let you know, Dave. My buddy has a set of Icons and LOVES them, but hes a scratch golfer. If they are a little more forgiving than the Ft Worths, then I may go full Icon. But the PTx pros definitely have my interest.

[CC Stryder]

For what it’s worth, I’m playing off an 8 on 18 holes getting out about 9 holes per week (with the occasional weekend round) with zero range time due to kids/job/life. I’ve always been a good ball striker and scrambling is probably the best part of my game. I generally don’t post many birdies nor many doubles - steady stream of pars and bogeys.

I have not found the icons to be terribly demanding at all, at least in the 8-P. I’ve missed some and the results were on par with my MP20 MMC. I could probably play the Icons lower but the PTx pro are plenty sweet so no need. They feel and sound very solid, not hollow. I also haven’t found them springy, just a bit higher launching which is great for me in lower irons. I have also not noticed a gap between the 7 and 8 where they break. 7 iron is 165ish and 8 is 155ish.

I really like the combo set because the icons are so beautiful and perfect at address but I could just as easily have gone all PTx Pro in black...

The UiHi while easy to hit I haven’t gotten along with yet and wish I went PTx pro. I emailed Hogan and they won’t sell me an individual iron, so I’m stuck there and disappointed quite a bit. If someone wants to trade a UiHi 4 for a PTx Pro, let me know!

I stripped the paint fill everywhere but the BH burst and they look even better!

 

 

 

[shanksgiving]

I plan on removing the paint from the icon lettering when mine arrive. Thanks for showing this.

[golfaddict1015]

What would you recommend between the Ben hogan ptx pro and the Wilson d7 forged?

[BCULAW]

How do these compare in size to other blades currently on the market?

[awtryau89]

To my eyes, they are a bit more compact than MP20s.

[CC Stryder]

I’d agree with Awtryau - they are a little more squat than the MP20. Same with the PTx vs the MMC. They look similar to my friends MB2s in size, maybe a touch smaller. I’ll take a closer look when we play next.

[BCULAW]

Thanks, guys. I like a very compact blade. Not put off by something the size of the MP20, but I generally don't want it much larger. Playing blueprints right now and would be curious to try these if they fit in a similar category.

[RobotDoctor]

I play a full set of Icons and really like them. I don't find them especially hard to hit, even the 4 and 5 irons. I reshafted them with Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 stiff shafts and there night and day better than the KBS V Tour stiff shafts that came with it. That could be my preference of shafts and nothing to do with KBS. That said, the only issue I am having is the distance gap of the 4 and 5 compared to a 3, 4 and 5 from my 1999 Apex blades. I don[t think it is a huge issue but I have had a handful of shots where the 4 iron was just a little short of the distance the 3 iron gave me or I've been between clubs with the 4 and 5. That said I have added a fourth wedge in my bag which should be better for scoring. Time will tell. Overall, I think the Icons are terrific irons and love the size, minimal offset, V-sole and the turf interaction. For the price these are a great buy.

[golfaddict1015]

how do the icon irons compare to mizuno irons?

[CC Stryder]

Interesting, I really want a combo set of blueprints - how do you like them?I agree with everything here except I find the tour V to be one of my favorite KBS offerings. They work for me time and time again!Every bit their equal.

[Nixhex524]

Got my demo irons today, PTx with Tour V 120 and the Icons with S300. Have only hit balls in my backyard net but I am already loving these irons. I prefer the looks of the Icons but the PTx seem to be super friendly and the face feels hot. Dont know if that's down to the shaft or what but I'd consider myself more of a stiff shaft.. the V 120x feels fantastic though and I am looking forward to getting them outside to see ball flights. I could probably game either one but the combo set seems to make the most sense... the PTx 9i does look a little too scoopy for my taste but it feels fantastic. Overall these irons are beautiful and feel every bit as good as they look... once I can nail down a shaft I'll be pulling the trigger. Here's a couple pics I took...

[golfaddict1015]

Would be nice if Ben Hogan released the ptx / icon combo set in black as well

[BCULAW]

I like the blueprints. They are not quite dialed in for lie angle, but they are very nice. Firm, but muted feel and they look great at address. I am an iron junkie, though, so I'm always looking for the "next" set.

[CC Stryder]

I had the first PTx for a full season and loved them so when the Pro dropped I was about to order but thought “maybe they’ll make them in black.” An email to Hogan got the response, “I cannot confirm, wait and see.” A month later, they released the black.

I did the same for the combos and this got “we have no intention of releasing the combo sets in black.” Which seems odd given they have both the PTx Pro and the Icons already made in black...

That said, if they do I’m selling the satins to buy the blacks! ?