Vintage Gurus Advice - Hogan Equalizer

[jas904]

I recently picked up my second set of vintage irons, Apex II black cameo off of ebay.  Even though the set was 2-9 I couldn't resist because the price was right and they were in really good condition.  I knew at the time of purchase that the real challenge would be finding a PW with an Apex (preferably 4) shaft.  I search the bay on a daily basis and haven't found the right one yet.  So I ask the advise of you veteran vintage club chasers, what else should I be doing?

[Stephen8802]

Look in thrift stores. It could be you first try, or it could take a year, but you'll find something if you look in enough, especially if you can change a shaft.

 

I picked up a set of Apex IIs a few weeks ago. The 4, 7,  and wedge shafts were replacements, and the 9 iron shaft had a 4 inch extension on it and was still an inch short. So I made a few trips hunting for Apex 4 shafts from various Hogans and fixed the 4, 9, and equalizer. I picked up an extra Apex II 9 iron and wedge while I was at it as back ups. (I had to soft step an 8 iron shaft into the 9 iron, but it's close enough until I can find the right shaft). I'll play the 7 iron with the replacement shaft and keep looking for an Apex 4. 

 

If you find an equalizer with an Apex 4, you are set. If its a white cameo, just paint fill it black and you are in business. If you an find equalizer with another shaft, grab it and start looking for any Hogan wedge with an Apex 4 shaft, then swap the shafts. If you can't find the Apex 4 shaft right away, stick in a Dynamic stiff as a place holder until you find the right shaft; it isn't hard to find a stiff wedge shaft at a thrift shop.

 

If you have to swap around a shaft, the Apex IIs are pinned, but not heavily epoxied. Tap the pin out with a pin punch, heat the hosel with a heat gun, and you can probably twist off the head without much effort...heavy gloves help. To save the ferrule, wrap a wet sock around it and heat the head down low...keep trying the head so you don't over heat it and melt the ferrule. When you epoxy in the shaft, don't worry about a new pin, just use good shaft epoxy and fill the pin holes with JB steel epoxy putty. If you have done shafts before, this is pretty straight forward. If this would be your first, welcome to fun...once you start, you will want to do more.

 

I hit the Apex IIs for the first time this week...wow, what beautiful clubs. The Apex 4 shafts seem a little softer than the Dynamic stiffs I've been playing and I had a nice little draw going. The heads set up real nice and they feel great at impact. I have a split set in the bag now, Medallion 4/5/6 and Apex II 7/8/9/E. These clubs are one of life's true pleasures, you are going to love them.

[Bigarch]

One available on IronFinder  https://www.ironfinder.com/Individual-Irons/hogan/apex_ii-79.htm

[jas904]

Thanks for the replies gents. I may pick up that one on ironfinder even though it’s a S300 and swap the shaft one day. I played nine holes with them this evening (along with my Sure Out wedge) and absolutely striped them. My score was no different than with my gamers. It was so much fun. 

Edited August 21, 2020 by jas904

[raggal62]

Have the lofts and lies checked on the set and when the wedge becomes available have it adjusted to match up.

[Bigarch]

One other option is to forego the Equalizer and instead add a "Special PW" .  There are a lot of the Specials in the  Sand Iron loft out there, but they made a pitching wedge loft too.  Something else to look for and its from the same era.

[jas904]

On 8/21/2020 at 6:57 PM, Bigarch said:

One other option is to forego the Equalizer and instead add a "Special PW" .  There are a lot of the Specials in the  Sand Iron loft out there, but they made a pitching wedge loft too.  Something else to look for and its from the same era.

Thanks for the suggestion. I could do that while I continue the search.