Another hogan opinion poll…….😬

[mbwannab]

Hello everyone, 

So this past year I have been getting into older clubs and also have discovered after many years playing golf that I LOVE blades. I wish I had done some experimenting years ago to find that out, but, such is life….. I love the look of blades, so much so that I can hardly stand any sort of cavity anymore,unless it looks really good😜. I love the feel of a well struck shot, and I could go on and on but this has been stated in so many terms many times on this site so I won’t waste anymore of your time.

 

Here’s what I would like your opinion on, I don’t have a nice set of hogan blades yet in my collection. I have a set of the edge but, IMHO, they are not blades. Is there any of the hogan blades that you would target first as far as being the “total package” (looks, feel, whatever else you want to add)? Also, is there any you would avoid? I know looks are subjective, but sometimes things look a little different in hand. I do like a more compact blade heel to toe.

 

I’m looking pre-1999 also, I know everyone loves those, but they will find a way into my home sooner or later anyway 😝.

 

Thanks for your insight!

[OnTheBag]

I'm a Ben Hogan fan and have been for a long time.  It rivals my life long love affair with Ping clubs.  IMHO, the greatest all around Hogan irons are the '99 Apex.  But if you're looking for classics, I would suggest the '71 or '72 Apex irons.  Someone with a better memory than me, can give you the correct year, but they were choice blades.  I had a hand-me-down set in the late '70s.  

 

Stu or one of the other aficionado's will have better info.  I was a classic player, but was never a club guru.  If I hit them well, they stayed in my bag.  If not, they were quickly sold.

[Foozle]

3 hours ago, mbwannab said:

Hello everyone, 

So this past year I have been getting into older clubs and also have discovered after many years playing golf that I LOVE blades. I wish I had done some experimenting years ago to find that out, but, such is life….. I love the look of blades, so much so that I can hardly stand any sort of cavity anymore,unless it looks really good😜. I love the feel of a well struck shot, and I could go on and on but this has been stated in so many terms many times on this site so I won’t waste anymore of your time.

 

Here’s what I would like your opinion on, I don’t have a nice set of hogan blades yet in my collection. I have a set of the edge but, IMHO, they are not blades. Is there any of the hogan blades that you would target first as far as being the “total package” (looks, feel, whatever else you want to add)? Also, is there any you would avoid? I know looks are subjective, but sometimes things look a little different in hand. I do like a more compact blade heel to toe.

 

I’m looking pre-1999 also, I know everyone loves those, but they will find a way into my home sooner or later anyway 😝.

 

Thanks for your insight!

I think I have around 15 sets of Hogan blades in my collection, all pre 1990. 

If you want absolute classic then you need to be looking at '50's Precision models but these can be expensive. The '59 Sabre or Starburst model on which I believe later Personal models are based represent a slight tweak on Precisions making them a little more compact and absolutely stunning to look at. However, from a playability point of view these very early Hogan's lack any form of bounce and turf interaction can be axe like! I think the name "Precision" relates to the skill level required!

I have been playing '88 Redlines for a few seasons and think these offer an excellent compromise between classic blade shape, looks and playability.

However,as OnTheBag suggests, many peoples vision of a classic Hogan blade are the '70's Apex. I personally would avoid the '72 model where the muscle pad was moved up the face and find the '73-76 Apex a better all round set.

Whatever you go for, you will not regret it and will enjoy playing with them.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

With regard to the early Apexes, as @Foozle said, the '73s ('73-'76) are probably easier than the '72s. I say "probably" because I only have experience with the '72s. If your game is on, then they are beautiful irons, but they are not the easiest irons to hit as they feature a reverse muscle in the shorter irons (not sure where the transition starts).

The '73s have more weight down low, which should make them easier to play. 

 

I like the look of my '72s, but if I'm not feeling good about my swing, they won't go in the bag.

[mbwannab]

I do like the look of the ‘72’s, also the precisions but they are way too expensive for me. (The bounce on those precisions reminds me of the powerbilt levelume sole! Even though I never played them, just from pics) I guess I lean towards straight lines on my musclebacks. But I also like the redlines. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 
Has anyone played the BH Grinds? I like the square toe and wondered what their feel/playability was like. Thank you!

 

p.s.- keep the responses coming! I’m learning so much in my time on this site  🙏 

[MrFlipper]

What a fun subject.

 

Biggest question is are you looking to put them on a wall or play them.

 

For me, I look to play, the models before apex shafts are too heavy for me now. So I look from 69 bounce soles forward. Tried those clubs, tried round soles, newer bounce soles, ended up playing the 71 bounce soles a lot (practically the same head as 72 apex). But getting older, can't elevate those long irons anymore, so I'm sticking with the 73 apex, maybe the easiest to elevate, remarkably low center of gravity.

 

No experience with early directors, cameos, pcs, BH grinds, or redlines.

 

I'd suggest the 73 apex design for your first set, then branch out from there, as noted above. You can get a decent set surprisingly cheaply.

 

Supposedly, the 62 power thrusts were the last clubs Mr. Hogan personally designed, the 94 channelbacks were the last ones he was involved with, and when he died he had white cameos in his bag. So that may or may not effect your decision as well.

 

And the trip down the rabbit hole commences for you...

[mbwannab]

No I don’t necessarily “display” them, I just have to put them in spots where my wife doesn’t have to look at them 😂. I prefer to play everything. If I had to choose on looks, I would pick the ‘72 over the ‘73 but not by much. I’m not afraid to play blades as I have a few sets already, so having a small sweet spot just intrigues me to play them and find out for myself🤷🏼‍♂️😂. I actually shy away from the cameos as I hear they are a little longer profile blade😒. 

[Foozle]

4 hours ago, mbwannab said:

I do like the look of the ‘72’s, also the precisions but they are way too expensive for me. (The bounce on those precisions reminds me of the powerbilt levelume sole! Even though I never played them, just from pics) I guess I lean towards straight lines on my musclebacks. But I also like the redlines. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 
Has anyone played the BH Grinds? I like the square toe and wondered what their feel/playability was like. Thank you!

 

p.s.- keep the responses coming! I’m learning so much in my time on this site  🙏 

I have a set of BH Grinds, they were my first and most modern set of Hogan's.

Owning a set of Hogan blades had been a dream of mine since my teens but took over 30 years to realise! I went for Grinds as I read somewhere they were closest to Mr Hogan's preferred  grind - I think I know differently now. Anyway you can imagine to anticipation and excitement of playing them......and the disappointment! They just felt dead off the face and lacked the feel and pureness I was expecting. Please do not let that put you off as someone had put a set of s300's in mine and whilst that is a shaft I normally like, I much prefer the Apex shaft that they probably had originally 

I don't have '62 Powerthrusts but do have '61's and prefer the '59 Starbursts to those. The '63 IPT's are sweet and worth a try if you can find a set.

The elephant in the room are '84 PC's which come with a reputation for bring difficult which I personally don't think they deserve. My issue with those is a micro dot nitrous button set somewhere in the face which, if detonated, will slingshot the ball 20% further than intended! Again, please don't be afraid to try them.

Experimenting is all part of the fun and joy, you will sometimes be surprised by what works for you. 

[mbwannab]

I have complete or partial sets of these……so far 😉

[mbwannab]

Just now, mbwannab said:

I have complete or partial sets of these……so far 😉

Minus the hogan edge’s which are at my dads house right now

[mbwannab]

6 minutes ago, Foozle said:

 

The elephant in the room are '84 PC's which come with a reputation for bring difficult which I personally don't think they deserve. My issue with those is a micro dot nitrous button set somewhere in the face which, if detonated, will slingshot the ball 20% further than intended! Again, please don't be afraid to try them.

 

Which is probably why they are easy to find on the Bay and not too expensive 😂 

[raggal62]

4 minutes ago, mbwannab said:

Which is probably why they are easy to find on the Bay and not too expensive 😂 

I need an "every shot" nitrous button.

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

I'll second the old Apexes ('73; Redlines), and they can all be had if you're patient on eBay.  The challenge is waiting for a set that's in good playable condition.

 

To go in a different direction, I'll throw out the original ('83) Radials.  They are the big booty girl that Sir Mix-a-Lot goes on and on about, but are likely going to be cheaper than Apexes if you just want to get your feet wet, and still play like a blade, albeit a lower COG, high launching one.  Very good turf interaction, very playable, still buttery when struck well.  I find them to be a joy to hit.

[Foozle]

51 minutes ago, raggal62 said:

I need an "every shot" nitrous button.

My swing is easily good enough to find the nitrous button on every shot. However I deliberately like to use "all the face" (and occasionally the hosel) so I wear my clubs out evenly. 

That's my story and I am sticking to it! 🤣

[mbwannab]

I’ve heard that about radials before, I just can’t stand how…..um…. “Big-booty” they are 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[mbwannab]

1 minute ago, Foozle said:

My swing is easily good enough to find the nitrous button on every shot. However I deliberately like to use "all the face" (and occasionally the hosel) so I wear my clubs out evenly. 

That's my story and I am sticking to it! 🤣

Right! I mean what good is a club if you aren’t going to use “all” of it 😂😂😂

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

8 minutes ago, mbwannab said:

I’ve heard that about radials before, I just can’t stand how…..um…. “Big-booty” they are 🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

I get it.  Everybody wants to have standards when it comes to looks.  For my money, the Redlines are the peak of sexy (looks are subjective).  But when the bar is closing in 10 minutes and it's a choice between the big booty girl or a night alone, the Radials will treat you to a good time.

 

In seriousness, though, you could look at the (early 80s) Directors for a similar look but a sleeker body.  It's actually sort of cool to see the direction that Hogan was going with their clubs from 70s Directors >>> 80s Directors >>>>> Radials before those jerks at Ping came along with their silly cavity backs...

Edited February 6, 2022 by Poor Mans Ty Webb

[OnTheBag]

Thanks for the pickup @Foozle.  It was the '73's I was thinking about.  The '71s had a bounce sole or something like that.  '72 did move the COG higher on the club.  

 

I played a set of '73's from the late 70's when I got them till I picked up my Eye 2's in 1985.  

 

Great thread.  Lots of fun reminiscing.  

[Nard_S]

I really love the '92-'94 FT Worth's. Last set released with big guy still there. They are gorgeous in the flesh. Somewhat muscley & boxy which is a bit of departure, I have a set, they're so pretty I don't play them. The pix is from an old listing but mine look the same. 

Edited February 6, 2022 by Nard_S

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

I still regret passing up on a listing for a Radial 1i. With all that weight down lowbooty, I reckoned it should be relatively easy to get airborne, but someone got it just before me.

[Swingingk]

4 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

I still regret passing up on a listing for a Radial 1i. With all that weight down lowbooty, I reckoned it should be relatively easy to get airborne, but someone got it just before me.

You're right about that.  I've got one and it's by far the easiest to play 1-iron I've ever used.  I'm not scared of it at all!  😁

 

I'm a tiny blade fan through and through but I must admit the Radials play really well.  They come in two styles:  early forged and later cast.  Strangely enough the later cast model is much better.  The big flanged sole is much more pronounced on the short irons in the early model and doesn't play as nice as the later model which has a less obviously wide sole in the shorter irons.  The long irons still have the extra wide sole in both sets which helps get the ball in the air, but the later models have more "normal" short irons which I like better.  For me there was no feel difference between the forged and cast. 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

1 hour ago, Swingingk said:

You're right about that.  I've got one and it's by far the easiest to play 1-iron I've ever used.  I'm not scared of it at all!  😁

 

I'm a tiny blade fan through and through but I must admit the Radials play really well.  They come in two styles:  early forged and later cast.  Strangely enough the later cast model is much better.  The big flanged sole is much more pronounced on the short irons in the early model and doesn't play as nice as the later model which has a less obviously wide sole in the shorter irons.  The long irons still have the extra wide sole in both sets which helps get the ball in the air, but the later models have more "normal" short irons which I like better.  For me there was no feel difference between the forged and cast. 

 

I didn't know there were two versions, though I do remembering looking at a set up for auction and thinking it looked cast. Not sure what made me think that, though.

[mbwannab]

7 hours ago, Swingingk said:

You're right about that.  I've got one and it's by far the easiest to play 1-iron I've ever used.  I'm not scared of it at all!  😁

 

I'm a tiny blade fan through and through but I must admit the Radials play really well.  They come in two styles:  early forged and later cast.  Strangely enough the later cast model is much better.  The big flanged sole is much more pronounced on the short irons in the early model and doesn't play as nice as the later model which has a less obviously wide sole in the shorter irons.  The long irons still have the extra wide sole in both sets which helps get the ball in the air, but the later models have more "normal" short irons which I like better.  For me there was no feel difference between the forged and cast. 

Do you have pics of both models?

[weakputt]

Redlines would be my vote.

[Swingingk]

12 hours ago, mbwannab said:

Do you have pics of both models?

I think I might but I'll have to look back in my archives.  At one time I thought about posting a thread about the differences and took side-by-side comparison shots but for one reason or another never did post them.  I didn't really like the earlier model set and sold them off some time ago although I did keep the 1 and 2 irons.  I'll check the computer and get back to you.

[Swingingk]

Success!  I found my archived data.  Turns out I'm not just a club ho but a picture ho too.  Haha

 

Through my various acquisitions over the years combined with data gathered from multiple threads and conversations here on wrx, I have gathered these observations.  Some are factual (actual pictures) and some anecdotal:

 

There were at least two variations of the Radial iron offered by the Hogan company but I'll defer to calling them "early" and "late".  The early versions were supposedly forged where the later ones were cast.  The early versions had a very pronounced "booty", ie: a rather obvious very low muscle bulge and corresponding wide sole which was very round and bouncey.  This is where the name came from Radial or "radius".  This wide sole and extremely low muscle protrusion is similar for each iron throughout the set.  

In the second or late variation the pronounced muscle bulge and wide sole are similar in the long irons but begin to ease back and become less and less obvious from the 7 through Equalizer (pw) to the point where the shortest irons look quite normal as compared to other irons.  Upon observation with side-by-side comparison one can see clearly the differences in overall shape of the head and design of the muscle in the short irons.  These differences can be hard to see in individual irons but luckily there is a dead giveaway between these models - the later model has a line under the Radial stamping on the sole of the club as can be seen in the pictures. 

Through play I have personally found that the later versions are much more playable than the early type.  The Hogan company must have realized that there were shortfalls in the early design and released a better one in the later design.  Many of us lean heavily toward forged irons vs. cast and I am this way too, but in this case I would definitely recommend the later cast model with the line under the sole stamp.  

 

Note the obvious difference in head shape between versions:  (Wilson Button-back for contrast)

[Jiggered]

Nice study @Swingingk, checking my Hogan years chart I see that the first Radial came out in 1983 but I remember others too from around that time, Wilson for instance.

Do you know who was the first to start the trend?

[Foozle]

1 hour ago, Jiggered said:

Nice study @Swingingk, checking my Hogan years chart I see that the first Radial came out in 1983 but I remember others too from around that time, Wilson for instance.

Do you know who was the first to start the trend?

I have a set of Walter Hagen Contour Soles from, I believe, 1968 with a very similar sole profile to the early Radial Sole. No pictures immediately to hand but will see if I can dig some out.

[mbwannab]

Wow thanks for that research swingingk! Yes the later model looks more like something I would be willing to put in the bag. I think I will be looking for a set of these at the right price.

Also, thanks for the suggestion Poor Man, looks like I might be taking them out for a night on the town after all. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[Swingingk]

5 hours ago, Jiggered said:

Nice study @Swingingk, checking my Hogan years chart I see that the first Radial came out in 1983 but I remember others too from around that time, Wilson for instance.

Do you know who was the first to start the trend?

Thanks Jiggered.  I don't know who started it but as Foozle mentioned there are various examples over the years.  I have seen a Northwestern model from the 80's that is almost identical to the Radials.