Honoring a (again) fallen company, VandyFan’s Hogan-heavy WITB

[vandyfan]

As I am mourning the death (again) of the Ben Hogan brand, I thought I would post my WITB which is full of clubs that have, just recently, ceased production. The first non used set of irons I ever bought were Edge CFT irons back in the early 2000s and I remember cursing Callaway when they bought Ben Hogan in 2003. Little did I know then that would be just the beginning of a long slow death march for the company. Anyway, when I came back to the game in 2019 (after 10 years away) I was looking for new clubs and I spent a year doing the one-length project which was fine but ultimately (mostly not for me). Coming out of that, I decided to have a DTC showdown between Sub 70 and New Level and Ben Hogan (with some major OEMs mixed in) and the PTxPros won on Trackman numbers. I didn’t hurt that they were stunning to look at.

 

My bag is a bit eclectic and I will admit I am a tinkerer and I like trying different approaches (potentially to my detriment). At present, I carry 12-13 clubs depending on the day and my overall confidence. I value accuracy and control over everything and that has led me to a bit of a conservative bag, in many ways.

 

Driver – Speedzone Extreme trimmed to 43.5”, 12* turned down to 11* with 14g weight (heavy) in the back.  I have experimented with a few shafts and found that I am liking the Rogue Silver 110 60g currently. I also have a Hzrdus Smoke Yellow that I struggled with for a year before giving up on. I also previously had a 9* Speedzone SZ head that I was fit into that I just don’t get along with. Currently I am enjoying the exceptionally high flight of the 11* as it feels like it just wants to go straight.

 

5W – Taylormade Sim 2 Max 18, trimmed to 42" with UST Proforce V2 shaft. I have moved from a 3W to a 4W and now a 5W and they all go about the same distance on a decent strike. I prefer the 5W as it is a bit easier for me to elevate and control.

 

4 Hybrid – Pinhawk Single Length Hybrid – 20* playing at 7 iron length. This is a hold over from the one length experiment. This is one of the best clubs in my bag and I can’t kick it out. Feels very controllable off the tee and is very easy (almost too easy) to turn over. I have tried to kick this club out of my bag multiple times but it remains. I think it cost me $85 new.

 

5 – PW – Ben Hogan PTxPro – KBS Tour 120 Stiff –  Standard L/L/L. These are beautiful clubs. Now also, at least to me, somewhat of a collector’s item since there may never be another Hogan run of clubs again (though they may come back in some iteration). I do struggle a tad with the 5 iron and have considered getting a UiHi Hogan utility to replace it but another part of me just thinks that there is plenty of forgiveness already in the PTxPro and I should just play better.

 

GW/SW – Ben Hogan Equalizer II – 50*/54* - KBS Tour 120 Stiff – Love the black finish on these and it has held up very well (these get used on hard packed Municipal courses and the finish is very resilient). Going on 25+ rounds with the 50* and 54*. The only caveat I would have with these is that the 54* is not super comfortable to lay open. They seem, to me, best suited to a full or 3/4 shot with a square address position.

 

LW – Ping Glide 4.0 S grind – This is not a club I particularly wanted or liked the look of but it fits me the best currently. Easy to open up, does well off many lies and conditions. I wanted (vanity) to have another black finished wedge but this was the best for me that I hit.

 

Putter – Seemore FGP with rosemark grip playing at 35" – a club I have had since I started playing. I have only ever gotten along with blades and I have two backup putters that are both ping ansers (30 years apart in age). Love the seemore and don’t really take it out of the bag very often. I always think I want an insert but have come to be used to the face on this seemore and I play medium to slow greens on the munis here so I need some speed coming off the putter.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2022 by vandyfan
Pics

[OnTheBag]

As another fan of their irons, I am also disappointed to see them close the doors.  The Icons are my current favorites for every day play in all conditions.  

[vandyfan]

Making some swing changes so I have moved back to a simpler bag (just 11 clubs) while I duff it around. I also cracked my driver so I am back to my 2005 Nike Sumo SQ 13* 43 inch driver. I am digging carrying an older bag (lighter) along with the trestle sticks (which are surprisingly easy to setup and move, not annoying at all). So now the setup is:

 

Driver: Nike Sumo SQ 13* - 43 inches

5 Wood: Taylormade Sim2 Max 18* (pictured but is going to timeout)

4hybrid: Pinhawk One Length 20* - 37.5 inches

6i - PW: Ben Hogan PTxPro (PW is 46*)

GW/SW: Ben Hogan Equalizer II 50*/54*

LW: Ping Glide 4.0 58*

Putter: Seemore FGP (saving up for a LAB DF 2.1)

 

 

Edited August 23, 2022 by vandyfan

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

10 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

So now the setup is:

 

Driver: Nike Sumo SQ 13* - 43 inches

5 Wood: Taylormade Sim2 Max 18* (pictured but is going to timeout)

4hybrid: Pinhawk One Length 20* - 37.5 inches

6i - PW: Ben Hogan PTxPro (PW is 46*)

GW/SW: Ben Hogan Equalizer II 50*/54*

LW: Ping Glide 4.0 58*

Putter: Seemore FGP (saving up for a LAB DF 2.1)

 

 

 

I think there's a little story here...🤣

Edited August 23, 2022 by No_Catchy_Nickname

[vandyfan]

14 minutes ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

I think there's a little story here...

 

The short version is that I have 5 different fairway wood options in my garage and none of them are usable. Safe to say it is a "me" problem and not an "equipment" problem. I suck at hitting fairway woods. regardless of profile/loft/weight etc 🤣

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

A good fairway wood is unicorn. My 4w has been in the bag the longest of all my clubs (12 years), and while I've tried other clubs for that slot in the bag, I always come back to it within a week or two. I've no pretty much given up on trying to replace it.

 

My other FW, a 7w, is an original V-steel that's been in the bag for about 5~6 years now, and won't be leaving any time soon.

[vandyfan]

1 minute ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

My 4w has been in the bag the longest of all my clubs (12 years)

 

I love that. It's like I'm sitting here talking about my five divorces and you are happily married for (in golf equipment terms) your entire life. I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU @No_Catchy_Nickname !! Just kidding, I hope it remains a fruitful relationship. I'll just be over gradually whittling my bag down to a Driver and a 7 iron. 😂

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

13 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

 

I love that. It's like I'm sitting here talking about my five divorces and you are happily married for (in golf equipment terms) your entire life. I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU @No_Catchy_Nickname !! Just kidding, I hope it remains a fruitful relationship. I'll just be over gradually whittling my bag down to a Driver and a 7 iron. 😂

 

Yeah, but I still eyeball all the sexy younger clubs and their alluring curves🤣

[BIG STU]

2 hours ago, vandyfan said:

Making some swing changes so I have moved back to a simpler bag (just 11 clubs) while I duff it around. I also cracked my driver so I am back to my 2005 Nike Sumo SQ 13* 43 inch driver. I am digging carrying an older bag (lighter) along with the trestle sticks (which are surprisingly easy to setup and move, not annoying at all). So now the setup is:

 

Driver: Nike Sumo SQ 13* - 43 inches

5 Wood: Taylormade Sim2 Max 18* (pictured but is going to timeout)

4hybrid: Pinhawk One Length 20* - 37.5 inches

6i - PW: Ben Hogan PTxPro (PW is 46*)

GW/SW: Ben Hogan Equalizer II 50*/54*

LW: Ping Glide 4.0 58*

Putter: Seemore FGP (saving up for a LAB DF 2.1)

 

 

Vandy what bag is that ? looks cool

As far as Hogan all last week I played my 54 or 55 ( depends on who you talk to) Hogan Precisions on my dew sweeper vintage rounds. That is the only full set of Hogans I own now having sold my Grinds and Cameos a while back. Now I have a plethera of Hogan wedges from all years including a 50* TK-15 and I rotate out different stuff during my vintage rounds. Basically I am a dyed in the wool Mac man but I did put a set of Aussie Blades in the vintage bag to play if it ever quits raining

[vandyfan]

Just now, BIG STU said:

Vandy what bag is that ? looks cool

 

It is a macgregor bag believe it or not! It's from the early 80s I believe (but don't quote me on that). Simple little 3 way top and weighs almost nothing. 

[BIG STU]

51 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

 

It is a macgregor bag believe it or not! It's from the early 80s I believe (but don't quote me on that). Simple little 3 way top and weighs almost nothing. 

Thanks I was looking at the pocket design and of course the color and the thought crossed my mind

[vandyfan]

Well, we have a few changes in the bag heading into the winter. Irons are 1.5 years old and going strong (some of the paint fill is naturally dissolving which I rather like). Driver head is relatively new and I moved from 12.0 degrees in the Speedzone Xtreme to 10.5 degrees in the Radspeed XB and have a cheap, $20 mid kick 75 gram shaft in it that I like. I cut it down to 44” so I added the heavier (12g) backweight and so far it is working out well. Wedges are doing well just wish I had gotten a black Ping Glide (and I still look longingly at high toe 58* wedges). Still struggling to find a good fit at the top of my bag so I only have a 4 hybrid (200-210 carry) up there between my 5 iron (185 carry) and my driver. At present I only have 12 clubs in the bag so there is room for a utility or fairway wood or super hybrid which I will explore in the offseason. Added a Lab DF 2.1 and it is working out fairly well. Finally, the aforementioned 4 hybrid is very hard to kick out of my bag despite being a very strange club (single length hybrid - 37" even though I don't play single length irons) as it is just super consistent. Testing out the new ProV1 Prototype balls (2023) as well so those may get added over my Snell MTB Blacks. 

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by vandyfan

[Wham49]

On 7/27/2022 at 9:16 AM, vandyfan said:

As I am mourning the death (again) of the Ben Hogan brand, I thought I would post my WITB which is full of clubs that have, just recently, ceased production. The first non used set of irons I ever bought were Edge CFT irons back in the early 2000s and I remember cursing Callaway when they bought Ben Hogan in 2003. Little did I know then that would be just the beginning of a long slow death march for the company. Anyway, when I came back to the game in 2019 (after 10 years away) I was looking for new clubs and I spent a year doing the one-length project which was fine but ultimately (mostly not for me). Coming out of that, I decided to have a DTC showdown between Sub 70 and New Level and Ben Hogan (with some major OEMs mixed in) and the PTxPros won on Trackman numbers. I didn’t hurt that they were stunning to look at.

 

My bag is a bit eclectic and I will admit I am a tinkerer and I like trying different approaches (potentially to my detriment). At present, I carry 12-13 clubs depending on the day and my overall confidence. I value accuracy and control over everything and that has led me to a bit of a conservative bag, in many ways.

 

Driver – Speedzone Extreme trimmed to 43.5”, 12* turned down to 11* with 14g weight (heavy) in the back.  I have experimented with a few shafts and found that I am liking the Rogue Silver 110 60g currently. I also have a Hzrdus Smoke Yellow that I struggled with for a year before giving up on. I also previously had a 9* Speedzone SZ head that I was fit into that I just don’t get along with. Currently I am enjoying the exceptionally high flight of the 11* as it feels like it just wants to go straight.

 

5W – Taylormade Sim 2 Max 18, trimmed to 42" with UST Proforce V2 shaft. I have moved from a 3W to a 4W and now a 5W and they all go about the same distance on a decent strike. I prefer the 5W as it is a bit easier for me to elevate and control.

 

4 Hybrid – Pinhawk Single Length Hybrid – 20* playing at 7 iron length. This is a hold over from the one length experiment. This is one of the best clubs in my bag and I can’t kick it out. Feels very controllable off the tee and is very easy (almost too easy) to turn over. I have tried to kick this club out of my bag multiple times but it remains. I think it cost me $85 new.

 

5 – PW – Ben Hogan PTxPro – KBS Tour 120 Stiff –  Standard L/L/L. These are beautiful clubs. Now also, at least to me, somewhat of a collector’s item since there may never be another Hogan run of clubs again (though they may come back in some iteration). I do struggle a tad with the 5 iron and have considered getting a UiHi Hogan utility to replace it but another part of me just thinks that there is plenty of forgiveness already in the PTxPro and I should just play better.

 

GW/SW – Ben Hogan Equalizer II – 50*/54* - KBS Tour 120 Stiff – Love the black finish on these and it has held up very well (these get used on hard packed Municipal courses and the finish is very resilient). Going on 25+ rounds with the 50* and 54*. The only caveat I would have with these is that the 54* is not super comfortable to lay open. They seem, to me, best suited to a full or 3/4 shot with a square address position.

 

LW – Ping Glide 4.0 S grind – This is not a club I particularly wanted or liked the look of but it fits me the best currently. Easy to open up, does well off many lies and conditions. I wanted (vanity) to have another black finished wedge but this was the best for me that I hit.

 

Putter – Seemore FGP with rosemark grip playing at 35" – a club I have had since I started playing. I have only ever gotten along with blades and I have two backup putters that are both ping ansers (30 years apart in age). Love the seemore and don’t really take it out of the bag very often. I always think I want an insert but have come to be used to the face on this seemore and I play medium to slow greens on the munis here so I need some speed coming off the putter.

 

 

love to see the seemore

[vandyfan]

A little winter update, playing with eye 2s now (4-W) and just using 11 clubs. Should be fun! 

 

 

[vandyfan]

Well, had a substantial top end of the bag change and now we are firmly "Team Mizuno" for the Driver, 3Hybrid and Utility Iron. The Hogan irons have been safely in the bag (barring the occasional dailliance with the Ping Eye 2 BeCus) for 2.5 years BUT I have ordered a test Maltby TE+ 4 DBM 7 iron that might threaten them over the winter. 

 

Up to 13 clubs so still have room for one more but I can't, for the life of me, see a benefit to adding another club at the moment. 

 

In: Mizuno ST-Z 230 9.5*, Mizuno ST-Z 230 19* Hybrid, Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 21.5*
Out: Cobra Radspeed XB 10.5*, Callaway Rogue ST Max 18* Hybrid and Callaway Apex UT 21*

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by vandyfan

[vandyfan]

No longer honoring Ben Hogan (at the moment), just got 5-GW in TS1-IM with FST 125 shafts. Haven’t played a round with them yet but really liked the 7 iron. Also, I have been struggling out of the soft soft sand lately so I had to dig in my closet for the smart sole. Not much to look at but very effective out of the soft bunkers so far. Kind of screws up the aesthetic though…

 

[NotoM]

23 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

No longer honoring Ben Hogan (at the moment), just got 5-GW in TS1-IM with FST 125 shafts. Haven’t played a round with them yet but really liked the 7 iron. Also, I have been struggling out of the soft soft sand lately so I had to dig in my closet for the smart sole. Not much to look at but very effective out of the soft bunkers so far. Kind of screws up the aesthetic though…

 

I’m playing the original TS-1’s. The IM’s look great and if they are an improvement on the original they must be good. Bag looks awesome.