Apex 3 shafts equivalent?

[richjh]

Right folks I love Ben Hogan Apex 3 shafts, what are the modern day equivalent or as close as possible!

[Yacho]

Also one of my favorites. I haven't found anything that feels exactly like the Apex shafts (though my experience is fairly limited), but I can tell you that they are 107g installed when cut to standard length.  Russ Ryden over at golfshaftreviews profiled the Apex 4 (stiff) awhile back and came up with the TT xp105 hardstepped x2 to be similar, though i haven't tried this. Presumably, to match the Apex 3 (reg flex) you would soft-step.  The weight however, would be slightly different. 

 

 

 

[Yacho]

Also of note is the year of the Apex 3 you are using as a reference. Earlier versions were made by Brunswick while later versions were produced by Royal Precision.  In my opinion, the profiles felt very similar between the two with the Brunswicks playing a shade stiffer than the more recent Precisions. (Both labeled Apex 3, btw)

[richjh]

Thanks, I've got two sets of Apex 4's (FTX and Apex Edge) that don't feel overly stiff but I get on better with Apex 3's in my Radials (current gamers) and Magnums.

My swing speed is only 80- 85mph so the Apex 3's feel easier to swing. Still not sure which modern shafts come close to them!

[Yacho]

Honestly, your best bet is to get yourself another full set of used irons with Apex 3's and just pull them apart and swap the 4's with the 3's.  A little more work, but it's probably the cheapest option and you'll get exactly what you want in the end.  Good candidates are anything that isnt pinned at the hosel.  1990ish Hogan Edge (not Apex Edge) sets are cheap and prevalent, and should get you covered for less than $10/shaft.

[NRJyzr]

On 5/7/2024 at 3:39 PM, Yacho said:

Also of note is the year of the Apex 3 you are using as a reference. Earlier versions were made by Brunswick while later versions were produced by Royal Precision.  In my opinion, the profiles felt very similar between the two with the Brunswicks playing a shade stiffer than the more recent Precisions. (Both labeled Apex 3, btw)

 

Did you mean to say "True Temper" instead of "Royal Precision"?  The last generation of the Apex was largely considered to be a Dynalite shaft.  And, Brunswick was largely synonymous with Royal Precision, in terms of shaft production anyway.  (don't think RP got involved in bowling equipment)

 

[Yacho]

I've seen the comparisons to the Dynalite in other threads, have tried them, and disagree that they are similar in feel to the Apex 3's I have used. Though, I never had a set of 2000 Apex Plus, which, by this chart, is the only iron set that TT has touched for Hogan.

 

 

Also, the Brunswick reference should be stated as AMF/Brunswick.  Here's a good read for Hogan shaft stuff:

 

 

Edited May 9 by Yacho

[NRJyzr]

2 minutes ago, Yacho said:

Though, I never had a set of 2000 Apex Plus, which, by this chart, is the only iron set that TT has touched for Hogan.

 

That's when the Apex switched to TT, that point forward.  Which was only a few years, obviously...

 

[Yacho]

Or literally, 1 model? 

 

Who knows...  seems strange, but it IS the golf industry. 😄

[@_the_crook]

FWIW,

I've found the DGR300's to be a close match. I play those in my RAMs and the Apex 3's in the Edge GS and AEPros.

also found that an Apex4 shaft in my PW performs better than the Apex3.

 

every player is different in terms of SS and swing type. YMMV.

 

[richjh]

Yeah I can manage the Apex 4's up to 8 iron in my FTX's and ideally 7-3 iron in Apex 3's! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@_the_crook]

Was comparing two Apex Edge GS PW's. Top one is Apex 3, lower is Apex 4. The step pattern is identical BUT the Apex 4 has the first step about 1 1\2 inches lower than the 3. Is this is just a trimming difference that affects flex?

Edited May 11 by @_the_crook
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[MrFlipper]

On 5/11/2024 at 10:52 AM, @_the_crook said:

Was comparing two Apex Edge GS PW's. Top one is Apex 3, lower is Apex 4. The step pattern is identical BUT the Apex 4 has the first step about 1 1\2 inches lower than the 3. Is this is just a trimming difference that affects flex?

This has been my understanding since it was noted in a post on this forum years (decades?) ago, that they are the same shaft with Apex4s tipped one step more than Apex3s.

 

I have way too many sets of Hogans in both shafts. This has anecdotally always been the case in my particular clubs, beginning at least with 1971 bounce soles.

[@_the_crook]

2 hours ago, MrFlipper said:

This has been my understanding since it was noted in a post on this forum years (decades?) ago, that they are the same shaft with Apex4s tipped one step more than Apex3s.

 

I have way too many sets of Hogans in both shafts. This has anecdotally always been the case in my particular clubs, beginning at least with 1971 bounce soles.

 

@MrFlipper

from the OEM viewpoint, this makes a lot of sense.

I've mixed a few Apex 4's into my Hogan bag.

there are times they feel more reliable than the 3's.

 

Thanks for your comment.