Ben Hogan Legend Shafts?

[Pauly Walnuts]

Any information on specs?

Just picked up a set of Ben Hogan Apex blades (look like the 1973 Apex) with Legend 4 shafts. Anyone know the specs on these shafts? Have seen alot of information on the Apex shafts and how they compare to TT, Rifle, etc.., but almost no info on these shafts.

Waiting for Warmth in Chicago

[farmer]

I think those shafts are a lighter weight version of the Apex. I had a set of them in about '75, but I don't remember much about them.

[Swargo]

In the late 1970’s, a few steel shaft manufacturers attempted to decrease shaft weight even more through the combined processes of further reducing wall thickness and increasing the shaft’s diameter. The Ben Hogan Legend, a proprietary shaft first made by True Temper in 1978, as well as the True Temper’s own Kinetic brand pattern were even 1/4 oz. lighter than any other previous lightweight steel shaft. However, to make of for the decrease in strength caused by the reduction in wall thickness, both designs were produced with an extra large .700” butt diameter. The enlarged butt diameter of these shafts, some .080” larger than any previous shaft, created the need for grips with a much larger core size. In turn, these thin-walled grips provided much less than a cushion to absorb the vibration at impact, and contributed to a harsh, dead feel of the shafts. While the Hogan Co. (with the Legend) and a few other manufacturers did use the shafts for a few years, the golf industry in general did not support the design. By the early 1980’s, the large butt, lightweight shafts became a thing of the past.
Seeing the possible strength limitations in the diameter increase / wall thickness decrease type of design, combined with the clubmakers’ rejection to the large core / thin grips required by such shafts, the shaft manufacturers began to realize the path to lighter weight steel shafts. First was through a decrease in wall thickness only in the low stress areas of the shaft. Secondly, through a decrease in the weight of the steel alloys from which the shafts were made. Following the later approach, in 1977 True Temper introduced the 3.45 oz. Superlite steel shaft, which made its appeal to golfers through its very light weight coupled with a return to more a conventional size butt diameter. http://www.hirekogolf.com/media/pdf/chapter1.pdf

[Mr.I302]

[quote name='Swargo' timestamp='1376532691' post='7679072']
In the late 1970’s, a few steel shaft manufacturers attempted to decrease shaft weight even more through the combined processes of further reducing wall thickness and increasing the shaft’s diameter. The Ben Hogan Legend, a proprietary shaft first made by True Temper in 1978, as well as the True Temper’s own Kinetic brand pattern were even 1/4 oz. lighter than any other previous lightweight steel shaft. However, to make of for the decrease in strength caused by the reduction in wall thickness, both designs were produced with an extra large .700” butt diameter. The enlarged butt diameter of these shafts, some .080” larger than any previous shaft, created the need for grips with a much larger core size. In turn, these thin-walled grips provided much less than a cushion to absorb the vibration at impact, and contributed to a harsh, dead feel of the shafts. While the Hogan Co. (with the Legend) and a few other manufacturers did use the shafts for a few years, the golf industry in general did not support the design. By the early 1980’s, the large butt, lightweight shafts became a thing of the past.
Seeing the possible strength limitations in the diameter increase / wall thickness decrease type of design, combined with the clubmakers’ rejection to the large core / thin grips required by such shafts, the shaft manufacturers began to realize the path to lighter weight steel shafts. First was through a decrease in wall thickness only in the low stress areas of the shaft. Secondly, through a decrease in the weight of the steel alloys from which the shafts were made. Following the later approach, in 1977 True Temper introduced the 3.45 oz. Superlite steel shaft, which made its appeal to golfers through its very light weight coupled with a return to more a conventional size butt diameter. http://www.hirekogolf.com/media/pdf/chapter1.pdf
[/quote]

Well stated Swargo.......I remember the first time I had or regrip one of with a .580 green victory, couldn't get it on there and didn't know why. I had to call Hogan they said you had to order grips from them. I seem to remember that Hogan thought it was a way to get the shaft to flex at the same point in the shaft, just below the grip, for all the clubs.

[Acehole]

If the Legend shaft didn't appear till the late '70s, is it likely the Apex irons were made in 1973? I'd imagine the Apex shafts were on them then. I'm wondering since I see the same set online for sale, and was considering them; however, I want a 1973 set. Did you enjoy playing with them Pauly Walnuts (would you buy them again)? Does anyone know how long that design was produced -- 1973 till 19xx, and how to tell if the irons are the 1973 version? A set sold recently with Apex 4 shafts on them, perhaps that would be a better combo. Wondering if there are grips today that are made with different materials or characteristics that could be used on the Legend shaft that would deaden vibration or the harsh feel of a mishit?

[T308]

On 12/7/2019 at 7:48 AM, Acehole said:

If the Legend shaft didn't appear till the late '70s, is it likely the Apex irons were made in 1973? I'd imagine the Apex shafts were on them then. I'm wondering since I see the same set online for sale, and was considering them; however, I want a 1973 set. Did you enjoy playing with them Pauly Walnuts (would you buy them again)? Does anyone know how long that design was produced -- 1973 till 19xx, and how to tell if the irons are the 1973 version? A set sold recently with Apex 4 shafts on them, perhaps that would be a better combo. Wondering if there are grips today that are made with different materials or characteristics that could be used on the Legend shaft that would deaden vibration or the harsh feel of a mishit?

Legends were 1977-1980.  The Apex model was available in late 1972 thru 1978 when it was replaced by the Apex II White Cameo.  There are some dimensional variations from year to year and grip, shaft band, and ferrule trim ring changes, but the easiest way to identify a 1973 Apex at a glance is the assembly number.  The third digit is 5, the fourth is 2 (for 5200, the model number in the catalog).  1974s are 6200, 1975 7200, 1976 8200, 1977 9200, 1978 1200.