Rackmageddon -- a Hogan iron story

[gettingworse]

[quote name='Blade Junkie' timestamp='1367343907' post='6944895']
@gettingworse ... where in UK do you play ?

@freddiec - nice anecdote! Did you sell him those MP60s, and one of your surplus Texans ?
[/quote]

Just moved back to the Midlands from the South of England.so been nomadic over the Winter. Will be joining Stratford Oaks/The Warwickshire/Ingon Manor in the next few weeks. Was a member of a club in Hampshire for many years but 125 miles is a little far for me on a Sunday morning!

When I originally bought my slazenger hogans i had a couple of old spare clubs which came as extras. Noticed that there are a couple of people with missing clubs in their sets, so if anyone has the set that this exploder belongs to I will send it to them for the price of the postage.
Not sure exactly what it is, maybe similar to the power thrusts and IPT models. Stamped slazenger exploder on the sole and the blue red blue lines and the gold hogan starburst on the back.Let me know if anyone can make use of this,

[golfmj228]

WOW and I thought the 4 sets of Hogans I have boxed up were a little uncontrollable! Great collection...I hope to get close to that someday.

[lonestar48]

[attachment=1742136:June 20, 2013 039.JPG][attachment=1742138:June 20, 2013 040.JPG][attachment=1742142:June 20, 2013 041.JPG][attachment=1742144:June 20, 2013 042.JPG][attachment=1742146:June 20, 2013 043.JPG][attachment=1742148:June 20, 2013 044.JPG]I made a couple of posts earlier but have now found the thread I need! I have a set of 1960 Power Thrusts, Serial # 022763. Does anybody know how to look up these serial numbers to get any more information about all these great clubs? What about inside information on the club designer/builders themselves (including personal anecdotes of Mr. Hogan's influence). This would make for a great read!

[rex235]

[quote name='teevons' timestamp='1362640073' post='6562505']
Though I know they're post-'93, I also like the Jeff Sheets-designed Apex 99s very much!



so does Langer!!
[/quote]

Guisician/Tim-

Ben Hogan offered very few of these models LH (no channelbacks?), but there are the 1+, Apex, Apex IIs, and Apex Plus....

[guisician]

Hey all,

Been swamped at work (not complaining; as a musician, you take it as it comes) and barely on the forums, but wanted to get back in the saddle so here goes:

10. 1965-66 Percussion Center, 3 in. hosel, ser # V41653, TT Ben Hogan R-flex, Lamkin Sure Tac Classic grips (2 - E)

These were a pretty good rescue-from-rust by the original owner. I'm a bit fonder of what comes before and after these in the line; somehow,the 6-iron was hiding in another bag and wouldn't be photographed!

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[russad]

Great to have you back, I've been wondering what happened to you and I'm glad that it all is good. This model has a nice shape, I'm surprised with the amount of rust on the heads that the shafts look so good. Thanks for continuing this great post.

[Froth]

...WOW, Impressive collections.

 

Now, do any of you have a Set matched to the Bag! '74 Director's in BH Bag including my favorite club of the set the Equalizer.

Not sure if the headcovers are original, have no woods...the poms on the top exploded when I touched the headcovers haha.

 

I feel good knowing they are resting where they were in '74, that same Bag.

 

Pics.

 

BH Bag zip pulls

Full shot in all it's 70's glory.

'74 Directors, Some are just heads in one of the bag pockets. These were my first clubs EVER, have been shafted many times.

Close up of my favorite, the Equalizer.

 

I have a Spare '74 Director 6 iron with shaft for free(pay postage!) to a good home to complete a set. Also have a '74 Director 7 Iron head ONLY, Original shaft snapped off at hosel Free to a good home that pays shipping to complete a set.

 

Cheers! Lets see some more Hogans!!!

[notsohard]

totally awesome.

[dpark]

Great Hogan sets! Glad to know that I am not the only one with a "problem".

[pdgolferman]

Interesting that iron sets comprised of eight clubs, 2 to 9
Dated April, 1954.

[attachment=1831712:HoganApr1954a.png]
[attachment=1831716:HoganApr1954b.png]

[Blade Junkie]

Anyone know why the PW was called the E (Equaliser) in Hogan sets ?

I asume this started with the very first set ? if not, anyone know when it came in ?

If anyone has a Slazenger Hogan Precision Equaliser/PW they don't want I would be very interested (my set is 2-9)

[scott_Donald]

born in 1980 and own 1979 and 1999 hogans...

both sets in awesome condition and wouldn't sell either... did love to play the 99's

[pdgolferman]

[quote name='Blade Junkie' timestamp='1376383297' post='7666106']
Anyone know why the PW was called the E (Equaliser) in Hogan sets ?

I asume this started with the very first set ? if not, anyone know when it came in ?

If anyone has a Slazenger Hogan Precision Equaliser/PW they don't want I would be very interested (my set is 2-9)
[/quote]

I have an Exploder head going spare....Later model StarBurst variant though and a wee bit on the scruffy side.
Are the Slazengers a recent addition?
Regards
P

[Blade Junkie]

[quote name='pdgolferman' timestamp='1376385416' post='7666160']
[quote name='Blade Junkie' timestamp='1376383297' post='7666106']
Anyone know why the PW was called the E (Equaliser) in Hogan sets ?

I asume this started with the very first set ? if not, anyone know when it came in ?

If anyone has a Slazenger Hogan Precision Equaliser/PW they don't want I would be very interested (my set is 2-9)
[/quote]

I have an Exploder head going spare....Later model StarBurst variant though and a wee bit on the scruffy side.
Are the Slazengers a recent addition?
Regards
P
[/quote]

Bought them off eBay back in January. Heads/shafts are decent for their age, although grips aren't original, and are horrible rubber things that say "Benitex (sp?) by Phllips" on the end gap. They need replacing.

There was a very nice set with leather grips that was listed recently on eBay UK - it wasn't those (unfortunately!)


I've played one round with my set, and had a lot of fun after I'd factored in the short shaft lengths that were prevalent at the time (a few topped shots to start the round but hitting them quite sweetly after a few holes). I paired the irons with 1234 woods of Slazenger Ben Hogan Powerthrust, which I would be prepared to sell if anyone is interested, as I have actually acquired two sets of those, so one is surplus.

[pdgolferman]

I much prefer the '58 / '59 models.
Being from the UK too, good Hogans are very hard to come by at a reasonable price. With that in mind, that's why I went down the Slazenger route. I can't fault them. So much so, I recently acquired a set of '72 Apex's too.
.....I bid on those Slaz. precisions a couple of weeks ago. The precisions don't really do it for me but they're nice to have for the bragging rites though. Sold at £205 for 2-9 with the 2 iron being added / re-shafted.

[Blade Junkie]

[quote name='pdgolferman' timestamp='1376388369' post='7666206']
I much prefer the '58 / '59 models.
Being from the UK too, good Hogans are very hard to come by at a reasonable price. With that in mind, that's why I went down the Slazenger route. I can't fault them. So much so, I recently acquired a set of '72 Apex's too.
.....I bid on those Slaz. precisions a couple of weeks ago. The precisions don't really do it for me but they're nice to have for the bragging rites though. Sold at £205 for 2-9 with the 2 iron being added / re-shafted.
[/quote]


Yes - I think the guy that was selling would have been very surprised lol.

I saw those 72 Apex's - they looked like a good set too.

[erikro]

There is a nice set of Hogan PCs on the bay right now. 1-sw with apex 4 shafts.

[pdgolferman]

Yum, the PC's......nice set of sticks.....On my shopping list too!
My plan is to own ONE set of Hogan clubs from every decade. I'm destined to fail on this one for sure:

'59 Starbursts.
'69 Bounce Sole 1+
'72 Classic
'84 PC
'90 Grinds
'06 Apex
...and too many choices in-between.

Regards.
P

[PinHunter]

Excellent thread! Ill get a few of my Hogans up here asap!

[birly-shirly]

[quote name='pdgolferman' timestamp='1376435428' post='7671028']
Yum, the PC's......nice set of sticks.....On my shopping list too!
My plan is to own ONE set of Hogan clubs from every decade. I'm destined to fail on this one for sure:

'59 Starbursts.
'69 Bounce Sole 1+
'72 Classic
'84 PC
'90 Grinds
'06 Apex
...and too many choices in-between.

Regards.
P
[/quote]

I'm in your neck of the woods, and I've got sets from the 60s (if Slazenger Hogans count), 70s and 80s. Apex IIs and Apex PCs aren't hard to come by - but you'll need a bit of luck to find anything earlier in decent nick.

The other problem is, I'm not sure there's anything I really want after the Apex PCs except maybe the redlines (same decade as the PCs), and the reissues of earlier models.

[dpark]

[quote name='birly-shirly' timestamp='1376436017' post='7671078']

The other problem is, I'm not sure there's anything I really want after the Apex PCs except maybe the redlines (same decade as the PCs), and the reissues of earlier models.
[/quote]

There are 3 non-limited edition sets worth having after the PCs IMHO:

1) 1988 Redlines (square grooves, need I say more?)
2) 1992 Ft. Worths, last set made in Texas. great set of irons
3) 1998/1999 Apex - even though they were made by Spaulding, they were great clubs. The last set that was worth playing.

The Grinds had too much offset IMO and the Channelbacks were just odd looking (even though Leonard won an Open with them)

[birly-shirly]

ha-ha! Actually, I'd like a set of channelbacks. There's some gossip and intrigue that they were a hogan design from back in the 60s that was deemed too "out there" for the day.

i agree the 1992s look nice - but they look awfully similar to the Apex IIs, minus the cameo stamping. Do they qualify as a remake?

I'm sure the 1999s are good clubs too - but for my tastes, you're then getting pretty distant from most of what I associate with Hogan irons.

I'd probably rather make a start on the Mizuno lines than round out my Hogan collection with 99s...

[pdgolferman]

[quote name='birly-shirly' timestamp='1376436017' post='7671078']
I'm in your neck of the woods, and I've got sets from the 60s (if Slazenger Hogans count), 70s and 80s. Apex IIs and Apex PCs aren't hard to come by - but you'll need a bit of luck to find anything earlier in decent nick.

The other problem is, I'm not sure there's anything I really want after the Apex PCs except maybe the redlines (same decade as the PCs), and the reissues of earlier models.
[/quote]

...The Slazenger Hogans should count...It's strange....I always tell people that I own Slazenger Hogans, but with the '06 apex's, it's a different story. I never mention Callaway.

Vital stats: '59-'72-'06

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[birly-shirly]

[quote name='pdgolferman' timestamp='1376476664' post='7673730']


...The Slazenger Hogans should count...It's strange....I always tell people that I own Slazenger Hogans, but with the '06 apex's, it's a different story. I never mention Callaway.

[/quote]

LOL!

[dpark]

[quote name='birly-shirly' timestamp='1376472535' post='7673660']
ha-ha! Actually, I'd like a set of channelbacks. There's some gossip and intrigue that they were a hogan design from back in the 60s that was deemed too "out there" for the day.

i agree the 1992s look nice - but they look awfully similar to the Apex IIs, minus the cameo stamping. Do they qualify as a remake?

I'm sure the 1999s are good clubs too - but for my tastes, you're then getting pretty distant from most of what I associate with Hogan irons.

I'd probably rather make a start on the Mizuno lines than round out my Hogan collection with 99s...
[/quote]

On the '92s, your are correct, they are very similar to the Apex IIs but I would consider them an "improvement" vs a "remake". I own both sets and when comparing them side-by-side visually, they appear to be clones. But the 92s have some significant improvements (at least I think so)

1. Bigger muscleback on the 92s which gives the ball a higher ballflight. While they look like a "blade on blade" design, there is a muscleback on the bottom of the head and it is bigger on the 92s. May not be desired, but I like it
2. More sole camber and bounce. This is what really makes a modern blade so much more playable (and forgiving) over the older blade designs. If you are a "picker" of the ball, it is probably little to no difference, but for "diggers" like me, it makes a huge difference.
3. Smaller diameter hosel. With less weight in the hosel, the sweetspot moves further out towards the toe, which I prefer.

The 99s are actually a great bookend for the Hogan line. No, they aren't "Fort Worth" irons, which kills it for a lot of people, but having played them (and I still own the clubs), they are the most playable, most forgiving blade irons ever made with the Hogan name. I wouldn't go so far to say that they are the most beautiful Hogan irons (the personals/precisions and 73s are the two best IMO) but they are pretty sweet looking.

[lonestar48]

According to James Dodson's new book, Mr. Hogan supposedly made sand wedges for some of the members of Shady Oaks CC after watching a member have a lot of trouble getting out of a bunker on the 18th hole. Does anybody know if this is true, and if so, does anybody know someone that has one?

[Kirasdad]

Dodson is a pretty straight shooter, so if he references it in writing he must feel the story has credence. We could, of course, just examine the "Sure Out" SW. There is some serious bounce there, as were many of the Hogan wedge designs of the 70's and 80's. If one can't get out of a bunker with one of those...well, perhaps retirement might be a good option.

[MoaningM]

gobsmakked! what a thread.

[guisician]

Before I start catching up on months of back posts, I wanted to thank everyone for keeping this thread alive and get another set of Hogans up:

11 (of 35). 1968 Bounce Sole Plus 1, ser #F91024, probably Hogan Flash Reaction shafts, Lamkin Crossline Midsize grips (1-E)

[attachment=1933544:image.jpg][attachment=1933546:image.jpg][attachment=1933548:image.jpg][attachment=1933550:image.jpg][attachment=1933552:image.jpg][attachment=1933554:image.jpg][attachment=1933556:image.jpg][attachment=1933558:image.jpg]

Presenting Mr. Butterknife:

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The slightly more often-used 7:
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Love how these graphics appear on the bigger backs of the 8, 9 & Equalizer:
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These are alleged to be an upstate New York pro's 1st good set that he lovingly maintained & sparingly played over the years. Whether that's true or not, this 16 certainly considers himself lucky to have come across them.

[oldschoolrocker]

Very shape indeed. Thank you for such good pics in your post.