RIP Ben Hogan Golf

[null]

Kind of had a feeling they were scrambling ever since they announced they'd be putting iron numbers on their heads

[Rtracymog]

Just got this from the Hogan company. Not sure what it means, but I wanted to share.

 

 

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[Rtracymog]

And I am a huge fan of the wedges. They work for my game better than anything I've ever used.

 

Oh well I guess it's back to old school pitching and chipping.

 

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The wedges always felt good, but I struggled to keep the ball down with them.

 

 

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[fozcycle]

Thanks Rtracymog, I just got the same letter......

[Kenny B]

The wedges always felt good, but I struggled to keep the ball down with them.

 

 

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I loved the SCORs, but this is exactly why I loved them.  They were so much easier than any other club to hit a high shot when I wanted to hit one.  I can always flight them down.  I haven't tried the TK wedges, and I have backups of the SCORs, but I might have to get a TK just to see if there is much difference.  

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Beat me to it, but here's the release...

 

Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company announces reorganization and restructuring - maintains commitment to building highest quality and most precise golf equipment in the world 

Fort Worth, Texas: The Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company announced today that it is going through a period of re-tooling and right-sizing in an effort to become more nimble and profitable in the highly competitive golf equipment business.

The Company has voluntarily implemented a reorganization initiative to minimize expenses and streamline the operation. This included the reduction of a large percentage of the exempt and non-exempt workforce, some of whom will be rehired as contract employees. The company has not declared bankruptcy nor been foreclosed upon, and remains in the business of producing and selling the highest quality and most precise golf equipment in the world.

"Reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated", said Scott White, President and CEO of the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company. "While our organization does not look the same today as it did in 2016, we are confident that the changes we are making will make us a stronger and better company in the future".

[Golfspy_CG2]

So confirmed from CEO  Scott White - Hogan is NOT shutting down, but instead implementing what he's calling a "reorganization initiative to minimize expenses and streamline the organization."  

 

"All outstanding product orders, and any new ones, will be fulfilled. We continue to receive and process orders on BenHoganGolf.com, and through our many customers."

 

The re-org is "an effort to be more nimble and profitable in the highly competitive golf equipment industry."

 

More to come, and I have a call scheduled with Scott for tomorrow.

 

Yep, I was going to post like several others have that I got the email as well stating they aren't closing.  

How do you call laying off 100% of staff a "reorganization initiative to minimize expenses and streamline the organization"??  There is no organization!!

In the statement it says some will be re-offered positions as contractors.     

[MDGolfHacker]

Wow. Loved the older Ben hogan irons but never got to try out their new stuff just because I could never find it at any local retailer (and I'm a Lefty which makes it even tougher). Feel for those that were laid off though. Unless there is a niche they are filling, it's hard for the golf hardware manufacturers to be profitable in a highly competitive market.

 

MDGolfHacker

[Jmikecpa]

How do you call laying off 100% of staff a "reorganization initiative to minimize expenses and streamline the organization"??  There is no organization!!

It could be done for window dressing purposes to appease state regulators.  I have worked on a few "restructuring" transactions where the OpCo issued layoff notices to all employees to comply with state regulations and hired back the right number under a new OpCo.  Not to uncommon when a company is trying to work through bloat issues.  Without not knowing their actual structure it is hard to say for certain, but I do know it is easier to issue layoff notices to all employees rather than a subsection of employees.

[PMookie]

Here's what I see. They had started the opportunity to be able to test their clubs for $19.95. You get 2 clubs, shaft stiffness picked by you, then you try them for 21 days and send them back.

Now, they get rid of everyone, but they "aren't dead".

Says to me going straight mail order with no reps. Just DTC.

 

 

 

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[wbealsd]

When I'm dead my headstone will read "I'm just reorganizing to streamline & reduce my expenses."

[Kenny B]

It could be done for window dressing purposes to appease state regulators.  I have worked on a few "restructuring" transactions where the OpCo issued layoff notices to all employees to comply with state regulations and hired back the right number under a new OpCo.  Not to uncommon when a company is trying to work through bloat issues.  Without not knowing their actual structure it is hard to say for certain, but I do know it is easier to issue layoff notices to all employees rather than a subsection of employees.

I can see that, but as contractors??  That tells me that they will have very few employees with others as contractors so they don't have to pay benefits.  Oh yeah, probably at a lower wage.

[Jmikecpa]

I can see that, but as contractors??  That tells me that they will have very few employees with others as contractors so they don't have to pay benefits.  Oh yeah, probably at a lower wage.

They would need to sever anyone if they are doing a true restructure.  Again, my guess is window dressing and the ones that are needed will be hired back in a clean entity. 

[Mr_Theoo]

And I am a huge fan of the wedges. They work for my game better than anything I've ever used.

 

Oh well I guess it's back to old school pitching and chipping.

 

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New Cleveland wedges have the V soles

[McaseyM]

Sad to see them downsize, I really liked the feel of their sticks. They were at our areas expo show, but down at far end. I agree that lack of fitting/Distribution, loft stamping and price point were too much to overcome to be more mainstream.

They just started carrying at the local golf galaxy too

 

 

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[EthanSterlingPrice]

I'm hoping that its temporary but I won't hold my breath.

 

 

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[Jmikecpa]

New Cleveland wedges have the V soles

So does my Vokey SM5 T Grind.  Not a fan of the V sole at first but it has grown on me.

[JAGolfore]

Dang hopefully I can still get some irons from them this spring

 

 

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[SuperDave]

Reading between the lines, the only way they can achieve this is by out-sourcing labour to Asia and making cheaper product lines (like Macgregor). I'd rather they fell on their sword with a bit more dignity.

Not being cruel, but if they can't even make any revenue with selling polo shirts, I somehow doubt they'll make any money selling clubs either.

I guess the old curse of putting a major winners name on any product is usually the kiss of death.

Jaskanski may be on to something. If they are outsourcing to Asia and calling it 'reorganizing' to maximizing profits.... It sounds like that fits.

How do you call laying off 100% of staff a "reorganization initiative to minimize expenses and streamline the organization"?? There is no organization!!

 

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[Mr_Theoo]

So does my Vokey SM5 T Grind. Not a fan of the V sole at first but it has grown on me.

I'll have to check those out. My 60° Nike is a T grind but I haven't found it anywhere else yet

[Fireinthehole]

Can't say I am surprised these days. The price point was too high for most golfers, but I did see one set at my club. Irons didn't wow me and they had very limited shafts, grips, but did like the wedges

 

 

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[Zeasy]

43 heads, not including hybrids, is just too many options. I doubt Ben Hogan would've ever signed off on that kind of offering.

[Undershooter]

Can't say I am surprised these days. The price point was too high for most golfers, but I did see one set at my club. Irons didn't wow me and they had very limited shafts, grips, but did like the wedges

 

 

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Really when you consider only the irons and not wedges they were dead on price wise with Mizzuno. Everybody thinks of these priced with the wedges in there. Add wedges to any iron set and the price skyrockets. 

[Jmikecpa]

Really when you consider only the irons and not wedges they were dead on price wise with Mizzuno. Everybody thinks of these priced with the wedges in there. Add wedges to any iron set and the price skyrockets. 

Even with the wedges they are cheaper than the set of TMBs that I just bought.  

[Fireinthehole]

Really when you consider only the irons and not wedges they were dead on price wise with Mizzuno. Everybody thinks of these priced with the wedges in there. Add wedges to any iron set and the price skyrockets.

What was there per iron cost,because a 5-pw set, I was quoted for was close to a 3-pw set with mizuno. Add on that mizuno has "free" shaft upgrades and a whole hosts of grips.

 

 

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[MattF]

About $150 per club with KBS Tour 90 shafts, other shafts are upgrades of $10 - 25 depending on shaft, some were free. Grips are the Ben Hogan Performance and upgrades are $5 - 11 depending on grip.

[Undershooter]

Go to a store and you may can get slightly better quotes. One near me quoted me slightly better than the website.

 

But yes some shafts are upgrades and some aren't. Call them(Hogan) and talk to them and they have more available than online btw.

[DjangoZulu]

Sad to say but we saw this coming a few years ago. Laid off 100% of employees. I wonder if the current line will drop out the bottom in prices.

 

 

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[Jmikecpa]

Discounts have begun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MGoBlue100]

Are those at a PGATSS?

 

 

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