Jump to content
TESTERS WANTED! ×

What a disgrace to a Gofing Legend


TWShoot67

Recommended Posts

Now here's one of the best irons ever made. Mr. Ben Hogan always had his clubs built to the highest tolerances. I'm not sure if that's why they failed of if tradition just went out the window as the winds of changes have arrived for this sport. but to get back to the irons my first set of irons that I actually bought were Ben Hogan Edge CB's. All I can remember when I was playing with my buddies who were all using Tommy Armour 845's the difference in sound and ball flight was tremendous. My friends all thought I had an advantage. Now I was a younger man at the time I was either playing a Maxfli HT 100 or a Titleist Professional 90. They were my two favorite golf balls. But I can remember playing short par 4's hitting 5 iron off the tee and hitting the ball 220-230. My friends would try the same thing with there irons and be 30 yards behind me. They were so solid. The guy frequency matched the shafts pinned the shafts in the hosel which was always exciting if you didn't know what was happening when you tried to pull your first Hogan shaft. My point is HOGAN represented quality when it came to irons. Now they were bought up by Callaway and I think they just watched MR. Hogan ROLL OVER in his grave so to speak! It's very Sad. I think the last guys out their playing HOGAN are/were Bernhard Langer and Justin Lenard. I just miss seeing their presence on the TOUR! OK I'm done!! :angry: :(

 

DOES ANYONE ELSE CARE?

The Bag:

Right handed

Cobra King FLYZ+ 10.5* w/ Aldila Rogue 125 R 44.5"

Tour Issued TM M2 10.5 w/ Mitsubishi Tensi CK Pro Blue 60S

Tour Issued TM M2 15* w/ GD Tour AD 7S 43"

TM R7 17.5 HFS w/ Tour AD 7S Stiff 42"

Cobra S3 Pro's 4-pw w/ Aldila RIP Tours SLT 115 Reg. 5i 38.5"

Titleist Vokey Proto's

52*,54*,58* all TTDG S-400

TM TP5 X

Scotty Cameron SSS Tiffany 009 350 34.5" or Bettinardi BB1 DASS Proto

GHIN # 5144472

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will admit that by virtue of my age and my coming to the game of golf a bit late, I was never really aware of the Hogan brand as a top shelf manufacturer. That said, I am very involved in many golf forums now and have been overwhelmed by how passionate so many people are about their Hogan irons. If even half the stories that I've read about the quality of the Hogan brand are true, then it is very sad that it has gone down in the way that it has.

 

Slightly OT: I'm reading "Ben Hogan: An American Life" right now and it's pretty interesting. It's a bit hero worship-y at times, but that's to be expected in a sports bio. The man overcame very serious adversity to rise to the heights that he did.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am 25 but have been avd playing since i was 5 tournaments in the summer sometimes 10-30 from 8-18 but i remember kids having them and wanting them for myself, lefty and lets say used what i was given, but ur right kinda like an old friend diasappearing from existence.

Andrew Bush da lefty of the forum.

 

Cleveland DST Tour 9.5 with Diamana Whiteboard.

Nike Sasquatch 4 wood with diamana blue.

Nike Sasquatch 3 hybrid with diamana hybrid shaft

Callaway x forged 4-pw with prject x flighted 6.0

Callaway x forged 52 and 56 chrome

Callaway x forged 60 vintage

Odyssey white hot tour number 5.

 

Nike one platinum soon to be nike tour running out of the platinums!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

Kind of how the equipment game seems to go though. Some lines/names gain strength while others fade. Using the Hogan name with junky equipment is shady though. I have probably watched his swing on youtube 1000 times. That fluidity and grace deserves a better legacy imho.

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

playing a Maxfli HT 100 or a Titleist Professional 90.

 

Oh yeah..I miss those days. I had a set of Hogan blades and played the Tour Balata and then the Professional 90 and that is a "feel" I would love to have back. Nothing like it in the world.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back in the mid 80's, I had several friends who played the Hogan Apex irons.....and they were awesome clubs....both in looks & feel.

 

I must admit, I have not heard or read much about the Hogan line in the past few years.

 

If Callaway did purchase them, then maybe they also can resurrect them in the future.

 

I know Golfsmith purchased the McGregor line and they hope to make it more than a basic ctore brand line.

Driver: image.png.6ba1c8a254ad57aa05e527b74c2e04ba.png0311 XF 10.5* w/Project X Cypher 40 gram Senior shaft or 0811 XF 12* w/Evenflo Riptide CB Senior shaft

Fairways:  image.png.80321f01fc46450b6f428c7daf7b3471.png0211 5W & 7W w/ Evenflo Riptide CB  regular shaft and Tour Edge E521 9W w/Fubuki HD50 regular shaft

Hybrid: None in bag at the moment

IronsTitleist T300 5-PW w/Fubuki MV Senior graphite shafts w/Golf Pride Tour

Wedges: Edison forged 49*, 53* and 57* wedges with KB PGI Senior shafts(80 grm).

Putter: 33” Evnroll ER6R or  ER2 or Bellum Winmore Model 707,   or Nike Method Core Drone  w/Evnroll Gravity Grip

Bag: Vice cart bag(Black/Lime). 

Ball: Snell MTB Prime X, Maxfli Tour/S/X CG, Titleist Pro V1x or Titleist TruFeel

Using Shot Scope X5 and Pinned Rangefinder

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Callaway never had the intention of restoring the Hogan company to its former glory. I think Callaway basically bought the name thinking they could turn out some so-so blades and generate cash behind the Hogan name and many customers knowing that Callaway was backing them financially. That probably didn't turn out like they expected. They also may have just bought the company in fear of a competitor buying it and using it well and boosting their sales.

 

 

 

 

3JACK

Author of Pro Golf Synopsis. The Moneyball approach to golf strategy and analysis.Driver: Wishon 919THI, 10° loft, UST Mamiya VTS Red 7x, 44-3/8” long, 2,825 kg/cm^2 MOIGONZO WOOD: confidential2-Hybrid: Mizuno Fli-HiCLK, 17° loft, 40-7/8" KBS Tour Hybrid shaft (stiff)3-Hybrid: Mizuno Fli-HiCLK, 20° loft, 40" KBS Tour Hybrid shaft (stiff)4-6 iron: Wishon 575MMC (CB)7-PW: Wishon 575MMC (MB)SW: Edel Golf driver grind, 52° loft, 16° bounce, Nippon WV 125 shaft.LW: Edel Golf Digger Grind, 60° loft, 27° bounce, Nippon WV 125 ShaftPutter: Edel Golf Columbia Custom Made, 35" long, 72° lie angle, 3° loft. Ball: Titleist Pro V1xGrips: PURE Grips P2 Wrap (red)Shoes: FootJoy Dry-Joy (black, size 14)3Jack's Golf Blog - http://3jack.blogspot.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Callaway never had the intention of restoring the Hogan company to its former glory. I think Callaway basically bought the name thinking they could turn out some so-so blades and generate cash behind the Hogan name and many customers knowing that Callaway was backing them financially. That probably didn't turn out like they expected. They also may have just bought the company in fear of a competitor buying it and using it well and boosting their sales.

 

 

 

 

3JACK

 

I'm not sure that Callaway had any fear of Hogan. There were far stronger competitors in the marketplace than Hogan, even when the Hogan name was at its recent peak. I do, however, believe that Hogan offered a quality line of forged irons to compliment Callaway's then-current products. Callaway had the financial ability to take Hogan to the next level in terms of marketing. In the end, Callaway must have decided that the name recognition in their branding was stronger than Hogan and focused its effort on the Callaway line and, unfortunately for us, let the Hogan product slowly die out. They initially did try to put out some drivers and woods under the Hogan monicker but we all know how poorly that turned out.

______

Dave

Image Gallery

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

Hogan is as dead as MacGregor and Maxfli. I can see the name being used to sell box sets in Walmart or Dicks

Ouch. Seeing that would bring more tears than usual as I am dragged through Walmart.

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not saying I like it. I hated typing it as much as you hated reading it. I just don't how it can go any other way, if Callaway aren't going to invest any time of R&D in the brand.

I have a revolving WITB policy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

Not saying I like it. I hated typing it as much as you hated reading it. I just don't how it can go any other way, if Callaway aren't going to invest any time of R&D in the brand.

it is a shame. I just finished the book where the player wanders through the fog to a golf Valhalla where Hogan is blasting balls trying to find his moment. (Title escapes me.)

That is how I see Hogan, not in Walmart.

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Obviously the Hogan brand was synonymous with excellence 15 years ago. Today, it is a defunct club company whose name has been purchased by an industry behemoth, and bastardized. Unfortunately, today there are plenty of really good irons out there that will function better that an old set of Hogans with the golf ball we use today. There is just no reason other than nostalgia to play a set. JMO.

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Callaway never had the intention of restoring the Hogan company to its former glory. I think Callaway basically bought the name thinking they could turn out some so-so blades and generate cash behind the Hogan name and many customers knowing that Callaway was backing them financially. That probably didn't turn out like they expected. They also may have just bought the company in fear of a competitor buying it and using it well and boosting their sales.

 

3JACK

 

True that. Callaway killed the Hogan line. They treated it like a read headed step child and didn't pump any marketing dollars or R&D into the brand. Basically, they left all Hogan fans to twist in the wind.

Callaway FT-9 Driver 10.5* Grafalloy Prolaunch Axis Blue

Callaway FT-9 Driver 9.0* Grafalloy Prolaunch Platinum

Cobra Baffler Rail F Fairway 15.5* Fujikura Motore

Wilson FYbrid 19* UST Proforce AXIV Core

Cobra Baffler Rail H Hybrid 22* Fujikura Motore

Ping I15 Irons 5-UW AWT

Ping Tour-W 56*,60* DG Spinner

Ping Redwood ZB Putter, WRX Starshot, 35"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree, it's a shamed what they did to the line, they should have sold the rights to someone or a company who cared. Keep it small scale, custom, and attention to detail.

John Barry

Bring the Funk, Back to Golf

The Golfer's Trip

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What really sucks is that they had BenHogan.com which was nice and gave good info on all of the old Hogan clubs. They shut it down for a week and came back and just made it part of the Callaway pre-owned site. Jackals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3JACK

Author of Pro Golf Synopsis. The Moneyball approach to golf strategy and analysis.Driver: Wishon 919THI, 10° loft, UST Mamiya VTS Red 7x, 44-3/8” long, 2,825 kg/cm^2 MOIGONZO WOOD: confidential2-Hybrid: Mizuno Fli-HiCLK, 17° loft, 40-7/8" KBS Tour Hybrid shaft (stiff)3-Hybrid: Mizuno Fli-HiCLK, 20° loft, 40" KBS Tour Hybrid shaft (stiff)4-6 iron: Wishon 575MMC (CB)7-PW: Wishon 575MMC (MB)SW: Edel Golf driver grind, 52° loft, 16° bounce, Nippon WV 125 shaft.LW: Edel Golf Digger Grind, 60° loft, 27° bounce, Nippon WV 125 ShaftPutter: Edel Golf Columbia Custom Made, 35" long, 72° lie angle, 3° loft. Ball: Titleist Pro V1xGrips: PURE Grips P2 Wrap (red)Shoes: FootJoy Dry-Joy (black, size 14)3Jack's Golf Blog - http://3jack.blogspot.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

What really sucks is that they had BenHogan.com which was nice and gave good info on all of the old Hogan clubs. They shut it down for a week and came back and just made it part of the Callaway pre-owned site. Jackals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3JACK

That I did not know. At least they could have used the address to make a "About Hogan" page or something. Plaster it with adds for Diablo and whatever to get people to the Cally product.

Could be worse though, it could be a new line for QVC.

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could be worse though, it could be a new line for QVC.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit..

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've got 3 sets of Hogans ('63 IPTs, '67 Percussions and '83 Apex PCs)...I've been thinking in the future of buying a set of each of the good vintage blades and measuring their specs and putting the info on my blog. Hell, if Callaway doesn't care to, I'll do it myself.

 

 

 

 

3JACK

Author of Pro Golf Synopsis. The Moneyball approach to golf strategy and analysis.Driver: Wishon 919THI, 10° loft, UST Mamiya VTS Red 7x, 44-3/8” long, 2,825 kg/cm^2 MOIGONZO WOOD: confidential2-Hybrid: Mizuno Fli-HiCLK, 17° loft, 40-7/8" KBS Tour Hybrid shaft (stiff)3-Hybrid: Mizuno Fli-HiCLK, 20° loft, 40" KBS Tour Hybrid shaft (stiff)4-6 iron: Wishon 575MMC (CB)7-PW: Wishon 575MMC (MB)SW: Edel Golf driver grind, 52° loft, 16° bounce, Nippon WV 125 shaft.LW: Edel Golf Digger Grind, 60° loft, 27° bounce, Nippon WV 125 ShaftPutter: Edel Golf Columbia Custom Made, 35" long, 72° lie angle, 3° loft. Ball: Titleist Pro V1xGrips: PURE Grips P2 Wrap (red)Shoes: FootJoy Dry-Joy (black, size 14)3Jack's Golf Blog - http://3jack.blogspot.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

If Callaway wanted to restore Hogan, all they would need to do is get a couple Callaway staff players to play new Hogan irons. They made great irons, very underrated.

How could they truly do this though. All the designers are Callaway designers. Why would the irons be different with just different branding? What would drive a consumer there vs. somewhere else? It may be that Callaway decided to drop the line because they want to be seen as on the cutting edge of club design. You really can't claim this if you put out irons based upon old designs, even if the designs are good.

People love the PIng Eye 2 irons and yet for the anniversary last year they made the commemorative set out of G10's.

 

To many, the Hogan name speaks of golf at it's finest. However, it is also a historical name. The golf industry right now seems all about new metals, new interchangeable shafts and weights, supercomputer designed heads and so on. Maybe the brand was just seen as not timely enough. Not all of the money that is spent on clubs comes from people who know the history of golf and revel in that history. Many people who buy stuff just want the new boomstick that makes the ball go farther.

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How could they truly do this though. All the designers are Callaway designers. Why would the irons be different with just different branding? What would drive a consumer there vs. somewhere else? It may be that Callaway decided to drop the line because they want to be seen as on the cutting edge of club design. You really can't claim this if you put out irons based upon old designs, even if the designs are good.

People love the PIng Eye 2 irons and yet for the anniversary last year they made the commemorative set out of G10's.

 

To many, the Hogan name speaks of golf at it's finest. However, it is also a historical name. The golf industry right now seems all about new metals, new interchangeable shafts and weights, supercomputer designed heads and so on. Maybe the brand was just seen as not timely enough. Not all of the money that is spent on clubs comes from people who know the history of golf and revel in that history. Many people who buy stuff just want the new boomstick that makes the ball go farther.

 

I see what you mean. I think originally, they would need to be rebranded Callaways, but as they made money (hypothetically) they could actually look into some of the old designs and how they could pack them with today's technology. I think people would start to buy them if they had modern technology with a classic look. Mizuno does it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

I see what you mean. I think originally, they would need to be rebranded Callaways, but as they made money (hypothetically) they could actually look into some of the old designs and how they could pack them with today's technology. I think people would start to buy them if they had modern technology with a classic look. Mizuno does it.

Good idea, but how many casual golfers seek out Mizuno? Would the players who like that aspect of Mizuno drop their clubs for the Hogans? It may just be math. More money in R&D and re-advertising the brand than they could make in sales. Callaway also has the huge benefit of already having a brand with strong name recognition, Callaway. More casual golfers are familiar with Big Bertha than Ben Hogan.

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see what you mean. I think originally, they would need to be rebranded Callaways, but as they made money (hypothetically) they could actually look into some of the old designs and how they could pack them with today's technology. I think people would start to buy them if they had modern technology with a classic look. Mizuno does it.

 

Exactly - with some investment, I think Callaway (with the Hogan line) could have given Mizuno a run in the player category.

Callaway FT-9 Driver 10.5* Grafalloy Prolaunch Axis Blue

Callaway FT-9 Driver 9.0* Grafalloy Prolaunch Platinum

Cobra Baffler Rail F Fairway 15.5* Fujikura Motore

Wilson FYbrid 19* UST Proforce AXIV Core

Cobra Baffler Rail H Hybrid 22* Fujikura Motore

Ping I15 Irons 5-UW AWT

Ping Tour-W 56*,60* DG Spinner

Ping Redwood ZB Putter, WRX Starshot, 35"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good idea, but how many casual golfers seek out Mizuno? Would the players who like that aspect of Mizuno drop their clubs for the Hogans? It may just be math. More money in R&D and re-advertising the brand than they could make in sales. Callaway also has the huge benefit of already having a brand with strong name recognition, Callaway. More casual golfers are familiar with Big Bertha than Ben Hogan.

 

Mizuno mainly caters to the better golfer, but even then they are incredibly popular. I don't think that it would be out of the question to make a GI Hogan, it would just have to be forged and be clean looking. I think a lot of people would like it just for the looks if they could do it right. And yeah Callaway has the advantage that they already have a brand and money and and R&D team. Also they could have tour players test them. Imagine the brand recognition if Phil Mickelson played a Hogan.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

Mizuno mainly caters to the better golfer, but even then they are incredibly popular. I don't think that it would be out of the question to make a GI Hogan, it would just have to be forged and be clean looking. I think a lot of people would like it just for the looks if they could do it right. And yeah Callaway has the advantage that they already have a brand and money and and R&D team. Also they could have tour players test them. Imagine the brand recognition if Phil Mickelson played a Hogan.

True about Phil, but what would be the advantage to Callaway? It would still all fall under the same bottom line at the end of the day. When Hogan was independent it was competition. Now it is just one potential tentacle of the Callaway octopus. It would not be the same impact to the name as if Phil started gaming TM stuff.

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Hogan legend was made by Hogan's demand for the tighter tolerances and respect for his market. That was a time of loose tolerances and Hogan was the difference. These days manufacturing standards are much easier to meet and the machines available are much better at producing the tight standards that Hogan enforced.

 

Celebrate Hogan for making a difference as you can also celebrate Karsten Solheim for introducing the new engineering to Golf club manufacturing. Their contributions have been made todays standard and their passing has not ended their ontributions. They are still with us in the multitudes of brands regardless that they are not mentioned often.

 

 

Shambles

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SPY VIP

The Hogan legend was made by Hogan's demand for the tighter tolerances and respect for his market. That was a time of loose tolerances and Hogan was the difference. These days manufacturing standards are much easier to meet and the machines available are much better at producing the tight standards that Hogan enforced.

 

Celebrate Hogan for making a difference as you can also celebrate Karsten Solheim for introducing the new engineering to Golf club manufacturing. Their contributions have been made todays standard and their passing has not ended their ontributions. They are still with us in the multitudes of brands regardless that they are not mentioned often.

 

 

Shambles

This is a great thought. The Hogan name may not be there, but the quality he demanded is now living in the brands of today. Well said Shambles!

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

True about Phil, but what would be the advantage to Callaway? It would still all fall under the same bottom line at the end of the day. When Hogan was independent it was competition. Now it is just one potential tentacle of the Callaway octopus. It would not be the same impact to the name as if Phil started gaming TM stuff.

 

I think selling Hogan clubs would increase Callaway's bottom line. Callaway is mostly known for their GI clubs, not so much for their forged ones. Hogan could fill a niche for Callaway that they previously had filled only with the X-forged.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...