2020 Official Member Review: Ben Hogan Icon & PTX Pro/Icon Combo Irons

[J.B. TexasEx]

7 hours ago, deejaid said:

So yesterday I stopped at the Pro Shop and told my pro about the Hogan’s and the toe misses I’m having with them. I explained to him that they are same lie and length as my current irons which I have no problem finding the middle of, but the Hogan’s shafts are graphite Recoil 87g shafts while my current irons are 125g Precision Rifle steel. He agreed that the weight and deflection difference of the two shafts were causing the problem.

 

Now as someone that is just playing graphite for the first time one of the few things I know about graphite is that most times graphite shafts come 1/2” longer from the factory to keep the swingweight similar to steel shafted clubs of the same model. What I didn’t realize is that added length might also help with toe droop. As my Pro and I were talking, he suggested adding 1/2” extensions to the clubs. The added length should move the strikes to the center of the face. If this is the case, then not only does the added length of graphite add to the swingweight, it also affects to toe droop which can be a remedy to the higher torque and deflection of the tip section of the graphite shafts.

 

Looking at the specs of the irons on the Ben Hogan website there is no difference in lengths between graphite and steel shafted clubs. While that creates a swingweight difference of 2 points according to their graph between the two, the lack of longer shaft in the graphite doesn’t allow for the correction of toe droop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, graphite extensions are en route and hopefully will be the answer to finding the center of the face.

 

 

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Interesting

I read somewhere that changing a club's lie angle will also affect swing weight. Flatter = heavier. True story?

[bens197]

52 minutes ago, J.B. TexasEx said:

Interesting

I read somewhere that changing a club's lie angle will also affect swing weight. Flatter = heavier. True story?

Not true. You’re not adding weight to the club. 

[revkev]

Wait a minute - steel shafted Hogans are 1/2 inch longer than graphite?  I always thought it was the other way around - that graphite shafts would be longer than steel.  At least that has been the case with the sets that I've owned.

[joen]

Two more rounds in. My swing changes have finally set in. My short game lesson that I took earlier in the year has also taken hold. 
 

Last round was an easy two over.  13 greens in regulation.  I really like the combo set. I love the blades in the scoring clubs. I feel as though I can really go after the flag with a consistent trajectory and distance. I am still fighting with the five iron. I may get the Hogan hybrid to replace it. The Hogan 4 hybrid continues to be a money club. 
 

I love the Equalizer wedges out of the sand. Really digging the V sole. 

[GolfSpy BOS]

22 minutes ago, bens197 said:

Not true. You’re not adding weight to the club. 

I thought that by flattening the lie you're moving the Center of Mass of the club further away, which effectively lengthens the club and changes swingweight...

Now... how much is noticeable? That I do not know.  I THINK I recall Ian talking about it on a TXG video, and it was like 1/8 of an inch of length for ever 2 or 4 degrees in effective length... but I don't recall swing weight numbers, just that it does change the balance.

[deejaid]

Wait a minute - steel shafted Hogans are 1/2 inch longer than graphite?  I always thought it was the other way around - that graphite shafts would be longer than steel.  At least that has been the case with the sets that I've owned.

No Rev, you are right, graphite are usually 1/2” longer than their steel counterparts but it looks like Hogan build both to the same stock length.


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[deejaid]

well there is two things I didn't know.. Steel shafts from Hogan are +1/2", and toe droop. My old PtxPros were 1/2" long, but I thought it was a special order by the original buyer..
And "toe Droop" is actually a phrase Ive never heard before, Ill definitely read up on that one.
So now with a 1/2" extension, your shafts will now be 1" longer overall?

Toe droop or shaft droop is the deflection of the tip section of the shaft at impact. The softer the tip section the greater the shaft droop which theoretically means missing further towards the toe.


Check out the graph of the specs. Hogan does build their long irons with 3/4” increments but the short irons are 1/2” increments and are a standard industry length, not 1/2” long as stock.


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[bens197]

6 minutes ago, B.Boston said:

I thought that by flattening the lie you're moving the Center of Mass of the club further away, which effectively lengthens the club and changes swingweight...

Now... how much is noticeable? That I do not know.  I THINK I recall Ian talking about it on a TXG video, and it was like 1/8 of an inch of length for ever 2 or 4 degrees in effective length... but I don't recall swing weight numbers, just that it does change the balance.

I say no for one reason. It would be nearly impossible to determine the difference. It wouldn’t matter how good you are or how sensitive you are, that weight change is profoundly irrelevant. 
 

[cnosil]

Interesting
I read somewhere that changing a club's lie angle will also affect swing weight. Flatter = heavier. True story?

Not true. You’re not adding weight to the club. 

Yes, changing lie angle does have a small influence on SW. flattery will increase SW.

[GolfSpy BOS]

I say no for one reason. It would be nearly impossible to determine the difference. It wouldn’t matter how good you are or how sensitive you are, that weight change is profoundly irrelevant. 
 

Yeah I figure it would take a Tiger Woods level of equipment sensitivity to notice. Haha


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[cnosil]

No Rev, you are right, graphite are usually 1/2” longer than their steel counterparts but it looks like Hogan build both to the same stock length.

 

 

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I am not sure about these specific shafts but based on my current research manufacturers are making graphite shafts that match steel SW at the same length.

[bens197]

2 minutes ago, B.Boston said:

Yeah I figure it would take a Tiger Woods level of equipment sensitivity to notice. Haha


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Agreed Nobody needs that kind of a brain cramp thinking about fractional weight changes

[deejaid]

I am not sure about these specific shafts and based on my current research manufacturers are making graphite shafts that match steel SW at the same length.

That’s interesting. Perhaps the 1/2” longer graphite shaft is a thing of the past?

 

 

Looking at that graph what strikes me is the 3/4” increments in the long irons. My misses with the 4,5,6 have been much less pronounced and far fewer than the 8,9,PW.

 

 

Looking back over my round from Saturday, my three best iron shots came from the UIHI and the 6-iron. Actually, looking back, every shot except one that I took with the 4-6 were solid middle contact. I did hit my second shot on the Par 5 #3 a bit thin with the UIHI but it still went 200 yards and I was laying up.

 

It was the 7-W that we’re the problem.

 

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[revkev]

22 hours ago, cnosil said:

I am not sure about these specific shafts but based on my current research manufacturers are making graphite shafts that match steel SW at the same length.

I believe it - it's just new for me - like so many other things lately.

[bens197]

Nice morning 9 today in between some rainy days that we've had up here.  Today was a no woods day and I was hitting the 4 UiHi off the tee on par 4's.  5/7 fairways, 6/9 greens, +2 38.  Ive been able to play with ball position on the UiHi and have found relative success with this into a headwind.  I am a fairly high ball hitter so a utility that doesn't just launch high and go straight is an asset.  The engineering of this iron and how they've distributed weight within its design is pretty impressive.  If i didn't love my MP-20 MMC I would be ordering an 18* UiHi in its stead.

The 8-P are more forgiving than the Ft. Worth's which says a lot but don't confuse that with a forgiving head.  You still have to be sharp with your swing otherwise a miss will be a miss.  

[Sluggo42]

Played decent round today. Driver was squirrley though. Irons were tight, Been playing with trying to turn the irons and altho I.m not a constant ball shaper, these will definitely turn.My normal shot is a fairly straight ball, with perhaps a whisper of a draw. Im kind of working in a new swing, with left foot way flared open, which allows me to get a fuller turn thru the ball. Ive found that this gives me a little more draw on the shots. Hit a lot of great shots all through the bag today, with an emphasis on the Icon end. They are just so salty... luv em...

[bens197]

Heres a couple swings this afternoon with the 6 & 7 Irons.  I don't necessarily believe the sound is an accurate portrayal of how nice these sound at impact.  My stock shot is a slight cut and these fit that quite well.

 

 

[sirchunksalot]

29 minutes ago, bens197 said:

Heres a couple swings this afternoon with the 6 & 7 Irons.  I don't necessarily believe the sound is an accurate portrayal of how nice these sound at impact.  My stock shot is a slight cut and these fit that quite well.

 

 

Those shots sound pretty good on this end. 

[mikeanthony]

On 7/23/2020 at 11:35 AM, B.Boston said:

I thought that by flattening the lie you're moving the Center of Mass of the club further away, which effectively lengthens the club and changes swingweight...

Now... how much is noticeable? That I do not know.  I THINK I recall Ian talking about it on a TXG video, and it was like 1/8 of an inch of length for ever 2 or 4 degrees in effective length... but I don't recall swing weight numbers, just that it does change the balance.

This whole SW conversation regarding lie angle and shaft length is entirely new to me and very interesting at the same time ... I simply never knew that, and it makes sense. 

Thanks for sharing! 

[Erik-M]

I just can't express how good the clubs sound and feel! And the ball flight is incredible! Nice and high and straight!I played good with them today, shot 75 seriously thinking of getting the equalizer wedges and going 1/2 in long and 1 degree flat! All my scoring issues came from fat and thin wedge shots from full wedge distances, or 3 putts. The v- sole is fantastic, can't remember hitting a fat or thin hogan iron shot, because I'm confident how it's gonna react with the turf! And mind you, we play on a very wet course. Also am very confident playing 3/4 shots for in between distances!

[bens197]

Here’s one of the UiHi and it’s fantastically penetrating flight. This was off the deck and hopefully gives you a good concept of flight. For reference, I am a high ball hitter. 
 

 

[bens197]

3 hours ago, Erik-M said:

I just can't express how good the clubs sound and feel! And the ball flight is incredible! Nice and high and straight!I played good with them today, shot 75 seriously thinking of getting the equalizer wedges and going 1/2 in long and 1 degree flat! All my scoring issues came from fat and thin wedge shots from full wedge distances, or 3 putts. The v- sole is fantastic, can't remember hitting a fat or thin hogan iron shot, because I'm confident how it's gonna react with the turf! And mind you, we play on a very wet course. Also am very confident playing 3/4 shots for in between distances!

Do you feel like you’re getting along with your 4 iron now?  Sounds like it

[Sluggo42]

Here’s a pitching wedge from 116 that was as close to the best feeling shot I’ve ever hit. Icons are phenomenal...

[Erik-M]

2 hours ago, bens197 said:

Do you feel like you’re getting along with your 4 iron now?  Sounds like it

Yeah, once I started finding the middle is been really nice!

[GolfSpy BOS]

Here’s a pitching wedge from 116 that was as close to the best feeling shot I’ve ever hit. Icons are phenomenal...

Awesome!!! I had a very similar shot today on a par 3 with the Cobra’s... closest to an ace I’ve ever been. Was that a Par 3 or an approach?


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[Erik-M]

2 hours ago, bens197 said:

Here’s one of the UiHi and it’s fantastically penetrating flight. This was off the deck and hopefully gives you a good concept of flight. For reference, I am a high ball hitter. 
 

 

Is it worth purchasing? How's the feel/ sound?

[Sluggo42]

1 hour ago, B.Boston said:

Awesome!!! I had a very similar shot today on a par 3 with the Cobra’s... closest to an ace I’ve ever been. Was that a Par 3 or an approach?


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A very short par 3, and the white tees. Normally its 150.

I still don't have a HIO... Ive quit even thinking about them, altho I did just see two happen in the last year, first ones I've ever seen...

[Sluggo42]

1 hour ago, Erik-M said:

Is it worth purchasing? How's the feel/ sound?

I suppose that all depends on how you currently hit your 4 iron, or hybrid. For a guy like me, heck yea its worth it. 

[GolfSpy BOS]

A very short par 3, and the white tees. Normally its 150.
I still don't have a HIO... Ive quit even thinking about them, altho I did just see two happen in the last year, first ones I've ever seen...

I’ve seen both of my dads! But yeah that was as close as I’ve ever been.


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[fixyurdivot]

On 6/10/2020 at 7:16 AM, bens197 said:

I hate being "actually" but I would check out Kevin Paule on Instagram @kp_golf86.  He is a Hogan staffer and treated his Icon black set with white vinegar.  48 hour bath and then some steel wool and they now look raw.  He made a post on May 16th about the process.  

Funny you mention steel wool as I'm seeing ads during the 3M Open for using SOS Pads to clean and "refresh" irons... old school .