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

[Sluggo42]

I figured out how to trigger my camera with my IWatch..who knew?

anyway, this is a perfect example of why I love the icons...

[PMookie]

On 7/31/2020 at 7:17 AM, bens197 said:

Teed off this morning at 6a and finished a quick 9 holes in one hour and 15 at Greystone which is a beautiful links course where I play most often.  While I wasn't playing for a low score I shot 38 with 3 bogeys, one birdie, 3 GIR and 15 putts.  It was more about course management and hitting more irons off the tee (4UiHi) to set myself up with more approaches with mid and longer irons.  I finished the round with a 3 putt from 15 feet so ouch!  

As I develop some confidence with these irons I am learning, well, reinforcing the fact that my yardages with these irons are slightly shorter than what I am used to.  I don't have an issue with that as it could just be a product of getting older.  I am going to dig deeper into this point but one thing I have learned with the Icon heads is that they are much more forgiving than their predecessor.  Without having precise data, I am learning that my toe-miss (my common miss for my irons) is consistently 5 yards short.  The Fort Worth heads would be far worse and require a precise strike to stay within their margin of error.  

Face-on video is the 4 UiHi and the tee shot on the 3 is a 6 iron from 175.

 

 

Two things. First of all, I am jealous that you can get up that early and be loose enough to play golf! Truly jealous! Secondly, I’m going to have to call a two shot penalty on you, possibly even a disqualification, for wearing ear buds during the round.....

[PMookie]

3 hours ago, Sluggo42 said:

I figured out how to trigger my camera with my IWatch..who knew?

anyway, this is a perfect example of why I love the icons...

Wait... Is that Riviera?!?!?!

[bens197]

6 hours ago, PMookie said:

Two things. First of all, I am jealous that you can get up that early and be loose enough to play golf! Truly jealous! Secondly, I’m going to have to call a two shot penalty on you, possibly even a disqualification, for wearing ear buds during the round.....

I’ll be the first to say that there are few things I enjoy more than the peaceful sounds of 6am. That said, one of those few things are pounding a driver while listening to Carter Beauford or Neil Peart tearing up a drum solo

 

 

[Golfspy_CG2]

14 hours ago, Erik-M said:

So the 4-pw plus putter challenge was just that, a challenge!! I missed my wedges more then I ever thought I would! I realized today how much I lean on my long and short game.  For example on a par 5 today I hit a long 4 iron off the tee and had a 3 iron distance left in, then i had to hit p wedge to get another p wedge distance,  when i would either be on in 2 or near the green where i am really comfortable playing an array of different shots.  Plus our greens are super small and there are tons of run offs that make hitting flop p wedges very interesting. Here's the set up of the bag!

I hit a sticky 5 iron on the 7th from 205, probably 1 of the only highlights of the day!

It was lots of fun though!

You guys should have just parked the cart near the starter area, grabbed a couple beverages, and just pulled up a chair, and watched the crowds stop and stare at those two bags, and you could just "yeah, that's right playa's here"   

 

[Erik-M]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

You guys should have just parked the cart near the starter area, grabbed a couple beverages, and just pulled up a chair, and watched the crowds stop and stare at those two bags, and you could just "yeah, that's right playa's here"   

 

Right, and just never hit a shot! Lol

[Sluggo42]

21 hours ago, PMookie said:

Wait... Is that Riviera?!?!?!

I wish...

 

[downlowkey]

Took the ICONs to Indian Peaks this afternoon. Only the second time on the road with the Hogans and they did not disappoint.

(12/14) Fwy, (17) GIR, 32 Putts (-2)

Flagged it all day with the ICONs. My only missed green was a 9-iron that ended up on the fringe 20 feet from the hole. Hit every club in the bag. Really solid ball striking day and didn’t make a thing over 5 feet.

The only bummer of the round was my push cart creeping off while I was filling the water bottle, rolling into a hole, tipping over on the cart path and dinging up the back of the 9 iron a bit. I almost shed a tear and then 3-putted from 25 feet.

Shot Scope and side-by-side comparisons have the ICONs about a half club longer than my gamers thus far. I’ve put in a lot of work getting to know these clubs and they are proving to be quite dependable.

 

[bens197]

In the world of bad news, this ranks up there. I was a guest of my brother in law at his home club and wrecked my back. While walking to my tee shot on the first, I heard a pop in my back. I whiffed my approach on the best drive I’ve ever hit on the opening hole and fell to the ground.  Fortunately, I have enough content to offer a final review but I am unfortunately out of commission until I figure out what happened. 
 

 

 

[GolfSpy BOS]

5 minutes ago, bens197 said:

In the world of bad news, this ranks up there. I was a guest of my brother in law at his home club and wrecked my back. While walking to my tee shot on the first, I heard a pop in my back. I whiffed my approach on the best drive I’ve ever hit on the opening hole and fell to the ground.  Fortunately, I have enough content to offer a final review but I am unfortunately out of commission until I figure out what happened. 
 

 

 

Rest up! 

[downlowkey]

6 hours ago, bens197 said:

In the world of bad news, this ranks up there. I was a guest of my brother in law at his home club and wrecked my back.

That sounds awful, man. I’m so sorry.

A hinky back can turn your whole world upside down. I hope you’re not in terrible pain and that it’s not a serious injury.

[bens197]

6 minutes ago, downlowkey said:

That sounds awful, man. I’m so sorry.

A hinky back can turn your whole world upside down. I hope you’re not in terrible pain and that it’s not a serious injury.

Thanks man. X-ray was negative for any spinal or disc issues. Focused peri-muscular pain to my lumbar back. Being discharged soon and hopefully a quick recovery. Bummed because I was really getting the feel of these irons and wanted to do a few more videos for closing. 
 

 

[PMookie]

10 minutes ago, bens197 said:

Thanks man. X-ray was negative for any spinal or disc issues. Focused peri-muscular pain to my lumbar back. Being discharged soon and hopefully a quick recovery. Bummed because I was really getting the feel of these irons and wanted to do a few more videos for closing. 
 

 

Man, feeling for you. I’ve been through disc problems a few times. Physical therapy, stretching, etc should get you back soon enough. I’ve had epidural injections as well and they were a life saver. Praying for a quick recovery!!!!

[deejaid]

Thanks man. X-ray was negative for any spinal or disc issues. Focused peri-muscular pain to my lumbar back. Being discharged soon and hopefully a quick recovery. Bummed because I was really getting the feel of these irons and wanted to do a few more videos for closing. 
 
 

Bummer man. Between your back and Downlowkey, Sluggo, and myself talking about elbow pain I’d guess most of Hogan testers are on the back 9 or have at least reached the turn.


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[Sluggo42]

9 hours ago, bens197 said:

I am unfortunately out of commission until I figure out what happened. 

dude.... thats just terrible news...

[Sluggo42]

2 hours ago, deejaid said:

Between your back and Downlowkey, Sluggo, and myself talking about elbow pain

No elbow pain for me right now, its mostly in the back of my left hand now, but actually getting better and better. Hopefully because of the graphite shafts. But I can still provide a laundry list of old man ailments if needed haha

[joen]

Another nine in last night while listening to the PGA championship on Sirius XM radio. These clubs continue to impress.   There may be a high probability that my Mizuno irons get retired to the garage bag.....

[Sluggo42]

played another goof off with new irons round this morning. Im running out of cool things to say about them, as I hit so many awesome shots today. I think that with the new swing getting into a groove, along with these apparently being a perfect fit, that this fat old boy has got it going on.

Shot of the day was an 8 iron that I leaned on extra hard to see if I could get it to go 150. I hit what was probably the purest strike I've hit in years, and she ended up at 159! Ive been noticing as the new swing is getting cleaner and cleaner, the distances have been creeping up. But this one was insane. Now it was slightly downhill, but still. I think it covered 150 carry, with the sweetest baby draw in.

the next hole I pured a 7 iron with not as much effort for distance, and got 155 with the sweetest flight and turn over at the top draw that landed about 3 yards left of the pin. Next hole was a sweet 6 iron to a back right pin. Next hole a 5 par, I hit driver, 3-wood to 4 feet short of the green, and promptly missed the eagle putt. Next hole 165 6 iron on, last hole another 6 iron on...

Seriously.... Im in golf heaven right now. Even the putter is decently good. I didn't keep score, but it would have been a low 70's something... Is it me, or is it the Hogans?

[Sluggo42]

same-o same-o

except the new addition today is the SIM Max D. ...   Shot a solid 74, that included a double on 14 which was based on a mental error. two rimmed out birds that didn't happen.

The SIM was exceptional, but more on that in a different thread.

Anyways, getting a little more adept at playing the little draw Im hitting now, whereas I used to be just a straight arrow launcher with an occasional baby draw. Good distances today.

[cciciora13]

Thanks man. X-ray was negative for any spinal or disc issues. Focused peri-muscular pain to my lumbar back. Being discharged soon and hopefully a quick recovery. Bummed because I was really getting the feel of these irons and wanted to do a few more videos for closing. 
 
 

Hang in there!!!


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[sirchunksalot]

On 8/9/2020 at 3:25 PM, bens197 said:

Thanks man. X-ray was negative for any spinal or disc issues. Focused peri-muscular pain to my lumbar back. Being discharged soon and hopefully a quick recovery. Bummed because I was really getting the feel of these irons and wanted to do a few more videos for closing. 
 

 

Take care of yourself and I'm glad it was nothing serious. Rest up and I hope you're back on the course soon!

[Sluggo42]

On 8/9/2020 at 12:25 PM, bens197 said:

Being discharged soon and hopefully a quick recovery.

So surely you're back out playing by now, right??  

[bens197]

2 hours ago, Sluggo42 said:

So surely you're back out playing by now, right??  

I was able to walk today and water my garden. Progress right? 

[Rickp]

In the world of bad news, this ranks up there. I was a guest of my brother in law at his home club and wrecked my back. While walking to my tee shot on the first, I heard a pop in my back. I whiffed my approach on the best drive I’ve ever hit on the opening hole and fell to the ground.  Fortunately, I have enough content to offer a final review but I am unfortunately out of commission until I figure out what happened. 
 
 
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Sorry to hear about your back. Take care of yourself


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[Sluggo42]

Good lord I stunk today... but I’m guessing it was the 6 beers and 85°.

but I pounded drives and sank putts, but I was about 1” fat on iron shots all day. Pretty disappointing really, as I’ve been on fire of late. But happily, the SIM was a beast, all dang day. 10 to 20 yds longer... everyone was amazed. But I embarrassed the Hogan community, it was pathetic...

[bens197]

8 hours ago, Sluggo42 said:

Good lord I stunk today... but I’m guessing it was the 6 beers and 85°.

but I pounded drives and sank putts, but I was about 1” fat on iron shots all day. Pretty disappointing really, as I’ve been on fire of late. But happily, the SIM was a beast, all dang day. 10 to 20 yds longer... everyone was amazed. But I embarrassed the Hogan community, it was pathetic...

Every so often we need a round like that, just to purge the system. 
 

What flavor beers are we talking about?  

[Sluggo42]

1 hour ago, bens197 said:

Every so often we need a round like that, just to purge the system. 
 

What flavor beers are we talking about?  

I can't remember. It was on tap, and it was described as a light IPA. Had a weird name I'd never heard before

[bens197]

7 minutes ago, Sluggo42 said:

I can't remember. It was on tap, and it was described as a light IPA. Had a weird name I'd never heard before

Since you’re on the left coast I’d suggest a Pliny the Elder from Healdsburg. 
 

 

[Sluggo42]

Still struggled with irons today, but nowhere near as bad as yesterday.. need to get back out to the range to get that swing back into my pocket

or maybe I just need to go fishing...

[GolfSpy BOS]

Good lord I stunk today... but I’m guessing it was the 6 beers and 85°.
but I pounded drives and sank putts, but I was about 1” fat on iron shots all day. Pretty disappointing really, as I’ve been on fire of late. But happily, the SIM was a beast, all dang day. 10 to 20 yds longer... everyone was amazed. But I embarrassed the Hogan community, it was pathetic...

We forgive you for today. I’ve really enjoyed reading into along with this test. Makes me want to do their demo and swing them for myself!


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