MGS Article - Ben Hogan Golf is Back!

[IndyBonzo]

This is a really nice article on the homepage about the return of Ben Hogan Golf by John Barba.

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/ben-hogan-golf-is-back-again/

I, for one, am enthused about this news.  As some of you know, I recently bought a vintage set of Hogan blades and have had a blast trying them out.  They are remarkably easy to hit for blades, and they really do feel super smooth.  Both the vintage and more modern Hogan blades are some of the most beautiful clubs ever made, IMO.  I don't need any more iron sets (he shouted at the sky, knowing it was in vain), but have to seriously consider getting a modern set of Hogan blades sometime to try.  There is so much history, and the clubs are such good quality, I really hope the "new" Hogan golf can succeed.

[Deepred]

I exchanged emails with Golf Brands, apparently they have several new designs already in the pipeline they will be bringing to market. No details but apparently at least one of them falls in the game improvement category.

[MattF]

How many times is this corpse going to be resurrected?

[GolfSpy_APH]

Excited to see what they can do and be with this new ownership group. There will be plenty of hurdles and I'm sure skeptics, but given this company is working to restore other older brand names I think this could be a good fit. Especially if they still have some inventory to kick off. 

Time will tell and it's been an up and down road, but I really am hopeful!

[Hook DeLoft]

I have a couple of wedges from the last iteration of Hogan.  I really like them.  If the new company offers the same design, I will probably order a couple.  I was a forum tester for the new MacGregor irons that the same company is selling and was really impressed; so, I have hope the Hogan venture will result in good product.

[bens197]

On 10/21/2023 at 7:40 AM, MattF said:

How many times is this corpse going to be resurrected?

As long as there is money to be made it’s likely easier to profit off an established brand than create a new name.

Their fate is likely written but the true value here is the ability to purchase the existing overhead at what is presumably pennies on the dollar.

[MattF]

20 hours ago, bens197 said:

As long as there is money to be made it’s likely easier to profit off an established brand than create a new name.

Their fate is likely written but the true value here is the ability to purchase the existing overhead at what is presumably pennies on the dollar.

My understanding is it will be new clubs, not what was left. The company that makes the new Zebra putters and a host of other clubs is the "manufacturer". I use parenthesis because they are likely picking heads out of a catalog and having their name stamped on them.  

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

1 hour ago, MattF said:

My understanding is it will be new clubs, not what was left. The company that makes the new Zebra putters and a host of other clubs is the "manufacturer". I use parenthesis because they are likely picking heads out of a catalog and having their name stamped on them.  

HI Matt - that's not the case. They have the inventory left over from the previous iteration of Hogan and have some new stuff in the pipeline. Your comment about ordering stuff out of a catalog is true in regards to Ram - Simon told me that's exactly what they did and is how they can sell a pretty decent set of irons for only $400. The MacGregor MT86 irons are an original design by Austie Rollinson, who also designed the Zebra putters. 

The previous Hogan iteration's irons were also original designs- although the "updated" PTx pros were only an ever so slight alteration of the previous versions. The biggest difference there was cosmetic, as far as I could tell. Hogan itself did not have an R&D team on staff - they did outsource their R&D and design services to a US-based outfit and the latest model of Equalizer wedges was actually designed by Ronnie McGrath, who worked with Gene Sheeley at Ben Hogan's personal club maker back in the 80s. Those were definitely not open models chosen from a catalog.  

[bens197]

2 hours ago, MattF said:

My understanding is it will be new clubs, not what was left. The company that makes the new Zebra putters and a host of other clubs is the "manufacturer". I use parenthesis because they are likely picking heads out of a catalog and having their name stamped on them.  

I think you're right.  I was referring to the shafts, grips & assembly tools which I did not really specify in my response.

 

[vandyland]

I loved and still love my PTxPros and I have equalizer IIs in the bag. The challenge with the Hogans is that seemingly each time they go out of business their next line of clubs become less valuable. This is an issue with many DTCs to some extent in that the resale value is significantly diminished. Even so, the PTxPros tested very well for me and have performed well for several years now. Hogan had very limited shaft options but that was fine as I fit into the KBS Tours okay. If their quality control is similar to how it is has been in the past, the clubs will be as well made and balanced as Major OEM irons. Also, their aesthetic has always been classic without being over simplistic which I like. Finally, the V-sole is excellent. 

[Adamman84]

I currently have a set of the Hogan Icon irons and the Equalizer 2 wedges, both have been fantastic. I hope that when they do come out, that they have the correct pricing....they really need to stick close to what the other companies like Sub70 offer when it comes to price, performance and value. I will be keeping a close eye on Hogan, I really want them to succeed as I have been a Hogan fan since I started golfing in the late 90's.