Any Hogan lovers?

[nativegolf]

That really sux if it does happen CF.

Looks like I may go looking for another set of 1998-2002 apex blades, so when I wear these out I've got a backup set.  Dang the luck.

[Rye]

Thanx for the input, C_F (MooJo on the way). It was not quite as uplifting as your usual posts, but very informative.

Hope Callaway has the sense to do something good with the Hogan brand.

[cpanther1995]

Ok, I'll try again: 

I was just flipping through the March issue of Golf Digest (it arrives pretty late here in Europe), when I saw an ad for the Ben Hogan line of irons (p. 126-127). I thought that Callayway was planning on discontinuing the brand totally, since no new products has been launched for quite some time now? Does anyone have any info?

? ? ?

I can only tell you what the Cally rep told me when I asked him the question at a December demo day.

Callaway is having trouble finding a target buyer for the Hogan line.  The buyer that remembers the Hogan line as a premium product is now older, and generally speaking, not able to use "player's irons" anymore.  They are moving to a more forgiving club.  As such, Hogan cannot command a premium price.

Callaway is not sure what to do with the Hogan brand right now.  However, one possibility being discussed is that  Callaway will introduce a "Hogan by Callaway" line that is premium customization line.  That is, everything is ordered to the customer's specifications, including the customer's monogram, etc.  I got the feeling, however, that that was a remote possibility, and that Callaway would eventually dump the whole Hogan name, or sell it off (probably to a discounter who will make a price-point club and try to coast for a few years on the Hogan brand name.  Note: the rep did not discuss anything like that, it was just my impression of what would happen because Callaway doesn't have a real plan.)

I would hate to see the Hogan name go the way of other great names like Ram and Tommy Armour. Hopefully they will have the sense to do something good with it.

Hogan by Callaway would be good, or instead of naming another club a Callaway X something or Ft something why not just name it the Callaway Hogan? You would have a Big Bertha, A Steelhead and a Hogan. Sounds better to me than a X-460.

This thread inspired my new Avatar, being a wrestling nut. You can almost hear The Man say it:

"Callaway may have Hogan, but you can be a Geek with Flair, Wooooo!"

Ok that's it, no more wrestling references for now. 

Yes it was very corny too 

[spinn]

Ok, I'll try again: 

I was just flipping through the March issue of Golf Digest (it arrives pretty late here in Europe), when I saw an ad for the Ben Hogan line of irons (p. 126-127). I thought that Callayway was planning on discontinuing the brand totally, since no new products has been launched for quite some time now? Does anyone have any info?

? ? ?

I can only tell you what the Cally rep told me when I asked him the question at a December demo day.

Callaway is having trouble finding a target buyer for the Hogan line.  The buyer that remembers the Hogan line as a premium product is now older, and generally speaking, not able to use "player's irons" anymore.  They are moving to a more forgiving club.  As such, Hogan cannot command a premium price.

Callaway is not sure what to do with the Hogan brand right now.  However, one possibility being discussed is that  Callaway will introduce a "Hogan by Callaway" line that is premium customization line.  That is, everything is ordered to the customer's specifications, including the customer's monogram, etc.  I got the feeling, however, that that was a remote possibility, and that Callaway would eventually dump the whole Hogan name, or sell it off (probably to a discounter who will make a price-point club and try to coast for a few years on the Hogan brand name.  Note: the rep did not discuss anything like that, it was just my impression of what would happen because Callaway doesn't have a real plan.)

Typical Cally response, if it's not a shovel they don't want to sell it. What he should have said is Cally is gunna wind down the great Hogan brand now that they hijacked it with the X tour forged (New version of an apex in a wolf's clothing)

[maamold]

I have a set of '79 Hogan directors, I had put Rifle 6.5 shafts in them but I'm planning to remove them, blunt the leading edge slightly and send them into be rechromed/grooved by The Iron Factory.  My only wish is that I could get a satin finish on them, but that won't happen in the USA. Then I'm going to have them rebuilt by a clubmaker with S300 shafts... can wait. O'course the 2006 Hogan blades are DROP DEAD GORGEOUS so maybe I'll just buy them :-)

[maamold]

0

[DaveT319]

For all you Hogan lovers, I'm selling my used set of Apex Edge Pro Forged irons. They're in pretty decent shape for having been used for 2.5 years. If you're interested, they're here:
http://www.golfdiscussions.com/yabbse/index.php/topic,17919.0.html

Dave

[TNSooner]

Wow...

Over the years, I've owned a set of each of the following:



To say I'm a Hogan fan is an understatement.  I don't play with them anymore, but they were the best of their generation.  Hands down.

[Rye]

Those are some sweet looking irons. Can't say that my Apex FTX look quite as good, but at least I can hit them.

[RickB]

Man, that picture has me Jonesing for another set of Apex blades. Time to scour e-bay.

[A V Twiss]

How do today's FTXs (for example) compare to the true Hogans?  Or the edge edge/pro.  I'd like another set of irons (maybe something more forgiving than my rac combos - for early season (or something) play.  But I prefer forged for the generally smaller heads and overall better (conventional?) looks.

thanks......

Somewhat easier to hit than the blades (I've owned both).  In terms of length they are a little longer as the lofts are two degrees stronger throughout the set.  The lofts on Apex blades are quite "traditional".  The FTX is a very soft feeling club but still gives pleanty of feedback.  The short irons are superb.  I would recommend them.  They have a satin finish as opposed to bright chrome.

[bisonpitcher]

When I worked in the golf business, I was lucky enough to be a Hogan staffer.  I currently have the Apex 2003 50th anniversary edition 2-E w/DG S400.  Prior to these, I played channel backs with apex 5 shafts for about 8 years.  I absolutely love the Hogan blades and it has been a shame to see the decline of the brand in general.

[mitchcumstein]

I just got a like new set of 2006 Apex irons with S300 shafts. All I can say is wow. How in the world do these things not rank as some of the best blades on the market? Right up there with MP-33's in my opinion. Callaway needs to stick the Callaway name on it's GI lines of clubs and market these as their player's irons. Forget the X Forged and X Tour stuff.

[RobotDoctor]

I have owned 4 sets of Hogan blades, two of which were player's blades.  I started playing with a set of Hogan Radials in 1986.  The two sets of blades I owned were the '88-'89 model (that I purchased in 1992) and the '98-'02 model.  I really loved the latter set as these were some of the best blades I have ever owned.  I prefer the DG shafts instead of the Apex shaft but otherwise Hogans are tremendous.  I play a set of Mizunos now but just might find another set of Hogans.  I have to agree that Hogan blades are very underrated.  There is a market for great player's irons and Hogans are about as good as they get.

[rp]

I am practicing right now with a set of 1975 Apex with the Legend shaft 5 flex and I am loving them. This set is in really good shape and I would love to actually play a round with them if I were hitting it good, but they have a sweetspot about the size of a gnat.

[Chelanace]

I have a few sets of Hogans somewhere.

[DaveT319]

I have a few sets of Hogans somewhere.

You have a few sets of EVERYTHING somewhere!

Dave

[rp]

I have a few sets of Hogans somewhere.

Tell me more 

[Chelanace]

I have a few sets of Hogans somewhere.

Tell me more 

An old set of the 78 model I think they are.  Then a set of Hogan, I think they say, Tour Grind on them.  Seems like I have another set of Hogans of some kind.

[rp]

I have a few sets of Hogans somewhere.

Tell me more 

An old set of the 78 model I think they are.  Then a set of Hogan, I think they say, Tour Grind on them.  Seems like I have another set of Hogans of some kind.

Both sets sold. Oh wait, this is not a BST thread  

[eliseo]

I am a fan of Hogan Apex clubs I think they fit in my hands quite perfectly eventhough they are classics they still look very nice.

[DeaconBlues]

I bought a 49* APEX wedge at a golf show this weekend.  BEAUTIFUL/classic look.  I am now looking for it's mates in 55/56 and 60 if I can find.  Could be tough as ebay was no help....