When the Ben Hogan brand was reborn and introduced its new products to the world in 2015, it garnered quite a bit of attention. After all, the Hogan brand was one that resonated with golf fans. When the Ft. Worth irons were unveiled, they brought back many fond memories; however, they did not exactly look like your father’s Ben Hogan irons. The brand has expanded their irons to multiple lines and finishes, but yet there still wasn’t that full-on classic Ben Hogan blade iron. That all changes today with the announcement of the new ICON irons.
These are your father’s Ben Hogan irons. I can hear my father now when he hears about this release; it will go something like this, “I have a set of those in the basement.” Honestly, he’s not wrong, and he probably has two sets of them. The styling of the ICON irons will likely strike that nostalgic chord with many. Even if you are not a golfer who only dates back to the ’90s, you only need to look at the 1999 Hogan Apex irons to see the resemblance.
Don’t think for one second that these are just a classic remake because Ben Hogan did incorporate some of their modern technology to make these blades a bit friendlier than the ones Mr. Hogan enjoyed playing so much. By looking at the back of the ICON irons, there is some visible movement of mass and center of gravity manipulation taking place. This redistribution is known to the brand as a “Progressive Center of Mass,” and is put in place to help players achieve a consistent and optimal ball flight in both length and trajectory. Similar to what we have seen lately in wedge designs, the scoring clubs have weight higher in the clubhead to help produce a lower ball flight and increased control. In contrast, the mid and long irons have weight positioned lower in the head to accomplish a higher trajectory and more spin.
Featured underneath is the V-Sole, which has become a staple of the Ben Hogan line. For those that are unfamiliar with this design, we see a high-bounce leading edge with a lower-bounce trailing edge to promote forgiveness and prevent digging. Having played clubs with a V-Sole in the past, I can tell you it certainly does help. Not only does contact feel great from the fairway, but it also helps the club cut through the rough, which helps on days when your driver is not cooperating. According to Scott White, Ben Hogan’s CEO, “Serious players can take comfort in knowing that ICON gives them the opportunity to hit their mark on every shot while feeling the satisfying pureness of flush contact.”
If you have gotten to this point, you might have already concluded that the ICON irons are created for the upper echelon of players out there. Blade irons aren’t geared towards golfers looking for a jump in distance or forgiveness. They are there for those who are looking for complete control and consistency. You won’t find a 30? 7-iron here. Instead, Ben Hogan’s loft structure sticks to their tradition, which is a consistent four-degree loft separation with the 4-iron coming in at 22? and the PW sitting at 46?. These more traditional lofts should come as no surprise to anyone considering the mold of these irons.
These ICON irons from Ben Hogan are going to be available in two different finish options, chrome, and back DBM. Chrome will maintain that classic look to them, while the DMB finish has shown to wear well on the Ft. Worth irons, but be aware that after some time, there will be some lightening up on the face and sole. Both finishes are likely to draw some double takes by your playing partners.
As has been the case with the new Ben Hogan brand, their pricing is more wallet-friendly due to their direct to consumer model. Traditionally speaking, when we see a company introduce a new set of blade irons, we are looking at price tags that jump over that $1,000 mark. With Ben Hogan, that is not the case as these come in at a price tag of $770(chrome) and $800(black) for a set of 7 irons. While the direct to consumer model could make it hard to gather some in-hand experiences, Ben Hogan does offer a risk-free demo program. Keep in mind that Ben Hogan entered into a partnership with Club Champion this year, which provides golfers another avenue when it comes to demo and fitting opportunities.
The Details
Price: $770 – Chrome
$800 – Black DBM
Pre-order: Chrome available for pre-order now and Black DBM pre-order TBD
Shafts: No-Upcharge Steel and Graphite Options
More information is available at www.benhogangolf.com
MOI and COR certified
Sometimes you need a shot that goes dead right like a scalded goat
For testing purposes only.
That said, I like the TXG crew, they’re not crazy like the Crosshiels loons, though they both swing like machines.
I got a bit frustrated and impatient myself. Now that I have them, very much worth the wait. Still no actually course time as golf in my area is booming atm and hard to get on decent courses without it being planned several days in advance. I have been at the range the last 3 nights trying to get a feel. These may be the best irons I’ve ever hit. As others have stated, I find myself constantly thinking and lusting about the next chance to hit them all throughout the days ? Still very impressed with the consistency of the ball flight and distance. Whatever you do with the club is exactly what is about to happen to that ball. Also quite pleased at overall forgiveness. Feel like I can basically put it off the hosel without penalty. Higher than flush on the face also seems very playable. Last night was the first time I got to hit them off the grass. It honestly hurt me a bit to not be able to clean them after every shot ? Aside from that, V-Sole FTW! Also not to be overlooked, IMO these are the best looking irons in the bag and at address on the market! Still patiently awaiting course time with some ProV’s.
I like them and their content most of the time. But damn their swings are so unrelatable to me.
They make the @Canadan machine look erratic
MAN they’re good. The consistency that a MB offers me in the scoring irons is flat out addicting. Misses are misses, but my number is SO much more consistent.
And the vsole is the greatest thing ever, as always.
Matty boy, freaking drills the ball with a driver. It’s unbelievable watching him annihilate balls in those driver tourney videos.
This is one key element holding me back. I dont really have any experience with the tour V shaft and not sure I would like the X.
I’m actually happy with the shaft. If I were to change it would be to go back to graphite because of personal preference.
It’s a tremendous stew shaft and I hate it for that. It ALWAYS works well for me, and it’s the @Canadan favorite steel shaft ever too, and even though we make our speed very differently it works for both very well.
I hate it because it’s so good I can’t make myself put these onyx elevate X100’s in them, the numbers are just too good, and the feel is as only KBS can do in steel.
I’m currently playing Ctaper S+ in my T100s. Any thoughts on me going stiff vs X? Tempted to go stiff. Maybe I should order some demos to be sure.
Ctaper play stiff to flex, and were designed to, these play true to flex.
I’ve enjoyed the heck out of that shaft in my set. I haven’t had one thought that I need to change. For some reason it just seems to work for me.
Yeah, it’s just a super good pairing.
I’m sure I’ll change them at some point and it’ll never be the same ?
A highlight from tonight was from 200 yards out, in to a stiff breeze. Typically 200 would be a perfect 4 iron but with the wind I figured I’d come up a little short. I pulled the 4 iron out, gave it a good swing, caught it slightly on the toe side and the ball pierced through the air where it landed on the green short of pin high and rolled just on to the back fringe. I couldn’t believe I made it there with that little butter knife. Man that felt good!
Those irons were made for you.
That 7 iron on 18 still has me giddy
Excited to see what these guys are all about.
Anyone interested in seeing comparison photos to my T100S irons?
Photos are always wanted!
Ok, will do.
So curious to see how the blade length in the ICONS compares to the T100S. The T100S heads are quite small.
I’m at just over 4 weeks – initial email said 28 days – after emailing them they have stated minimum 6 weeks as per "current" indication on website :/
View attachment 8953986
The very next hole they converted a par 4 in to a par 3 and I stuck a PW to about the same distance. It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve had back to back birdies. I’m still absolutely in love with these things!
They’re so much fun. And they’re amply more playable than anyone would ever dream.
I had a shot today with the 5 iron that took me by surprise forgiveness wise. I hit this skanky little toe shot that I thought would be 15 yards short of the green. It bounced just short and left of the green, took a good hop right and left me with about a 20 foot putt. The hop was lucky but I didn’t expect to get anywhere near the green.
I don’t know if it’s how the head has those multiple ridges or what but there is forgiveness in these.
here yah go. 6 irons. T100S and Icon.View attachment 8954037
I had the same yesterday with a 5iron. Should have been twenty yards short and I was in the green.
Yeah, people are going to struggle to find something that feels better, they’re as good as anything out there for feel, including my Miura’s.
I’ve never hit Miura irons before, but they felt a lot better than the MP-18 Mizunos.
Aesthetically, they both look fantastic. The Icon has a bit longer blade length, a straighter leading edge and the toe shaping is a bit more blunt. As for forgiveness, we are comparing a multi-material CB essentially (with blade aesthetics) to an actual blade. And that is with out my preferred shaft setup. I think the Titleist takes that battle, however…..I found the Icon VERY nice to hit. I dare say a truly noticeable difference in forgiveness will be found until you reach the longer irons. I did not particularly like the setup of the PtX Pro irons, but the Icons were excellent.
PS: Price wise, the Hogans are literally half.
Words are failing me right now. You ever have those moments you just KNOW you are going to hit a good shot?
Filthy good.
View attachment 8954412View attachment 8954413
A less than full 9i
View attachment 8954423
A pretty spectacular off speed 7i
View attachment 8954424
You saw my worst round. Tusconcacti saw me shoot 2 very good rounds with them.
watching you on the back 9 at Lookout Mtn was impressive. I believe you par’d it correct?
All looking good and to spec (by eyeballing against my old irons).
View attachment 8954440
View attachment 8954441
View attachment 8954442
View attachment 8954443
View attachment 8954444
I am taking this week off from golf so will not not have any updates this week on the Hogan’s
Yes yes yes
You have blue grips!! Bonus!
Those look fantastic, and I love that you ordered the 50* Equalizer to go with them. Love my Equalizers.
Yep I thought they looked a little different to the demo’s – and now looking back the demos had black/grey…..I do like the blues better.
I decided I couldn’t not have an old "E" wedge . Plus as the 50 is usually used for fuller shots, so figured matching up the specs to the irons would make sense and my other 2 wedges can stay as they are (as rarely used for full shots).
Great logic. The 50* is definitely the spirit child of the of the OG set Equalizer wedge.