Ben Hogan Apex BH Grind

Reviewed by: Gary Kilbride ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
Apex Grind 1-SW, #4 Steel

Summary:
Gad, I remember the gasp when I saw them new in '91. My old cherished Haig Ultras were lost during a move, years earlier. This Hogan set was gorgeous. I still think it's the most visually pleasing of all the Hogans.

At Christmas '92 an Edwin Watts catalog had these discounted to $299, to clear out for a new model. I think I broke the world land speed record filling out the form -- 1/2 inch long, #4 steel, 1 degree upright. And throw in a 1 iron, thank you very much. At that point I was early 30s strong and irons were my forte.

For a decade these were excellent. My first practice session I remember throwing range balls on the turf and routinely smacking the 1 iron 235 with a slight pull. My roommate was amazed but I wondered what the heck he was fussing about. That 1 iron went 245 off the tee and was a great substitute during the long stretches my driver was pathetic.

The relatively small profile allows an aggressive dig. My divots with these things probably could circle the planet. But I could never draw them reliably like the Haig Ultras, which was an adjustment. I agree with a previous reviewer who said a slight power cut works well. I was always able to work the 6 iron and 7 iron the best, either direction. Once you get into the 8-PW, with the offset, it's more of a hope it starts out in the proper place.

Ball flight is mid, if not a touch low. But when I was playing well in my 30s to early 40s, I had incredible confidence with this set. A young strong thumper would do well with the Grinds. The feeling is amazing on a pured strike. I just saw a full set go for $50 Buy It Now on eBay.

The sand wedge is probably the gem. Round and versatile. I keep it in my bag and prefer it to the newer Hogans like the updated Sure Out.

Don't kid yourself that modern technology makes up for advancing age and lost strength. By mid 40s a few years ago I was standing with a Grind 4 or 5 iron from 175 to 195 out, and asking myself, "Who am I trying to kid?" Instead of hoisting it confidently toward the pin it seemed like my realistic destination was low, into the front bunker. I reluctantly added the 2001 Hogan Apex Edge irons via eBay. Great looking also, but simply not as distinctive or as rewarding as the Grinds. Nor as accurate, IMO. And much more awkward to chip with, due to clunky oversized heads. Chipping is always under valued in picking irons, and seldom mentioned in the reviews here. The small head of the Grinds allows precise confident chipping, with feedback.

I wondered how I was as long off the tee on par 3s with an Edge 6 iron as a Grind 5 iron. Then I checked ironfinder.com. The specs on a Grind 5 iron and Edge 6 iron are identical, 30 degrees. Keep that in mind when old models are dismissed as 1 club shorter.

The Grinds are not as susceptible to bag chatter as the Edges. The sets are a decade apart in age but look similar in terms of wear. I never really worried about iron covers with the Grinds but the Edges need them.

Only one thing caused me to comparatively devalue the Grinds: Last summer I rescued the same model Haig Ultras from my youth, on eBay for 33 bucks. I still can't believe it. Matched shaft R flex steel, perfect for me at this stage. Excellent condition, other than one small nick on the sole of the 5 iron. Too bad golfreview doesn't retreat far enough for reviews of classic blades like the Haig Ultra. Ironfinder.com insists my model is from 1966, although I remember my dad buying them new for me in perhaps '73. Whatever. Maybe they were old and he was scammed. :)

I finally can hit a dependable draw again, with the larger and more rounded Haig Ultra short irons. The lofts are weak but that's a bonus. The pitching wedge is like a modern gap wedge at 51 degrees, and so easy to chip with, it can feel like theft.

Customer Service:
Never dealt with Hogan directly. Edwin Watts was very impressive, as always

Similar Products Used:
Haig Ultras, King Cobra Original Oversize, 2001 Hogan Apex Edge

Reviewed by: capeto ,  Shoots in the 100s

Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan Apex BH Grind

Summary:
Bought it for 65 bucks, no wear on grooves ( V type )at all. Ben Hogan OEM steel shaft 4 ( probably stiff ). Good balanced and soft feel upon swinging and stricking the ball. Tour Grind. Newer models will impart more spin ( u grooves ), but I assume you can get same results with a softer cover ball. Upright lie/loft. The blades are elegantly designed and with a decent size. They don't have as much muscle as some other blades, but I assume you will need to practice a lot in getting decent clubhead speed and swinging on plane. To get any decent yardage on these I would guess you would need swinghead speeds from 100mph and upwards

Customer Service:
Go2golf.com is a scoop if you want to trade second hand for second hand.

Similar Products Used:
Wilson 1956 Pro Staff Blades

Reviewed by: AJW ,  Shoots in the 90s

Model Reviewed:
Apex Grind

Summary:
Smaller than average from toe to heal with a tiny amount of off set consistent through out the set the Apex Grind is clearly aimed at the near scratch golfer. These do nothing to correct miss hits and if you want to work the ball and have the swing to do so these will allow it. Any opening or closing of the face is translated into a fade or a draw. These have traditional lofts and shaft lengths meaning they play about a club shorter than modern cavity backs but this does make them a little friendly. Aesthetically they score highly only being let down by the boxy wedges feedback is a little firmer than I was expecting with even good shots producing a pleasant click off the face. I have played a couple of rounds with these and practiced a lot and while they are beautiful to look at and fun to hit but they don’t offer nearly enough help for me to consider using them as my main set. If you replaced the three and four iron with utility clubs they would make a nice set for a 15 or lower handicapper other wise only for the single didget players.

Reviewed by: Jeandre ,  Shoots in the 100s

Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan Apex Grind Forged Irons

Summary:
I own a set of BH Apex Grind Forged Irons. I am totally over the moon with it. I had it re-shafted with Dynamic Gold R300 shafts as well as new Tour Velvet grips.

I hate the look of cavity back irons... And as it is, blades are, in my opinion, highly overrated. It is not that difficult to hit at all!

I know I'm not a good golfer (yet) but if I can make one recommendation, it is, that before anyone buys new irons they must first try out a set of Muscle Back forged irons! The look, feel and sound is soooo much better!!! You can get a used set for only a few bucks...

I really enjoy my set, which consists of a 3-E.

I hope to see more “Blade Players” soon!