Reviewed by: Gary Kilbride
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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
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