Description From Ben Hogan Co:
"...the 1998 Apex Iron combines some of the best features of the '88 and '94 Apex models. The result is the feel and performance you would expect from a forged blade, incorporated ...
Review Abstract "Cosmetically these clubs are absolutely beautiful with flawless workmanship throughout the entire set." The Ben Hogan Apex is an "outstanding set of forged irons." Amazingly pure, soft yet solid feel at impact. Many players report vast improvement in their iron play with these clubs. Reported as "a little bit pricy, but worth every penny." "This is what the best club in golf feels like. This is the best iron out there."
Summary: I played Hogan Radials (2-E) for a dozen years and then switched over to Ping ISIs about twelve years ago. Seemed the thing to do at the time. After then not playing for the last ten years, I got back into golf to teach my seven year-old son. I quickly discovered that I much prefer a thin topline with a compact head and hit my old Radials much better than the "easy-to-hit" Ping ISI-Ks that I also have. Since the Radials are a little tired and I wanted a stiffer shaft than the Apex 3 steel shaft I have on those clubs, I started researching blades. As a long-time Hogan fan, the Apex was high on the list. I found a set, 1-E in close-to-new shape with Rifle Flighted shafts (6.0) on ebay and pulled the trigger. All they needed were new grips.
The clubs are amazing. Draw, fade, knockdown...whatever you want. My distance is down a club from my Radials even though the lofts are a touch stronger, but I attribute that to the stiffer shafts. I'm still hitting the 8 iron about 145 though. The control makes it worth it as distance is not what's limiting my game at the moment.
I also really like having the 1 and 2 irons for tee shots. I often will carry one as a secondary driving option. Unlike most people, I'm much more comfortable with the long irons than woods or hybrids - a weak point of my game.
Interestingly, I tried playing the Pings again for a few rounds recently and my game fell apart. I found that with the Apex and Radial club heads, I set up much better and concentrate better allowing me to put the ball on the sweetspot more often. I belive some combination of the optics and offset is at work here.
Don't believe the hype that only low 'cappers can play blades. I'm of the belief that, yes, there's a difference between the cavity backs and blades, and yes, some people will perform better with one than the other, but the differences are much smaller than the marketing departments at the big companies or the local golf retail store would have you believe.
The way to improve your game is to improve your swing. Get a club that give you the feedback you need and don't be afraid to try a set of clubs like these and give it a go.
Customer Service: After killing the Hogan brand and legacy, I don't see myself buying anything from Callaway anytime soon.
Similar Products Used: Hogan Radials, Ping Eye 2, Ping ISI, various other blades
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Summary: Excellent club. I have played custom built clubs and clubs off the shelf, but none felt as solid and provided the ball flight/workability skills I have found with these. Before purchasing my Apex, I tried Titlest, Callaway and Taylor Made, these clubs are the best!
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Review Date October 24, 2009
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Reviewed by: Mike Radfoot(Unregistered User)
,
Shoots in the 80s
Model Reviewed: Hogan Apex Blades
Summary: Upon taking up these new clubs, I was astounded at the way they felt, in more respect to the after shot non shock like some irons I have used. Was a staunch Calloway user - Big Bertha, however now will look to moving on to these. Borrowed a friends set and have seen a vast improvement of my game. In more particular my distance and control. I always thought the "Blade " were for pros or the like - thiner type of club, I was wrong. These will now help me get to a single handicap-- 3 to go.
Customer Service: Hogan should be commended on this style of club and technology
Similar Products Used: Calloway - no more!
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Review Date October 6, 2009
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Visitors rate this review 4.50 of 5,
2 votes
Reviewed by: JIM RESTIVO(Unregistered User)
,
Shoots in the 90s
Model Reviewed: APEX 06
Summary: BEAUTIFUL,EYE CATCHING IRONS. WHEN MY SWING IS CORRECT THESE IRONS ROCK ! WHEN I BOUGHT THESE IRONS I WAS A 22 HNDCP. [AT ONE TIME I WAS A 10] AFTER THE FIRST 3 ROUNDS I REALLY GOT BUSY WITH THE PRACTICE RANGE. WITH EVERY BUCKET I WAS FINDING SOMETHING NEW. I WAS SO TAKEN BY MY NEW LEARNING CURVE THAT ONCE AGAIN I BECAME A STUDENT OF THE GAME. GRIP PRESSURE,COURSE MANAGEMENT,GREENS READING, SWING SET UP,BALL FLIGHT,YOU NAME IT. ONCE AGAIN I BECAME A SPONGE FOR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT A GAME THAT CAN'T BE WON. ALL BECAUSE OF 8 NEW IRONS BOUGHT AT A DISCOUNT.ON A WHIM. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO PUT UP WITH THE LATEST GREATEST GAME IMPROVING IRONS. HECK I CAN'T EVEN HIT OFFSET CLUBS. I FEEL LIKE I'M SWINGING A BASEBALL BAT INTO A BAG OF SAND. I'VE ONLY OWNED 2 CAST SETS[TOMMY ARMOUR AND MAX-FLY]. I ALWAYS WENT BACK TO FORGED IRONS [FX-2,YONEX,MACGREGOR,WILSON] AND MORE. ALL USED CLUBS. BUT I ALWAYS LIKED THE LOOK OF HOGAN BLADES. SO AT 229.00 BRAND NEW I JUMPED ON THEM [SHOULD'A GOT 2 SETS].
AT FIRST... WHAT A FEEL!! BUT A WHOLE CLUB SHORT. IT TOOK A FEW HOURS AT THE RANGE TO GET TO KNOW THESE AND THEN POW!
84-89-86-85. I STARTED THINKING ABOUT GETTING BACK DOWN TO A 10. GOLF HELL FOR ME IS SHOOTING HIGH 90s WHEN IT SHOULD BE MID 80s.FEEL IS FANTASTIC, PLAYABILITY IS GREAT. I REALIZED THE LOST DISTANCE IS PARTLY DUE TO NO RUN-OUT WHEN THESE IRONS LAND THE BALL. THROWADART! PINSEEKERS! AND WITH MY NEW FOUND WORK ETHIC ABOUT PRACTICE MY OLD SWING IS COMING BACK... SLOWLY. SO, WHAT DO I DO? WELL TAKE THESE IRONS OUT OF THE BAG OF COURSE. THERE SHORT AFTER ALL. INTO THE BAG GO THE FX-2s AFTER A FRESH FITTING FOR MY NEW/OLD SWING. EACH CLUB TUNED JUST FOR ME. MAN! THESE IRONS ARE LONGER THAN EVER. EVERY ONE. BUT WAIT.. SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT. THEY DON'T BEHAVE VERY WELL. I CAN STILL HIT IT STRAIGHT BUT WHERE IS MY FADE? OR KNOCK DOWN OR HIGH SHOT? OR MY DISTANCE CONTROL? MY TOUCH WITH CHIPS-PITCHES? ALL WORKED WELL WITH THE NEW HOGANS? [ I NEVER COULD HIT A GOOD WORKING DRAW ].I'VE PLAYED WITH MY FX FORGED SINCE 1998. ALWAYS LIKED THEM,BUT THEY HAD TO GO. BACK TO THE HOGANS AND HANDICAP REPAIR. MY GROUP SAW A CHANGE.
NIGHT TURNS TO DAY. I WENT FROM 22 TO 16.3 IN A MONTH. I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THESE IRONS [IN STOCK FORM] THAT I'M AFRAID TO SEE MY FITTER. SINCE THEN I REPLACED EVERYTHING ELSE IN MY BAG EXCEPT FOR MY DRIVER AND PUTTER. EVERYTHING ELSE IS FROM HOGAN. [HYBRIDs 0-1-2-3-4,CARNOUSTIE 54,60 WEDGES]. A TAYLOR MADE DRAW DRIVER AND MY TRUSTY ANSER PUTTER[1992]. EXCEPT FOR THE 14 CLUB RULE I'M NOW SET. CALLAWAY IS MAKING A HUGE MISTAKE BY DROPPING THE HOGAN LINE. AND THE FORGED STUFF THEY OFFER WHILE NICE JUST CAN'T COMPARE WITH THE FEEL OF TRUE BLADES. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR FEEL AND WANT TO IMPROVE BUY SOME USED HOGANS [GOOD LUCK FINDING THEM NEW].
GET MR.HOGAN'S BOOK 5 LESSONS. THEN PRACTICE. AFTER THAT,PICK UP YOUR OLD STICKS. WELCOME TO DAYLIGHT. GAME IMPROVEMENT? CAVITY BACK? OFFSET? IT'S ALL FINE FOR YOUR FIRST SET.BUT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT A GOLF CLUB REALLY DOES.
BECAUSE THE LATEST AND GREATEST DO ONE THING VERY WELL.MASK BAD SHOTS [WHICH HAS IT'S PLACE.. ie-BEGGINNERS].I MEAN,THE WHOLE REASON FOR AN OFFSET CLUB IS TO HIDE THE FACT THAT YOUR HANDS ARE IN THE WRONG POSITION COMING THROUGH THE BALL. AFTER YOUR LEARNING SET OF IRONS WE SHOULD ALL KNOW THIS.OR BE TOLD. AND THAT'S THE TIME FOR A CHANGE. DON'T BELEIVE ME? GO TO YOUR LOCAL STORE AND PICK YOUR FAVORITE LOFTED IRON FROM THE USED CLUB BIN. FORGED WITH LITTLE OR NO OFFSET. OR GET ONE ON E-BAY. THEY ARE CHEAP AND USUALLY SCRAPED UP QUITE A BIT.
[THE NEW GRIP YOU PUT ON WILL COST JUST AS MUCH]. JUST MAKE SURE IT'S A TOP NAME BRAND. SOME OFF BRAND BLADES ARE REAL JUNK. READ HOGAN'S BOOK AND GET STARTED.
NEVER AGAIN WILL YOU WALK INTO THE LOCAL PROSHOP WITH THAT DOE-EYED I HOPE THIS NEW STUFF WORKS OUTLOOK. YOU WILL PASS ON ALMOST ALL THE EQUIPMENT BECAUSE OF A SHARPER MORE DISERNING EYE. AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE A FITTER YOUR IN THE WRONG STORE. I OUGHT TO BE PAID..
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Summary: If you have the game to play blades effectively than there is no better iron than the BH Apex Blades.
The clubhead is heavier than most which discourages some players, but the weight helps especially when hitting out of the rough. I've had the blades all through high school and college golf. I doubt I will ever get something different.
If you get them, be patient and stick with it, blades take a while to get used to, but once you do your game will be fantastic.
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