The Apex Plus came out of Fort Worth at a strange moment for the Ben Hogan Company. By 2000, Spalding owned the brand and oversized cast irons ruled the market, but Hogan kept doing what Hogan did: forging carbon steel irons for people who cared more about feel than forgiveness. The Apex Plus was the company's small concession to the era. It kept the forged blade DNA of the standard Apex but added a touch more heft low in the head and a slightly friendlier profile at address.
Don't read too much into the word Plus, though. This is still a blade by any modern standard. The topline is thin, the offset is minimal, and a shot struck off the toe will tell you about it immediately. What you get in exchange is the thing Hogan loyalists still hunt these irons down for on eBay two decades later, a soft, dense feel at impact that very few modern irons match.
These usually came fitted with the Apex shaft, Hogan's own steel design with its odd numbered flex system. That shaft has a smooth, almost buttery load to it, and it's a big part of why a well-struck Apex Plus long iron feels the way it does.
Tóm lại
The Ben Hogan Apex Plus (2000) is a compact blade for skilled ball-strikers who want feel and shot control.
Ben Hogan Apex Plus Gậy sắt: Thông số chính
- Danh mục
- Blade
- Năm sản xuất
- 2000
Mua ngay hay chờ đợi?
Mua hay chờRefresh due soon
Brands in this category update about every 2 years, and the Apex Plus is 26 years old with no successor yet, so a new model could land any time. Grab it at clearance pricing now, or wait a few weeks to see what replaces it.
Based on release timing and this line's typical refresh cycle, not a live price quote.
Thông số Loft
Stock steel shaft. Lofts are approximate and subject to manufacturing tolerances.
About the Ben Hogan Apex Plus
Hogan forged the Apex Plus from carbon steel at the Fort Worth plant, and the finish work from that era holds up. Compared to the straight Apex blade, the Plus carries a marginally longer blade length and moves a little mass toward the sole, which nudges the sweet spot down to where most golfers actually strike it. Call it a muscleback with sympathy. The sole is fairly narrow with the traditional Hogan camber, so it works cleanly through firm turf but offers no bounce-related rescue from fat shots. Lofts are traditional for the period, which means noticeably weaker than anything sold today. A 2000-era Apex Plus 7-iron flies more like a modern 8 or 9-iron. That's not a flaw. Paired with the higher spin of a forged blade, it produces the kind of steep-landing, controllable ball flight that made these a favorite among better players.
Who Should Play the Ben Hogan Apex Plus?
- ✓Single-digit handicappers who want classic Hogan feel with slightly more margin than the standard Apex blade.
- ✓Collectors and traditionalists drawn to the last generation of irons forged at the Fort Worth factory.
- ✓Skilled ball strikers building a vintage or throwback bag who still plan to actually play the clubs, not just display them.
Câu hỏi thường gặp
Are the Ben Hogan Apex Plus irons forgiving?
Not by modern standards. The Plus designation means a little extra sole weight and a slightly larger head than the standard Apex blade, which helps marginally on thin strikes. Miss toward the toe or heel and you'll lose real distance. If you're above roughly a 10 handicap, a modern players cavity back will treat you better.
What do the Apex shaft numbers mean, like Apex 3 or Apex 4?
Hogan used its own flex system on the Apex steel shafts. Apex 3 plays close to a regular flex, Apex 4 is roughly stiff, and Apex 5 is extra stiff. They run slightly softer than modern shafts with the same label, so an Apex 4 feels a touch smoother than a current stiff shaft.
How do the 2000 Apex Plus lofts compare to modern irons?
They're about one to one and a half clubs weaker. That era's 7-iron loft sits where many current 8-irons or even 9-irons do. Judge them by trajectory and gapping rather than the number on the sole, and don't be discouraged if they fly shorter than your current set.
What's the difference between the Apex Plus and the regular Apex blade?
The standard Apex is a pure muscleback. The Plus has a slightly longer blade, a lower center of gravity, and a bit more mass behind the impact area, so it launches a little easier and stings a little less on mishits. Feel between the two is nearly identical since both are forged carbon steel.
Are Apex Plus irons from 2000 still worth buying today?
For the right golfer, yes. Clean sets are affordable on the used market and the forging quality is excellent. Check the grooves and sole wear, since many sets saw heavy play, and budget for fresh grips and possibly a loft and lie check. As a first set for a beginner, though, they're a poor fit.
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