Equipment
Ben Hogan launches Ft. Worth 15 Hi Irons, 2016 Staff Bag
The people at the Ben Hogan Golf Company think more golfers would play forged irons if the long irons weren’t so challenging to hit consistently. So as the company builds on its core business of Ft. Worth 15 irons and TK wedges, it makes sense that Hogan would expand its line with more forgiving forged iron options.
At the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show, the company launched a cavity-back set of irons called PTx that are an alternative to the blade-like Ft. Worth 15 irons. It also debuted a hybrid with adjustable weights called VKTR, which could replace a golfer’s troublesome long irons (we identified both as a “Show Stopper”).
Hogan’s new Ft. Worth Hi irons are something in between.
Like the Ft. Worth 15 irons, the Ft. Worth Hi irons are forged from 1025 carbon steel. They’re 15 percent larger, however, and use a two-piece, hollow-body construction that redistributes mass lower and deeper in the iron head. The hollow-body construction also brings added ball speed for more distance, as well as more forgiveness when golfers miss the sweet spot. And its more rearward center of gravity (CG) encourages a higher ball flight to help golfers stop their long approach shots quicker on the green.
Consistent with the importance Hogan places on distance gapping, the Ft. Worth Hi irons are available in 11 different lofts (20-31 degrees). The company recommends as many as three of them chosen from the following loft ranges: 20-23, 24-27, 28-31. Think of them as 3, 4 and 5 iron replacements.
“When you get under 30-32 degrees of loft, spin is your friend, particularly in off-center performance,” says Terry Koehler, President/CEO of the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company. “Most long-iron misses are low on the club face and result in low-launch, low-spin shots that have shorter carry distances and a shallower angle of descent. The Fort Worth Hi irons’ hollow construction and precision engineering deliver the right balance of perimeter weighting, looks, ball flight and distance control, creating the new standard in long iron design and playability.”
The Ft. Worth Hi irons are currently available for $169 per club with KBS’ Tour V or Tour 90 shafts. The standard graphite shaft is UST Mamiya’s Recoil, which boost the price to $184 per club. Several custom shaft and grip options are also available through www.benhogangolf.com.
True Ben Hogan fans will also be excited to know that the company has also released a new 2016 Tour Bag ($450) that can be customized for an extra $15.
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Whats in the Bag
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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Equipment
Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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David Labbe
Apr 24, 2016 at 7:18 am
Interesting that PXG started out testing with hollow irons, but the face would not hold form after hitting the ball over a short amount of time. That’s why they then added the polymer type filling so that the iron would hold its shape.
Jim
Aug 15, 2016 at 4:20 pm
….Peter Belmont invented the hollow body iron – I believe. He held patents on it as well as a few adjustable weighting systems and patents that Titleist & TM used at one time or another…Rarely has something “new” in golf equipment not been tried before…. Nike Covert Driver (see BULLET GOLF Hollow Point Driver)….most of the deigns were ahead of their time and limited by materials and tech at the time.
Hope they’re as good as they look. Wish em well… just as long as they don’t end up in Walmart with the BH clothing line…
Belmont’s hollow core iron was years ahead of it’s time as maybe the biggest head anyone’d seen or was willing to try was the original Ping…He kept it as ‘small’ as possible and the weight was on a screw that ran from toe to heel and as it was turned the weight would ‘walk’ out to toe or back towards the heel….other designs for weighted screws in sole plates for woods, as well as heel / toe weight ports for coin style weights
Mark
Apr 24, 2016 at 3:40 am
They look superb. Wonder when they will restart UK sales?
Chuck D
Apr 23, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Hogan’s ghost probably wants nothing to do with a broom handler that STILL appears to be putting illegally with his thumb knuckle AND left forearm STILL ATTACHED to his body…………I don’t care what anyone says! A part of his left arm and hand are connected to his body. Anchoring, simple and plain. The rule is a disaster! The governing numb skulls should have limited the length of the putter to “let’s say 40,” so there would be no question. You should have seen the patrons at the Mahztaz standing at every conceivable angle to see how Lang’a was getting away with his stroke!
Rod C
Aug 9, 2016 at 4:25 pm
I agree 100% with you. It is anchored. If the golf administrators wanted to get rid of the long putter all they need to do is say the hands must be below the elbows when holding the club. That would force a traditional stroke with the putter like 99% of the golfing population.
Jade
Apr 22, 2016 at 4:59 pm
They would of suited DeChambeau!
rex235
Apr 21, 2016 at 9:42 pm
Three words-
RIGHT HAND ONLY.
TCJ
Apr 22, 2016 at 2:28 am
It’s devastating, not a single LH option, with no intentions to pursue it either.
Andy
Apr 21, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Will the company sponsor any pros on the PGA or Champions tour?
Chuck
Apr 21, 2016 at 9:31 pm
I was just thinking about how cool it would be if Langer became a Ben Hogan Golf staffer. Probably the last guy on any tour playing with original Hogans. I’ll bet Langer would love it, if they could afford him. He’s only wearing about eight other logos right now.
Andy
Apr 22, 2016 at 8:54 am
I agree. Maybe he will since it looks like he no longer plays for Adam’s….
I could picture certain tour players who prefer very traditional and classic looking clubs.