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
Scottie Scheffler’s winning WITB: 2024 Masters
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees @8.25) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Irons: Srixon ZU85 (3, 4) Buy here, TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW) Buy here.
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Hybrid Prototype 10 X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (50-12F, 56-14F) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60-T) Buy here.
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Buy here.
Grip: Golf Pride Pro Only Cord
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Buy here.
Check out more in-hand photos of Scottie Scheffler’s clubs here.
The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
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Whats in the Bag
WITB Time Machine: Danny Willett’s winning WITB, 2016 Masters
Driver: Callaway XR 16 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana W-Series 60 X
Length: 45.5 inches
3-wood: Callaway XR 16 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana W-Series 70X
5-wood: Callaway XR 16 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana W-Series 80X
Irons: Callaway Apex UT (2, 4), Callaway Apex Pro (5-9)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Superlite
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47-11 S-Grind) Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind (54-11, 58-9)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Superlite
Putter: Odyssey Versa #1 Wide (WBW)
Lie angle: 71 degrees
Ball: Callaway Speed Regime SR-3
Check out more photos of Willett’s equipment from 2016 here.
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Equipment
Project X Denali Blue, Black shaft Review – Club Junkie Review
Originally, Project X was known for low-spin steel iron shafts. However, the company might now be known for wood shafts. Denali is the newest line of graphite shafts from Project X. With the Denali line, the company focuses on feel as well as performance.
There are two profiles in the Denali line, Blue and Black, to fit different launch windows. Denali Blue is the mid-launch and mid-spin profile for players who are looking for a little added launch and Denali Black is designed for low-launch and low-spin. Both models are going to offer you a smooth feel and accuracy.
For a full in-depth review check out the Club Junkie podcast on all podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube.
Project X Denali Blue
I typically fit better into mid-launch shafts, as I don’t hit a very high ball so the Denali Blue was the model I was more excited to try. Out of the box, the shaft looks great and from a distance, it is almost hard to tell the dark blue from the Denali Black. With a logo down install of the shaft, you don’t have anything to distract your eyes, just a clean look with the transition from the white and silver handle section to the dark navy mid and tip.
Out on the course, the Blue offers a very smooth feel that gives you a good kick at impact. The shaft loads easily and you can feel the slightly softer handle section compared to the HZRDUS lineup. This gives the shaft a really good feel of it loading on the transition to the downswing, and as your hands get to impact, the Denali Blue keeps going for a nice, strong kick.
Denali Blue is easy to square up at impact and even turn over to hit it straight or just little draws and most of the flex of the shaft feels like it happens right around where the paint changes from silver to blue. The Blue launches easily and produces what I consider a true mid-flight with the driver. While it is listed as mid-spin, I never noticed any type of rise in my drives. Drives that I didn’t hit perfectly were met with good stability and a ball that stayed online well.
Project X Denali Black
When you hold the Denali Black in your hands you can tell it is a more stout shaft compared to its Blue sibling by just trying to bend it. While the handle feels close to the Blue in terms of stiffness, you can tell the tip is much stiffer when you swing it.
Denali Black definitely takes a little more power to load it but the shaft is still smooth and doesn’t give you any harsh vibrations. Where the Blue kicks hard at impact, the Black holds on a little and feels like keeps you in control even on swings that you try and put a little extra effort into. The stiff tip section also makes it a little harder to square up at impact and for some players could take away a little of the draw from their shot.
Launch is lower and more penetrating compared to the Blue and produces a boring, flat trajectory. Shots into the wind don’t rise or spin up, proving that the spin stays down. Like its mid-launch sibling, the Black is very stable and mishits and keeps the ball on a straighter line. Shots low off the face don’t get very high up in the air, but the low spin properties get the ball out there farther than you would expect. For being such a stout shaft, the feel is very good, and the Denali Black does keep harsh vibrations from your hands.
Overall the Project X Denali Blue and Black are great additions to the line of popular wood shafts. If you are looking for good feel and solid performance the Denali line is worth trying out with your swing. Choose Blue for mid-launch and mid-spin or Black for lower launch and low spin.
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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.