Hogan Apex shafts

**alexcli** · 11-04-2004

I'm currently playing with Hogan CFT's with the stock Apex shafts and have been told by a few people that the shafts aren't very good and I should reshaft them with rifles or True Tempers. I was wondering if anyone out there has any thoughts about Apex shafts compared to Rifles or TT's. Also, if anyone has reshafted their Hogans from the Apex shafts to Rifles or TT's, have you noticed any signifcant improvements such as more distance or tighter shot dispersion? According to the hogan website, the Apex shafts are made by Royal Precision so it seems that they should be at least decent . I'm just trying to determine if it's worth the time and money to reshaft my irons. Thank you for any advice you may have.

**dorkman53** · 11-04-2004

I have Hogan hybrids, and in my opinion, they are the easiest to hit, most accurate hybrids around. I prefer them in steel, having been less impressed with a Harrison graphite iron shaft. The #4 stiff shaft performs quite well, but I experimented a bit and found that the Rifle 5.5 is a bit tighter and more solid. I get a tighter dispersion with the Rifle 5.5 (stiff ) than the Apex #4 stiff. Obviously, your results may vary. If the 5.5 is too stiff, a 5.0 (regular +/firm) might be a little closer to the Hogan #4shaft. I hope this helps. The Hogan #4 has a little more pop to it, since it is more flexible, but I find the dispersion and accuracy superior with the Rifle. I also prefer the feel of Rifles to Dynamic Golds, but this too is subjective.

**24putts** · 02-01-2005

Once again, I disagree with my good friend Dorkman. In truth, there may be no shaft stiffer than an Apex 4. My regular playing partner has 'em, swings as hard as John Daly and couldn't hook an iron shot if his life depended on it. If they're "no good," it's for that reason. The Apex 3 is fine for 85% of recreational golfers. And Dorkman, since you seem to collect sets (1025C, Apex, etc.), how about buying my Zevo blades? They're beautiful, unusual, cheap, and will give you another shaft to try out.

**Neil-Tiko** · 02-01-2005

Sorry 24 Putts (Is that for your 1st or 2nd nine...) ;)

First of all, i respect Dork's opinion in many subjects of Golf. He knows his stuff. And he is a fan of Hogan, just like me. Why do you say Apex no. 4 are the stiffest... Come on!!! Did you try them??? Or your "knowledge" just comes from your BIG GORILLA FRIEND that's hits them a mile...

Anyway, just give your opinion, and please don't underestimate people's opinion and knowledge in this Forum... SO JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, the Apex shaft are considered a light shaft, so they can help you feel the weight of the head. Basically, the Apex no.4 are considered STIFF for Hogan, but in reality they are between a Regular R300 and Stiff S300 when compared to Dynamic Gold.

So changing the STOCK shaft of Hogan, basically reduces the Feel of the Head because you will be changing for a heavier shaft. SO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SHAFT WEIGHT AND THE HEAD WEIGHT WON'T BE AS MUCH. Doesn't meen Apex are good for your needs. But Ben Hogan wanted the average player to at least feel the Head during the swing...!!!

Good luck!!!

**dorkman53** · 02-01-2005

The Hogan Apex shaft is used on their "playa" iron blade/musclebacks. It is a stiffer, heavier, higher kickpoint shaft than the Apex Edge shaft used in the Hogan CFT hybrids. The Apex Edge is lighter, and has a lower kickpoint. On my Hogan CFT Hybrids I tried both the Apex Edge (standard shaft) and the Rifles and preferred the Rifles as having a slightly firmer feel and tigher dispersion with similar distance. I've replaced my 4 and 5 irons with the #4 and #5 Hogan hybrids, and have settled on the 5.0 Rifle (firm) flex shafts as a good balance for me. For my occasionally used (windy days instead of my 5 wood) #2 Hogan hybrid I'm using a True Temper Crossfire shaft, which is the same shaft I use on my fairway woods. It is a lightweight steel shaft with a relatively low kickpoint. I like it a lot on longer clubs. It gives a lot of controllable kick.

**24putts** · 02-02-2005

There, see? Dorkman agrees with me, the traditional Apex 4 shaft is stiff and heavy as hell. And yes, I have hit it and compared it. I have a v-foil 1025M 7-iron with DGS300, and the apex 4 plays even stiffer than the S300. Actually, this discussion may be kind of moot, since I notice that hardly anyone plays Hogan blades anymore. The 5% of golfers who are blade men are now almost totally with Titleist or Mizuno. And Macgregor couldn't sell the 1025M to anyone, as witness the giveaway prices on Ebay.

**Igolf2** · 02-05-2005

The Hogan #4 shaft is a lightweight steel, mid flex. It is lighter then a Dynamic Gold which is also a High Bend Point shaft and will feel stiffer to those who may not generate enough club head speed to get the shaft to kick properly. I've played both and find the Hogan #4 gets the ball up a little higher then a DGS-300. It may even propel the ball to go a little farther but that may be just the effects of hitting the ball higher. The tendency of most Hogan designs are intended for players who practice enough to have at least a "B" game and have potential to get closer to an "A" game. IF a golfer does not generate the appropriate amount of club head speed the #4 will feel too stiff. THe #3 shaft is softer and has an overall lower swing weight (D1-D2) then the #4 shaft (D3-D4). That's why you can feel the head. The more swing weight in the head the more feel it provides. There is also a #5 shaft and that is an extra stiff flex and can be set to D9-E0 swing weight.

I reshafted a set of Hogan Apex Plus's to Rifle 6.5's at 1 inch over length and found them to be real decent. Sold them to another tall friend who wanted something that he could use right away. I'm going to get another set, maybe in graphite this time.

**dorkman53** · 02-05-2005

Remember, Igolf2, there are two different Hogan steel shafts. The Apex is the high kickpoint, heavier, stiffer feeling shaft, and the Apex Edge is the lighter, lower kickpoint shaft. When you refer to the "Hogan #4 Shaft", the meaning isn't instantly clear.
Thanks

**herbsewell** · 05-10-2009

I found a set of Hogan Apex irons at a store for dirt cheap, but my wife would kill me on mothers day if I bought them for a really good price. Anyhoo, they had the #5 shafts in them and they really felt sweet. They are extra stiff. Anyone else have these shafts? Are they frequency matched? They really felt good into the net.