2003 Hogan Apex Blades - Endo Forged?

ElephantTusk · January 3

Title says it all.

Many good stories documenting the famous 1999 Hogan irons, but curious if the subsequent 2003 Apex blades were also Endo forged?

Interesting that these irons seem to have largely been forgotten, despite being very similar to the '99s and also being the last year that the Hogan company had any real presence on tour (with Furyk and a few others I remember on staff).

Anyone know or remember?

Stock photo for context:

weakputt · January 3

I think these were commonly called "double muscle backs" and would like to know the difference between these and the 50 year anniversary irons?

Socrates · January 3

They were called the "Clamshells." All Endo forged. They came out in a couple of variations. The ones @ElephantTusk has are the standard version. There was a 50th anniversary version as well . They were the same except the 50th said "Golden Anniversary" near the top line. Most of those were for collectors. FWIW, I have a set of std ones, 4-PW, that I bought almost brand new (PW was used in teaching) and I paid $40 Cdn (about $25 US) for them. Nice to look at. Too small to play.

ElephantTusk · January 3

4 minutes ago, Socrates said:

They were called the "Clamshells." All Endo forged. They came out in a couple of variations. The ones @ElephantTusk has are the standard version. There was a 50th anniversary version as well . They were the same except the 50th said "Golden Anniversary" near the top line. Most of those were for collectors. FWIW, I have a set of std ones, 4-PW, that I bought almost brand new (PW was used in teaching) and I paid $40 Cdn (about $25 US) for them. Nice to look at. Too small to play.

Ah very informative! These were still in the Spalding years with the same main crew then from the 99 version?

The set I have is actually a rusted custom-ground(?) set I got on craigslist years ago with "OB" stamped on them that supposedly belonged to Olin Browne (long story why I got them, but it was purely functional). Been thinking about using them to practice refinishing a set at home. They really do look good from address, though.

James the Hogan Fan · January 22

On 1/4/2025 at 12:30 AM, Socrates said:

They were called the "Clamshells." All Endo forged. They came out in a couple of variations. The ones @ElephantTusk has are the standard version. There was a 50th anniversary version as well . They were the same except the 50th said "Golden Anniversary" near the top line. Most of those were for collectors. FWIW, I have a set of std ones, 4-PW, that I bought almost brand new (PW was used in teaching) and I paid $40 Cdn (about $25 US) for them. Nice to look at. Too small to play.

50th anniversary also had a "50" in the sunburst instead of the monogram and I believe they were numbered out of a 1953 count limited edition. They also maintained the gold motif in the shaft bands, grips, and hogan paintfill

I have the regular 2003 version myself, I play with then now and then. Just as good as the famouser 1999 in my hands.

ElephantTusk · January 23

To follow up on this thread for future reference to all - I ended up emailing Jeff Sheets (who designed the '99 irons).

While he mentioned he was not involved specifically with the '03 irons, they were also produced by Endo. Since the design was so similar, they were able to repurpose the same tooling for the '03s.

weakputt · January 24

I'm glad that I am not the only one who thinks the '03's play as good as the 99's.

MacAttack67 · April 1

Famously referred to as "The Clamshells", these are exactly like the 50th Anniversary blades without the stamping. Tour pros prefer the clean look. I played these in 2005-7. Soft like a Mizuno, same factory forging, and one of the most playable blades ever. Easy to launch high or knock down. The last Hogan blade before Calloway destroyed the brand.

Golf Puff · April 15

I have a set of the 2003 model that I played for more than a decade. When I had a chance to try them, I found myself behind a tree that had a very pronounced crotch about 6' off the ground and 15' ahead of me. Whistled a 5 iron through the gap and then knew we would get along just fine. Later purchased the Golden Anniversary set just to have, when a nearby chain had a 'going out of business' sale. Didn't want the display rack but did get the numbered plaque with the set. I'm thinking maybe I should just put softer shafts in the irons I used and bring them back out to play.

And, the added bonus is that the grooves in this model are USGA conforming while the 2006 model is not, last time I checked. Can't say about the 1999 version, but perhaps someone else has checked?

weakputt · April 16

I've been sitting on a set of like new 5i > PW - 2003 Apex #4 shafts for a while trying to find a 4 iron. Now I picked up a set of Wilson Staff Model Blades so it may be time to move on from the Apex set, but its hard to part with them. Stiff shafts no longer match my game.

weakputt · April 19

On 4/16/2025 at 3:21 PM, weakputt said:

I've been sitting on a set of like new 5i > PW - 2003 Apex #4 shafts for a while trying to find a 4 iron. Now I picked up a set of Wilson Staff Model Blades so it may be time to move on from the Apex set, but its hard to part with them. Stiff shafts no longer match my game.