Best classic irons

DonaldDunes · July 31

10 hours ago, Foozle said:

I don't usually believe in fate but shortly after posting this comment these fell into my lap!

These are the UK Slazenger version and are pictured after a light clean up. Ferrules all present and correct as are most shaft bands.

In re doing the paintfill, i tried to follow the residual colour scheme for the parallel flash lines. I have seen both blue over red and red over blue. Does anyone know which is correct or could it be it varied year to year?

Grips are replacements but that just makes them a great use able set of classic irons.

Looking forward to re experiencing that axe like turf interaction!

Holy smokes, man. Those are beautiful. I'd like to hear the story of how they "fell into your lap".

Foozle · July 31

28 minutes ago, DonaldDunes said:

Holy smokes, man. Those are beautiful. I'd like to hear the story of how they "fell into your lap".

No great story I am afraid, they popped up on line looking rather sorry for themselves, poorly pictured and lacking any real description beyond "old golf clubs".

I could see what they were and that the "bones" were good in terms of ferrules, shaft bands etc and knowing that, as stainless irons, they would respond well to cleaning so I pulled the trigger. It is vulgar to discuss money and likely to cause upset if I told you what I paid.

I am pleased to say they are better than expected, I honestly don't think they have seen much play. Rust speckles on the shafts cleaned off and the heads only needed light work to remove crud and restore some shine. Grips are tacky too and quite playable.

I think this is my third set of Slazenger Hogan Precisions and overall probably the best.

It is a while since i last played Precisions so hope to get these out over the weekend.

SnowbirdTom · July 31

My vote for best classic iron set? The oft imitated Ping Eye 2s. They just refuse to die. There are many sets still in play including mine. I took them out, played a fantastic round and ask myself yet again - why isn’t this my every day set.?

DonaldDunes · July 31

6 minutes ago, SnowbirdTom said:

My vote for best classic iron set? The oft imitated Ping Eye 2s. They just refuse to die. There are many sets still in play including mine. I took them out, played a fantastic round and ask myself yet again - why isn’t this my every day set.?

I have yet to play a set, but I need to get my hands on one and give them a go.

SnowbirdTom · July 31

9 minutes ago, DonaldDunes said:

I have yet to play a set, but I need to get my hands on one and give them a go.

Dumbfounded how they were point and shoot. I had at least 7 reasonable birdie putts in 18 holes. Made 2 and that’s all on me for not getting others. There were 3 lipped out.

Hit and giggle clubs. The later in the round I got, the better they played. On in two on a par 5 with driver/3 iron. Second shot was blind, but the ball went right over the pin and stopped 20 feet away.

ETA: I’m playing Radrick Farms, a Pete Dye classic tomorrow and torn between my modern bag and the Pings. They’re both loaded in the Jeep and making the trip.

Edited July 31 by SnowbirdTom

DonaldDunes · July 31

4 minutes ago, SnowbirdTom said:

Dumbfounded how they were point and shoot. I had at least 7 reasonable birdie putts in 18 holes. Made 2 and that’s all on me for not getting others. There were 3 lipped out.

Hit and giggle clubs. The later in the round I got, the better they played. On in two on a par 5 with driver/3 iron. Second shot was blind, but the ball went right over the pin and stopped 20 feet away.

That's fantastic!

Jiggered · August 1

On 7/31/2025 at 8:42 AM, Foozle said:

In re doing the paintfill, i tried to follow the residual colour scheme for the parallel flash lines. I have seen both blue over red and red over blue. Does anyone know which is correct or could it be it varied year to year?

Great find Foozle!

Your paint fill matches the set I have.

Foozle · August 1

18 minutes ago, Jiggered said:

Great find Foozle!

Your paint fill matches the set I have.

@Jiggered thanks!

I wonder if, without Mr Hogan standing over their shoulder, the paintfill by Slazenger was more random?

@bcstones info looks robust but I am sure this set was originally red over blue as there were speckles of red in the top line which I followed.

As said in my post, I have seen examples of each colour way so think the mood of the painter on any given day, or simply different painters, may have been a factor at the Slazenger plant! 🤪

Foozle · August 1

17 hours ago, Foozle said:

It is a while since i last played Precisions so hope to get these out over the weekend

Managed to hit a few on the range in a head to head with my Wilson Fg55's.

The Precision's were a delight when hit well but really dig if you get it wrong! Unless my club needs fairways reprofiled I think I will avoid playing them when the ground softens! Could swear I saw some oil at the bottom of one of my divots!

Hitting 6 irons, visually the lofts looked the same with the Hogan about 1" shorter in the shaft. I was averaging about 155 yards into a zephyr of a wind with the Fg55 and around 135 yards with the Precision.

Guessing the Hogan must be higher lofted so the info gives me around a 2 club adjustment for when I play the Precisions on the course. Look forward to it but hope I don't do any irreparable damage to the course on my way round.

bcstones · August 1

@Jiggered @Foozle

I'm thinking you're both correct about the Slazenger....forgot to take into consideration - the Jeff Sheets poster is the US version

WRXinThailand · August 1

@Foozle

@Jiggered

@bcstones

For some reason the UK Slazenger Hogan Precisions don’t seem to match the US Hogan Precisions with the placing of the signature, placing of the lines, or colour order of the lines. I am away from home this month so can not check my sets of Slazenger Precisions and Slazenger Sunburst/Starburst but maybe this photo of one of my sets will help. Can only see the Equalizer with the Precisions but as you can see the red line is topside and the dark blue line is soleside in this pic. If I remember correctly, the Sunburst/Starburst Slazengers also had the red line topside but memory only and I am getting old and forgetful, lol. I will try to remember to check my sets when I return home next.

Edited August 1 by WRXinThailand
Added in Starburst colour memory