Favorite classic Musclebacks??

[defaultoprime]

Too bad what happened to RAM...Teardrop bought them and turned them into a cheapo line, while at the same time wrecking Tommy Armour...

They should have concentrated on golf clubs, rather than insanely priced Italian golf shoes...

[NRJyzr]

[quote name='SurfinTurf' timestamp='1362901572' post='6581989']
Hey NRJyzr,

I think we've bumped into each other previously in our admiration for the TGs. Pretty sure you gave me a bunch of specs on them. Are yours the "Axials"? Both sets of mine are, circa '81 I think.
[/quote]

Indeed we have chatted in the past about the pinnacle of all blades.

I have had several sets.
Frequency Matched Golden Rams from the late 80s, traded these
Vibration Matched Golden Rams from mid 80s
TW276 Golden Rams
mid 70s "Golden Ram in oval" set
TG-898s from late 90s
TW Custom Grind Golden Rams, sold these
and, amusingly, I've owned two different sets of FX Nickels, both unloaded

The Tour Grinds from 80-82 are one of the sets I've never owned. I had a chance to pick up a set a while ago and chose not to, would up getting a set of 986 Tours (another set I'd regretted unloading) instead, thanks to the generous effort of a fellow WRX member. I've also not had a set of the FX Forged from the early/mid 90s.

Sad to see them gone.

[Bella Woods]

Don't forget about the legendary PowerBilt Citation Muscleback ("V Pad") Irons from the 1960s
to the 1990s.........

This 3 iron is 1991 vintage.

[attachment=1578283:1991 PowerBilt Citation Irons.jpg]

[attachment=1578285:1991 PowerBilt Citation Irons (2).jpg]

[DigDugDig]

For me there is something deviously sexy about these blades with the muscle at the TOP of the blade! I"m guessing these have a Maltby Playability Factor of about -9...

[wholejobs]

Just shafted up a set of these which I hope to try out soon. Not sure they'll knock the Dynas out of the bag but a good back up plan!

 

[KevCarter]

Just shafted up a set of these which I hope to try out soon. Not sure they'll knock the Dynas out of the bag but a good back up plan!

 

 

Beautiful set from the Spalding Custom department. Didn't see many of those...

[craniac24]

As the owner of many classic blades/musclebacks, this is a very tough one, but with a gun to my head I'd have to say it's the Muirfields, with the 99 Apex a very close second.

[Ed Rooney]

Years ago I went into a 2nd Swing in Minnesota and found a set of Rams for almost nothing. I hit them so pure, but didn't pull the trigger. I still regret it.

[russad]

Do you remember which model Ram?

[Golfnutt47]

I have a set of 1964 Powerbilt Citation forged SS MB irons and Citation woods I got as a HS graduation gift from my dad back then. Still use them about once round a week or so. Actually used them most of the season a couple years ago. Hit them very well and can work the ball well with them. And nothing beats the sound and feel of a well hit persimmon!

One thing that helps make them work well for me is that I am only 5' 7" and the shorter length of clubs and the flatter lie angles used back then fits me well. (avg. height was less back then). The main difference is that the lofts were different back then, about a club. So the 7 is more like a modern 8 iron. I just use one more club than with my newer irons.

[mjstrutt]

Is my Forgan driving cleek an early muscleback?
Love the look on my playing partners faces when I occasionally out drive them with it!

[guisician]

[quote name='mjstrutt' timestamp='1366575869' post='6888691']
Is my Forgan driving cleek an early muscleback?
...
[/quote]

I'd say yes; of course, I'd address it as "Sir" if we ever met on a tee box!

[Satang]

Just got a new set never been played Ben Hogan Personal heads and grips are still in original plastic wrapper. Here are my blade collection:

Kyoei Prototype (Vega RAF-CM)
Titlist 681
Miura Baby blade
Ben Hogan Redline
Ben Hogan Apex II
Ben Hogan Personal
Mizuno MP14[attachment=1646637:Blades 006.JPG]

[rex235]

[quote name='mjstrutt' timestamp='1366575869' post='6888691']
Is my Forgan driving cleek an early muscleback?
Love the look on my playing partners faces when I occasionally out drive them with it!
[/quote]

Yes, your early driving iron is a muscleback blade.
..and this might be one of the clubs which inspired Roger Cleveland to design those Callaway X Prototype irons.

Most companies have used variations of these 3 model types for their irons-

Flat back
Muscle back
Cavity back

And yes, some models have been at least two of the three types. (Staff, VIP, Citation)

[Blade Junkie]

[quote name='Satang' timestamp='1366587148' post='6889551']
Just got a new set never been played Ben Hogan Personal heads and grips are still in original plastic wrapper. Here are my blade collection:

Kyoei Prototype (Vega RAF-CM)
Titlist 681
Miura Baby blade
Ben Hogan Redline
Ben Hogan Apex II
Ben Hogan Personal
Mizuno MP14
[/quote]

That's a very nice collection ... anything you are looking to add to it ? Will you play the Personals ?

I prefer the Baby Blade with the older stampings (pre '1957' logo) - they are on my wishlist.

[mjstrutt]

I like to think some soul long passed smiles down when I get pleasure from striking their old hickory clubs!

[ABgolfer2]

[quote name='rex235' timestamp='1366594304' post='6890297']
[quote name='mjstrutt' timestamp='1366575869' post='6888691']
Is my Forgan driving cleek an early muscleback?
Love the look on my playing partners faces when I occasionally out drive them with it!
[/quote]

Yes, your early driving iron is a muscleback blade.
..and this might be one of the clubs which inspired Roger Cleveland to design those Callaway X Prototype irons.

[/quote]

Since Callaway owned the Ben Hogan brand I'd say the first X-Protos were an homage to the 1994 Apex "blades". The infamous [u]channel backs[/u] which are great or dreadful depending on the day.

[TheDarkOne]

As mentioned upstream, Hogan Apex II Cameo. Just a beautiful, breathtaking blade.

[Satang]

The Hogan Personal's are too pretty to play. They will go on a wall display until someday if I couldn't resist. The Apex Black cameo and the MP 14 are mint conditions and they both feel as good as the Miura baby blades and the Epon AF tour/302. I just started buying Hogan's irons but they' re just as good as most current blades. I would like to add a set of Hogan PC and 99 blades, if I can find them in very good or mint condition, thus far I been lucky,all three sets of Hogan were from Ebay. The guy took very poor photos of the black cameo and when I got them I was surprised how good they look.

[Ironmaster Oddities]

[quote name='DigDugDig' timestamp='1362949340' post='6584483']
For me there is something deviously sexy about these blades with the muscle at the TOP of the blade! I"m guessing these have a Maltby Playability Factor of about -9...
[/quote]

The Normans are not unlike the MacGregor 900 series irons (985, 925, 915, 945,). Referred to as a "double flanged" iron . I never could consistently hit them. Unless I pured it and really compressed the ball, it felt like I hit it thin. But the sweet spot is right in the shadow of the socket. So it was pretty easy to fire off the occasional lateral hosel rocket.
However, If you look at the Normans in the photos and think "muscle back", your eyes can play tricks on you. Optical illusion. You can imagine the weight reverse on the back of the club...thin at top and muscle at the bottom half of the head. Same with Macs. Kind of resemble Golfcraft Continental/Titleist irons from 1968-72 then. Of course, I had a misspent youth back in the late 60's and early 70's. I could just be having flashbacks.
Uncle Bob

[Ol_Pardner]

ALL-Time, Playability--based on 'responsiveness (ie, most rewarding, goes-where-you-hit):' Hogan Apex PC [and yeah, least forgiving, but this golf, not hockey or lacrosse!]
Best combination of design and feel: Hogan 40th Anniversery Legend; Nicklaus VIPs, 1967-68.

Currently playing Hogan Grinds, ok on design, but great feel [for the aged and infirmed], after years of Medallions, then PCs.

[olkev]

[quote name='DigDugDig' timestamp='1362949340' post='6584483']
For me there is something deviously sexy about these blades with the muscle at the TOP of the blade! I"m guessing these have a Maltby Playability Factor of about -9...
[/quote]

Looks like MacGregor 985's with Cobra rollmarks

[bigdane]

> @fluffy265 said:

> Since we've had few classic blade threads... I think it's about time we hear about your favorite classic Muscle Back's, I've always had an eye for Mb's and it's about time I start looking for another classic set.... so I'd like to hear what your favorite classic MB gamers are, and how they've performed.

>

>

>

> J

 

Hogan Apex blades 1999 with KBS C-Taper reg. shafts - like playing in a dream, where you are up against the Hawk himself.

[NRJyzr]

> @NRJyzr said:

> SurfinTurf wrote:

>

>

>

> Hey NRJyzr,

>

>

>

> I think we've bumped into each other previously in our admiration for the TGs. Pretty sure you gave me a bunch of specs on them. Are yours the "Axials"? Both sets of mine are, circa '81 I think.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Indeed we have chatted in the past about the pinnacle of all blades. /wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

>

>

>

> I have had several sets.

>

> Frequency Matched Golden Rams from the late 80s, traded these

>

> Vibration Matched Golden Rams from mid 80s

>

> TW276 Golden Rams

>

> mid 70s "Golden Ram in oval" set

>

> TG-898s from late 90s

>

> TW Custom Grind Golden Rams, sold these

>

> and, amusingly, I've owned two different sets of FX Nickels, both unloaded

>

>

>

> The Tour Grinds from 80-82 are one of the sets I've never owned. I had a chance to pick up a set a while ago and chose not to, wound up getting a set of 986 Tours (another set I'd regretted unloading) instead, thanks to the generous effort of a fellow WRX member. I've also not had a set of the FX Forged from the early/mid 90s.

>

>

 

Since this thread has been revived, I thought I'd update my above Ram list.

 

I now own a set of FX Nickel Tour Grinds, which are currently in the bag. Also picked up a set of 80 Tour Grinds, played them most of last year, using really old school lofts (20* 2i, 52* pw). And, I've also scored a set of TW282's, found a matching SW, and miraculously found a TW282 1 iron to flesh out a full set. Only need a different shaft for the 1 iron, it came with a Ping JZ-X Cushin shaft. Not sure I'm up to that as I once was, LOL.

 

Have been sitting on a reshaft of my Vibration Matched set for over a year. Need to get on that

[wkuo3]

Ah, so many choices and so little time.

 

[James the Hogan Fan]

 

The 2003 Apex aren’t bad! Only 10 years old when the thread started, but 16 years old now! Either these or the ’99’s for best looking ever.

[Rambler1277]

> @defaultoprime said:

> Honestly though... I really want a nice set of Forged Ram Tour Grinds... I got the sickness for those back in the late '90s when I was doing some work for the company... I did get a set of the Nickel cavity back TGs with graphite shafts and a couple of the musclebacks... I should have gotten the full set of nickel muscles... they were sweet... but oh well, life struck right after that and I lost track of the game... I still have most of those clubs...

>

>

>

> and also, a pic of my Dynacrafts... and a Gigagolf 7 iron replacement in there as well...

 

I just found a set of those Rams at Goodwill, 1-9

[Buzzkill]

Just re-shafted these bad boys this evening - can't wait to hit them! Stock shafts were X100, too much for this old man.