Ben Hogan Apex (1972) vs Ben Hogan Apex Plus
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Apex (1972) loft | Apex Plus loft | Apex (1972) lie | Apex Plus lie | Apex (1972) length | Apex Plus length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | 16 | — | 58 | — | 39.75 |
| 2 | 19.5 | 18 | 56.5 | 59 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 3 | 23 | 20 | 57.5 | 60 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 26.5 | 23 | 58.5 | 60.5 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 30 | 26 | 59.5 | 61 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 33.5 | 30 | 60.5 | 61.5 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 36.5 | 34 | 61.5 | 62 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 41 | 38 | 62 | 62.5 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 45 | 42 | 62.5 | 63 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| GW | — | 50 | — | 64 | — | 35.5 |
| PW | 51.5 | 46 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | — | 56 | — | 64 | — | 35 |
| LW | — | 60 | — | 64 | — | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Apex (1972)
- Apex Plus
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Apex (1972) is 36.5° and the Apex Plus is 34°, a 2.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Apex Plus should carry roughly 8 to 10 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Apex (1972). Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the Apex Plus averages 3.3° stronger, with the largest gap at the PW (51.5° vs 46°). The pitching wedges are 51.5° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Apex (1972) 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (61.5° vs 62°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the Apex (1972) runs 2-iron to PW (9 clubs), the Apex Plus 1-iron to LW (13 clubs).
The Apex (1972) is a blade iron and the Apex Plus a players iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The Apex Plus is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Apex (1972) trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
The Apex (1972) is listed as forged blade and the Apex Plus as forged, perimeter-weighted muscle-cavity. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
There are 27 years between these sets (1972 and 1999), more than one design generation. Over that time irons moved toward stronger lofts, thinner and faster faces, hollow and multi-material heads and wider use of tungsten, so the newer set is not simply a better version of the older one: it may launch and spin quite differently. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 36.5° to 34°.
Which should you choose?
The Apex Plus is the stronger-lofted set — up to 5.5° stronger than the Apex (1972) on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Ben Hogan Apex (1972) specs and Ben Hogan Apex Plus specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) stronger lofted than the Apex Plus?
No. The Apex Plus is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 34° against 36.5° for the Ben Hogan Apex (1972), 2.5° stronger and worth roughly 8 to 10 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) and Apex Plus?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2.5° (36.5° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 5.5° at the PW, and all 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) or the Apex Plus?
The Apex Plus. As a players iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Ben Hogan Apex (1972) is a blade iron, better suited to low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Do the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) and Apex Plus have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) is 61.5° lie and 36.75 inches, the Apex Plus 62° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
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