Ben Hogan Apex (1972) vs Ben Hogan Apex Redline
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Apex (1972) loft | Apex Redline loft | Apex (1972) lie | Apex Redline lie | Apex (1972) length | Apex Redline length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | 17.5 | — | 56 | — | 39.75 |
| 2 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 56.5 | 57 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 3 | 23 | 23 | 57.5 | 58 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 26.5 | 26.5 | 58.5 | 59 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 30 | 30 | 59.5 | 60 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 33.5 | 33.5 | 60.5 | 61 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 36.5 | 37 | 61.5 | 62 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 41 | 41 | 62 | 62.5 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 45 | 45 | 62.5 | 63 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 51.5 | 49 | 64 | 63.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | — | 56 | — | 65 | — | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Apex (1972)
- Apex Redline
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Apex (1972) is 36.5° and the Apex Redline is 37°, a 0.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Apex (1972) should carry about 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Apex Redline. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the differences roughly cancel out, with the largest gap at the PW (51.5° vs 49°). The pitching wedges are 51.5° and 49°; the stronger one leaves a 1° 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 Redline 1-iron to SW (11 clubs).
Both are blade irons, built for low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently. Compact muscleback irons with minimal offset, thin toplines and the smallest sweet spot — built for shot-shaping over forgiveness. Because they target the same golfer, the decision comes down to the specific loft, feel and shaping differences rather than who the sets are made for.
The Apex (1972) is listed as forged blade and the Apex Redline as forged muscle-back. 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 16 years between these sets (1972 and 1988), 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 37°.
Which should you choose?
Loft differences between the Apex (1972) and Apex Redline run in both directions rather than shifting the whole set one way, so the choice comes down to shaping, feel and gapping at the ends of the set rather than outright distance.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Ben Hogan Apex (1972) specs and Ben Hogan Apex Redline specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) stronger lofted than the Apex Redline?
Yes. The Ben Hogan Apex (1972) 7-iron is 36.5° against 37° for the Apex Redline, 0.5° stronger, which is worth about 2 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) and Apex Redline?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.5° (36.5° vs 37°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2.5° at the PW, and 2 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Are the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) and Apex Redline aimed at the same golfer?
Yes. Both are blade irons, built for low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.
Do the Ben Hogan Apex (1972) and Apex Redline 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 Redline 62° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:
We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.