Ben Hogan Apex Plus vs Ben Hogan Apex FTX
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Apex Plus loft | Apex FTX loft | Apex Plus lie | Apex FTX lie | Apex Plus length | Apex FTX length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | 16 | 58 | 59 | 39.75 | 39.75 |
| 2 | 18 | 18 | 59 | 59.5 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 3 | 20 | 20 | 60 | 60 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 23 | 23 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 26 | 26 | 61 | 61 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 30 | 30 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 34 | 34 | 62 | 62 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 38 | 38 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 42 | 42 | 63 | 63 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 46 | 46 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| GW | 50 | 50 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | 56 | 56 | 64 | 64 | 35 | 35 |
| LW | 60 | 60 | 64 | 64 | 35 | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Apex Plus
- Apex FTX
What the differences mean
Every club the two sets share has exactly the same loft, starting with a 34° 7-iron. On paper there is no distance or trajectory difference: with the same swing, a 7-iron from either set should launch and carry about the same. The real differences are in how the heads are built, how they look at address and how they feel at impact, none of which a spec table can show.
Both are players irons, built for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. Small-to-mid cavity backs with traditional lofts, modest offset and workable shaping for low-handicap players. 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 Plus is listed as forged, perimeter-weighted muscle-cavity and the Apex FTX as forged, cavity-to-blade transition set. 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 5 years between these sets (1999 and 2004), 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.
Which should you choose?
The Apex Plus and Apex FTX share the same lofts on every club on file, so the difference is in head construction, feel and forgiveness rather than trajectory.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Ben Hogan Apex Plus specs and Ben Hogan Apex FTX specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ben Hogan Apex Plus stronger lofted than the Apex FTX?
No. Both have a 34° 7-iron and the same loft on every club they share, so neither is stronger lofted. The difference is in construction and feel.
What is the loft difference between the Ben Hogan Apex Plus and Apex FTX?
There is none. Every club both sets include has the same loft, including the 34° 7-iron.
Are the Ben Hogan Apex Plus and Apex FTX aimed at the same golfer?
Yes. Both are players irons, built for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.
Do the Ben Hogan Apex Plus and Apex FTX have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 36.75 inches long.
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