Ben Hogan Medallion vs Ben Hogan Radial

Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.

Ben Hogan Medallion1982–1983 · Game Improvement Ironsinvestment cast · cast stainless steel Ben Hogan Radial1987–1990 · Game Improvement Ironsforged, wide radial sole · forged carbon steel

Specification comparison

Club	Medallion loft	Radial loft	Medallion lie	Radial lie	Medallion length	Radial length
2	19.5	19.5	57	57	39.5	39.25
3	23	23	58	58	39	39
4	26.5	26.5	59	59	38.5	38.5
5	30	30	60	60	38	38
6	33.5	33.5	61	61	37.5	37.5
7	37	37	62	62	37	37
8	41	41	63	63	36.5	36.5
9	45	45	63.5	63.5	36	36
PW	50	50	64	64	35.5	35.5

Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.

Lofts compared

Medallion
Radial

Lofts match on every club the two sets share, so the markers sit on top of each other.

What the differences mean

Every club the two sets share has exactly the same loft, starting with a 37° 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 game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Perimeter-weighted cavity backs with wider soles, more offset and stronger lofts, aimed at mid handicaps. 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 Medallion is listed as investment cast and the Radial as forged, wide radial sole. Forging, as in the Radial, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the Medallion, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.

There are 5 years between these sets (1982 and 1987), 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 Medallion and Radial 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 Medallion specs and Ben Hogan Radial specs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ben Hogan Medallion stronger lofted than the Radial?

No. Both have a 37° 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 Medallion and Radial?

There is none. Every club both sets include has the same loft, including the 37° 7-iron.

Are the Ben Hogan Medallion and Radial aimed at the same golfer?

Yes. Both are game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.

Do the Ben Hogan Medallion and Radial have the same lie and length?

At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 37 inches long.

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