One of the most famous golf photos ever taken shows Ben Hogan hitting a 1-iron to the 18th green at Merion Golf Club during the 1950 U.S. Open. Hy Peskin took the shot, and Hogan’s pose as the ball rocketed toward the green was iconic.
But chances are that you not only don’t carry a 1-iron, you also have not hit too many long-iron shots as well as Hogan did. For that reason, the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company has just released two new long-iron alternatives, the UiHi utility irons and VKTR+ hybrids.
For golfers who prefer the look of irons, the UiHi utility irons are available as 3-, 4- and 5-irons (18, 22 and 26 degrees) for $110 each. They have a slightly thicker topline, a longer blade length and more offset than many Hogan irons for a reassuring look and more forgiveness. They also are slightly oversized to make them appear to have more loft, but it is what you don’t see that really delivers the punch.
The UiHi irons are hollow, which gave designers more room to lower the center of gravity and pull it away from the face, resulting in a higher launch. The hollow-bodied construction also allows the face to flex more easily at impact for increased ball speed and distance.
For golfers who prefer hybrids, Ben Hogan now offers the VKTR+. They are available in 18-, 22- and 26-degree versions for $140 each.
The face of the VKTR+ hybrid is forged from 455 maraging steel, an extremely hard material. Using this material allowed engineers to make the face thinner and lighter without sacrificing durability. The VKTR+ has a weight plug in the back of the sole that pulls the center of gravity down and back to make it easier for golfers to hit higher-flying shots.
With the release of the UiHi utility irons and VKTR+ hybrids, the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company is making it easier for golfers to blend different models of clubs to create personalized hybrid sets.
The company is offering a few, such as the Player’s Combo Set with a UiHi 4-iron matched alongside PTx Pro irons (5-7) and Icon blades (8-PW) for $785. There is also a Player’s Combo Set with a VKTR+ 22-degree hybrid, PTx Pro irons (5-7) and Icon blades (8-PW) for $815.
Golfers also can create their own hybrid sets, ensuring they get the ideal amount of forgiveness and control to match their game.