Ben Hogan Equalizer II Wedge Review

This is Golfer Geeks’ review of the Ben Hogan Equalizer II wedges.

I’m an avid golfer, a 6.5 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.

I tested the Equalizer II wedges: approach (50 degrees), sand (56 degrees), and lob wedge (60 degrees) over the course of about a month on the range and during multiple rounds.

In this Ben Hogan Equalizer II wedge review, I discuss my experience with the wedges, unique features and benefits, as well as customer reviews and potential alternatives. 

Overview

The Equalizer II wedges have classic player looks thanks to their clean, minimal, and elegant design. They are, in fact, made to be more forgiving than the original Equalizers while upping performance for every loft.(1)

Why Consider them

They perform as well as any wedges I’ve tested. They are gorgeous. You’re gonna save $25 to $100 for comparable wedges from the big boys. 

Features & Benefits

1) Progressive Center of Mass

• Hogan places weight or mass higher in the club head of its lower lofted wedges to prevent ballooning and increase accuracy on full shots.
• They place weight or mass lower in the clubhead of higher lofted wedges to aid with higher trajectory and green stopping power.

2) Precision Milled Face and Grooves

• They face is CNC milled after forging to ensure the face is absolutely flat and free of perfections.
• They have the most aggressive u-shaped grooves allowed and have a slightly textured surface between those grooves for extra stopping power on the greens.

3) Forged 1025 Carbon Steel

• The heads are forged from a single piece of 1025 carbon steel to maximize feel and eliminate hot spots and imperfections

4) V-Sole / Texas Grind

• The V-sole has a high bounce leading edge with a softer low bounce trail edge to perform well in all turf conditions.
• The Equalizer IIs also has extra sole and heel relief, “Texas Grind”, to help the wedges perform better in hardpan conditions and let you lay the face wide open on tight lies.

Testing the Equalizer II Wedges 

I’ve been playing the Equalizer IIs for about a month. I’ve got multiple sessions around the practice green, on the range, and 3 rounds under my belt with them.

Specs: (50 degree, 56 degree, 60 degree) KBS Tour V X-Stiff shaft – 2 degrees flat – Standard grip

I look at a few things when testing wedges:

1. How the club feels in my hands
2. How they look behind the ball at address. Intimidating? Anything strange?
3. Feel with full shots and touch shots around the green
4. Stopping power when that’s what I’m trying to do
5. Are they easy to hit from the fairway on partial and full shots 

My Experience with the Ben Hogan Equalizer II Wedges

I took the Equalizer IIs to the practice green at my course to see how they performed on chips and pitches. I was able to play every chip or pitch the way I normally play them. I liked them immediately

I then went to the range and hit full shots with each wedge. I found it easy to make solid contact and to flight them lower on command. (my favorite way to play partial and full wedge shots)

I got a little wake up call with my first round when playing touch shots around the greens. They kept checking up short. I was playing those shots the same way I was playing my 3-year old wedges. I adjusted to them easily over the next two rounds. 

They bite and stop on the greens with full and partial shots from the fairway as you would expect.

Ben Hogan Equalizer II Wedge Review

• Looks: THE most beautiful wedges I have ever laid my eyes on. No joke. They look awesome in my hand and look awesome behind the ball. 
• Sound & Feel: Great feel you expect from forged wedges. Pleasing click with contact.   
• Distance Control: Dial it up any way you like with these on partial and full shots.
• Forgiveness: I even hit my wedges between the sweet spot and the toe. Feel solid to me and I get the distances I want.  
• Flight / Playability: Stellar performers from fairway to green. They will deliver if you’ve got the skills  

Customer Reviews

An average rating of 4.9 out of 5 with 984 reviews.₍₁₎

Who are Equalizer II Wedges For?

Low Handicaps: Yes. These are made specifically for you. 

Mid Handicaps: Yes, for the better ball strikers. I suggest demoing them if possible. You can check out my review of mid-handicap wedges for other options. 

High Handicaps: No, I recommend you use the wedges that come as part of your set. 

Equalizer II Wedge Alternatives

Our Verdict

I recommend the Ben Hogan Equalizer II Wedges if you are in the market for

• Show-piece quality wedges that perform well from the fairway to the green side and you are up saving a few bucks in the process.

Thanks for checking out our Ben Hogan Equalizer II wedge review. I love them and I think you will too if you give them a try.