Welcome to our Ben Hogan Icon Irons review. Updatedfor 2022
I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
I’ve played the Ben Hogan Icons as part of my Hogan Players Combo set for a couple of years now.
Summary: The ICONS are precision blades that require good swings to get max performance. But, I don’t get punished for small misses. (My stock shot is a small miss between the sweet spot and the toe.) They can do anything your swing allows: shaping, flighting, taking off yardage. I am more consistent and I’m swinging and playing better since switching to the short irons (8-iron to pitching wedge).
In this review of the Ben Hogan Icon Irons, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, as well as customer reviews and potential alternatives.
Icon Irons Overview
They are forged muscle-back blades made with an emphasis on shot-making. They are designed to appeal to more accomplished players with a compact clubhead, thin topline & sole, minimal offset, and clean elegant design.
Why Consider the ICON Irons
The ICON irons are premium blades that have all the performance features low handicaps demand at half the price of the major manufacturers.
Features & Benefits
1) Progressive Center of Mass
- Trajectory is optimized in the short irons by positioning more weight higher in the clubhead to lower ball flight and prevent ballooning for greater accuracy and consistency.
- They achieve higher trajectory and more spin in the longer irons by placing weight lower in the clubhead.
- The amount of weight and position is optimized for each iron individually.
2) Optional Diamond Black Metal Finish
- Reduces glare. Provides better contrast with the golf ball. Incredibly durable and reduces wear on grooves.
- The Nickel-chrome finish is also very durable and is a proven way to protect forged clubs
3) 4-Degree Loft Gapping
- Eliminates yardage gaps with 4-degree loft gaps from club to club for consistency through the set.
4) V-Sole Technology
- Assures better club turf interaction in any contidion with a high-bounce leading edge and a softer-bounce trailing edge
Testing the ICON Irons
Original testing was done in late 2020 with the 6 and 9-iron (which I still have). I’ve been playing the 8-iron through pitching wedge as part of my Hogan Player’s Combo set since January of 2021.
Specs: True Temper Dynamic Gold S-300 (stiff) shaft – 2 degrees flat – Standard grip
My experience and thoughts from initial testing of the ICON irons
Two things caught my eye when I first tried the ICON irons.
- Distance- I pulled my normal club for my normal distance and got good results
- Accuracy/ Playability- I found it easy to take off yardage and to flight the ball. I have a greater feeling of control when playing the ICONs.
1) The ICONs have traditional lofts and are designed for shot-making. They have none of the game improvement features you find in many of today’s clubs. So, I thought I would give up at least a little distance.
Hit it on the button and it turns out you have nothing to worry about. You start feeling and seeing the difference in performance and distance when you stray more than a little from center-face contact.
I had 183 yards to a front right pin on the first par three I played and there was about half a club’s worth of wind behind me. My regular club for this shot is a 6-iron. My 6-irons have carried 175 yards for as long as I can remember. I put a descent swing on it and made good contact. Nothing special. I watched the ball launch and climb quickly into the sky and land over the green 10 yards past the pin.
You may be thinking, “you misjudged the wind.” Possible. But I don’t think so. I put it pin-high the prior hole with the exact same wind using my own 56 degree sand wedge.
2) I discovered pretty quickly the Icons are precision instruments… especially the scoring irons. No big surprise there. I had to dial up a couple in-between distances and got satisfying results.
Both were with the 9-iron. We played with about a half a club wind either into or with us most of the day. I was able to stick it on the green pin-high in both instances…which pleased me. I could flight the irons lower on command.
I’ve been playing the ICONS regularly for 5 months. I’m playing better golf and scoring well more consistently. The ICONs aren’t magic, but they have make my swing less sloppy.
Review of the ICON Irons
- Looks: Elegant and beautiful muscle back club head. Thin topline. Minimal offset. Best looking Hogan irons to date.
- Feel / Sound: Must make center contact to make it sing. Do that and you get a satisfying click on contact. Forged club heads are known and bought for their feel. The Icons are no different.
- Forgiveness: There’s not a ton here, but there is some. Bring your good swings
- Trajectory: Nice high penetrating shots that hold the green. Easy to flight…something I love to do these days.
- Distance: Plenty long for players. Easy to take off yards too. Comes in handy when between golf clubs
- Shaping: They are made for this. Dial up any shot you want if you have the game.
Customer Reviews
There are 47 reviews on the Hogan website and the average customer review for the ICON irons is 4.8
2 complaints were fairly serious. The customer received clubs that didn’t match their specs.
Who are the Icon Irons For?
Low handicaps (0-5ish): Yes. Give the ICONs a look if you are in the market for blades. They are designed specifically for players. (1)
Mid Handicaps (6ish – 9ish): Maybe. Give these a look if you are already playing blades and love playing blades (some people just love blades). Otherwise, demo them to see how they work for you
- I recommend the Edge EX irons for higher mid-handicaps and the PTx PROs for better ball strikers near single-dight handicaps.
High Handicaps: No. Take a look at the Edge EX irons mentioned above. They may be just what you are looking for.
Final Verdict on our Ben Hogan Icon Irons Review
I recommend the Ben Hogan ICON irons if you are in the market for
- Muscle-back blades designed for shot-making.
- Don’t mind spending about 1/2 of what you’d pay for a comparable set from the big boys.
These are the best looking irons I’ve ever laid my eyes or hands on. I’m not sure what else a low-handicap player looking for blades would want in an iron. They are worth a look if you are in the market and don’t mind saving money.
Thanks for checking out my Ben Hogan Icon irons review.
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think or how you like the ICONs if you got your own set.
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New & Used clubs available For up to 25% OFF at Global Golf - Check Current Deals |
New & Used clubs available For up to 25% OFF at Global Golf - Check Current Deals |
New & Used clubs available For up to 25% OFF at Global Golf - Check Current Deals |
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5.0
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5.0
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5.0
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- Exceptional Feel & Performance
- Classic Elegant Titleist Design
- Surprisingly long
- Little Pricey
New & Used clubs available
For up to 25% OFF at Global Golf - Check Current Deals
- Easy launch & Explosive distance
- Tons of forgiveness
- Flight & Work the ball easily
- Incredible price
- None
New & Used clubs available
For up to 25% OFF at Global Golf - Check Current Deals
- Unbelievably Soft Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Premium Looks
- Great price
- Would prefer heads to be more compact
New & Used clubs available
For up to 25% OFF at Global Golf - Check Current Deals
