Do these sand wedges match the 1999 Hogan Redlines?

[stevehj]

I have a set of Hogan wedges, 52, 56, and 60 degree lofts.   If I look at the markings, they have the same "FORGED" stamping on the hosel, and the ferrules match the 1999 Hogan Redlines.  By looking at the images below, can anyone confirm this?

 

Edited May 25 by stevehj
add'l pics

[bcstones]

Check out Jeff Sheets website - not sure if these are the same wedges - could you show a better pic of the backs.

This from the Jeff Sheets website (he did design the 1999 Apex blades)

"...Model: Special Wedges
Material: Billet Forged 1030 Carbon Steel with Nickel/Chrome Plating
Introduction: 1999

When I first began working on the Hogan Special Wedges I was presented a set of prototypes that Tom Stites had produced at Impact Engineering. While each model was classic yet unique in its own right the wedges tended to split into two different sets based on their face profiles. We managed to get them blended together into an offering of seven different lofts exclusive of the forever popular Sure Out. This family was truly a beautiful set from their styling, engineering, manufacturing and finishing. Forged at Endo Manufacturing in Nigata, Japan.

[stevehj]

Hi bcstones, I added two more images of the back of the clubs and also looked at what was shown on Jeff Sheets website.  The images look very similar to me.  What do you think?

[ezgoer]

1999 would be the very desired Japanese Endo forgings correct? I’d guess those wedges could be in that period, maybe even later yet? When did Hogan go away before turning direct to consumer? Regardless I’d bet a lot of money they play fantastic. 

 

I’ve always referred to the 1988 Apex’s as Redline’s or am I wrong? Do people refer to 99’s as Redline’s also? 

[stevehj]

After looking at this further (I did not realize the web had so must background information), these wedges were produced by Spalding after it purchased the Ben Hogan company in late 1997.  (The Spalding name is included on the shaft labels).  The Apex Redlines were introduced in 1988 well before the Spalding acquisition.  So, one would have to conclude that the do not match the Redlines, but rather are matches for the Spalding 1999 Ben Hogan Apex 50th Anniversary Edition that was designed by Jeff Sheets.  I believe that design was the last Ben Hogan Apex iron that was released.  Spalding later sold Ben Hogan assets to Callaway in 2003, and that marked the end of Ben Hogan Apex irons.

[Nard_S]

Redlines were made in '88 ran to early 90's. The last true design made under Hogan himself were the Ft Worth's ('93-'95?) They also had a red line also but that termis commonly used  for '88 model. The '99 is a tribute encompassing several design aspects of the past. Great irons, "99 Apex" is  common name.

8 hours ago, ezgoer said:

’ve always referred to the 1988 Apex’s as Redline’s or am I wrong? Do people refer to 99’s as Redline’s also? 

 

[ezgoer]

If the o.p. was looking for wedges for 88 Redlines then should find a beryllium or copper Hogan Special Si wedge. Might be just prior to the 88’s? I’m not positive of this but don’t think their production was that many years like PING beryllium. They sure weren’t a rare club, must have been a huge seller. Most I see are very well used/ beat. The way this club oxidizes/ tarnishes it can be very hard to determine its actual condition in pictures vs in your hands. Hogans can get pretty dark like PING’s so maybe actually beryllium? The early Cleveland’s were more copper colored and I suspect a different material?? Still great though.
 

Not sure if I’ve ever seen a beryllium Hogan lob wedge. Mid 80’s would be the infancy of lob wedges. If there was one made by Hogan I know the next wedge set I need!
 

I started golfing at that time and being a teenager I couldn’t afford new equipment. In the mid to late 80’s I like everyone was crazy about beryllium or copper or whatever they were constructed of wedges and putters.

Edited May 25 by ezgoer

[bcstones]

9 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Not sure if I’ve ever seen a beryllium Hogan lob wedge.

here's my BeCu Hogan Lob wedge....and a Becu Hogan SI (whomever used the SI hure hit the sweat spot - gauging by the indent)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 26 by bcstones

[ezgoer]

1 hour ago, bcstones said:

here's my BeCu Hogan Lob wedge....and a Becu Hogan SI (whomever used the SI hure hit the sweat spot - gauging by the indent)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well I know what I need now!

[bcstones]

12 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Well I know what I need now!

Here is another 60* - Colonial wedge, the hosel has "forged 6006...I also have a 50* Riviera & 52*, 56* Carnoustie 'blackened' wedges...the 52* & 56* are "Tungsten EDM face coated"...the hozels, as shown, stamped 5008 GAP, 5205 GAP, 5612 SAND. (the last 2 numbers are the "bounce"???)
Al;l the shafts are Apex frequency matched, no marking of stiffness. All grips are black Ben Hogan....I don't knw the era of any of these.

Fun thing - on the 56* wedge is a label "The Tungston EDM face coating, on Ben Hogan Carnoustie Wedges, provides added friction for increased spin & control. It's excellent durability will provide long lasting exceptional performance. Over time the Black Chrome finish on Ben Hogan Carnoustie Wedges will wear during normal use, but will resist rust and corrosion maintaining groove integrity for maxium greenside control. Conforms to USGA rules."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 26 by bcstones

[Joe S]

On 5/24/2025 at 6:28 PM, stevehj said:

I have a set of Hogan wedges, 52, 56, and 60 degree lofts.   If I look at the markings, they have the same "FORGED" stamping on the hosel, and the ferrules match the 1999 Hogan Redlines.  By looking at the images below, can anyone confirm this?

 

 

These are all from the 1999 - 2000 Hogan designs.  Designed by Jeff Sheets when Hogan was owned by Spalding and Endo Forged.  Really nice stuff.  The models were Apex (blades) and Apex Plus (Perimeter weight).  The 99 blades are still my primary irons.  The 1988's and sometimes the 1992's are called Redlines, because of the red line under Ben Hogan's name.  

 

 

Edited May 27 by Joe S
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