Living It
Before diving into my “new” Hogan PC-5 irons, let’s start with this: I am about as Texan as it gets. No, I don’t currently own any livestock, but in my short time on earth I have worked in the cattle business, helped out on the farm, and even spent some time in the oil field.
To answer your next question, yes, I have even attempted to rodeo. I wanted to ride bulls, so I looked up a bull riding school (shout out to the Terry Don West bull riding school) and drove up to Oklahoma for a weekend that my body will never let me forget. I was terrible. I’m too tall, and I have the balance of a one-legged cat. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, I got on 20 bulls. One after the other.
A very important piece of being a Texan and a golfer is knowing the name Ben Hogan. I’ve known the name for most of my life, but it was not until I started collecting clubs that I truly started to appreciate his greatness. One of the great things about collecting is the story that comes with each new addition.
It took me a little while to come across my first classic set of Ben Hogan irons. I would look at pictures posted by fellow collectors and wonder how they had so many different sets of Hogans, and at this point I had quite the collection myself. Just no Hogans. Until one day I stumbled across a hidden gem in a set of Ben Hogan PC-5 irons.
The Hogan PC-5 Irons Find & Purchase
During my weekly venture to the local Goodwill, I came across a set of Ben Hogan PC-5 irons. I checked up and down to make sure that they were all there. Sure enough, in my hand I had a full set of dirty and sad 1967 Hogan PC-5 with the original grips. The only club missing was the Equalizer wedge, but I eventually traded a couple of Mizunos for the missing piece.
I quickly grabbed a bag and few woods that I had been buying and rushed to the counter. Pro tip: at our local Goodwill, they give you a discount if you buy a full set so if I find an iron set I grab a bag, some woods, and a putter.
I paid a total of $21 for the entire set.
The purchase of classics is only the start of the adventure. I brought them home, take pictures so that I can show them off and I start the cleaning process.
Cleaning and Playability
I am not a full restoration person. My main goal is bringing old clubs back to life in a playable condition. There are some guys who are experts at full restoration. I am always amazed at the work they do, but I am not there yet. As long as they can play without breaking, I call it good.
I start by soaking the irons in a soap/water mixture. Typically, if there is quite a bit of rust I will soak them in a vinegar mix. After soaking, I scrub them with a wire brush. For these Hogans I used a wire wheel which attaches to my drill. I finished by using 0000 steel wool to clean the shafts and then I wiped down the grips (no, not with steel wool). In this case the grips are in decent condition so I don’t need to replace them immediately, but since they are players eventually I will need to.
Some History On the Hogan PC-5 Irons
Hogan PC-5 irons were made from 1965-1967. In 1965 and 1966 they were made with a 3” hosel, and changed to a 2 ½” hosel in 1967. Classic era Hogan irons catch a lot of eyes because of their unique design. They have a very flat sole and rest on the ground comfortably. Another unique quality of this model is the simplicity of markings. They have the classic Ben Hogan script and the BH symbol with the blue and red ribbon. Very tasteful, timeless, and elegant.
I contacted the Ben Hogan Golf Company to try and get more info, but unfortunately the company has changed hands multiple times and they were not able to give me anymore information.
Single Sets are Cool, But…
I enjoyed cleaning up my Hogans, and they are now displayed prominently. I am looking forward to playing them this summer!
Most of my purchases are single sets like these Hogan PC-5 irons, and I try not to buy any sets which are incomplete. Every now and then an opportunity comes along that you just can’t pass up. Join me next time as I bring you along in my journey of buying a lot which included over 200 clubs and twelve bags!
Justin, having looked through the dating and price guide books, I find no mention of a PC 5. It only mentions PC with no stampings other than the 3 stripes above and below the BH starburt. So, if you could point me in the direction of clarification I will be calling them the PC model. The only difference will be the hosel lengths. Thanks, JK
If you’ve ever seen the picture of all the different Hogan Apex heads, it shows this iron in 1966 and calls it the PC5. That’s where he pulled the name and date from.
Hogan referenced them as “Percussion Center”, “Improved Percussion Center” and “Percussion Center 7” in the catalog and in advertising. The called the 1984 Apex “PC” and in print ads mentioned it had a “Percussion Center”. I think people are using that “PC” nomenclature retroactively today when referencing the old Percussion Centers.
I HAVE A COPUPLE SETS OF PC-5 CLUBS BUT AE STILL LOOKING FOR A 1-IRON. I KNOW THEY ARE TOUGH TO FIND. ANY SUGGESTIONS. THANKS MIKE
Your best bet is really ebay and Facebook Marketplace. Maybe Craigslist.
Mike, I have the PC-5 1 iron as part of a full set. Contact me to discuss. rayo7753@gmail.com
Need hogan strip 5 iron
I’m not clear what you’re asking or saying?
Stupid question: what do red numbers on an Apex PC mean?
I have 2 sets of Hogan PSC Irons. 1965-67 . I think he used them to shoot 67 in the 3rd round of the Masters. He tied for 10 th with Sam Snead. One of my sets has the original grips and paint on the soles of each iron.
Start by saying I’m a first timer. I ran across a set of Ben Hogan medallion irons. Are they going to be worth much. Always was a big fan, a classy guy .
Your best bet is to look through ebay sold listings to get an accurate idea of value.