Ben Hogan Director Irons

Ben Hogan is one of the most famous golfers of all time, and his clubs are still highly sought-after by many a golfer. In 1980, the Ben Hogan Director irons were released, which were designed to be a more forgiving version of Hogan’s traditional blades.

Some time ago, I randomly found a set of Director irons at one of my local Goodwill stores. At $3 per club (4-P), I couldn’t leave them behind but I didn’t have many expectations. I figured they would just be another random vintage set for the archive that I could eventually flip. In fact, I feel like I remember even looking up completed eBay auctions at the store to see if I’d at least make my money back. Little did I know that I was about the buy what would be one of my favorite sets of irons in my collection.

Some History of the Ben Hogan Director Irons

As mentioned, the forged Ben Hogan Director irons were released in 1980 and designed to be a bit more forgiving, but still have the playability of a blade. Their blade length is definitely longer and the sole is rounder compared to irons from this period. Like any good blade design, they feature a thinner top line along with a scooped out muscle/cavity. The Director irons were a commercial success and they were used by many professional golfers, including Tom Watson and Lee Trevino. (Or so I’ve read…) The Director irons were discontinued in 1989, but they remain popular amongst collectors and plenty of golfers swear by them as their gamers to this day.

For those players, the struggle to find available upgrades or replacements is difficult. Obviously the number of sets in good condition is finite. The number of available sets is only getting fewer and fewer as the years decades pass by. The price for a set of Director irons will vary depending on the condition of the clubs, but you can expect to pay anywhere from less than a  hundred dollars to a thousand dollars. Sure you might get lucky finding some at a thrift store and get a set for $25. The beauty of the thrift grind, am I right? But if you’re holding out for a mint set, you’re talking big money on eBay and a loooonnnggg search.

Why I Love the Ben Hogan Director Irons

I love my Ben Hogan Director irons for a few reasons. First and foremost, there’s something “romantic” about randomly stumbling into something so perfect that someone just “got rid of”. Second, I just love the way they look. They’re simple and clean with a perfect utilitarian elegance meant for a master of the trade. They weren’t designed to be a shiny wall hanger, but they’re still absolutely beautiful.

Then there’s actually playing with them. My first time putting them to use was shortly after I bought them and at a simulator for Kris McEwen’s birthday in December. Admittedly my expectations were low. After all, these were just some thrift store irons, right? However, I was more than pleasantly surprised with these clubs from 1980. They felt incredible, and the ball came off of the face with such a smooth and pure response. While I wouldn’t tell you these are the most forgiving irons, they’re certainly much easier to hit than most of the muscle backs you’re going to encounter both past and present.

Final Thoughts – Ben Hogan Director Irons

I can’t tell you how glad I am that I found a set of these Ben Hogan Director irons. I definitely wasn’t actively looking to acquire a set, so to stumble upon such a gem…the stars were aligned. They’re my favorite “thrift find” irons to date, and I don’t plan on letting them go anytime soon. Of course, I’d be lying to you if I told you there isn’t a contender waiting in the wings. Another thrift find from this past Spring is giving the Directors a run for their money, so stay tuned…

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