FairwayFred Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 I went to the range today and spent alot of time hitting some balls with these 3 different hybrids. The Taylor Made Rescue Mid was the TP version #3 at 19* loft with a S400 shaft. The TourStage Air Muscle is the #2 18* with a S200 shaft. The Hogan CFT is the #2 19* with the Apex #4 shaft. The Taylor Made and Hogan are pretty simular clubs, the Air Muscle is a totally different animal. The Air Muscle is pretty much just a forgiving 2 iron. It sets up just like an iron, it is pretty small for a "hybrid" is shaped just like most TourStage irons and has very minimal offset. Out of these 3 clubs the AM looks the best and feels the best by far. It is also the least likely of the 3 to ever make it into my bag. The trajectory is simply too low for me for the club to serve its intended purpose. It went a good 20 yards shorter than the other 2 in carry distance. I am sure that alot of this is made up for in roll but I am looking for something that can hold a green like a 5 wood. It is pretty forgiving, simular to a Big Bertha long iron but without the draw bias. If you are looking for something that is essentially a driving iron for tee shots I think the Air Muscle is exactly what you are looking for. It will also appeal to someone who carries a normal 2 iron and is looking for something traditional looking but more forgiving. Simular to a FourteeN but better IMO. The Hogan and Taylor Made performed very simularly for me. I was very surprised by both clubs to be honest. The Mid Rescue TP is probubally the best Taylor Made clubs I have hit in a long time and definetly something I could put in the bag. (those who know me know I am not a TM fan at all) The Hogan looks alot better IMO. It has less offset and sets up slightly open which I love. Although simular, I like the shape better and the fact that the face is deeper in the toe area. The TM sets up better than the standard Mid Rescue but I have always found it to be somewhat distracting looking. For some reason I find the Hogans 2 tone paint alot less distracting than the TM 2 tone paint. The TM feels better than than the Hogan. It is very solid and has a great sound. Very un-TM like. The Hogan has a very solid feel but has a louder slightly more tingy sound. I hit them almost exactly the same distance, about 200 yards of carry with the range balls. The TM had a slightly better trajectory, a little more boring. The Hogan seemed to apex a little higher. I think this is mostly due to the shaft difference. I have always found the Hogan Apex shaft to balloon a little compared to Dynamic Gold. The Hogan seemed to be a little more workable and wanted to draw less. The TM is pretty neutrally weighted, I hit it pretty straight or with a little draw. The Hogan didnt seem to want to go left unless I really wanted to draw it. Normal swings (i draw everything and hate it) wanted to go straight and I could hit a little fade if I tried (my prefered ballflight) The Hogan is noticeably more forgiving. The TM is easy to hit but the Hogan is really really easy to hit. Much better on thin and toe shots especially. Overall these clubs are very close IMO. In the end I liked the Hogan better, it performed a little better for me and the better looks outweighed the difference in feel. I ended up getting the Hogan and am throwing it in the bag right away. I was not planning on buying a new club but at $74.99 for a club with a "Speed Slot" how could I say no??? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Nice review Ari , and as usual well written . I know that you were comparing those three clubs but I do have a question for you if you please . How would the Tour Stage Air Muscle #2 compare to a Z 101 2 Iron in ball flight , trajectory and overall distance . Thanks Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKFLY Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Ari - awesome review. For $75 you cannot miss. Makes me feel like I was taken for a ride - buying my TP mid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadriver Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Sweet, Ari. Thanks for passing the info along. You've confirmed my fears about the AM, answered my question regarding my own equipment, and saved me time and money...I owe you big time. Now...if you would only return my PMs. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haribo Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Nice review. Very informative. But now, if you don't mind, back to work. Let's get started with my wedges. Hope you got my email today. :lol: :wink: :lol: haribo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkside Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Excellent Info! I will definitely be picking up a CFT Hybrid in the coming weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbl690 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Excellent Info! I will definitely be picking up a CFT Hybrid in the coming weeks! Well look who's here :D I swear, the entire FGI crew is migrating over here 8) Good to see ya posting here Kev :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkside Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Excellent Info! I will definitely be picking up a CFT Hybrid in the coming weeks! Well look who's here :D I swear, the entire FGI crew is migrating over here 8) Good to see ya posting here Kev :) I have been lurking for a couple months now. Great site! Now I know where you have been hiding. :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Excellent Info! I will definitely be picking up a CFT Hybrid in the coming weeks! Well look who's here :D I swear, the entire FGI crew is migrating over here 8) Good to see ya posting here Kev :) I have been lurking for a couple months now. Great site! Now I know where you have been hiding. :wink: What is this a FGI reunion :wink: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairwayFred Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Sweet, Ari.Thanks for passing the info along. You've confirmed my fears about the AM, answered my question regarding my own equipment, and saved me time and money...I owe you big time. Now...if you would only return my PMs. :lol: No problem at all! I am glad that I could be of help. I definetly do not think that the Air Muscle would be what you are looking for. (BTW, PM returned! :lol: ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadriver Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Sweet, Ari.Thanks for passing the info along. You've confirmed my fears about the AM, answered my question regarding my own equipment, and saved me time and money...I owe you big time. Now...if you would only return my PMs. :lol: No problem at all! I am glad that I could be of help. I definetly do not think that the Air Muscle would be what you are looking for. (BTW, PM returned! :lol: ) I just bought some SYB to try but I think I know what would work best; I couldn't resist buyin the SYB--they were being dumped for pocket change. If these Concept dont' work I'm going with TS202s w/PX 5.5. I've found 3 and 4 irons but would love to find a 2. Doesn't that seem like it would work well with my z101s and my DD Spec? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairwayFred Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Sweet, Ari.Thanks for passing the info along. You've confirmed my fears about the AM, answered my question regarding my own equipment, and saved me time and money...I owe you big time. Now...if you would only return my PMs. :lol: No problem at all! I am glad that I could be of help. I definetly do not think that the Air Muscle would be what you are looking for. (BTW, PM returned! :lol: ) I just bought some SYB to try but I think I know what would work best; I couldn't resist buyin the SYB--they were being dumped for pocket change. If these Concept dont' work I'm going with TS202s w/PX 5.5. I've found 3 and 4 irons but would love to find a 2. Doesn't that seem like it would work well with my z101s and my DD Spec? Sounds like a very sweet setup. I have heard great things about those TS202 long irons. I bet the 2 iron would be very nice. I dont know if it would be better than the Air Muscle for a 2 iron though. For a 2 iron the AM is very very good. Not getting along with your Club X these days? I like the idea of versitility for this perticular spot in the bag and I think a club like the Hogan is the way to go over a 2 iron or 5 wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadriver Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Sweet, Ari.Thanks for passing the info along. You've confirmed my fears about the AM, answered my question regarding my own equipment, and saved me time and money...I owe you big time. Now...if you would only return my PMs. :lol: No problem at all! I am glad that I could be of help. I definetly do not think that the Air Muscle would be what you are looking for. (BTW, PM returned! :lol: ) I just bought some SYB to try but I think I know what would work best; I couldn't resist buyin the SYB--they were being dumped for pocket change. If these Concept dont' work I'm going with TS202s w/PX 5.5. I've found 3 and 4 irons but would love to find a 2. Doesn't that seem like it would work well with my z101s and my DD Spec? Sounds like a very sweet setup. I have heard great things about those TS202 long irons. I bet the 2 iron would be very nice. I dont know if it would be better than the Air Muscle for a 2 iron though. For a 2 iron the AM is very very good. Not getting along with your Club X these days? I like the idea of versitility for this perticular spot in the bag and I think a club like the Hogan is the way to go over a 2 iron or 5 wood. Just sent you a PM.... Right now the v017 is killing me. One time it hits straight low bullets, the next time I'll hit a power fade. When I try to draw it--MISSION IMPOSSIBLE--there's no hope. Yeah, I'm not getting along with it. :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Great review. I have the Hogan #2 with the UST Irod Shaft and I love it. I had played the TM in the past but because of the offset and weighting I was always fighting a high hook. For my swing the hogan is a much better option. Will probably get the 1 and 3 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryMB Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Ari, that was a great review, the Hogan Hybrid is going to be hot this summer, wait till they start switching shafts, the club is a bargin, i am glad that i got mine, Dadriver check out the Nicklaus ironmax, if you like the driving iron look, the 21* and competes against the FLI-HI II, is a nice little club JerryMB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairwayFred Posted March 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 After 3 rounds of play, I am very glad that I got the Hogan. It performs alot better for me on the course than the range. It even feels alot better now that I am hitting real golf balls instead of range rocks. I find it very easy to hit from just about any lie. Trajectory is perfect, most importantly it doesnt balloon into the wind. All 3 rounds were at Bandon/Pacific Dunes with about a 30 mph wind and the Hogan performed wonderfully especially into the wind. On one uphill 175 yard par 3 dead into the wind I hit a perfect Hogan 19* to the middle of the green. I think I carry it about 210 under normal conditions. Simular to my distance with a 5 wood. I definetly carry it longer than a 2 iron but there is less roll. I have struggled to find a hybrid that I was comfortable with mostly due to the offset that they all have. The Hogan sets up great and looks like a club I can hit. It has very little offset and most importantly does not hook. I was very impressed with how consistant the ballflight is. After the 1st round I was so impressed with the Hogan that I bought the 21* #3 to replace my 3 iron. (the fact that it cost only $75 didnt hurt) I was equally as impressed with it. It goes about 10 yards shorter than the #2 with only a slightly higher trajectory. Seems to fill the gap between my 19* and my 4 iron perfectly. It is equally as good into the wind as the #2. Its alot more forgiving than my 3 iron and is very consistant. It is just so much more playable in pretty much every situation. I have only played a few rounds with them but I think despite my ego being mad at me they will be a great addition to my bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryMB Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Ari, if you keep comming up with reviews like this Dadriver will forget about the Air Muscle, :lol: , so having both the 21* and 19* were different enough to work out for you, did you try the 17*? i wonder how a 24* and the 19* combo would work? I plan on pulling my 4 iron, well its a good feeling getting equipment that really works well, thanks for the review, JerryMB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKFLY Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 After 3 rounds of play, I am very glad that I got the Hogan. It performs alot better for me on the course than the range. It even feels alot better now that I am hitting real golf balls instead of range rocks. I find it very easy to hit from just about any lie. Trajectory is perfect, most importantly it doesnt balloon into the wind. Â All 3 rounds were at Bandon/Pacific Dunes with about a 30 mph wind and the Hogan performed wonderfully especially into the wind. On one uphill 175 yard par 3 dead into the wind I hit a perfect Hogan 19* to the middle of the green. I think I carry it about 210 under normal conditions. Simular to my distance with a 5 wood. I definetly carry it longer than a 2 iron but there is less roll. I have struggled to find a hybrid that I was comfortable with mostly due to the offset that they all have. The Hogan sets up great and looks like a club I can hit. It has very little offset and most importantly does not hook. I was very impressed with how consistant the ballflight is. After the 1st round I was so impressed with the Hogan that I bought the 21* #3 to replace my 3 iron. (the fact that it cost only $75 didnt hurt) I was equally as impressed with it. It goes about 10 yards shorter than the #2 with only a slightly higher trajectory. Seems to fill the gap between my 19* and my 4 iron perfectly. It is equally as good into the wind as the #2. Its alot more forgiving than my 3 iron and is very consistant. It is just so much more playable in pretty much every situation. I have only played a few rounds with them but I think despite my ego being mad at me they will be a great addition to my bag. What size shaft comes in the steel hogan hybrids ? Taper or Parallel ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryMB Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 AKfly, :D how is it going? its a 355T, JerryMB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKFLY Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 AKfly, Â :D how is it going? Â its a 355T, Â JerryMB Jerry to the rescue - sorry I ment CFT :D It is going good. Played Whittaker Woods/ Swamp last Friday no one there until about 1:00 - played four balls off each tee for 21 holes - man I am still hurting. A Redamack's burger and a few greenies never tasted so good - you have to love Michigan. Passed through G.R. the week before on my way to the fishing hole. We need to hook up this summer. I can only find the Hogan's with a regular flex shaft - so I may pull the trigger and put my spare PX shaft in or a DG shaft - what are your thoughts ? I have a PX shaft for a 2 iron and a s300 for a 3 iron laying around. I want to get the 21* CFT - to replace my 3 iron. The TM TP Mid is awesome but will get a GD 9.1 installed tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryMB Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 well the Hogan 21* has the same length shaft as the 21* fli-hi, a 3 or two iron shaft, did you catch any fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKFLY Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 well the Hogan 21* Â has the same length shaft as the 21* fli-hi, a 3 or two iron shaft, did you catch any fish? One 9 pound steelhead after the inch of snow on Sunday :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryMB Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 well :D it sounds like a good snack for you :lol: I played Hawkshead both Sat and Sun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKFLY Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 well :D it sounds like a good snack for you :lol: I played Hawkshead both Sat and Sun How where the conditions - I know that the price is right this time of year. Did they mow the greens ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryMB Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 the green fees were $15 for 18 holes walking, and $25 to ride, they mowed the greens, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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