Equipment

Ben Hogan

At the 1955 U.S. Open, Jack Fleck won with a set of Ben Hogan clubs. The player he beat in the playoff was Hogan himself. A young equipment company had reached a national championship through its founder’s opponent.¹²

Ben Hogan Mark unavailable

Equipment-company sunburst and script, recorded October 2026. Date of introduction unverified. Logo source

Two Ben Hogan Equalizer II wedges resting on a wooden workbench. — Equalizer II wedges, a later Ben Hogan design. Photograph from Ben Hogan Golf’s company page; date not stated. Image source

Hogan founded the company in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1953. According to the 1990 Ben Hogan Tour guide, the first shipment reached the market in late 1954. The guide describes a golfer who wanted adjustments his supplier was reluctant to make, and a business backed by Fort Worth entrepreneur Marvin Leonard and another investor.¹

At The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Fleck made birdies on two of the last four holes to draw level with Hogan. They returned for an 18-hole playoff, an extra round to decide the title. Fleck won without ever trailing. One of the company’s early sets was now part of the championship record.¹²

At a glance

Company founded: 1953, Fort Worth, Texas¹
First shipment: Late 1954, according to the 1990 Tour guide¹
1955 U.S. Open: Jack Fleck defeated Ben Hogan using Hogan clubs¹²

Sources

PGA TOUR / Ben Hogan TourThe Ben Hogan Company, 1990 Tour Guide, pp. 25–26
Joey Flyntz, USGAJack Fleck: The Ultimate U.S. Open Underdog Story

At a glance

Sources

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