When Ben Hogan famously declared that each club should be “a fine piece of jewellery,” he set a standard that continues to influence club design decades later. The Fort Worth CB irons embody this philosophy while incorporating modern technology that today’s better ball strikers demand.
Design and Construction
The Fort Worth CB sits in an interesting position within Ben Hogan’s iron lineup. For context, I’ve been gaming Titleist 620MB blades for some time, so I’m accustomed to that minimalist, workable profile. The Fort Worth CB gets remarkably close to this bladed aesthetic while offering a touch more assistance on those occasional mishits.
These irons are forged from 1025 carbon steel, a material choice that immediately signals the priority placed on feel and feedback. However, the real innovation lies beneath the surface. Ben Hogan has incorporated a ceramic matrix that’s co-forged into each iron head, allowing engineers to manipulate the center of gravity throughout the set. This isn’t just marketing speak – the CG positioning changes progressively as you move through the bag, creating tailored launch and spin windows for each individual iron. It’s this kind of thoughtful engineering that separates modern players’ irons from their predecessors.
The V-sole design deserves particular mention. This feature enhances turf interaction by incorporating slightly more bounce on the leading edge while reducing bounce at the trailing edge. In practical terms, this means cleaner contact from various lies without the digging that can plague traditional blade designs.
Aesthetics
Let’s address what catches your eye first: these irons are stunning. The thin top line at address provides that confidence-inspiring look better players crave, while the overall profile manages to look purposeful without appearing bulky. When you place a full set in your bag, they genuinely do look like fine pieces of jewelry – precisely what Hogan intended. There’s something satisfying about clubs that look as good as they perform, and the Fort Worth CB delivers on both counts.
Performance
During my testing at the Old Course in Portugal and subsequent studio work back at Churston, these irons revealed their true character. The workability is excellent – exactly what you’d expect from an iron positioned for better ball strikers. I found them highly maneuverable on course, allowing me to shape shots when needed without requiring extreme manipulation.
The forgiveness profile sits exactly where Ben Hogan intended it. You get noticeably more assistance on off-center strikes compared to a pure blade, but considerably less than you’d find in the Legend or M50-01 models from the same manufacturer. This is deliberate design – the Fort Worth CB is engineered for golfers who consistently find the center of the face but appreciate a small margin for error on those occasional mishits.
Feedback through impact is pronounced. You’ll know immediately where contact occurred on the face, which better players typically prefer as it aids in making mid-round adjustments. The 1025 carbon steel contributes to an exceptionally soft feel that makes pure strikes particularly rewarding.
The ceramic matrix technology proved its worth in the numbers. Launch angles remained consistent throughout the set, and spin rates fell into predictable windows. This is crucial for serious players who need to know their distances and trajectories with precision.
Who Should Consider These?
The Fort Worth CB is designed for a specific golfer. If you’re a lower handicapper who values workability, feedback, and classic aesthetics but wants slightly more forgiveness than a traditional blade offers, these irons deserve serious consideration. They’re ideal for players transitioning from cavity backs toward blade-style irons, or for accomplished ball strikers who want insurance on those less-than-perfect strikes without sacrificing shot-making capability.
Final Verdict
The Ben Hogan Fort Worth CB irons successfully bridge the gap between modern cavity backs and traditional blades. They offer enough forgiveness to be practical for on-course play while maintaining the workability, feedback, and aesthetics that better players demand. The combination of 1025 carbon steel forging, ceramic matrix technology, and thoughtful sole design creates an iron that performs as beautifully as it looks.
These aren’t for everyone – and they’re not meant to be. But for the golfer seeking that particular blend of classic appearance, modern performance, and honest feedback, the Fort Worth CB represents a compelling option that honours Ben Hogan’s legacy while embracing contemporary club-making technology.
Dan Hendriksen, PGA Professional