After extensive testing both in Portugal and back here in the UK on the launch monitor, the Ben Hogan M50-01 irons have proven themselves as a great middle ground between forgiveness and workability. Priced at $899.99 (approximately £720) for a seven-piece set, these one-piece forged irons represent an excellent option for better players seeking that classic forged feel without sacrificing all the benefits of modern design.
Clean Aesthetics with Purpose
I really like the clean aesthetic of the M50-01 irons. They have a noticeably thinner top line than the Legend irons, but a slightly thicker top line than the Fort Worth series irons (both the MB and CB). This positioning is deliberate—the M50-01 sits right in that sweet spot where the iron looks clean and refined at address without appearing overly blade-like or intimidating.
The visual appeal matters tremendously to better players. You want to look down at address and feel confident, and the M50-01 delivers exactly that balance. The compact head design with precision milling creates that premium appearance whilst maintaining enough visual reassurance for consistent ball-striking.
The Premium Details
The logos on the back look very premium. Ben Hogan has always understood that a golf club should be like a fine piece of jewellery, and the M50-01 honours that philosophy perfectly. The clean lines, understated branding, and quality finish all contribute to that sense of owning something special.
These visual details might seem minor, but they contribute significantly to the overall experience. When you invest in a set of irons, you want them to look as good as they perform, and the M50-01 achieves exactly that.
Forgiveness and Ball Speed Retention
I found these to be a good balance of forgiveness. They wouldn’t be as forgiving as the Legend iron—I would lose a couple of miles an hour of ball speed when I struck them out of the toe and out of the heel—but they’re not as punishing as the more blade-like irons.
This honest assessment is crucial for understanding where the M50-01 fits in the lineup. As a one-piece forging, it can’t match the hollow-body Legend’s ball speed retention on mishits. Physics dictates that. However, it significantly outperforms traditional blade designs thanks to its perimeter weighting.
The good amount of perimeter weighting distributed around the head creates an enlarged effective hitting area compared to musclebacks, whilst maintaining that clean, compact appearance better players prefer. It’s genuine forgiveness without the chunky, game-improvement aesthetic.
The V-Sole Advantage
These irons also feature the V-Sole, which is great out of a multitude of different lies on the golf course. The high-bounce leading edge combined with the low-bounce trailing edge means the sole cuts through turf beautifully, regardless of conditions.
This design also prevents digging, which is especially useful in the wet winters that we have in the UK. When you’re playing in softer conditions, having a sole that glides through rather than digs becomes invaluable. The V-Sole transforms what could be heavy, chunky contacts into clean strikes even when you’re slightly steep or catch it a bit heavy.
That Buttery Feel
I really liked the soft, buttery feel of the face. These are a one-piece forged construction made out of 1020 carbon steel, and that material choice delivers exactly the impact sensation better players crave.
There’s something special about that pure forged feel that’s difficult to describe but immediately recognisable when you experience it. The feedback is precise and honest—you know exactly where you’ve struck it—but the sensation remains soft and satisfying even on slight mishits. This is the kind of feel that makes you want to keep hitting balls on the range long after your practice session should have ended.
Workability Meets Forgiveness
I just really like the overall blend of workability and forgiveness that these irons gave me. This statement summarizes the M50-01’s greatest strength—the ability to shape shots whilst still providing safety on mishits.
For better players who want to work the ball both ways, hit controlled fades and draws, flight the ball lower into the wind or higher when needed, the M50-01 provides that shot-shaping capability. The one-piece forging responds beautifully to intentional manipulation, giving you full control over trajectory and curve.
Yet unlike traditional blades, when you do miss the centre slightly—and every golfer does, even at the highest levels—the perimeter weighting and enlarged sweet spot prevent complete disaster. You lose a couple of miles per hour of ball speed rather than watching the ball balloon weakly off target.
Who Should Consider the M50-01?
The M50-01 iron suits:
- Low to mid-handicap players seeking forged feel with modern forgiveness
- Better players transitioning from blades who want more consistency
- Golfers who prioritize workability but still appreciate mishit protection
- Anyone seeking that buttery forged sensation without blade-level punishment
- Players who value clean aesthetics and premium craftsmanship
Direct-to-Consumer Value
At approximately £720 for a seven-piece set, the M50-01 represents exceptional value in the forged iron category. The direct-to-consumer model means you’re getting one-piece forged, handbuilt quality at a price point that would typically only secure cast cavity-backs from major manufacturers.
Ben Hogan offers extensive customisation options—multiple shaft choices, grip selections, and lie/loft adjustments—all hand built to order in their USA workshop. This level of personalisation combined with the quality of construction makes the value proposition genuinely compelling.
The Middle Ground
The Ben Hogan M50-01 successfully occupies that challenging middle ground in the iron market—providing enough forgiveness for consistent ball-striking whilst maintaining the workability, feel, and aesthetics that better players demand.
After extensive testing both on the course and on the launch monitor, the M50-01 has proven itself as exactly what it promises to be: a one-piece forged iron that doesn’t punish mishits as severely as traditional blades whilst still delivering that soft, buttery feel and shot-shaping capability.
The noticeably thinner top line than the Legend, the V-Sole that excels in various conditions, the premium aesthetic details, and that classic forged sensation all combine to create an iron that genuinely bridges the gap between forgiveness and workability.
For better players seeking the middle ground—those who want forged feel without blade-level consequences, who appreciate clean aesthetics without intimidating themselves at address, and who value both workability and consistency—the M50-01 deserves serious consideration. It’s an honest, well-crafted iron that delivers on its promises without compromise.
Dan Hendriksen, PGA Professional