Earlier this week a new driver appeared on the USGA Conforming List. The Ben Hogan GS53 Max Driver is now here and will be available as early as today from their website.
Before getting into the new GS53 Max, we want to say it is not necessarily replacing the current model from Ben Hogan. The current GS53 is a titanium driver with a forged face that got some rave reviews in our testing. The lineup that has been out will stay in line and available directly from their website.
The Ben Hogan GS53 Max driver offers a stark difference from the current model, which makes a lot of sense as a differentiator. Nearly 25% larger and 11% taller face than the original model, but the changes are more dramatic than just an increase in size.
The multi-material design is four separate pieces. Light weight and strong titanium is countered on the crown with a composite carbon fiber to add a large amount of flexibility with weight placement. This is where the Max in GS53 Max starts coming into place.
Ben Hogan R&D was able to work with dense Tungsten and position it low and deep in the club head. Weight has also been positioned internally along the edges of the driver to increase stability. The increase in moment of inertia (MOI) is quite staggering, as well as a higher initial launch, while still maintaining low spin.
“This is a special driver that is born off Mr. Hogan’s principles of club design,” said Scott White, CEO, Ben Hogan Golf Company. “Our R&D mission for the GS53 MAX was to keep the Center of Mass as low and as far rearward as possible, which is very different when compared to the original GS53 driver which is much higher and more forward. As a result, the combination of the lightweight composite crown and tungsten sole weight allow us to position the Center of Mass so that we maximize launch while decreasing the amount of ball spin. This provides a higher ball flight … especially for players who don’t have Tour-caliber clubhead speeds … for increased carry and roll out. “
The adjustable hosel is still in place and is what Ben Hogan calls Flight Control. The adapter has not changed, so golfers that were GS53 users can swap shafts in and out. Loft changing ability is 1 degree either way from the standard loft, as well as open or close the face angle to better fit your needs. Hogan got the hosel right in that shaft graphics and grip position does not need to be altered when making adjustments.
We know shaft choices are always a big thing and we can say that Ben Hogan has brought three different options to their GS53 Max driver. We can also tell you that none of these are made for altered from original specs. Each one is premium aftermarket shaft, the same you would find ordering directly.
Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black: Low Trajectory
Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue: Mid Trajectory
UST Mamiya Helium: High Trajectory
The Details
Available: Today on their website
Cost: $355
Lofts: 9 and 10.5 degrees available
High launch low spin sounds like a blast
I’m looking forward to testing the LIN-Q Purple.
Absolutely GORGEOUS Driver.
Ben Hogan hit a home run on this one. Very interested to hear the thoughts on how this plays.
Still waiting on USPS to decide in can have the one from THP HQ for review
@BHGtylerb said he’d let us know when they are ready to hit the demo program. It can’t wait to see if the few swings I had with his in Florida carries over to AZ!
The LOW spin talk has my eagerness to get the review going at a fever pitch!
“It goes where you aim it”. And for me it was longer than my epic flash and swing on that day.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts
Oh, I’ll test that out
That was Tyler’s quote for himself. He bombs with predictable curvature. The GS53 Max has straighter ball flight for him so he had to keep reminding himself to set up correctly for that straighter flight.
With my swing a day to day mess or semi decent I didn’t know what to expect, especially with it being so wet that it was carts on path and no range open for warmup. With that being said I went straight into my alternate muscle loosening routine that involves some putting, the theragun mini, a Tito’s with pineapple and orange juice and a Vicodin.
First tee striped it, and honestly hit it well most of the round. My misses were waaaay out there on the toe and nobody’s ball goes far when it’s so far out there. But my distance and misses were crazy similiar in distance but not as severe side spin. No crazy hooks and the real miss were a couple blocks. There is a sound difference for sure between ones hit well and ones that make you wanna take another drink.
launch was lower than my mavrik ex, but then again we ain’t talkin about a well grooved swing here folks. I missed 3 fairways in total, found the driver easy to work and can’t wait to get it back out again next week hopefully and really when all this rain dries up to experience the whole “roll” thing that people get to experience.
more to come with this beauty and yeah when I pulled it out everybody said it was awesome looking and sounds very solid.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quick pics so far, but GLAMOUR shots tonight on the photo table
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1) The shape is perfect.
2) It’s right in line with what I expect, Hogan quality is just impeccable in hand.
Wait, those aren’t glamour shots? They look awful good to me…
Haha, nah, those are just cell phone pics ?
Looking forward to your thoughts.
It’s great to see them continuing their variety and success – Their irons leave me so impressed every time I hit them.
I’ve got to say, it’s a very good looking head.
….and weird but I kind of love that grip too.
I was a hot mess with my epic flash at Hammock Beach. But on that day I was less of one with the GS53 Max.
you feedback is what piqued my interest initially. i’d love to be less of a hot mess with driver! maybe i should try this puppy!
I’m currently trying to get to know a BB21. Then hope to return to the GS53 Max. And compare the three. I know @MSEASU has a BB21 and now the Hogan in his hands.
Really looking forward to that comparison
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Like this…
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I might be putting these two head to head myself!
Also against the Tsi3. First shootout this weekend
this is the comparison I’ve been waiting for
It really is a clean look. Super quality in hand too.
that is one heck of a photo right there.
I like the subtle "tungsten" on the weight too.
But here are some numbers from the Sim. The Mavrik SZ has a Helium & the GS53 Max has a LIN-Q purple. Bridgestone RX was the ball.
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I appreciate the kind words, you know me and my nitpickiness of my photos
Totally agree, its a nice little touch, not in your face, but cool to see.
How much of the spin drop would you attribute to the GS53Max or the Lin-Q shaft over the Mav SZ?
The Helium should spin more than the LIN-Q, so maybe that could cause some difference.
Both heads are low spin heads…
Mirrored finish. It’s ?
It’s weird… With all the matte finishes going on right now, I almost miss it.
What degree is the Mavrik SZ? The GS53 Max is 9 degrees correct? I am surprised, with the Helium in the SZ, that the Max launched that much higher. I put my Helium in my regular GS53 for the first time in over a year today and had to decrease the loft to 9.5. I am torn between ordering a 9 and 10.5 in the Max so will be following this thread closely to see if it helps me make a better determination.
I have never experienced any glare issues off the regular GS53 and it is glossy as well.