Ben Hogan PTx MAX Driver Life Tested Review

The prices of tour-issue drivers are shamelessly pushing $600 before any upgrades or customization, and that’s creating a growing demand for quality drivers from direct-to-consumer brands at affordable (relatively speaking) prices. 

That’s exactly where the new PTx series of drivers from Ben Hogan Golf fits in, promising tour-level distance and forgiveness at just over half the price you’d expect to pay for a driver from one of the big OEMs.

But the thought of a DTC driver leaves golfers with one big, tough question: can it perform?

I tested the Ben Hogan PTx Max driver firsthand to answer that question.

The Ben Hogan PTx driver is available in two different models, PTx Max and PTx LST.

• PTx MAX: Maximum forgiveness with MOI over 10k; Weight moved to the back of the club for higher launch and more forgiveness.
• PTx LST: Low Spin Technology for players who want to reduce spin and launch it lower; weight moved forward in the head; spin and distance optimizations come at the cost of some forgiveness.

Both the MAX and LST versions include an adjustable hosel that allows you to change the loft/lie up or down two degrees. Ben Hogan also incorporated its speed slot on the side of the driver to improve aerodynamics with the goal of increasing club head speed and distance.

Ben Hogan offers an array of shaft options, including a nice menu at no additional cost. Stock shaft options include:

• UST Helium
• Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue (60 or 70g)
• Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX
• UST DHI DRVR

Additional UST, Project X, and Graphite Design shafts are available at an upcharge.

I tested the Ben Hogan PTx MAX driver both on the golf course and using a launch monitor at the driving range. On the course, I used Shot Scope game tracking to gain insights into distance, accuracy, and strokes gained. At the driving range, I used the Rapsodo MLM2Pro launch monitor to get ball speed, distance, accuracy, and launch data.

I tested the PTx MAX version in a 10.5 degree head turned down to 8.5 degrees, equipped with the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 60G shaft.

In my testing, the Ben Hogan PTx MAX driver proved it can absolutely perform with the top dogs.

Launch monitor data from the driving range showed me it was about four yards longer thany my current gamer from PXG. On the course, Shot Scope data showed it was three yards shorter than that gamer. 

No matter how you slice it, the PTx MAX cranks out the same performance you’d expect from a tour-issue driver.

Accuracy was right there as well. Statistically, I hit the fairway 2% more often with the PTx MAX than my gamer, but I’ll call it a tie. Another tick in the Ben Hogan box, especially for shoppers turned off by the idea of dropping $600 on a driver.

Ball speed with the PTx MAX was comparable to my gamer as well, just about two miles per hour shy on the launch monitor. However, I saw a slightly lower apex and flatter descent angle with the PTx MAX, which helped it churn out more carry and total distance.