Ben Hogan built the PTx MAX for golfers who miss the center more than they would like. It pairs a 10,000-plus MOI with a price well under the big brands, and that combination carries most of its appeal.
What's new
The PTx MAX sits in Ben Hogan's PTx family as the stability-first driver, with an LST model alongside it. Hogan showed both at the PGA Show in January 2025, and the MAX reached shelves that April.
Under a carbon fiber crown, the 460cc titanium head carries a deep, low sole weight, a variable-thickness face and a Speed Slot. Loft (9 or 10.5 degrees) and lie adjust with a standard wrench, though the PTx sleeve will not fit older GS53 shafts. Three shafts come at no upcharge, all for direct-to-consumer money.
How it plays
Forgiveness carries this driver. It scores 8.6 there and 8.4 for accuracy, because pushing so much mass deep and low keeps heel and toe strikes flying straighter and longer than they should.
Distance comes in at 8.3 and feel at 8.1, both solid without leading anything. A recent test of direct-to-consumer drivers placed it in the mid-to-upper part of the field, and an 8.9 for value earns it a spot on most short lists.
Where it lacks
Pure strikes give up some ball speed to the class leaders, so a good swing gets a little less reward here. Workability scores 7.8, its lowest mark, and a head built to resist twisting also resists a deliberate draw or fade.
Ben Hogan is still a small name in drivers. Fewer fitters stock the heads, and resale value trails what a major-brand driver holds.
“It keeps bad swings playable and costs far less than a flagship. I will trade a little speed for that.”- The Club Stand gear team
Reasons to buy
- MOI above 10,000 keeps off-center strikes in play and close to full distance
- Titanium head, carbon fiber crown and three premium shafts at no upcharge for far less than a flagship
- Deep, low sole weight helps the ball launch easily without extra effort
Reasons to think twice
- Ball speed on center strikes falls short of the fastest drivers in the class
- Shaping shots takes more work than with a lower-spin, tour-style head
- Ben Hogan is a small brand, so resale value and fitting access trail the majors
Specs
| Head | 460cc titanium, carbon fiber crown |
|---|---|
| MOI | 10,000+, deep low sole weight |
| Face | Variable thickness |
| Aerodynamics | Speed Slot in the sole |
| Adjustability | Loft and lie, standard driver wrench; PTx sleeve not compatible with GS53 |
| Lofts | 9, 10.5 degrees |
| Standard shafts | Tensei CK Blue, HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX, UST Helium (no upcharge) |
| Grip | Golf Pride (standard) |
| Hand | Right, Left |
| Includes | Ben Hogan deluxe headcover |
| Best for | Players who want maximum stability and forgiveness without flagship money |
More drivers we've scored
- Callaway Quantum 2026 - 9.0/10. Callaway's Tri-Force face keeps ball speed up on bad strikes and feels as good as it measures.
- TaylorMade Qi4D 2026 - 9.0/10. A hotter face and four heads to choose from make this the most repeatable driver of 2026.
- Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K 2025 - 9.0/10. A quiet Cobra launch that finished first in our fast-swing driver test, and longest too.
- Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond 2026 - 8.9/10. Callaway's lowest-spinning 2026 driver puts the first Tri-Force face in a 450cc head built for better players.
- Cobra OPTM Max-K 2026 - 8.9/10. Cobra's most forgiving OPTM driver adds a fixed rear weight and an exclusive 12 degree loft.
- Cobra OPTM X 2026 - 8.9/10. Cobra's all-round OPTM driver: a 460cc head and a two-weight system that tunes flight from neutral to fade.