Equipment

Ben Hogan GS53: Value and performance in new metal woods

Published

7 years ago

May 13, 2019

The Ben Hogan Golf Company has made huge strides with its direct-to-consumer model, starting with its irons, moving to wedges, and then putters. The next product coming from Hogan to offer golfers value and performance are the Ben Hogan GS53 metal woods, named after the year 1953 when the man himself won the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship.

Ben Hogan GS53 driver and woods

The new line is lead by the GS53 driver with Flight Control technology. Offered in both 9 and 10.5-degree models, the Flight Control hosel allows golfers to change the loft of the driver a total of two degrees from stated loft (one degree up, one degree down). The hosel also allows golfers to change the lie angle and face angle from square to open or closed. Like with all modern adjustable drivers, these switches can be made quickly and easily using a torque wrench, but what separates the GS53 from many drivers is the shaft (and grip) doesn’t change position, meaning you can tinker with your settings to your hearts content and you never have to worry about your grip changing position.

When it comes to getting into the details of the construction, I’m going to let the engineers at Hogan take it for a minute

“The GS53 utilized a design feature called Face Flex. This allowed them to create an ultra-thin face at different thicknesses … from toe to heel and sole to crown to increase the size of the Effective Hitting Area (EHA) across the entire face. Face Flex ensures maximum distance on shots struck in the center of the club face and minimizes distance loss on off-center hits. Additionally, the score lines are precision milled into the forged face at exact and consistent depths and, combined with bulge and roll that is precisely engineered for the specific geometry of the face, provide exceptional accuracy.”

Speaking to the GS53 fairway woods, they are being offered in three loft options: 3-wood (14 degrees), 4-wood (17 degrees), and 5-wood ( 18 degrees). The head shapes are traditional pear-shaped and all feature a shallow face design to make shots from the fairway as easy as shots from the tee. Like the GS53 driver, the fairway woods utilize two-piece construction — a stainless steel body joined to a C455 maraging steel forged faceplate This multi-material design helps designers precisely position weight to maximize MOI and push ball speed to the limit. The lofts on the fairway woods are specific and there are no adjustable hosels.

Initially being offered in right hand only, the GS53 driver is priced at $300, while the fairway woods are $200 — these are attractive prices thanks to Hogan’s direct-to-consumer model that also include three premium aftermarket shafts, in multiple flexes and weights

Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black (low trajectory)
Tensei CK Blue (mid trajectory)
UST Mamiya Helium (high trajectory)

Recognizing that many golfers want to personally experience equipment before they purchase, the company offers a simple, risk-free demo program. For more information or to purchase the GS53 driver or fairway woods visit www.benhogangolf.com

Equipment

Interesting clubs at top of bag – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

13 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.

They wrote:

“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”

Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”

Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Members of the Mini Driver Club – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

13 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.

@TightFade asked:

“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”

Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Whats in the Bag

Chris Gotterup WITB 2026 (June)

Published

13 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g