The GS53 driver from Ben Hogan Golf uses a tungsten sole weight and carbon composite crown to reposition head weight for increased forgiveness.
Fast Facts GS53 Max Driver:
Game improvement category driver
Classic shaped 460cc clubhead, 9° or 10.5°
Four-piece construction
Forged variable thickness titanium face
Carbon composite crown, tungsten sole weight
High launch with low CG, perimeter weighting
Adjustable hosel
Stock shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black, Mitsubishi Tensei Blue or UST Helium
Available for order only on Ben Hogan website $355
Projected delivery Nov. 23-25
WYNTK:
The previous driver model from Ben Hogan Golf was the GS53 and since its introduction in May 2019 the reception it received might be described as a tepid even though at $300 (later $325) it was $100 to $200 less than many competitive drivers. The new GS53 Max is meant to remedy that for this rejuvenated club company begun by golf legend Ben Hogan in 1953.
To begin with the GS53 Max has a bigger head, 460cc versus 445cc, and a 22 percent larger face which, with a larger sweet spot, helps to hit the ball more squarely more often.
The GS53 Max clubhead retains the Speed Slot of the previous model, a cutout area of the sole towards the toe that allows the toe to close more quickly, and real aid for mid to high handicap players.
The use of a carbon composite crown and tungsten rear sole weight allowed Ben Hogan engineers to move the center of gravity lower in the head and slightly further back helping even players with moderate swing speeds achieve a high ball launch. To improve forgiveness, they also were able to reposition more weight towards the outside of the head increasing impact stability and resistance to twisting.
According to CEO Scott White, “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 design allows changes of up to two degrees from the base loft, one degree stronger or weaker and lie angle/face angle from square to open or closed.
After years of financial and product uncertainty present owners headed by Scott White opted for a direct to consumer business model that, particularly for the company’s irons and accessories, has been popular with golfers. GS53 Max Orders being booked now have a project shipping date the week of Thanksgiving.
lifestyle benefits throughout the world. As a Full Golf Member of Southern Trace, you’ll enjoy access to Troon Privé courses around the country as well as access to their amenities. You’ll also be able to experience over 150 Troon Golf resort and daily fee locations at preferred rates, as well as Cliff Drysdale Tennis. Troon Privé club members receive discounts with companies such as Avis Rental Cars, Ship Sticks, and more.
the course spans 7,048 yards with a course rating of 73.9 and a slope of 135. The course can be played as short as 5,026 yards. I found it both enjoyable and challenging from the Blue Tees (6,315/70.2/126). The club has garnered many accolades including hosting the WEB.com Tour’s Southern Open from 1990-2002 as well as multiple State Amateur Championships and the AJGA David Toms Junior Invitational.
Looking at the scorecard, the short, 299-yard par 4 3rd hole screams “Grip it and rip it. Take a quick glance to the left and you’ll see a creek that runs down the side of the hole and then wraps around in front of the green. Better put that driver back in the bag! Instead, play a club off the tee that leaves a manageable distance in, hit a good second shot, and make par – or better – that way. Miss your layup shot short and to the right and you may find one of two fairway bunkers over there.
a bunker back right. The green on the 6th hole is long and narrow with bunkers on either side, so accuracy is at a premium. The par 3s on the backside have a little more teeth to them, Number 13 plays 201 yards and Number 16 plays 165 yards with water on the left and two bunkers in front. Par these four holes and you’re probably going to have a good round.
Number 18 is a fun par 5 and a fitting way to end a great day on the links at Southern Trace. In addition to the water you see straight ahead of you off the tee, there’s a couple of small ponds to the right that you cannot see from the tee but can easily come into play. They’re a favorite for wading birds and turtles. You’re going to have to play over the water at some point and for most, it’s on the layup. Be wary of the fairway bunkers in the landing area. The green is elevated but a well-played pitch shot can yield a low score.
perfect for catching the biggest games of the year. There are usually six beers on tap, two of which rotate seasonally, and a fully stocked liquor selection. Dine-in or take it outside on one of two patios and experience the beautiful Shreveport weather. Southern Trace’s Executive Chef is always cooking up new and exciting things with a gourmet menu that will satisfy even the most discriminating of tastes.
In addition to a fantastic golf course, Southern Trace helps its members get involved in the club through fitness. They offer a well-equipped fitness room as well as group classes such as Pilates, yoga, cardio kickboxing, and Tae Kwon Do. After an invigorating workout, relax in their resort-style pool, which is sure to be a hit with the entire family. There are two slides for the kids – or the kid in you – and adult beverages and a full menu is available at the snack bar.
As you wind your way around the layout, you’ll encounter many changes in elevation and the occasional narrow fairway. Pate has created a shot maker’s course that often requires shot accuracy and placement over length to score well. What Timberline lacks in bunkers it makes up for in mounding with longer grasses in the mounds around the greens. While you can probably skate by with an adequate sand game, a good short game could save you several strokes. For the most part, greens are good sized, well-undulated and roll fast and true. Several have multiple levels and severe slopes.
According to Superintendent Bill Wilson, tee boxes are overseeded in the winter and aerified in the spring and early fall to ensure the best possible playing conditions. Although the fairways go dormant in the winter, Wilson and his staff utilize all modern golf course management techniques that keep the course in pristine playing condition year round.
tiered green if you want to score well. The 16th is the longest par 3 on the course, measuring 207 yards from the Black Tees. Woods on the left claim anything that is pulled and a large pine tree on the right can wreak havoc with your tee shot. The hole plays slightly downhill, however if you come up short of the green, you’ll have an uphill chip shot. If you can master Timberline’s par 3s, you can score well! They are some of the tougher holes on the course.
Download the TrackMan Range app for either iPhone or Android before you arrive and open it up once you get there. Get your supply of golf balls in the pro shop and find your spot on the range. Hit a few balls, look at the app and select your bay based on the number of balls you’ve hit. Now you’re ready to have some fun! You can practice and track your performance with distinct parameters such as ball speed and carry distance or bring your friends and play entertaining games like Capture The Flag, Hit It, and Bulls Eye.
For more formal instruction, Timberline is home to the Hank Johnson School of Golf and a member of the Golf Channel Academy network of instructors. Johnson and his team are some of the best instructors in the game, so whether you’re a beginner, weekend golfer, or an experienced tour professional, they can custom-tailor a program to suit your needs. Their students average over 10 strokes improvement every year.
Timberline Golf Club has two dining areas, The Timberline Bar & Grill and Dining Room. Combined, the two offer a seating capacity of around 75. The Bar & Grill offers incredible views of the golf course and their two, 52-inch screens are great for watching your favorite sporting event. The food here is anything but ordinary – just try their chicken quesadillas or Southwestern egg rolls; they’ll go great with your favorite adult beverage. In case you didn’t get enough of the outdoors during your round, they have a covered patio, which also has a great view of the 18th green. The Dining Room features a cozy stone fireplace, rich wood paneling and spectacular views of the golf course and lake. There’s a large screen TV over the fireplace that usually carries the big games.
I have been blessed to play a lot of different courses across the US and if I were to consider settling down and joining one of them, Timberline would rank at the top of the list. As you can imagine, membership does have its benefits, such as 14-day advance tee times, unlimited use of the new TrackMan Driving Range and reduced greens fees for your guests, just to name a few. Timberline is a great place to entertain old friends and make some new ones. Better yet, they are currently offering several incentives to become a new member including gift cards and complimentary greens fees for your friends. Come out and experience for yourself why members and public players refer to Timberline as Birmingham’s Best Golf Experience. You can call them at (205) 341-9502 or visit them online at 
Riverwatch offers golfers 5 sets of tees and can be played anywhere from 6,850 – 4,629 yards, so there’s a distance for every level of golfer. The emphasis is on accuracy rather than length. For the most part, this 18-hole championship golf course was designed by PGA TOUR professional Peter Jacobsen and his course architect partner Jim Hardy. The original owners deviated from the course’s original routing: what is currently the 3rd hole was designed to be the first hole and the current design’s first and second holes were added to the layout. When you play the course the integration is seamless; it’s hard to believe the first two holes weren’t part of the original plans. The 3rd hole is one of the tougher holes on the course. It’s an uphill par 5 dogleg right that requires an accurate tee shot and a layup shot that finds the narrow tree-lined fairway. Had this remained the first hole, I think it a lot of golfers would have been extremely challenged right out of the gate and it may have soured them on the rest of their round.
Riverwatch has several memorable holes. The front nine ends with a testing par 3 that plays 183 yards from the gold tees. There’s water and sand left so if you’re going to miss, hit it right. The green sits at an angle and the difference between a front and back pin can be 2 or 3 clubs.
Number 13 is Riverwatch’s toughest test. The hole plays 416 yards downhill off the tee and the entire fairway slopes right to left. Play down the right side and it’s pretty much a given that you’ll be playing from the left side of the fairway. Anything hit down the left is pretty much gone. A good drive will leave a mid to short iron uphill over a stone wall to an elevated green protected in front by bunkers on either side. Take a par – or bogie – and run!
John Fitzmartin takes a considerable amount of pride in his golf course and why shouldn’t he. He’s probably the most actively involved course owner I’ve ever met. He’s done just about every job imaginable on the course, from running mowers to overhauling tractor engines to building the beautiful railroad tie steps up to the 3rd green. Did you know a railroad tie weighs 200 pounds? Fitzmartin gives a lot of the credit on Riveratch’s resurgence to Course Superintendent David Phillips. “When I bought the course, many of the greens were shot. The maintenance staff we had in place at the time was not getting the job done. Since bringing David on board, all of the greens are now in pristine condition, hold approach shots and roll true.” The pair are currently overhauling most of the bunkers and have eliminated some that were extremely high maintenance. As you make your way around the course, you’ll see these improvements for yourself. The more you play, the more improvements, you’ll see!
If you haven’t played Riverwatch in a while or had something less than a memorable experience the last time you played it, I suggest you give it another try. Golfers from Nashville to Crossville have found their way back to the club and are amazed at the renovations that have been done. If you’re traveling from farther away, Riverwatch has some amazing accommodations available right off the first tee with spectacular views of the first 2 holes. Choose from three styles of condos: Studio, Deluxe Suite, and the luxurious Grand Suite, a 2 room villa with a walk-in tile shower, a separate soaking tub, leather club chairs, and a leather sleeper sofa. There’s also a 55” 4K Smart TV to watch your favorite game. There’s also a covered patio with a great view of the golf course. Check out their website for some remarkably low rates. 
Advanced, crystal-clear optics, target Lock capabilities and optional slope functionality (for calculating elevation-adjusted distance) have made ULT-X one of the most popular rangefinders in the world.
Exceptionally durable and comfortable, its ULT-G GPS watch provides golfers quick and accurate distances to the front, middle and back of greens, as well as hazards and doglegs.
