Ben Hogan Big Ben C-S3 Drivers
Ben Hogan Big Ben C-S3 Drivers
[Sep 29, 2005]
matrixops
Shoots in the 100s
Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan CS-3 9.5 N Stiff
After purchasing this driver a week ago, I finally got the chance to take it to the range and hit a bucket of balls with it. All I can say is that I love the ball flight from this driver. The ball screams away from the club face, yet seems to gently fall out of the sky at the end. It does have a high launch but not overly high, in my opinion, considering that I previously used a 10+ year old Big Bertha Warbird 11*. Every one of the shots flew to within a 30 yard area. With this driver, for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could hit the ball where I was aiming. Rather than standing over the ball hoping that just this one time it would go straight. With my experience so far, I am now going to test the Ben Hogan C455 fairway woods. Also, with the prices online for the C-S3, you can snag one new for about $150, it might not be a bad idea to demo one. Customer Service Spoke with customer service once to get some specific information on the driver and some recommendations. They were very friendly and knowledgeable. Similar Products Used: This is my first Titanium driver...previous driver was the SS Big Bertha Warbird (195cc) |
[Sep 23, 2005]
sharkhark
Shoots in the 90s
Model Reviewed:
Big Ben C-S3
I recently had purchased a callaway 2004 bertha titanium and this driver and had to choose between the two. I chose the big ben. Different specs, reg graph in both, but 9.5 draw in ben, and 10.5 neutral in bertha. I was down on both but a recent lesson showed my grip of 20 years to have become very weak. After correction both went well (improved from 200 yd fade, to 250+ straight or draw). Where the difference is in length. No matter how i swung, the callaway was fairly forgiving and 250 max. The big ben however is the same, except that occasional swings go 280. I try to slow my tempo for swing but am fairly fast, what I like about the ben is that it actually responds well to a aggressive swing, the bertha didn't. I do find like others that ball flight is high, but not ballooning. It is why I chose 9.5 instead of higher loft. It carries about 250 with added roll on landing, but not much, mostly carry. The driver wears well except for an easy marking on bottom. Found my old TM r540 looked new despite 1 yr plus playing whereas the hogan already shows some wear, but not much. I find the head size perfect. I almost kept the bertha (360cc vs hogan 420) just because I am not comfortable with the max size on drivers of 460. Feels cumbersome. The hogan is perfect, good weight. I strongly recommend it also on price. I do not know why it is priced below other new offerings such as callaway 454, tm products etc, but hey you save. I got mine on ebay where you can even save more. Even love the slip on headcover vs other long necks i.e. my cobra 3 wood headcover takes alot of struggling to get it on. Overall low price, good quality. Only irritating/awesome thing is sound. It sounds like an aluminum bat striking something metal. It is piercing and irritating to the ears....however...every single person within 100 yards swings around to look where it came from, and when they see a high flight good drive, it is a good feeling, the sound just draws attention that I don't mind. The feel is a little muted on impact which is just ok, although sweetspot hits feel almost like my old mizuno irons, very soft yet powerful. Great club. Customer Service They are now owned by callaway, had to deal with them on my callaway irons recently and they were above and beyond in taking care of me. Even if you don't like their style of product, you would be hard pressed to find a better example of how to treat a customer. I believe it's impossible! Similar Products Used: callaway titanium, tm r540, cobra sz440 & 460. |
[Sep 23, 2005]
heels22
Shoots in the 70s
Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan cs3 9.5 neutral
very accurate. not the longest driver, but you'll see fairways all day. great driver-great price. Customer Service n/a Similar Products Used: 460 ignite, r5. r7, ping g2, cleveland comp 460, 905t |
[Sep 06, 2005]
A V Twiss
Shoots in the 80s
Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan CS3 9.5 Neutral Stiff
I have never been a great fan of big headed clubs. I replaced my Taylormade XR03 with a Taylormade R5 Dual in anticipation of the new rules coming into force in 2008 (nothing like preparing early eh??). Whilst the R5 was a good replacement I could never get over the size of the head. Enter the CS03. Having read how high this club hits the ball I dropped down 1 degree and got the 9.5. This club hits the ball just as high as the Taylormade but carry distance is good. In a strong head wind I fully expect a substantial reduction in distance but have a Sonartec 3 wood which hits the ball with a very penetrating trajectory. I am much happier with the head size of this club and find it easy to align. Like all Ben Hogan Products it is a well made piece of kit. I don't understand why these clubs are sold so cheaply but am happy to take advantage of the bargains to be had especially as the UK pound is so strong at the moment. The shaft although designated as stiff is not iron rod stiff. As someone with a 90mph swing speed I expected to see a gentle fade with a stiff shaft but I still have my usual draw (or block to the right if I don't release properly). In conclusing I would describe this club as a perfectly good driver for players of all abilities. Well made and excellent value for money given current pricing and availability. What it most certainly is not is head and shoulders above the offerings of other major manufacturers. That said the offerings of the other manufacturers are not head and shoulders above the CS3. Give it a try, there are plenty of loft/shaft options to satisfy most people. Customer Service Not used Similar Products Used: Taylormade XR03, Taylormade R5 dual, Callaway Biggest Big Bertha |
[Sep 03, 2005]
Simon green
Shoots in the 80s
Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan Big Ben CS3
I think one of my friends said it best today when he said"it's nice to see you've finally found something that works".The CS3 neutral with Aldila NV70 shaft arrived this week.Ebay had it for as low as $107.50 in really nice condition.The head sits very nicely ,thanks to to the "platform" that forms the base of the club.It's very easy to align and certainly presented no problems at all in my first round.I used it without having even trialled it and shot a steady 81 off the stick.Not great for some no doubt,but for someone who's been previously driving it all over the place it was a revelation.May well not be the longest driver I've hit,but straight,forgiving and attractive(to me at least).The Aldila NV 70 regular seemed fine for me though no doubt,stronger plays would need a stiffer shaft.The CS3 technology seems to really work in helping to keep the club on line.You'd have to be pretty careless to hit one way off line with this driver,or have one with totally the wrong specs.In any case,I feel it's certainly worthy of a trial for anyone who doesn't feel the need to go with the more heavily hyped drivers.At last I've found a keeper. Customer Service Not used to date. Similar Products Used: Ping G2, Cleveland Launcher 460,Macgregor Eyeomatic M38,Tileist 975 LFE,Wilson Deep Red and evry other driver I good lay my hands on. |
[Aug 23, 2005]
macgregor6
Shoots in the 70s
Model Reviewed:
C-S3
I got the neutral bias with the extra stiff Aldila NV70. Normally I use a stiff shaft and was suprised to find how accurate my tee shots are now. It may be a little shorter in distance to my Titleist 905T and Mizuno MP001. Both have the Fujikura Speeder. It's more accurate though. Excellent driver!! Customer Service na Similar Products Used: Titleist 905T &983K, Mizuno MP001, Cobra SS380, Taylor MadeR7, 500 &300, Callaway GBBII |
[Aug 22, 2005]
chuck2040
Shoots in the 80s
Model Reviewed:
Hogan C-S3
I picked up this driver on Ebay for a really good price. My model has the Grafalloy Blue shaft in the 9.5 degree loft and stiff flex. I played one round with this club and was completely dumbfounded -- this thing SKIES THE BALL. I was consistently 15-20 yards shorter than my other driver (Vulcan XDC 440 w/ same shaft). I did hit it straight, which is good, but I could not figure out why the flight patter was so high. Also, the clubhead felt dead and even when I connnected solidly, it never felt good. Maybe this club was only designed to work well with the stock Aldila NV shaft because with the Blue, it just doesn't work well at all. |
[Aug 03, 2005]
austriangolf
Shoots in the 80s
Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan C-S3,8.5s
My old driver was an Adams 383. Good length,less forgivness.On demo days, i tried all well known brands(TM,Titlist, Mizuno,Cobra,Adams....).After this tests the BH driver was the absolut winner. Lenght and forgivness was the key factor for the Hogan driver. Bur you must try the Hogan driver on the driving range,becaus the ball flight is very high. Today my first round with the big ben. Long, straight drives (250 meter-275yards)and a sound like a bomb. I think, with this driver i will shoot in the 70s. Customer Service n.c Similar Products Used: all well known brands |
[Jul 26, 2005]
Donkeyballs
Shoots in the 80s
Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan Big Ben C-S3 9.5 S
This is a follow up review to the one I posted a few weeks ago. I am still very happy with my purchase, and I just wanted to give a progress report after having this driver in my bag for a few more weeks. First I'll address some of the tendencies of the club. The ball flight is high compared to similar lofted clubs I've played and tested. Visually I like to see a little lower more penetrating flight, but everyone from tour players, teaching pro's, and golf mags say most players should use a driver with more loft to promote a higher more optimum launch angle to maximize distance. Many pro's have taken advantage of the research, and I am thoroughly convinced that the higher flight is giving me more carry and overall distance. I like to work the ball, and I am still able to hot draws and fades with this club. I've read mixed reviews of the sound this club makes at impact, but I actually like the sound of this driver a lot. It's better than the heavy sounding thump of some of the other drivers. The stock Aldila NV-H 70 gram shaft is a great match for my swing, nice weight and consistant feel. I love the look of the club at address as well. I don't like the look of most 460cc drivers, but I was willing to experiment and switch to one if they performed better. The 420cc size seems to be very forgiving and it's easier on the eyes to me. My friends Nike Ignite 460cc is a quality stick, but I was distracted by the size of the head. Overall, I'm hitting my longest ever drives with this club and my misses are carrying as far as my well hit drives with my old club. Yesterday I hit a ball 300 yards for the first time in several years, and it was such an exciting feeling to watch the ball just carry forever. This is a superb club and a great value. Test it against several others and then demo a few of the ones you like best, and I hope you find a driver that matches you as well as this driver matches me. Customer Service N/A Similar Products Used: Nike Ignite 460, Titleist 905T, Ping G2. Callaway BB 360 & 454, Mizuno MP-001 400cc. |
[Jul 26, 2005]
SteveH
Shoots in the 80s
Model Reviewed:
Ben Hogan CS-3 Driver 9.5 Neutral
Tried this driver as I have Hogan irons. Great looking club at set up and not a too large head. However, I didn't really like the feel of the club at impact as it felt a little hollow to me. Distance seemed a little variable as well. The 9.5 degree neutral that I had gave a very high ball flight, so it would be best to demo one of these out on the range before buying. Overall, not a bad club, just not for me. Similar Products Used: King Cobra SS370 King Cobra SZ400 Tour Taylor Made R7 TP |