Equipment
Callaway releases its softest ball ever, the Supersoft
Callaway recently released a new golf ball, appropriately named Supersoft, which boasts a ball compression number of 38. The soft core and soft cover combine with HEX aerodynamics to produce a golf ball that reduces spin and adds distance.
Retail golf stores aren’t used to shelving golf balls with such a low compression number. Only the Wilson Duo golf ball holds up in comparison, with a compression number of 43 according to the PGA Compression scale. As a frame of reference, the Titleist DT Solo has a ball compression of 72 and the ProV1X’s number is 102.
“It’s easy to make a soft core, but it’s really difficult to make a soft core that is resilient, and we were able to do that with SuperSoft.” said David Bartels, Callaway Senior Directory, Golf Ball R&D. “Because the soft core is so resilient, it enables us to put a soft cover on it and still achieve really good ball speeds. The soft cover is great for feel and control around the green as well.”
The two-piece Supersoft ball has a core made of polybutadiene material and a cover made of trinomer blend material. The cover features a pattern of 332 geometries covering 100 percent of the surface area.
A dozen of SuperSoft Callaway golf balls sell for $19.99, and are available in both traditional white and optical yellow.
- LIKE54
- LEGIT5
- WOW9
- LOL8
- IDHT1
- FLOP4
- OB1
- SHANK1
Whats in the Bag
Cameron Young WITB 2024 (March)
- Cameron Young WITB accurate as of the Valspar Championship.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra Tour Z5 65 M5
2-wood: Titleist TSR 2W Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist T100 (4-5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: MMT Utility 105 TX (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 58-08M, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 5.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Left Dot
- LIKE1
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Best hybrids 2024: Expert fitters recommend the hybrids for your game
At GolfWRX, we believe the best hybrid for your game is going to be the one that gives you the greatest opportunity to both score and save shots during your round of golf.
In 2024, we have seen a continued expansion of hybrid options from every manufacturer with models designed to fit golfers of all skill levels and clubhead speeds. Some manufacturers offer models all the way down to 8-iron-replacement lofts.
That being said, ultimately the best way to find the best hybrid or hybrids for you is to work with a professional fitter using a launch monitor and gap them accordingly. The difficult part is a lot of people don’t have easy access to fitters, launch monitors, and club builders — so at GolfWRX, we have done a lot of the work for you.
We want to give you the tools and information to go out and find what works best for you, and we’re offering recommendations based on exactly what you need from your hybrids.
We have again broken our 2024 best hybrid list into two categories.
- Best hybrid for golfers seeking forgiveness
- Best hybrid for golfers seeking versatility
We reached out to our trusted fitters to discuss how they sort through the hybrid club options available to golfers. Forgiveness and versatility were the highest-ranked choices.
Most versatile hybrids of 2024
Titleist TSR2
“Forgiving speed and performance,” is the branding for the TSR2. TSR2 hybrids remain slightly longer with a classical shape. Center of gravity is lower and deeper in the TSR2 for higher launch and maximum forgiveness.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Ping G430
In all of the G430 fairway woods and hybrids, Ping developed Carbonfly Wrap in a bid to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the face line in design to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams, which are reallocated to achieve a lower CG and increase ball speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
Leveraging the company’s new Ai Smart Face, Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid has been reshaped and features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
TaylorMade Qi10 Rescue
The Qi10 Rescue is designed with an all-new Carbon Crown that helps free up weight for improved weight distribution in the heads. The club has split internal weighting to achieve more distance and a higher launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue
The Qi10 Tour Rescue model features a C300 face with a more compact look and a higher-toe design. It’s designed for better players who seek to combine distance and control with iron-like turf interaction, workability, and precision.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Most forgiving hybrids of 2024
TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue
Qi10 Max Rescue clubs are designed with all-new Carbon Crowns that help free up weight for improved weight distribution in the heads. The Qi10 Max has an ultra-low CG (center of gravity) and a shallow face height for even higher launch and greater forgiveness.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke HL
Designed for players with moderate to average swing speeds who are looking to hit the ball higher to maximize carry distance, the Paradym Ai Smoke HL leverages the company’s new Ai Smart Face. It features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Ping G430
In all of the G430 fairway woods and hybrids, Ping developed Carbonfly Wrap in a bid to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the face line in design to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams, which are reallocated to achieve a lower CG and increase ball speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast
The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast is designed for moderate-swing-speed players. In addition to Ai Smart Face, Max Fast features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Titleist TSR1
Titleist’s new TSR1 hybrids are built with a larger, “wood-like” size to help golfers find more speed and forgiveness. They’re also built 0.5 inches longer than standard to provide additional assistance in creating speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Best hybrid of 2024: Meet the fitters
- Adam Rathe: Club Champion
- Adam Scotto: Club Champion
- Adam Seitz: Club Champion
- Aidan Mena: Club Champion
- Alex Dice: Carl’s Golfland
- Alex Praeger: Club Champion
- Ben Giunta: The Tour Van
- Blake Smith, PGA: True Spec
- Bo Gorman: True Spec
- Brad Coffield: Carl’s Golfland
- Brett Ott: Club Champion
- Brian Riley: Club Champion
- Cameron Scudder: Club Champion
- Carmen Corvino: True Spec
- Christian Sandler: Club Champion
- Clare Cornelius: Cool Clubs
- Dan Palmisano: Club Champion
- Dane Byers: Club Champion
- Darren Joubert: Club Champion
- Dennis Huggins: Club Champion
- Drew Koch: Club Champion
- Eric Touchet: Touchet Performance Golf
- Erik Gonzales: Club Champion
- Evan Morrison: Club Champion
- Gus Alzate: True Spec
- Jake Medlen: Stripe Show Club Fitters
- Jake Woolston: Club Champion
- Jake Wynd: Club Champion
- Jay Marino: Club Champion
- Jeremy Olsen: Club Champion
- Jim Yenser: Club Champion
- Joe Stefan: Club Champion
- Joey Simon, PGA: Club Champion
- Jonathan Kaye: Club Champion
- Jordan Patrick: True Spec
- Jordan Rollins: Club Champion
- Kevin Arabejo: Club Champion
- Kevin Downey: Club Champion
- Kirk Oguri: Pete’s Golf
- Kyle Lane: Club Champion
- Kyle Murao: Club Champion
- Marc Roybal: True Spec
- Mark Hymerling: Club Champion
- Mark Knapp: Carl’s Golfland
- Matt Miller: Club Champion
- Matt Rish: Club Champion
- Matthew Gandolfi: Club Champion
- Mike Martysiewicz: Club Champion
- Mike Weis: Club Champion
- Mitch Schneider: Club Champion
- Nicholas Barone: Club Champion
- Nick Sherburne: Club Champion
- Nick Waterworth: Haggin Oaks
- Preston Vanderfinch: Club Champion
- Rick Lane: Club Champion
- Rob Anderson, PGA: Club Champion
- Russell Hubby: Club Champion
- Ryan Fisher: Grips Golf
- Ryan Grimes: Club Champion
- Ryan Johnson: Carl’s Golfland Bloomfield Hills
- Sam Kim: True Spec
- Scott Sikorski: Club Champion
- Scott Felix: Felix Club Works
- Scott Trent: Club Champion
- Sean Pfeil: Club Champion
- Shaun Fagan: True Spec
- Steve Harrow: Club Champion
- Tad Artrip: Club Champion
- Thomas Mattaini: Pull the Pin
- Tony Rhode: True Clubs
- William Buse: Club Champion
- William Cho: NovoGolf
- William Fields: Club Champion
Conclusion
The fitters consulted for this piece have accumulated data from thousands of fittings with golfers just like you. From beginners to tour players, their feedback and information can’t be undervalued.
Join the discussion about the best hybrids of 2024 in the forums.
- RELATED: Best driver 2024: Most forgiving driver
- RELATED: Best driver 2024: Expert club fitters recommend the best driver for your swing speed
- RELATED: Best fairway woods of 2024: Expert club fitters recommend the most versatile and forgiving options
- LIKE10
- LEGIT4
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT1
- FLOP2
- OB0
- SHANK3
Whats in the Bag
Nelly Korda WITB 2024 (March)
- Nelly Korda’s WITB accurate as of her win at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 S
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7 S
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 S
Hybrid: Ping G425 (26 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 7 S
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5), TaylorMade P7MC (6-PW)
Shafts: AeroTech SteelFiber i80 cw
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 54-SB), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-T)
Shafts: AeroTech SteelFiber i95 cw
Putter: Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
- LIKE18
- LEGIT3
- WOW2
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole17 hours ago
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks ago
Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Paulina Gretzky opens up on receiving death threats following DJ’s move to LIV Golf
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Vincenzi’s LIV Golf Hong Kong betting preview: Trio of major champs primed for big week
-
19th Hole5 days ago
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
-
19th Hole6 days ago
Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Scottie Scheffler had an interesting response when asked how he ‘quiets the noise’ following Players victory
-
19th Hole7 days ago
Jon Rahm dealt fresh blow to hopes of qualifying for 2025 Ryder Cup
Jason Levi
Jan 30, 2014 at 1:42 pm
I hit THE ball with THE wedges, and shortcut iris with a lot of backspin I assume that this ball being so soft William have more backspin. Am I right?
Robert
Jan 29, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Funny how the article changed from DUO being softer than the Callaway. This changes my view of GolfWRX…. Im sure it has something to do with Callaway “deep pockets”. The Wilson DUO is still softer and better than the Callaway IMO.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 29, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Robert and fmgolf64,
As I stated previously, our original article got it wrong, mixing compression numbers from two different scales. The numbers in the current article reference the same scale, the PGA Compression scale, putting the balls on equal footing.
Remember, compression is just a number, and doesn’t necessarily correspond to more feel or more distance.
– Zak
fms64
Jan 30, 2014 at 7:55 am
I am just curious as to the “two different scales” you are referring to. The original article claimed only one. I find it hard to believe that Golf WRX measured the balls on two different devices. So which measurement device was used other than hexcaliber? Atti, ADC, Instron, Riehle?
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 30, 2014 at 10:37 am
By different scales, we don’t mean actual measurement devices. We mean the “PGA Compression” and “Majestix” scales, which are different compression tests.
Here’s how PGA Compression is measured: Compression = 180 – (deflection in inches x 1000)
Deflection is obtained when applying a 200 pound load on the golf ball. Here’s an example when deflection is 0.100 inches
180 – (0.1 x 1000) = 80 PGA Comp
If you have any more questions, you can email me directly at [email protected]
[email protected]
Jan 29, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Interesting that the original article noted that the Duo ball was 6 points softer than SuperSoft. Curious as to the reason for the editing???
TJ
Jan 15, 2014 at 2:23 pm
I understand that the ball we choose is not just based on swing speed, but is there a range of swing speeds that would benefit from this ball? I understand its for slower swing speeds but how slow is slow enough?
storm319
Jan 12, 2014 at 9:58 pm
The compression numbers listed in this article look to have been taken from the wrong column (MPI rather than AVG) of the gbt.org test results. AVG column shows actual compression results that are converted into a 100 point scale which comprises the MPI column.
Most manufacturers reference core compression rather than overall compression as it makes the ball seem softer than it actually is. Unfortunately, core compression is not as helpful as overall compression as we hit the entire golf ball and not the bare core.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 16, 2014 at 9:59 am
We’ve made a correction that puts the Wilson Duo and Callaway SuperSoft compressions on equal footing, the PGA Compression Scale.
– Zak
[email protected]
Jan 29, 2014 at 4:23 pm
Exactly how did you measure for the “PGA Compression Scale”. There are a number of different methods of measuring compression (and you mentioned the handheld “Hexcaliber” device in the original article). What equipment did you use?
Jeff
Jan 12, 2014 at 7:29 pm
Just played this ball today and it’s very similar to the Wilson Duo. The difference is it doesn’t jump off the club face, especially on putts. Primarily for slower swing speed. Won’t find a better value from a Callaway ball.
Dalton
Jan 12, 2014 at 11:43 am
Will this play longer than women’s balls? Just thinking of how my mom always wants to drive our local course’s par 4.
Grog
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:47 am
She should hit it farther then….