Equipment
Best hybrid of 2020: GolfWRX Members Choice
What is the best hybrid of 2020? Is the best hybrid or rescue the longest, most forgiving, best sounding, best looking, or a combination that you believe is most important? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. Needless to say, that extends to their GolfWRXers views on the best hybrid of 2020.
Read the discussion in the forums here.
The bedrock of GolfWRX.com is the community of passionate and knowledgable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members—the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
You can see the results for the best hybrid of 2020, as well as quotes we pulled from GolfWRX members about the hybrids from our forum.
Best hybrid of 2020: The top 5
Read the discussion in the forums here.
1. Ping G410
This is Ping’s first-ever adjustable hybrid, and it allows the golfer to customize ball flight eight different ways through varying loft (+/- 1.5 degrees) and lie combinations for consistently better results. A thinner more flexible face made from maraging steel generates faster ball speeds and higher launch so you carry trouble while hitting (and holding) more greens. A larger profile provides added stability and helps elevate MOI heel to toe.
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “I have the 17° lofted down to 15.5°…. I get a nice ball flight. Miss hits still go a good distance and generally find the fairway. I am a high handicapper so I do have my swing issues, but I love my 2H and how it sets up. Just feels good and I have no confidence issues pulling that bad boy from my bag and taking a nice swing with it.” – Member jmkorting
- “I got a 19 degree… This bad boy is better than any 5 wood I’ve ever hit. Actually gives me a solid chance on 5 pars again” – Member RodrigoNicely
- “I have it in 19 degrees (turned up to 20, one degree flat) with the tensei ck blue 80 gram stiff shaft. This club has been awesome. My first hybrid ever was the G400, and while it was good I struggled to get the height I wanted. I tend to hit the ball lower, so being able to adjust the loft is huge. I had a shot 215 to the pin from the rough and the ball came out and climbed beautifully but was roughly 10 yards long! Have to spend a little more time adjusting to the new distances but the flight with this hybrid is amazing.” kcd38
You can also check out our spotlight, and for more information, can check out our launch piece here.
Read the discussion in the forums here.
2.TaylorMade SIM Max Rescue
The SIM Max Rescue features a rounded toe and adjusted face angle to provide a new look from address compared to previous rescue clubs. It also used a C300 maraging steel face (yes, the same material used in the SIM Max fairway metals), to improve ball speed, durability, and overall performance.
The SIM Max Rescue also features a Speed Pocket designed to provide increased ball speed to the entire face while improving forgiveness on low-face impacts. The Twist Face technology help to counteract common mis-hits on the toe and heel to keep shots closer to the intended target line.
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “For me, the SIM max gave me what I was looking for…the extra 10 yards I needed to fill my gaps better. Coming from a BB 815 20* (turned down to 19*) the SIM is giving me a higher ball flight and more distance.” – Member sbjinx
- “The 3H is a rocket launcher. Very impressed. Love the look at address.” – Member FairwayJ_90
- “I hit the 4h 22° looking to replace my 4 iron using the stock shaft. Stupid long and launches high. It is as long as my R15 3h… Sounds fantastic too. I might look for a low lofted one to replace my 3w” – Sim Max member comment
- “Had my second round with it today and I came away very happy. Stock Ventus shaft for me was money of the tee for me when I didn’t need a 3 Wood or Driver. Can’t wait to use it more!” – Member ASN21
You can read what other golfers are saying about the SIM Max Rescue in the GolfWRX forums: TaylorMade Sim MAX Rescue discussion, and see our launch piece here. Also, check out: Inside story on the popularity of the Sim Max Rescue on tour.
Read the discussion in the forums here.
3. Titleist TS2
The TS2 hits the perfect balance between maximizing forgiveness and total playability for golfers with a more sweeping/shallow delivery into the ball.
The TS2 hybrid utilizes the same Speed Chasis technology as the TS fairways woods to save weight all over the club including the crown. This, in turn, allows for a lower CG and better mass positioning—the end result is a 10 percent bump in MOI, higher launch, and lower spin. Plus, we can’t forget the tour-proven SureFit hosel to dial in exact lofts and yardages.
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “I have the TS2 3 and 4 hybrid. They are long….and straight. I have used them on long par threes and to get home in two on long par 4’s.” – Member gpleonard
- “I just got fit and purchased the TS2 21* hybrid with the Tensei AV Blue shaft. Really forgiving and has a nice flight to it. The only club in my bag I play at a flat setting and it plays still with a nice draw, never have to worry about it hooking on me.” – Member agood3putt
- “I have the TS2 19 and 23 and I love them. They get up in the air easily, feel great, and I actually like the sound (it reminds me a little of the old Steelhead Plus, which I loved). ” – Member Scottbox
- “I bought at TS2 19 deg with the HZRDUS Smoke 80g stiff shaft about 3 months ago and hit it much straighter and consistent. It has replaced my 915 19 deg with the Blue Diamana shaft. With the TS2’s more stable shaft, it has allowed me to swing harder without fear that the ball will be going crooked.” – Member M_B_H
You can read what other golfers are saying about the Titleist TS2 hybrid in the GolfWRX forums: Titleist TS2 Hybrid discussion. and see our launch piece here.
Read the discussion in the forums here.
4.PXG O317 X Gen2
The PXG 0317 X Gen2 hybrids feature Hot Rod Technology to lower the center of gravity and increase stability, with the help of the precision weighting system and lightweight carbon crown. The sole design was improved over the previous generation by being more rounded and creating a lower profile to reduce drag and help create a desirable trajectory from almost any lie.
The PXG 0317 X Gen2 hybrids also offer a very sleek adjustable hosel to fine-tune loft and dial in your perfect distance.
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “The 0317 Gen 2’s are awesome and have the best feel. Just point and shoot with total confidence, they knocked my Adams Pro A12 hybrids out of the bag after almost 10 years of hitting them.” – Member SEP1006
- “I have a Gen 2 19* with an Oban Kiyoshi Purple 05 (100g) and it is my favorite club in the bag. I can flight it down, shape it both ways, and it seems perfectly at home when I swing out of my shoes or when I choke down and take a chippy swing. If I didn’t love playing a traditional 4-iron, I’d definitely put another PXG hybrid in play. I literally find myself trying to find an excuse to use this club on the course in situations where I have no business using it… it is that good.” – Member Philomathesq
- “I have 3 Gen 2 hybrids 19,22 & 25 opened up 1.5 degrees with Fujikura Pro 2.0. Best hybrids I’ve ever owned. They are long and perform outstandingly. I can hit any shot I need to hit with them.” – Member snagy2000
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“The thing I really like about this club is the look/shape/size. Not too big, not too small, not iron-like, not wood-like. Love the matte finish to gray carbon. It reminds me of a stealth version of the SIM Max.” – Member halfsumo
You can read what other golfers are saying about the PXG 0317 X Gen 2 hybrid in the GolfWRX forums: PXG 0317 X Gen2 hybrid discussion thread, and read our launch piece here.
Read the discussion in the forums here.
5. Mizuno CLK
Hybrids are designed with precision and repeatability in mind, and that is exactly what engineers at Mizuno have achieved with the new 2020 CLK. When you turn the club over, you’ll see the familiar Wave Sole technology as in previous hybrids and metal woods, but compared to the previous generation, the wave is more compressed and thinner in the middle to help create more ball speed and launch for shots hit all over the face—especially those hit closer to the leading edge.
The crown has been incrementally lowered and sloped towards the sole to help lower and push the CG back further to give the 2020 CLK a little MOI bump. Like all but one of the hybrids in the top 5, the CLK offers an adjustable hosel with a total of four degrees of loft adjustability built in.
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “They are amazing! If I wasn’t so attached to my f7 and its ability to get me out of the worst of lies, I would replace it. The CLK looks better and feels great. It’s a winner for sure.
You can also read what other golfers are saying about the 2020 Mizuno CLK hybrids in the GolfWRX forums: Official Mizuno 2020 CLK discussion and check out our launch piece here.
Rounding out the top 15 hybrids
- Titleist TS3
- Cobra Speedzone
- Callaway Mavrik Pro
- Callaway Mavrik
- Srixon X H85
- Ben Hogan VKTR Hybrid
- Tour Edge EXS 220
- Callaway Mavrik MAX
- Honma XP-1
- Cleveland Launcher Halo
Read the discussion in the forums here.
Ongoing Members Choice Polls: Have your say!
We’re still looking for your feedback on the “best” items in several other categories, so head to the GolfWRX forums to have your say!
Check out the polls in the GolfWRX forums!
Read the discussion in the forums here.
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Equipment
Rory McIlroy spotted testing a new TaylorMade “PROTO” 4-iron at the 2024 Valero Texas Open
Update, 5:30 p.m.: Regarding his prototype iron, McIlroy offered this in his pre-tournament press conference:
“Yeah, I went out, spent a couple of days with the TaylorMade guys at the Kingdom. Yeah, they just produced these couple of proto, I guess like are they the MC replacements maybe…
“They performed really well. It’s just as fast as the 760 that I was using. Launch is a little higher actually, which was surprising, and it’s just sometimes I felt like when I hit my 5-iron in the blade and then the 4-iron in the 760 it was such a different feel. To go from a 5-iron now to that 4-iron, it feels a little closer to what I feel in the 5-iron. So just a little bit more responsive, but didn’t lose any performance from it, which is great. Yeah, it will be in the bag this week.”
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Now just what do we have here?
On Wednesday at the 2024 Valero Texas Open, GolfWRX.com spotted Rory McIlroy testing a new, mysterious TaylorMade “PROTO” 4-iron.
Clearly, the 4-iron is a prototype, but since it doesn’t say “Rors Proto” or “RM” on it, then maybe it’s a prototype for an upcoming iron release from TaylorMade. Or, maybe it’s an upgrade for a previous or existing iron model from the company.
For reference, the photo below shows what McIlroy’s previous P760 4-iron looks like…
If the new prototype was an upgrade on the former P760 design, that would certainly be a large design departure, aesthetically speaking. It’s not impossible, but the new proto definitely looks significantly different.
McIlroy’s new proto – aesthetically, at least – looks more similar to TaylorMade’s P7MC irons, a model that Collin Morikawa uses for his 5 and 6-irons, as pictured below.
The new proto is also reminiscent of TaylorMade’s old P750 and P770 irons:
So what could McIlroy’s new TaylorMade “Proto” be? Is it a one-off prototype for McIlroy? Is it a re-design of an older model? Is it a harbinger of a bigger release in the future?
What is it?!
Unfortunately, TaylorMade hasn’t yet commented publicly on the prototype iron, so for now, we wait. And enjoy the photos of McIlroy testing it on Wednesday in San Antonio.
Here’s what it looks like from address…
And here’s what McIlroy’s numbers looked like while testing it on the range…
Uhh, yeah. Those are pretty good 4-iron numbers.
Will McIlroy make the switch into the new prototype 4-iron this week? That remains to be seen, but it should be noted that it was the only 4-iron in his bag on Wednesday.
*We’ll update this post as further information becomes available
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron here, plus more photos!
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Whats in the Bag
Raul Pereda WITB 2024 (April)
- Raul Pereda what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, B2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 5 X
3-wood: Titleist TSR3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 7 X
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-08F, 54-08M, 60-08M)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey 2-Ball Ten Tour Lined
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x+
Check out more in-hand photos of Raul Pereda’s clubs here.
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Whats in the Bag
Rickie Fowler WITB 2024 (April)
- Rickie Fowler what’s in the bag accurate as of the Valero Texas Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Cobra Darkspeed X (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 70 TX
3-wood: Cobra Aerojet LS (14.5 degrees @13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Green 75 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx LS (17.5 degrees @18.5)
Shaft: UST Mamiya LIN-Q White M40X 8F5
Irons: Cobra King Tour (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Cobra Snakebite (54, 56, 58 degrees)
Shafts: KBS Tour 610
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird
Grip: SuperStroke Tour 3.0 17-inch
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Tack
Ball: TaylorMade TP5
Check out more in-hand photos of Rickie Fowler’s clubs here.
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