Equipment

Golf Clubs 101: Golf club types – what is a hybrid club?

Published

6 years ago

Jul 23, 2020

When it comes to golf club types, seasoned golfers have no difficulty distinguishing a putter from a 3-wood. But with the number of people picking up golf for the first time growing exponentially in the last few months, we want to do our best to help answer some of the most basic questions beginners ask in their quest to better understand and enjoy the game of golf.

Golf club types: What is a hybrid? When do I use it?

Since hybrids are still the new kid on the block as far as golf club types go, let’s do a little history lesson before diving into which one you might need and how to use it.

The very first hybrid club was introduced by TaylorMade—it was part of the Firesole line and was called a “rescue” club. Like anything that is first to market, the name “rescue” became synonymous with a hybrid the same way Q-Tips are to cotton swabs.

They are meant to help launch the ball higher than long irons and help escape bad lies—hence the “rescue” name. Hybrids became an alternative to high-lofted fairway woods since they offered more “iron-like” control because of their shape and the length they are built at.

Before hybrids, among golf club types, the only alternative to long irons were higher-lofted fairway woods. In the ’90s, Callaway absolutely dominated the high-lofted fairway wood category making them all the way up to an 11-wood. The name “hybrid” comes from the fact that it truly is a combination of a long iron and hollow wood-style club.

Golf club types: What does a hybrid replace?

Hybrids replace hard-to-hit long irons and higher-lofted fairway woods. The easy way to figure out which one you might need can be done by looking at the loft or “stated replacement iron” on the sole of the club. Most companies will use both to identify their clubs, but if not here is a general guide

1-iron: 14-16°
2-iron: 17-19°
3-iron: 20-22°
4-iron: 23-25°
5-iron: 26-28°
6-iron: 29-32°

How do I use a hybrid?

A “hybrid” swing is essentially the same as your iron swing, you want to hit the ball with a slightly descending blow and have it placed more towards the middle of your stance. One of the best tips to offer a golfer new to hybrids is “try to swing it just like your 7-iron.” For most golfers, the 7-iron is a comfort club, and it’s just one way to help simplify the process of hitting the shot.

Among golf club types, hybrids can also be extremely useful around the green for golfers that either struggle with, or are learning to, chip, since the wide sole and iron-like length allow for the simplification of the chipping motion. You just have to grip near the bottom of the grip where it meets the shaft and make a putting motion.

Equipment

2026 Edition: Most comfortable walking shoe? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

3 mins ago

Jun 2, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has asked a question sure to interest all sorts of golfers. What’s the most comfortable walking shoe of 2026?

@RobDMB posed the following question:

“Looking for suggestions/recommendations on the currently available most comfortable walking shoes – preferably waterproof. Essentially looking for something comfortable like a running shoe, but with some stability and waterproof for golf. Decent room in toe box as well. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own recommendations on the best walking shoes that can also survive a number of golf rounds. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

SheriffBooth: “To check all your boxes I’d vote for whichever of the current Nike lineup fits your feet the best. Obviously the Victory Pro 4 and Victory Tour 4 are good enough for the two best players in the world, but the new Pegasus, Next% Tour 3, and Tempo all look really good too.”
i*windows: “when I had issues with my feet I played in Asics running shoes they were a little bit like the hoka’s above, very comfortable, now I’m back to Ecco shoes which are great.”
mshills: “Everyone’s feet are different so this will be a long list of lots of different shoes. For me, anything from Ecco’s Biom lineup. Nothing else comes close.”

Entire Thread: “2026 Edition: Most Comfortable Walking Shoe?”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

AVL gets fit for a KBS TGBlack driver shaft

Published

17 mins ago

Jun 2, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

AVL says: When it comes to the equipment you play, you have countless options. It is dizzying and exciting at the same time. What is best for my game? With a recent trip Carlsbad, California, and with that I had the pleasure to visit the KBS Golf Experience.

KBS has been a household name when it comes to steel shafts. Kim Braly is the author of countless wins in tour golf when it comes to shaft design. Now with the graphite TG Black the lineup expands. Specifically, I visited KBS with getting fit for a new driver shaft in mind, it was time to get this locked in with the new KBS Tour TG Black driver shaft.

I was met by Andrew in the shop and got to see some great merchandise, custom colors for putter shafts and snuck in a few putts before we went to the fitting bay to hit this TG Black. We based the driver off my current gamer. Plenty of options and more when it comes to getting a driver to match your gamer and beyond. Hit a few balls to warm up and we were off and running.

When I’m on the course, I like to see a little left to right ball flight with driver. Andrew and I talked about some of the things were seeing during warm ups and then started to dial in with TG Black. I was hitting a TG Black 70X. After a few swings I knew this shaft was very stable and responsive. The ball sounded really good off the club face as well. As we worked through the fitting I was talking with Andrew on some scenarios you would have on course.

I went through with hitting a lower drive with changing the tee height and trying some swings as if I was on a par 5 where you could let it rip. The shaft was feeling really solid on both kind of swings. Need to have the shaft be able to be there for you with a stock with and when you get in situational scenarios like hitting it low in the wind or letting one go downwind. The TG Black was right there.

I’m no robot and I liked how the shaft performed on strikes outside of the sweet spot: It didn’t climb too much with spin on mishits. The dispersion stayed very consistent. The first shaft was a pretty good fit, but we tested further to see what else we could capture with the data. I found with a lighter shaft, along with my tempo changing, the mishits were exaggerated but it was amazing how the club felt. Very solid.

I tried a heavier TG Black as well and it just didn’t sync up as well with my swing. I think it was one of the most important parts of the fitting was trying shafts that I normally wouldn’t hit. It was confirming to see why you play what you play. It is truly individual when it comes to fitting, and that’s the main thing I really liked being at KBS, they have seen it all when it comes to shafts.

From the fitting, we found the TG Black 70 X was the best fit for me. We went over to the workshop and Mitch built the shaft to spec. Tipped the shaft a half inch, got the grip on there, logo down of course, and soon enough it was ready to hit. I know the TG Black is going to be one to be swung with confidence when it comes to tournament time!

More on KBS TGBlack driver shafts

Most golfers know KBS Golf shafts but not many know about their graphite wood shafts. KBS is one of the leaders is golf shaft design but their reach goes much further than just iron shafts. Your whole bag can get the same high performance that your irons have whether it is a driver, fairway, wedge, or even putter. Earlier this year KBS launched brand new driver shafts; the PGW and the TGBlack to fit a wide range of golfers depending on their needs.

The team at KBS went to work on a new driver shaft and sought out feedback from some of the best players in the world on multiple professional tours. What they came up with is the new TGBlack wood shaft for those players who put control and stability first. We have seen quite a few players out on tour with the new TGBlack already like Jason Day who has the TGBlack in all of his woods.

TGBlack is a shaft designed to produce a more penetrating flight with lower spin. KBS uses high modulus carbon fiber throughout the shaft to create a stable tip section to optimize launch and lower spin. To hold all of that high-modulus material together KBS designed a special resin system to increase the feel of the shaft so even stronger, faster players can get a smooth feel from a stable shaft. Usually those two things do not always compliment each other. The EI profile of the TGBlack is smooth in order to use stored energy better to help keep ball speeds up across all weights and flexes.

KBS made sure that the TGBlack can fit a wide range of golfers with their weight and flex offerings. You can get the shaft in a 40g regular all the way to an 80g TXX stiff flex. This range will allow your fitter to test out a few options in order to find the best performing shaft for your swing!