Equipment
2013 Best Hybrids
There’s a lot fewer long irons played on the PGA Tour these days than in years past. That’s because the pros have realized that some of the long irons they used to play aren’t as consistent as similar-lofted hybrids, which they can also hit higher and farther. Unfortunately, many amatuer golfers haven’t caught on with the trend, and are still using long irons with outdated constructions that make the game more difficult.
We hope that you’ll tell them that the technology in today’s hybrids makes them longer, straighter and better looking than in years past. They also can help fill important distance gaps between a golfer’s fairway woods and long irons. Click here to read GolfWRX Featured Writer Rich Hunt’s story, “The importance of bag setup: Long irons or hybrids.”
We’ve listed our picks for the best hybrids of 2013 below, which for the first time includes several adjustable models that have a lot more “bling” than we’re used to seeing at address.
Click here to read the specifics on the voting committee and how we picked the best.
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Winners
Adams Super LS
Callaway X Hot
Cobra AMP Cell
Ping Anser
Taylormade RBZ Stage 2
Titleist 913H
Adams Super LS
Adams’ Super LS hybrids have titanium faces and crowns to lower their center of gravity, adding forgiveness and playability. They also have Adams’ VST Technology, slots in the sole and crown to give the clubs an insane characteristic time of 250, seven microseconds less than the USGA’s limit.
Those two features together give the Super LS extremely high ball speeds and low-spin launch conditions, making them one of the longest-flying models for mid-to-high-speed golfers. The one deterrent is cost; they’re selling for about $230 at most retailers.
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Callaway X Hot and X Hot Pro
The Callaway X Hot and X Hot Pro hybrids have a redesigned Callaway Warbird sole that makes them one of the best with dealing with tough lies. Their thin 17-4 stainless steel cup faces also provides tremendous ball speeds and forgiveness, while the matte gray finish and black PVD faces offer a pleasing look at address.
Both the X Hot, which has a larger, more forgiving head design to provide a higher launch and more spin, as well as the X Hot Pro, which has a smaller, less forgiving head design that creates a more penetrating ball flight, received top marks for our panel. Even better news is their current price, which thanks to the end-of-the-season price wars has been lowered from $179 to $129.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/56897/callaway-x-hot-and-x-hot-pro-hybrids-in-hand-pics-and-specs/”]Read Our Full Story[/button]
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Cobra AMP Cell
Don’t be fooled by the four color options. Cobra’s AMP Cell hybrids are more than just a fashion statement; they’re one of the easiest to hit hybrids on the market for golfers with slower swing speeds, and have an unrivaled 4-degree range of adjustability.
They come in three different head options: 2-3H (adjustable from 16 to 19 degrees), 3-4H (adjustable from 19 to 22 degrees) and 5-6H (adjustable from 22 to 25 degrees). Along with the four lofts, each head has two “draw” options in the middle lofts, which make the club more upright at address. Like the X Hot hybrids, they’re selling for $129 (about $60 cheaper than their original price).
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/41387/cobra-amp-cell-fairways-and-hybrids/”]Read Our Full Story[/button]
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Ping Anser
The Ping Anser hybrids have been around for more than a year, but they continue to be the best model on the market for many golfers. It hasn’t hurt that Brandt Snedeker used a 20-degree Anser hybrid to win the 2011 PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs, and that Phil Mickelson won this year’s British Open with a 17-degree Anser.
The Anser’s success is based on its balanced design. The lower-lofted hybrids have a low, deep CG to help golfers hit the ball higher, while the higher-lofted hybrids have a more forward CG to help prevent ballooning. Its matte black-painted crown was also a favorite of our testers, as was its solid, traditional feel.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/33412/ping-anser-driver-fairway-wood-and-hybrid-story-videos-and-pictures/”]Read Our Full Story[/button]
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TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2
Low and forward. That’s TaylorMade’s mantra for more distance, which means that the RBZ Stage 2 and Stage 2 Tour hybrids have a lower, more forward CG than their predecessors.
Like Callaway’s X Hot and X Hot Pro hybrids, the Stage 2 models target different types of golfers. The Stage 2 is slightly larger and higher spinning to help golfers with slower swing speeds hit the ball higher. The Stage 2 Tour offers a flatter trajectory, but its 3-degree adjustable hosel gives golfers to ability to tweak ball flight to their preference.
Both models use TaylorMade’s “RocketSteel” faces, which along with the company’s improved “Speed Pocket” (the slot in the sole) creates more ball speed on shots hit across the face.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/59707/taylormade-rbz-stage-2-driver-fairway-woods-and-hybrids/”]Read Our Full Story[/button]
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Titleist 913H and 913H.d
Titleist’s 913H and 913H.d give golfers the total package when it comes to hybrid design. The 913H has a slightly larger head with a more rearward center of gravity that produces slightly more spin and forgiveness than the 913H.d, which has a smaller head and a more forward CG to increase workability and offer a more penetrating flight.
Both models include Titleist’s SureFit Hosel, which offers 16 different loft, lie and face angle combinations, and come with two of the company’s interchangeable sole weights to allow golfers to tune swing weight. Our testers like the 913H and 913H.d’s traditional look and feel, as well as the premium stock shaft options: Mitsubishi’s Diamana S+ 72, D+ 82 and Aldila’s RIP Phenom 80. They retail for $229.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/36248/in-hand-pics-titleist-913-faiway-woods-and-hybrids-from-the-barclays/”]Read Our Full Story[/button]
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Click here to see the “Best of” winners for other club categories.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Mike
Feb 6, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Had a stage 2 rescue both Tour and non Tour 3 and wasn’t overly impressed. It was no better than the rescue 11 for me which was no better than the TP 09 rescue. Switched to the Super 9031 and Super DHy and I am much more impressed by the workability both from the tee and the performance out of the rough.
carter
Oct 18, 2013 at 9:46 am
I had an x hot hybrid for a while and they are complete trash.
carter
Oct 18, 2013 at 9:45 am
the x hot hybrids are complete trash
Duane
Oct 14, 2013 at 8:14 pm
I have a driver swing speed of around 109 and I’m a high ball hitter. I have never played a round since with anyone that has outhit my hybrids with a 3 or 2 iron. Back up to the tips and you’ll see your foursomes long irons fail them.
Desmond
Oct 11, 2013 at 8:06 am
I think wrx ought to divvy this up into Player’s and Regular Joe’s Hybrids. I find the Stage 2 unfriendly and inconsistent, and that flattish sole helps no one out of trouble.
Titleist is a winner because it puts a variety of decent shafts on its clubs.
Cally XHot is a nice addition, Cobra looks good, the Adams Super S fits a normal guy – But if I was going with a regular Joe hybrid it would be the XHot and the Bobby Jones Hybrid (white). Similar in construction, but the BJones has a more rounded sole and a better standard shaft. Nice club in 25 and 30 for normal Joes. Trying out the 21 now.
paul
Sep 29, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Off the tee i prefer a 3 iron, in the rough a 3 hybrid. 1 less wedge.
mark
Sep 23, 2013 at 9:34 am
Still haven’t found anything to top my Bobby Jones hybrids
KCCO
Sep 20, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Have two hybrids that get their fair share of time at the course, TaylorMade proto, very small high toe, and sound great. (2/16.5 4/22.1) I feel like I’m cheating when I use them as you get a very consistent predictable ball flight, that being said, sucks when I pull one for 712u (3), but that’s an awesome weapon as well.
Billy
Sep 17, 2013 at 7:46 pm
I’ve bought and sold every hybrid known to man and every one of them was a hook machine.
I recently tried the Ping G25 23* and I’ve found my hybrid…..
jc
Jan 30, 2014 at 6:39 pm
agree, I have the 17 and 20 and they both go straight…my callway can turn way ugly left if I am not careful.
Michal
Sep 29, 2014 at 2:30 pm
You a e so int resting! I don’t think I’ e t uly read a ighnetling like th s befor . So good to find sοm one with om un que thoughts on th s sub ect. Seriously.. m ny thanks for starting this up. This web site issomething that is neede on th web, s meone ith little origin lity!
Mamat
Oct 1, 2014 at 9:28 am
Just purchased a new set of women’s Adams Idea a7OS 14 Pc. Women’s Integrated Set of clubs. Went to the links with fnried. Boy, was hse surprised at how much better my game had improved. I could a much highter lift on the ball with the drivers. The grip was so much more compfortable to play with. I would highly reccommend them to the next women looking to up her game of golf.
Todd
Sep 11, 2013 at 7:31 pm
I use to be a long iron player – no hybrids in my bag! Then I tempered my ego and put the hybrids and long irons to a test. I really hated the fact that the hybrids were more consistent than my long irons – I had to swallow my pride and give up the long irons for the game improving/scoring hybrids.
pooch
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:46 pm
I put in the new Xhot hybrid which was the first hybrid to replace my original TM rescues. I also have the Adams DHY in my bag love both clubs. You should all try the feel off the Adams DHY.
DJ
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:04 am
What about the Adams 9031 & Dhy?? DHy is the #1 hybrid on all Tours?
Mike Leether
Sep 9, 2013 at 8:50 am
“I’m on GOLFWRX, i don’t like hybrids!”….Please.lol
Keep bangin those 3-irons boys!. If you’re not hitting them well, its a flaw in your swing, not the club. IMO you’re a fool to not take advantage of this technology. I play to a 3.3 index, I don’t have an iron lower than a six iron. Graeme McDowell doesn’t play an iron lower than a five. Are you better than him?. No, you’re not. Buy some hybrids….
Rich
Jan 5, 2014 at 6:02 am
I don’t think I’m a fool. I just don’t have trouble hitting my 3 iron. When I do hit a bad one, no hybrid would save me anyway. When I do start to struggle with it, I’ll buy a G25 3 iron or similar. I just prefer to hit a 3 iron instead of a hybrid. Nothing wrong with that in my book. You hit you’re hybrids and I’ll keep hitting my 3 iron thanks.
JHT
Feb 18, 2014 at 11:59 pm
I’m no fool either but the thing about the two for me is this. I love hitting a 3 iron off the tee but I rarely have the opportunity where a 3 iron is better off the tee than my 2 hybrid or a 3 wood. I have a 2&3 hybrid in the bag. I love hitting an iron and nailing my J40 CB off the tee is fun but my choked 2H is longer just as straight and more consistent because I sometimes I miss a little.
That said smoking a 3 iron off the tee and then hitting it again for the 2nd on a par 5 makes my friends crazy and me exceptionally smug and happy.
doug lewis
Nov 22, 2015 at 9:56 pm
I have 2-7 hybrids and play to 12 HDP, does that mean I am under achieving since I am not a 3.3?
LOL
lloyd duffield
Sep 8, 2013 at 3:59 pm
i used to use the nike covert hybrid but then i tried the taylormade RBZ stage2 it went strait in the bag hitting 250 yards with it very forgiving . saying that my mate has the callaway x hot and he got 277 yards out of that
both great hybrids .
j.a.
Sep 8, 2013 at 12:08 am
We’d like to see at least 10 hybrids in this list. Nike Covert, Cleveland Classic, Mizuno and TEE could be here.
sk33tr
Sep 7, 2013 at 9:14 pm
No Mizuno JPX-825???
Scott
Sep 23, 2013 at 9:34 pm
I just saw the JPZ EZ hybrid here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrvS7jLrAXQ
i am not big on these EZ but this looks like a real nice design. More like a 5 wood than the wierd shaped hybrid.
I still have 1 and 3 irons, but am probably gonna switch to a hybrid next spring.
B-MAC
Sep 7, 2013 at 8:55 am
Cleveland classic?
B-MAC
Sep 7, 2013 at 8:54 am
Nike Coverts ???
Golfer X
Sep 6, 2013 at 8:44 pm
hybrids are for pansies who can’t hit a 1 iron. Carry a hybrid, look for another foursome, buddy…
Xreb
Sep 6, 2013 at 11:10 pm
I hope that was sarcasm, I doubt anyone wants to play with someone that snobby
Desmond
Sep 7, 2013 at 10:15 am
Funny.
I guess PGA Touring Pros are pansies. lol.
Yeah, hope it was sarcasm or the personal issues are revealed for all the world to see.
leftright
Mar 12, 2014 at 9:10 am
I am 57 years old, carry two hybrids and don’t even know who you are and will give you a shot a side for whatever you want to play for…anywhere on any tee. When I see irons in the bag lower than a 4, easy money.
naflack
Sep 6, 2013 at 4:49 pm
unfortunately i prefer the look of an iron in a hybrid but at my moderate swing speed (85mph 6 iron, 100mph driver) and lower ball flight…the iron looking hybrids design characterisitcs leave me out in the cold.
Conrad
Sep 6, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Just never liked hybrids, have tried many with no good results.
Duncan
Sep 7, 2013 at 8:32 am
Have you tried being fitted for a Wishon 775HS? High COR and accuracy, with an excellent sound and feel.
I was also extremely sceptical about hybrids and had to be persuaded by my fitter to have a 21 degree included in my set. The club he made was so consistent and easy to play out of a range of lies that I’ve since gone back to him to replace the 4 iron and 4 wood with the same design…
Jay
Sep 11, 2013 at 10:11 pm
Give me a break. Enjoy your 2 iron poser. I’m sure it looks cool in your bag.