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 Unfortunately, many amatuer golfers haven’t caught on with the trend, and are still using long irons with outdated constructions that make the game more difficult.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.
_____________________________________________________________________
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.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/111388/adams-super-s-and-ls-hybrids-editor-review/”]Read Our Full Review[/button]
_____________________________________________________________________
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]
_____________________________________________________________________
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]
_____________________________________________________________________
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]
_____________________________________________________________________
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]
_____________________________________________________________________
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]
_____________________________________________________________________
Click here to see the “Best of” winners for other club categories.
- LIKE3
- LEGIT2
- WOW0
- LOL4
- IDHT0
- FLOP2
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
View this post on Instagram
According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
- LIKE16
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
It seems like the RBC Heritage is full of new gear to be spotted, and you can add TaylorMade’s P-UDI utility irons to that list.
We spotted a 17-degree P-UDI 2-iron in Nick Dunlap’s bag yesterday, and now have some photos of both the 3- and 4-irons. Nick has his P-UDI 2-iron setup with a Project X HZRDUS Black 4th Gen 105g TX shaft.
From what we can tell, this new P-UDI utility iron looks to have some of the usual TaylorMade technology as we can see the Speed Slot on the sole of the club for additional face flexibility. A toe screw is usually used to close off the hollow body design that will probably be filled with a version of TaylorMade’s Speed Foam that is present in the current iron lineup. This hollow body, foam-filled design should offer additional ball speed, soft feel, and sound, as well as an optimized CG for ball flight.
“Forged” is etched into the hosel, so we can assume that either the face, body, or both are forged for a soft and responsive feel. The club looks good from behind and at address, where we can see just a little offset and a topline that I would consider medium thickness. We don’t have the full details on what is under the hood or how many loft options will be available yet.
TaylorMade P-UDI 3-iron – 20°
TaylorMade P-UDI 4-iron – 22°
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
- LIKE12
- LEGIT1
- WOW2
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK1
- Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4), P7MC (5-6), P730 (7-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid 115 X100 (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (7-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-SB09, 56-LB08), TaylorMade MG4 TW (60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade TP Soto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
- LIKE4
- LEGIT0
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)
Photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
Joaquin Niemann names 3 PGA Tour events he’d love to play each year ‘in a perfect world’
Spotted: Bettinardi irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Collin Morikawa WITB 2024 (April)
Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here. Driver: TaylorMade...
WITB Time Machine: Jordan Spieth’s winning WITB, 2022 RBC Heritage
At the 2022 RBC Heritage Jordan Spieth defeated Patrick Cantlay on the first playoff hole after nearly holing his greenside...
Jason Day WITB 2024 (April)
Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10) Shaft: TPT...
Ludvig Åberg WITB 2024 (April)
Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)...
-
19th Hole1 week agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoThings got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
-
19th Hole1 week agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoReport: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole3 days agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 days agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoAddiction, spinal fusion, and scam artists – Everything Anthony Kim revealed in candid interview with David Feherty
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoAnthony Kim says doctors told him that he ‘may not have much time left’ ahead of LIV return
Pingback: Best Golf Books Golfwrx | Golf Lessons
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.