Equipment

Best hybrid of 2020: GolfWRX Members Choice

Published

4 years ago

Jul 1, 2020

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.

best hybrid of 2020

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.

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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

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Read the discussion in the forums here.

1. Ping G410

Ping G410 hybrid sole is shaped for maximum stability

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.

: Maraging steel face for maximum ball speeds

: Turbulators on the crown aid in aerodynamics and alignment

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

SIM Max V-Steel sole is designed to reduce drag through the turf

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.

: Twist Face technology helps keep shots missed around the face stay on line

: Like the Sim series driver and fairway woods, the hybrid has a carbon crown to lower center of gravity and boost forgiveness

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

TS2 has a weight positioned to increase launch and lower spin

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.

: The more rounded wood “like” profile of the TS2 inspires confidence from address

: The TS2’s face is 16% thinner than previous generations allowing for more discretionary mass around the head

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 sole weights on the PXG Gen 2 0317 X allow for multiple adjustment options to fine-tune ball flight

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.

: The Hot Rod technology lowers the center of gravity by using multi-materials like a carbon for the crown

: The face has an optimized variable thickness design to increase ball speeds

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
“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

The CLK’s WAVE sole increases flex and concentrates more mass for higher launch and controllable flight

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.

: The hosel configuration sits slightly back from the face to make it easy to align and inspire confidence

: The aggressively sloped crown pushes the center of gravity lower in the head to increase forgiveness

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.

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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.

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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

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

16 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

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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