Why we like it

A smart hybrid could involve a lot of things: multiple materials, strategic internal mass, turf-gliding sole shaping and flaw-fighting adjustability. Callaway’s hybrids have done variations of these for years and continue that trend with this line, which takes another step towards individual satisfaction. Using artificial intelligence and other data that analyses tens of thousands of swings, these hybrids have distinct faces that respond specifically to how certain player types attack the ball. The way the faces optimise speed, spin and launch makes the design of the entire club smarter.

Paradym Ai smoke

• A more sweeping sole camber ensures smoother turf interaction from a variety of lies.
• Designed to provide direct iron replacement for the Ai Smoke irons.
• 18, 21, 24, 27 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

Top 5 best sound/feel, hybrids, low-handicaps

Paradym Ai Smoke HL

• These heads are designed for players looking for more height from their long clubs.
• Designed through the use of AI, the face improves ball speed across a wider area.
• Designed also as a one-to-one direct iron replacement for the Ai Smoke HL irons.
• 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

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Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast

• Its lighter weight helps players with moderate swing speeds generate more velocity.
• Larger shape yet shallow face and increased sole camber inspire confidence.
• Designed as a one-to-one direct iron replacement for the Ai Smoke Max Fast irons.
• 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 degrees (with fixed hosel)

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Why we like it

For all its complexity (carbon-composite crown, titanium construction, a mineshaft’s worth of tungsten and an artificial intelligence-designed face), the Super Hybrid poses a simpler question: what if a hybrid was designed to replace not an iron but a fairway wood? The result is this super-charged hybrid with a driver-like titanium face. The large frame offers off-centre-hit forgiveness, and the 91 grams of tungsten in the sole fuel an easier launch. The shorter shafts also go a long way towards making you question the need for fairway woods at all.

Paradym Super Hybrid

• Oversize frame and titanium face offer extra ball speed and forgiveness.
• This model targets players looking for more distance compared to standard hybrids and those who struggle to hit fairway woods.
• 16, 18, 21, 24, 27 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

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Why we like it

Like a 150-kilogram forward who knows his way around a three-dimensional torus network, these hybrids might be that ideal combination of size and smarts. Oversize in volume and face area, they take that stability and boost ball speed by alternating the stiff and flexible regions in the front part of the crown. Inside, computer analytics optimised the location and size of weight pads in the sole and perimeter to maximise forgiveness and improve launch. Computer-simulated attack angles of average golfers even determined the degree of taper on the sole rails. The bonus of the even bigger, low-lofted Hy-Wood for easier long-distance shots is more than handy.

Halo XL

• Built for players looking to launch the ball higher.
• The taper on the sole rails keeps the leading edge closer to the ground across a range of attack angles.
• 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 degrees (with fixed hosel)

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Why we like it

We get that making a hybrid with a trampoline face is desirable, but all that ball speed without the ability to launch the ball isn’t much use. The ideal hybrid needs its internal weight to be low to boost that launch angle. Darkspeed uses an ingenious internal bridge-like weight bar low and close to the face to make it easier to launch shots high. At the same time, this structure allows the thin face to wrap around the leading edge for maximum ball speed.

Darkspeed

• A thin, high-strength steel face insert wraps under the leading edge to create a flexible region lower on the face where most impacts occur.
• The One Length version (7-iron length) is also available.
• 17, 19, 21, 24, 28 degrees (with a fixed hosel)

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Why we like it

When you hire a handyman, you expect him to be able to carry an armload of two-by-fours, bring his own tools and dang sure drive a tricked-out F-150. The busting-out-of-its-flannel-shirt King Tec is that sort of hybrid handyman. With three adjustable weights, a light carbon-composite crown and a high-strength steel face insert, this brute is ready to go to work regardless of the assignment. The weights, including an adjustable hosel, let you tweak launch, dial in spin and wrench away that slice or hook.

King Tec

• Weights can be set forward to address speed, spin and mis-hits.
• Targets better, faster-swinging players with its built-in lower-spin and firmer tipped stock shaft.
• 17, 19, 21, 24 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

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Why we like it

With its compact shape and smaller face, hybrids are looking for auxiliary power sources with more urgency than a teenager minus her phone charger. That’s why these hybrids borrow the broad, polymer-filled slot in the sole from the drivers that share their name. The slot’s large heel-to-toe size and proximity to the front create more potential for the face to flex. In addition, the weight bar encased in the polymer reduces spin for more distance potential.

ST-Z 230

• Polymer-filled slot in the sole provides extra face flex.
• The size is compact without being intimidating yet substantial without being bulky.
• Designed to hit a neutral ball flight.
• 16, 19, 22, 25 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

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ST-MAX 230

• Oversize shape makes for highest stability on off-centre hits in company history.
• It launches higher with mid-spin compared to the standard model.
• The sole bevel at the front of the slot improves turf interaction.
• 19, 22, 25, 28 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

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Why we like it

These hybrids solve your problems so discreetly you might start to believe they are strengths. Suddenly, 4 and 5-iron shots have height and distance because of a wraparound face that increases the flexing area. Carbon composite at the back of the crown drips over the edges of the perimeter to lower the centre of gravity so that shots launch easier. With an adjustable loft range of up to 35 degrees, you may never need to hit a middle iron again, much less a long iron.

G430

• A carbon-composite crown makes room for a tungsten rear sole weight that adds launch and improves mis-hits.
• Adjustable hosel offers better players three flat settings for more options.
• 17, 19, 22, 26, 30, 34 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

Top 10 most forgiving, hybrids, high-handicaps

Why we like it

A thinner, stronger metal in the face typically means faster ball speed. PXG’s engineers believe the new steel alloy – yet to be named – in this hybrid’s face improves ball speed and more. The face is 10.5 percent thinner, but it also produces a higher launch angle with less spin. Combining faster ball speed and better launch conditions is a recipe for distance and, as it turns out, tighter dispersion. That’s some alloy. Maybe PXG should call it Something Else.

0311 Black Ops

• Thin but strong face insert creates speed, higher launch and less spin.
• The interchangeable sole weights in the heel, toe and rear help tune ball flight or correct mis-hits.
• 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)

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Why we like it

Nobody orders just “coffee” anymore, and no one should think about getting just a “hybrid”. These three versions are tuned expertly to provide forgiveness with workability. The standard Qi10 will resonate with all player types, but players can expect the most iron-like results from the Qi10 Tour. The bounteous Max might be the most playable fairway wood. Just like all those coffee orders, these hybrids come fully caffeinated thanks to that wide slot in the sole that gets more power out of the lower part of the face.

Qi10

• Conventional size and mid-high flight will resonate with most player types.
• Internal weighting is split between front and back for a mix of forgiveness and consistent off-centre-hit ball speed.
• 19, 22, 25, 29, 33 degrees (with fixed hosel)

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Qi10 Tour

• The deep face, higher toe and compact size provide better players the look that encourages workability and control.
• Performs best for those with a steeper, iron-like angle of attack.
• 17, 19.5, 22 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)

Top 5 best looking, hybrids, low-handicaps

Qi10 Max

• The size makes for TaylorMade’s most forgiving hybrid with higher flight and mid-spin.
• The heel and toe relief allow the wide sole to glide more smoothly through the turf for golfers with sweeping strokes.
• 20, 23, 27, 31, 35 degrees (with fixed hosel)

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Why we like it

Thinking any hybrid will do is like believing any wedding dress will do. A hybrid needs to fit a golfer’s needs, hence Titleist’s three options here. Some need a hybrid that launches the ball easily (TSR1), some need one that masks flaws (TSR2) and some need one that doesn’t balloon or hang left (TSR3). Still, all three share a commitment to the right doses of forgiveness, including larger volume or a wider blade length or less offset. Just as vital: each sole’s relief areas ensure a smoother glide pattern.

TSR3

• Caters to players looking for more workability.
• Adjustable sliding weight sits flush with the sole and has five settings heel to toe.
• 19, 21, 24 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)

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TSR2

• A wider heel to toe and deeper body encourage forgiveness and higher launch.
• Favours average to above-average players who have a sweeping swing.
• Heel and toe portions of the sole have pockets of relief for improved turf interaction.
• 18, 21, 24 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)

Top 5 best sound/feel, hybrids, middle-handicaps

TSR1

• The larger wood-like size and the wider sole provide forgiveness on mis-hits and turf interaction.
• Its higher launch and backspin can help moderate swing speeds.
• 20, 23, 26, 29 (a 16-way adjustable hosel)

Top 5 best looking, hybrids, middle-handicaps