2007 Hybrids Review

- For years I refused to try hybrids, convinced that I still had the game and talent to hit long irons. A few months back I joined those of us that have seen the light. The latest hybrids are simply too easy to hit. If you want a high, straight ball flight from a myriad of lies, without the usual difficulty associated with hitting long irons, hybrids are for you. Hybrids have come a long way in the past couple of years, and now it seems that every manufacturer has at least one model in its lineup. Even the pros are replacing their long irons with these easy-to-hit wonders.

Higher handicap amateurs and ladies reap the most benefit from hybrids. Nancy Lopez Golf has a line specifically designed for the female golfer. The company’s Erinn Series hybrid irons utilize the smaller hybrid head with a iron-length shaft resulting in more control and playability than conventional fairway woods or long irons.

At Tour Edge, you can select from an entire set of hybrids for your bag. The Chicago area company offers hybrids all the way from long iron replacements to lob wedges. Many golfers start out with the longer clubs and as they become more accomplished with them, replace more and more of their regular sticks. Tour Edge’s Exotic line features hybrids with moveable weighting allowing golfers to set up the club to better help their ball flight and control. With the company’s Bazooka JMAX QL, the weighting is fixed in the ideal position to aid most golfers and help them hit the ball high, straight and long.

One of golf’s greatest designing minds is Jesse Ortiz. His line of hybrids from Bobby Jones Golf features a better engineered heel area and a hot face area. Ortiz believes that many of the problems people have with hybrids from the rough is that the heel area catches the turf too soon and closes the face of the club. With his design, the heel area doesn’t have a chance to grab and the golfer is more likely to make better contact from any lie.

On the Champions Tour, Adams Golf is one of the most popular hybrid lines. The company offers a forged hybrid with fantastic feel for the better player, and a more forgiving model with a bit of offset and lower weighting for the recreational player. These were the first hybrids to make by bag and I often find myself wondering why I waited so long to put them there.

Bridgestone Golf unveiled its GC Hybrid utility clubs. These hybrids feature a design that removes weight from a chamber at the center of the sole and moves it to the heel and toe areas for a higher MOI and more workability. These beauties feature a Progressive Leading Edge design where the leading edge of the club gets sharper as the loft increases, preventing skipping off the turf with the higher lofted models.

Callaway’s latest X Hybrid is a fantastic performer. The new sole design adds versatility and helps the club get through even the toughest of lies and make solid contact.

Taylor Made’s new line of hybrids uses the company’s draw technology to help players get the club square at impact. The heads, coupled with a hotter face, are also 12% larger than last year’s models for greater forgiveness.

Orlimar Golf is trying to eliminate your slice. The new ZX Anti-Slice line has dramatically more offset than standard hybrids. When combined with an ultra-hot face and heel bias weighting, the recreational golfer will find a club that is extremely easy to hit long and straight.

While most hybrids appear similar, there are two distinct types: more compact, iron-like hybrids and larger, more fairway wood-like models. It’s a matter of what fits your eye and preference. If you play a 7-wood, you may tend to like the more wood-like club. If you’re more used to your long irons, then the iron-like hybrid will probably feel more comfortable. Just make sure to demo both before deciding which one to put in your bag.

It’s time for most of us to say goodbye to those long irons and join the growing crowd. You may find that not only do you hit them better, but that you enjoy hitting those longer shots. I’m glad that I finally tried hybrids and they now have a secure spot in my bag. It’s time you put that same smile on your face.