Hybrids - Need Some Assistance

[DrvFrShow]

During the club fiasco of 2019, after FedEx lost my golf clubs and I was waiting for Cobra to build me a new set of F9 One Lengths (5i - SW), I made a mistake. I bought into hype. I went down and tried out a new set of hybrids. Callaway Epic Flash. The reviews were that they were long and forgiving. Well, true and sort of true. I had a little problem with "over fading them", but with a draw setting to make them a little more upright, that seemed to fix that and I was hitting them long and straight in the shop. Unfortunately this did not last. I do not like them. I have zero confidence with the 5H. The "over-fade" with the 4H and 3H is back. I did not have this issue with my Bio Cell hybrids.

The Bio Cells were not as long, but I could hit them straight in a neutral face setting. They were also heavier in the club head. D6 vs D0. I think the weight was further back in them too for more forgiveness. What makes this a mistake is that I used them as part of the funding for the Epic Flash Hybrids.

I have a 60 day playability guarantee on the Callaways. Basically if I don't like them I can return them. I'm going to return them, but I'll need a set of hybrids. I'll bring my 6i with me. So do you guys have any suggestions for any that are easy to get in the air and tend to keep a relatively narrow dispersal pattern?

[Piz]

I spent quite some time auditioning hybrids until I settled on a 5 and 3 wood.  Once I'd done that it became a matter of choosing a hybrid that suited, or fit, the space between my irons and fairways.  It isn't, to my thinking, what hybrid is best...it's which hybrid is most like the clubs on either side.  I want the weight, and flex, to be similar to my 4 iron and 5 wood.  In other words:  I'd rather fit one club to the set than craft a set around one club.

[MarvChamp]

7 hours ago, DrvFrShow said:

So do you guys have any suggestions for any that are easy to get in the air and tend to keep a relatively narrow dispersal pattern?

Wow! I probably have no business replying, BUT my gut reaction is to look carefully at Cobra products in fitting and research. Maybe do a little research on Cobra hybrids such as on My Golf Spy (I know, I know...others don't like MGS), reviewers like Golf Digest, etc and Maltby Playability Factor. Over time, I have found that the  3, 4, 5 hybrid iron replacement clubs that Mizuno engineers designed for use with my Mizuno irons are my own best choice. Same manufacturer isn't a reguirement, but may make sense for you. Good luck on your search and keep us posted. Best, -Marv

[WUTiger]

I had a roller-coaster adventure for about eight years trying to find a hybrid that I really liked.

I tried a brand X hybrid for $20 from a coupon my brother won at a scramble... Tried the TM Raylor (early 2000s version... Then had the Adams V4 in 3H and 4H. V4 worked fine for a year, until my swing got stronger and the offset face started delivering left misses.

Anyway, I went into a local golf shop during August sales and the fitter set me up with the Cobra FlyZ 4H in a 73-gram A-flex shaft! It just worked, and I got the FlyZ 3H a few months later.

These non-SGI hybrids have a square face, and slightly heavier stock shafts than most midlines. Unless your BioCells create a gapping problem, why not keep them awhile?

On 9/14/2019 at 11:22 PM, DrvFrShow said:

The Bio Cells were not as long, but I could hit them straight in a neutral face setting. They were also heavier in the club head. D6 vs D0. I think the weight was further back in them too for more forgiveness...

  Sounds like you found things similar to what I did. If some better hybrid shows up in spring demo days, then add it. Until then, why not just play the BioCells which work for you? Remember, the perfect can be the enemy of the very good...

[CharlieB]

I have the Callaway Diablo in the 3H-4H-5H. I bought them new at Dick’s about 10 years ago. They have the A flex shaft that I had shortened by 1”. I will keep them until they are totally destroyed. They have helped my game more than any club in the bag. I actually think I could play a complete round with these three clubs and a putter.

[Philco]

8 hours ago, CharlieB said:

 I actually think I could play a complete round with these three clubs and a putter.

Give it a whirl and let us know how it goes. 

[DrvFrShow]

8 hours ago, WUTiger said:

I had a roller-coaster adventure for about eight years trying to find a hybrid that I really liked.

I tried a brand X hybrid for $20 from a coupon my brother won at a scramble... Tried the TM Raylor (early 2000s version... Then had the Adams V4 in 3H and 4H. V4 worked fine for a year, until my swing got stronger and the offset face started delivering left misses.

Anyway, I went into a local golf shop during August sales and the fitter set me up with the Cobra FlyZ 4H in a 73-gram A-flex shaft! It just worked, and I got the FlyZ 3H a few months later.

These non-SGI hybrids have a square face, and slightly heavier stock shafts than most midlines. Unless your BioCells create a gapping problem, why not keep them awhile?

  Sounds like you found things similar to what I did. If some better hybrid shows up in spring demo days, then add it. Until then, why not just play the BioCells which work for you? Remember, the perfect can be the enemy of the very good...

Unfortunately I traded in the BioCells to get the Epic Flash Hybrids. I really miss them. I took them back for $900 store credit. Remind me not to buy into the hype train again. But here's what i ended up with... Cobra F9 Speedback hybrids. 4H & 5H. They feel about the same as my Bio Cells did. They say the rails will help on the course. We'll see. So far they're great at the range... unlike the Callaways were. 

This still left about $460 on the balance. So do I need a new driver? No. A new Scotty? No. A new set of wedges? No. How about a FW? Well let's try it. How about a 5W? Well, that didn't work out - can't seem to get it to go as far as the 4H. Let's think.... I traded in my 4i that I used for a driving iron like a dummy. How about a Utility Iron? So I tried out a bunch and ended up with the Cobra Black Utility Iron 3-4 to hit off the tee. Black because I won't mistake it for my 5 iron.

And with even more money left on the store credit.... next up is shoes.

[Buckeyebowman]

I really lucked out in the hybrid derby. My first was a Cleveland Hibore 2H to replace my 2 iron that I couldn't get up in the air anymore. As I got older the same thing started happening with my 3 & 4 irons. A buddy of mine had bought the TM Burner Rescue hybrids in 3,4 & 5 and couldn't hit them to save his life! He offered to sell them to me. We were set to play a really nice course (former private club) in a couple of days, so I asked him to bring them along so I could play them. 

Loved them right off the bat! After the round I asked him to let me hold onto them. I wanted to take them for a range session, and play one more time with them. We played again a week later and I almost got a hole in one with one of them! After the round I asked how much he wanted for them and he said how about 70 bucks? I said SOLD! and reached for my wallet before he could change his mind!