Choosing a Hybrid

[muskegman]

So I'm in the market for at least one hybrid. I'd like to start by replacing my 19 degree fairway wood and then perhaps replace the 3-iron down the road sometime.

I'd love to own one of those fancy TaylorMades with the weight ports positioned all over it, a Sonartec, or even a Nickent for that matter. Basically, I want to stay away from anything that has a draw bias. I've heard that the Cleveland Halo is pretty good and dead strait as well. I wonder if the Cobra Baffler is a hook machine.

One of my main considerations is cost. I'd like to keep the cost between $100 and $150 which prevents me from getting the TaylorMade or Sonartec. Any ideas folks? I'd like to have all stiff shafts before I get too deep into the spring and need to replace just two: the fairway woods.

[under_par]

I would have to say that the Halo is one of the easiest and straightest out of any lie I have hit. They ball has a very nice feel and projectory from this club. I choose the SL s300 shaft because of more control. I say try them all :-> but you will love the Halo. Price is right, too.

Have fun in your search!

[rs4duke]

I think the taylormade rescue mid hybrid is a great choice for only 99.99 for the steel shaft. Its a great club and very easy to hit.

[iacas]

I'd love to own one of those fancy TaylorMades with the weight ports positioned all over it, a Sonartec, or even a Nickent for that matter. Basically, I want to stay away from anything that has a draw bias. I've heard that the Cleveland Halo is pretty good and dead strait as well. I wonder if the Cobra Baffler is a hook machine.

We'll see what we can do for you Jeff. But if you were going to go out and buy things yourself, here's what I'd suggest:

1) original TM rescue, with a graphite shaft, you can probably find for $99 or less. This would replace your 5W. 2) replace your 3W with, uhh... just get it reshafted with a stiff shaft. $49 or something. But again, we'll try to get you set up with a hybrid for review. Probably a Nickent - they do good things.

[Everardo]

I've got a 20 degree heavenwood and new 19 degree TM Rescue that you can try out. I can bring them next week.

[muskegman]

Thanks for the suggestions... yeah, the $50 for a 3W shaft would be pretty cheap... I should start the shopping. I look forward to checking out the hybrids you mentioned E, plus the original TM Rescue has always gotten good review.

I may even make it into the shop tonight to try stuff out, no buying just yet.

[jeffgladchun]

The difference between the Old Rescue (pre-moveable weights) and New Rescue is moot if you don't fiddle with those weight ports. In fact, I like the feel of the old ones better. Can't beat it for $99 retail, although I have my eye on the Nickent.

[golfchief]

find one you like and can hit. I tried as many as could and ended up with a 19 degree snake eyes from golfsmith and I hit it farther and straighter than the others.

[Donald MacKenzie]

Jeff: The only hybrid I've hit that didn't feel draw-biased to me is the Sonartec Md. They're more iron-like than wood-like, with a high toe, deeper face and lower ball flight. Would be a great 3-iron replacement at 21 degrees. I love mine, and I always feel like I can go after it and not worry about a quacker.

For something more FW-like, the new Nickent DC Utility is a good alternative. A bigger head and a longer shaft than iron-like hybrids, and a really shallow face to get the ball up in the air.

[hansmixer]

You could try the Ben Hogan Edge CFT hybrids. I'm not sure why, but these hybrids receive almost no coverage, but seem to be generally well regarded. I've also noticed that the price is very reasonable (I'm pretty sure you can pick one up for around $100). I haven't seen any of the 2006 models out (titanium version), but that may be worth a look too.

[muskegman]

Thought I'd follow this thread up with some impressions of the Nickent 3DX Ironwood DC 20-degree thats in the bag.

Looks
First impression is that its a beautiful club. I love the way it sets up at address. It has minimal to no offset and sets up fairly square. Next to the Sonortecs there isn't a better looking hybrid IMHO. I like the look of the Nickents, Sonortecs, and Clevelands better than others because they are missing that silver strip towards the clubface. Looks good to my eye.

Specs
I got it with the Aldila NV hybrid shaft and seem to like it. It is stable and accurate. The ball doesn't seem to balloon but gets the ball up so it lands like a butterfly with sore feet.

Performance
It feels like a million bucks when you catch it on the screws. Theres a certain feeling that I love in a club. I get that feeling when I hit my 3-wood off the tee and the Nickent certainly delivers with a "hotter" feel that my 3-wood. It launches the ball on a high/penetrating ball flight.

I was pleasantly surprised how long this club is. I had given up my 19-degree 904F in favor of this club (at least for review purposes) and it really gets the ball out there. Part of the credit would go to a better fit shaft in the hybrid and shorter length leading to more center of the face contact. It takes off. While I'm not sure the exact distance I'm thinking 210-225. I've only used it a few times during play. No driving range time yet.

It feels great off the deck or tee and you can work the ball both ways.

Highly recommended so far.

[shortgame85]

I use a Cobra 24* Baffler with the NV 65 hybrid shaft. It sets up well for me and replaces my four iron. I am currently working my handicap down from 17. IMHO, this club is one of the easiest clubs to strike well. I own two pre-adjustable weight Taylor Made Rescue clubs. They felt too heavy for my taste and are now gathering dust in a bag of former first stringers. I have hit the Cobra out of sand, hardpan as well as rough. I almost always get the the ball up and very close to the intended destination. It has become a "go to" club for me. Good luck in finding the best hybrid for you.

[Gravity.Is.Arbitrary]

Greetings, The Sand Trap!

I'm looking for a hybrid and have definitely thought about getting the Sonartec Md; I'm going to try it out in a few days at a Demo Day!

[muskegman]

I thought I'd follow up on the mini-review I did of the Nickent a few weeks back. I still have a soft spot for this club but I believe the shaft is killing me (yet again).

It came installed with an Aldila NV hybrid stiff shaft. It gets the ball up but I find that it rainbows a little, it lacks that penetrating flight that I like. The biggest problem, which I believe is shaft related, is that its a hook machine. I think I've got a pretty aggressive swing that just flat out over-loads this shaft. While I love this club I'm not crazy about the shaft because I can't remember to swing nice and slow and pretty like I should. The rest of my clubs seem to hold up when I swing aggresively but the NV hybrid shaft is a killer.

I used to have the same problem with my 3-wood but after having an AccuFlex Icon FH stiff installed I'm good. I seem to need a little heavier shaft to keep me smooth.

Thoughts?

[Old Tom]

Jeff:

The Snake Eyes "Quick Strike II" hybrid heads are 36 bucks at Golfsmith. You can get a decent shaft for around 30-35 bucks, a 2 dollar grip and some epoxy, and have yourself a sweet new hybrid for 75 or 80 dollars total. PLUS the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

It's fun...and trust me on this: if I can do it, ANYONE can do it.

[Everardo]

Greetings, The Sand Trap!

I love this club and so does Dave

http://thesandtrap.com/archives/club...rid_review.php