Review of Various Hybrids

[kfowler]

With demo days in full swing here, I got a chance to demo a variety of hybrids the last two weekends. All were 3 iron replacements. I also looked at some of last year's models since most are on sale. I used my Pure Contact monitor to get an idea on distance. Here's my thoughts on the ones I tried.

Mizuno MP-630 CLK - I had high hopes for this one since I love the Mizuno irons. Turns out it was my least favorite of the bunch. It just never felt right and I couldn't get any consistency. I never felt like I was hitting the "screws".

Callaway FT - This was a decent hybrid but I have a couple of issues with it. The 3H is 21*. I asked the rep if it's fair to compare the distance of a 21* to say a 19* 3H club. He said yes. They're engineered to fly a specific distance. Well the FT was considerably shorter than the others. Not a bad hybrid but not the distance I was looking for. Especially at a $200 price tag.

Callaway Diablo Edge - This was one of my favorites. Nice boring flight. Easy to hit. The head didn't look like a 3 wood. It's one I'd serious consider. I can see why it's on Golf Digest's Hot List.

Adams A7 - Let me first start by saying I liked all the Adams hybrids. The A7 was probably my second favorite. They go away from the boxer technology so it looks a little more traditional. Very consistent with good distance.

Adams A4 - If you can get over the boxer shape, this is a great club. I was really leaning toward this one because of the discounts. You can get one for $100 right now. Very good distance and consistency. It was hard to get over the shape though. That being said, I think I could learn to live with it.

Adams Pro Gold - This one was my favorite. I'm glad I tried it because it really wasn't on my radar. It was the longest of them all. You can really tell when you hit it square. Mishits also had reasonable distances. It has someone what of the boxer look but not as much as the A4. Since this club is discounted from last year, it's probably the one I'll get.

Nike Victory Red Tour - I haven't had a lot of experience with the Nike's but I came away with a very positive impression of their hybrid. Very good distance, good forgiveness, and a traditional shape. If I was going to by a current year model, I'd seriously consider this one.

Power Built Air Force One - I've seen the infomercials on TGC and though this was a joke. They had a rep there and I happen to strike up a conversation with him. I decided to go ahead and give it a try. They only had a R flex. I was really shocked that I actually liked this club. It had a great penetrating flight and nice feel. I can't get over the whole nitrogen thing is a gimmick though. While the club hit well, it was't better than any of the other brands I tried distance wise. For the same price, I'll take the club that's not filled with explosive gas. Seriously though, I did leave with a favorable impression.

Ping G15 - I've read this described as a swollen thumb. That's a pretty accurate description. It received high reviews from GD. I liked it but didn't love it. I couldn't get over the way it set up at address. I kept wanting to press my hands forward. It's certainly a club that would take some getting used to. Honestly, I thought I'd like it more.

Some others I didn't get to try that I'd like to were the Bobby Jones, TM, and Cleveland.

[Bump-n-MI]

Good review Kevin! I too thought the Pro Gold was the best of the bunch (although I did not hit as many as you).

[kfowler]

  Bump-n-MI said:

Good review Kevin! I too thought the Pro Gold was the best of the bunch (although I did not hit as many as you).

Chris - Snows may be melted by this weekend. St John's should be opening soon. Fox Hills is open year round.

[Dub]

The G15 certainly isn't going to win any beauty contests. The comment about the forward press is so true. For some reason I tend to overdo this.

[jamo]

The only thing that I don't like about the Nike is the sliver crown. I just don't even understand why they thought that was a good idea.

[Bart]

Coincidentally, I got fitted for a 2H today. Demoed the Ping G15, Adams A7, Adams Pro Black, and TM Raylor.

The Ping was okay, with the least amount of feedback. The Pro Black was awesome-looking but the hardest to hit.

It came down to the A7 and the Raylor. Roughly the same distance, maybe a few yards longer with the A7--although both are really long. I ended up going with the A7 because of two deciding factors: (1) At address, the Raylor looked a little open (even though it wasn't), which I thought was bad karma for someone still guarding against a slice; and (2) The face of the Raylor is deeper but not as wide as the A7, so ostensibly the Raylor is a better option out of the rough and the A7 maybe slightly better off the tee/fairway. I was looking for a 2H as an option to hit off the tee on narrow par 4s and didn't think I'd need to hit it 230 out of the rough often enough to prefer the Raylor.

[chriskzoo]

I have a Nickent 3-Ironwood. Love it.

[RCF]

Great review Kevin. Thanks for the effort. I'm considering buying the Diablo hybrid, but I've yet to demo one.

[lcfd42]

Great reveiws dude!
I play the G10 hybrids, and the don't have that weird g15 look you are refering to. It's almost like they tried to immulate the Adams club in somekind of strange way. I love my G10s, they are long and easy to get up out of the rough. I also have a 2h Nickent 3DX. It is a great club as well, It plays as my 5w replacement (230yds). I just can't place it up there with my two Pings but it is in a great race with them. I wouldn't hesitate buying another Nickent if I were in the market for another hybrid. Ashame their company went under though.
I do also intend to try the Bobby Jones clubs a little more in depth this season. I played some demos for a couple of rounds but still havent completely decided on them yet. They hit great and are super long, play very well from the long grass, it's just something about the weighting that felt funny. I really do want to give them another try.

[wolverine_man]

Nice reviews. I tested out hybrids recently but ended up going with older Cally woods instead. I agree on the Ping. The pro shop guy told me to try out the g-15, as he said a lot of people are really loving them. I could not stand the way the club set up to the ball, and I didn't hit it well either. Holy offset! I do like the older G10, though. Out of the currently produced hybrids my top two were definitely the Mizuno MX-700 and the Bobby Jones.

[kfowler]

  Bart said:

The Pro Black was awesome-looking but the hardest to hit.

I've hear that same thing from multiple people include sales staff. Never tried it though.

My dad is a 6 HCP and has three Bobby Jones. He absolutely loves them. They're R-flex though and when I've tried them I couldn't get over the feeling I was swinging a wet noodle. That's probably all psychological. Their heads are fair large as well. I still would like to try a stiff shaft version. I'm headed to the golf show tomorrow. Hopefully I can find some deals on the Pro Golds.