Hybrid Help

Hey All - I have been playing an adjustable TM Hybrid with a RIP 105X shaft for a number of years--the first one that had the all white head. I have to admit that I love this club off the tee. I can swing out of my shoes and generally know exactly what to expect. That said, I feel like it is very average off tight fairway lies, and it is terrible out of the rough--and suspect in soft/wet conditions.

I am looking to see if anyone has a recommendation for a 18/19 degree hybrid that:

1) is NOT so game improvement oriented that every shot is a hook

2) works predictably well of the tee,fairway and rough; and

3) has decent feel/sound when struck well.

Max distance is less of a concern. I want control and predictability of ball shape and flight.

I am a solid low single digit player with high clubhead speed so I like heavier shafts. I have a fairly mixed bag so I have no brand alliegence (in fact I have four different brands in my bag now (Circle T Cameron/Titleist, Callaway, Ping, TM) so I will play anything that works.

Thanks,

Foo

PS I would consider a 4 wood as well, but I think hybrid would provide a bit more consistency.

If you are looking for a good deal, I would check out the Adams line of hybrids as you can get many of them brand new off eBay and other places for $70 or less. The Pro line offers 3 distinct styles of hybrid so you can choose the one that fits what you are looking for the most. I actually just ordered a Pro Mini as I was looking for something I could keep a bit lower off the tee.

Callaway Apex Hybrid - almost no draw bias and more of a player hybrid, definitely in the category you're looking

Adams DHY - hybrid/driving iron combo, ppl seem to love them

Cobra Baffler - whoa, just whoa. wonderful stick but like you said, not as accurate as a hybrid in my eyes

Those three just off the top of my head. Most everything else will have a draw bias. I went to apex ut 18 driving iron and cobra f7 hybrid set at 22 although i'm not completely sold on the hybrid yet.

If you are looking for a good deal, I would check out the Adams line of hybrids as you can get many of them brand new off eBay and other places for $70 or less. The Pro line offers 3 distinct styles of hybrid so you can choose the one that fits what you are looking for the most. I actually just ordered a Pro Mini as I was looking for something I could keep a bit lower off the tee.

Nothing wrong with a deal, but I am not on a budget. Adams is certainly a popular hybrid choice. Thanks.

Callaway Apex Hybrid - almost no draw bias and more of a player hybrid, definitely in the category you're looking

Adams DHY - hybrid/driving iron combo, ppl seem to love them

Cobra Baffler - whoa, just whoa. wonderful stick but like you said, not as accurate as a hybrid in my eyes

 

Those three just off the top of my head. Most everything else will have a draw bias. I went to apex ut 18 driving iron and cobra f7 hybrid set at 22 although i'm not completely sold on the hybrid yet.

Thanks!

i second the endorsement of Adams hybrids.

I third the Adams I have the Super XTD , however looking at your criteria find a Titleist 909h think that will suit what your looking for.

I just got the Fly Z 4-5 hybrid with Aldila Tour Blue for $129 I think, custom from Cobra. Short, heavy and a very neutral setup with a lot of loft adjustability. I can flight it low or high and it's not an automatic hook machine like other hybrids I've played.

I played TM Rescues for a few years, and I agree with your assessment. I tried a few other brands, and wound up with Ping G30's. The head isn't overly big so as to be distracting. They set up fairly square, and I can easily work the ball either way. The leading edge seems more rounded than the TM, and doesn't seem to catch the turf as much. I play the stock TFC 419H shaft, as I need all the help I can get getting the ball in the air, but the heavier Tour 90 shaft may be a better fit for you.

Although a few years old, I would suggest you look at the Adams Red hybrids. They have a great looking compact shape and flat out perform. I picked up a few for 50 bucks each not so long ago.

Adams XTD Ti

Adams XTD Ti

Thanks all, this is the feedback I was hoping for. Much appreciated!

I think the r15 hybrid is one of the most underrated ones. It looks fantastic in black - small thin little head. Not quite as draw biased as most and you can open the face. If you don't want to spend a ton of money i'd recommend picking one of those up and putting your shaft in it.

That and the 816h are my two favorites.

Taylormade M1 hybrid is pretty awesome!

Check out the Callaway Apex hybrid 18*. The Apex gives me the most predictable distance and flighting I've experienced from a hybrid. Plays almost like an iron from the turf, but with added forgiveness of a hybrid.

Mizuno MP 650. Classic shape, Won't go left, hot face, nice stock shaft.

RBZ Stage 2 Tour.... ridiculously easy to hit and very controllable with a heavy, X flex shaft in it. I ditched my 3 iron and built a 4H copy of my 3H, best decision ever! You can pick the heads up cheap on eBay. Both of mine were tour issue heads still in the plastic wrapper.... insane deal for this quality of club.

ZA

RBZ Stage 2 Tour.... ridiculously easy to hit and very controllable with a heavy, X flex shaft in it. I ditched my 3 iron and built a 4H copy of my 3H, best decision ever! You can pick the heads up cheap on eBay. Both of mine were tour issue heads still in the plastic wrapper.... insane deal for this quality of club.

 

ZA

Same here stage 2 21.5 and 24.5 both diamana D+92 x to replace my 3 and 4 irons probably my favorite clubs

Ping G30

For the last two RBZ posters, do you find the RBZ easy to hit from bad lies--or at least from places other than the tee box? I had a RBX 3 wood that I could bomb with great accuracy off the tee but it really was super unpredictable from the fairway (when tight and soft) and rough. It met an untimely death as I snapped it in half during a tournament--one of two clubs I have ever broken while playing--just so I would not be tempted to used it again.

I also tried the RBZ and RBZ Stage II, and thought they had the same issues as the TM Rescue clubs. The leading edge was a bit sharp, and would dig. They were also more prone to hooking than the G30's now in my bag.

I also tried the RBZ and RBZ Stage II, and thought they had the same issues as the TM Rescue clubs. The leading edge was a bit sharp, and would dig. They were also more prone to hooking than the G30's now in my bag.

Good to know, I don't think the RBZ is much different from what I have. As nice as it would be to "reuse" the RIP 105X shaft, I think I am likely to look at an Adams or Ping.

My vote is the Adams Super 9031 or the original 9031 hybrid. Small profile, and plenty forgiving. Great club. I currently have a 23* shafted with a S300 shaft in it, and it's a club that I'm going to have a hard time replacing because of how consistent of a club it is.

I have Apex ut 18° as my driving iron only. Love it.

A-Grind proto utility 22° as my 4i, just works.

Adams red 20,23 and 26 in my backup bag, great shaft comes standard.

The best hybrids I've ever tried, and now bag them as they are as easy to hit as anything, long, consistent! and feel amazing...Callaway Apex. Tight lights, from the tee etc.. these shock me how amazing they feel and easy to hit.

Alpha 815 all day. it has truly changed my thought on hybrids as I had a similar problem. Weighting is perfect.

"Hooking" with hybrids is mainly a function of the shafts, lightweight shafts = hooks everywhere. Heavy, stiff shafts = more stable.

The RBZ Stage 2 tour hybrids I have possibly have less offset/closed faces as well, not 100% sure. My hybrids are 10X easier to hit off wet/sloppy lies than a 3 or 4 iron... it's not even close. As a higher swing speed player myself, I find these very easy and forgiving to hit from any lie.... rough, tight lies, wet/sloppy lies.... all of them are easy.

-ZA

Another vote for the Apex. I also usually like heavier shafts in hybrids but the Kuro Kage 80 has worked out well for me with this; Callaway seems to have some heavier options available as well.

I've also gotten along well with the RBZ stage 2 tour in the past, as well as with the RIP alpha 105 shaft that you like in your current hybrid, so that would be a cheap experiment, but I think the Apex is a great head. Can be had for reasonable on their preowned website.