Hybrids - Old Greats vs Current Greats- Thoughts.

[golvenlar]

Hey Guys,

I'm curious to hear from those who have gone way down the hybrid rabbit hole spanning the past 10 or so years.

 

While we know there is no "right" hybrid for anyone, other than the shaft /head combination which works best for him/her, I'm curious to know how the revered old workhorses like the Adams Idea Pro, A7, Ping G10,Titleist 909h for example stack up to the myriad of excellent hybrid choices out there today: Apex, M1, F7, 816h, T Wishon, Srixon h65, Epic, G400 and on and on.

 

What are the notable differences, if any, between today's hybrids and the old revered favorites? For those curious explorers who have regularly experimented with hybrids over the past 10 years, can the older giants still stand toe to toe with today's hybrids or has the technology(shaft and head) simply moved forward in ways that make the current crop of excellent hybrids better choices? Am particularly interested in hybrids designed for low to mid handicappers.

o' to have been able to buy them all and try them all!

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Boognish]

I can comment on Old Adams Idea Proto vs. Callaway Apex:

 

Very similar shapes and performance in regards to turf interaction and flight with the proper shaft. However, the Apex carries the day on forgiveness. Max distance from the Apex is also probably better overall. The Apex's distance loss of off center strikes is just phenomenal by comparison. Both perform great on clean strikes, and the Idea Proto "click" is maybe more desirable, but the modern tech in the Apex makes it the all around winner going away for me.

[golvenlar]

I can comment on Old Adams Idea Proto vs. Callaway Apex:

 

Very similar shapes and performance in regards to turf interaction and flight with the proper shaft. However, the Apex carries the day on forgiveness. Max distance from the Apex is also probably better overall. The Apex's distance loss of off center strikes is just phenomenal by comparison. Both perform great on clean strikes, and the Idea Proto "click" is maybe more desirable, but the modern tech in the Apex makes it the all around winner going away for me.

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I knew there would be someone who had spanned the years. Super helpful. Have a 5 Apex on the way!

[Kratus977]

I have played hybrids for the past 12-13 years. It started with the callaway ft’s. My favorite older hybrid is the Ping i20’s. Still have them and take them to the range. I love them but have to say they don’t compare well with my Titleist 816’s. The 816’s are longer on both dead center strikes and even more so on off center strikes. The newer hybrids are just more forgiving, easier to launch and better at holding greens.

[golvenlar]

I have played hybrids for the past 12-13 years. It started with the callaway ft’s. My favorite older hybrid is the Ping i20’s. Still have them and take them to the range. I love them but have to say they don’t compare well with my Titleist 816’s. The 816’s are longer on both dead center strikes and even more so on off center strikes. The newer hybrids are just more forgiving, easier to launch and better at holding greens.

Thanks so much!

[tobybear]

Adams Proto Super 9031 is a monster! So anti left and iron like its a beast. I cant confirm ball speed one way or the other but it really is awesome.

 

The other one that is fantastic is the SLDR, its adjustable, low spin, offers forgiveness and its flatter than most.

[pinestreetgolf]

I haven't found a modern club that can cut through rough like the old triangular burner rescues. One comes in for the 3 iron on a particular course. Club is plenty long, but I haven't seen a club since that gets through tough lies like the old triangle burners. Truly a "rescue" rather than a hybrid.

 

I'm not that well versed in current hybrids as I usually carry a 3 iron but I haven't seen one that approaches it from the "Rescue" angle the way those old taylormades did. For me those things made rough and fairway bunkers feel like fairway with those triangle soles. I'd love to see a modern version (or have someone post one if i haven't come across it).

[EaglesGolf99]

I can comment on Old Adams Idea Proto vs. Callaway Apex:

 

Very similar shapes and performance in regards to turf interaction and flight with the proper shaft. However, the Apex carries the day on forgiveness. Max distance from the Apex is also probably better overall. The Apex's distance loss of off center strikes is just phenomenal by comparison. Both perform great on clean strikes, and the Idea Proto "click" is maybe more desirable, but the modern tech in the Apex makes it the all around winner going away for me.

 

THIS!

 

I will add that, in terms of distance, the Apex are light years longer.

 

My Adams Idea Pro 20° @ 40.00" carried approximately 217-218.

 

My Apex Hybrid 20° @ 39.50" carries 230+.

 

And for comparisons sake .... My Apex Hybrid 23° @ 38.75" carries 217-218.

 

General rule of thumb (for me) ... The Apex Hybrids carry one, true, full club longer than the Adams Idea Pro.

 

I do miss that simple, sweet, click of the Adams Idea Pro when ball and club face first meet. BUT not enough to chose over my Apex Hybrids!!

[golvenlar]

I haven't found a modern club that can cut through rough like the old triangular burner rescues. One comes in for the 3 iron on a particular course. Club is plenty long, but I haven't seen a club since that gets through tough lies like the old triangle burners. Truly a "rescue" rather than a hybrid.

 

I'm not that well versed in current hybrids as I usually carry a 3 iron but I haven't seen one that approaches it from the "Rescue" angle the way those old taylormades did. For me those things made rough and fairway bunkers feel like fairway with those triangle soles. I'd love to see a modern version (or have someone post one if i haven't come across it).

Thanks. Looking at them now.

[golvenlar]

I can comment on Old Adams Idea Proto vs. Callaway Apex:

 

Very similar shapes and performance in regards to turf interaction and flight with the proper shaft. However, the Apex carries the day on forgiveness. Max distance from the Apex is also probably better overall. The Apex's distance loss of off center strikes is just phenomenal by comparison. Both perform great on clean strikes, and the Idea Proto "click" is maybe more desirable, but the modern tech in the Apex makes it the all around winner going away for me.

 

THIS!

 

I will add that, in terms of distance, the Apex are light years longer.

 

My Adams Idea Pro 20° @ 40.00" carried approximately 217-218.

 

My Apex Hybrid 20° @ 39.50" carries 230+.

 

And for comparisons sake .... My Apex Hybrid 23° @ 38.75" carries 217-218.

 

General rule of thumb (for me) ... The Apex Hybrids carry one, true, full club longer than the Adams Idea Pro.

 

I do miss that simple, sweet, click of the Adams Idea Pro when ball and club face first meet. BUT not enough to chose over my Apex Hybrids!!

Thanks!

[PingGuy68]

I love my Ansers (2012). They set up well to my eye and feel great. They hit the ball lower than some, but I have learned to play the trajectory. I like some of the newer offerings as well, like the G or G400, but I just can't make the move. Some of it is the gapping. New hybs are longer than mine, so to get the right gap I get a loft that hits higher than I want. I'll stick with mine........

[golvenlar]

I love my Ansers (2012). They set up well to my eye and feel great. They hit the ball lower than some, but I have learned to play the trajectory. I like some of the newer offerings as well, like the G or G400, but I just can't make the move. Some of it is the gapping. New hybs are longer than mine, so to get the right gap I get a loft that hits higher than I want. I'll stick with mine........

Thx !

[golvenlar]

I have played hybrids for the past 12-13 years. It started with the callaway ft’s. My favorite older hybrid is the Ping i20’s. Still have them and take them to the range. I love them but have to say they don’t compare well with my Titleist 816’s. The 816’s are longer on both dead center strikes and even more so on off center strikes. The newer hybrids are just more forgiving, easier to launch and better at holding greens.

thx!

[73monte]

I'm definitely for the old school hybrids. I have two that I don't think anything new can possibly beat out. The Adams Super LS, and Adams XTD ti. Both of these are extremely long. The feel is super solid off of both, with the edge to the XTD ti. Can't see replacing them anytime soon. To go even older, my son inherited my really old Nickent 4 dx. He absolutely bombs this thing. I think I could easily put this one back in the rotation as well.

[MattMo]

I still have a soft spot for the Cleveland Halo. Oldie but a goodie, IMO.

[PixlPutterman]

07 Rescue TP is my all time favorite

[Stoox]

Two great hybrids from the past:

 

-Cleveland Halo: the sole reminded me of the Kasco K2K...it cut through the rough like no other club.

 

-Nike VR Pro with the stock PX graphite . Sets up like an iron, and hits it a mile. Still have 2 in the bag.

[Egan101]

I have not found a replacement for my Adams Idea Pro A12.

[Jwags]

I have played hybrids for the past 12-13 years. It started with the callaway ft’s. My favorite older hybrid is the Ping i20’s. Still have them and take them to the range. I love them but have to say they don’t compare well with my Titleist 816’s. The 816’s are longer on both dead center strikes and even more so on off center strikes. The newer hybrids are just more forgiving, easier to launch and better at holding greens.

 

+1 on this. I had the hardest time kicking my 17* and 20 i20 hybrids out of the bag. It finally came down to getting a 19* Ping G hybrid that is just as long as the 17* when i need it to be and can launch high enough to fill the 20* gap as well. It didin't hurt that i learned how to properly hit my 4 iron.

[Fubuman]

I’ve had almost everything from Adams back when they were hybrid kings.

Moved to the Callaway DET & fitted V2 Tour 90 shafts to them.

I’ve tried about 6 others since, including the Apex & none come close to the DET.

This is the only area of my bag that I feel will not even be considered for any sort of upgrade, I’ve backed up with two more from CPO about a year back when I saw a 18 & 24 like new.

[BearQ]

PIng i15 still is the only hybrid that has seen consistent time in my bag. I’m glad I’ve held on to it since ‘10

 

 

[golvenlar]

I'm definitely for the old school hybrids. I have two that I don't think anything new can possibly beat out. The Adams Super LS, and Adams XTD ti. Both of these are extremely long. The feel is super solid off of both, with the edge to the XTD ti. Can't see replacing them anytime soon. To go even older, my son inherited my really old Nickent 4 dx. He absolutely bombs this thing. I think I could easily put this one back in the rotation as well.

Nickent was great, for sure!

[golvenlar]

I've had almost everything from Adams back when they were hybrid kings.

Moved to the Callaway DET & fitted V2 Tour 90 shafts to them.

I've tried about 6 others since, including the Apex & none come close to the DET.

This is the only area of my bag that I feel will not even be considered for any sort of upgrade, I've backed up with two more from CPO about a year back when I saw a 18 & 24 like new.

Am unfamiliar with "DET"- which Callaway is that? Thx.

[golvenlar]

I've had almost everything from Adams back when they were hybrid kings.

Moved to the Callaway DET & fitted V2 Tour 90 shafts to them.

I've tried about 6 others since, including the Apex & none come close to the DET.

This is the only area of my bag that I feel will not even be considered for any sort of upgrade, I've backed up with two more from CPO about a year back when I saw a 18 & 24 like new.

I'm guessing Diablo Edge....

[Boricua Golf]

I currently have 2 hybrids, on is in play and the other is benched for now but not completely out, both have the AD DI 105x shaft...

 

Ok so, old:

 

Adams Super Proto 9031--straight beast!!!!, still have sitting in my Callaway bag, may make an appearance this winter...

 

New:

 

Ping G 19*--great and very forgiving monster!!!!, this one is staying in the bag for a long while...

[propman]

I have couple of Cobra Biocell hybrids and like them alot. No hook shots!

 

My buddy has the Adams xtd ti - ball go far. If I was in the market for a hybrid, I would buy one of these (so cheap as well). Suggest you shaft down with these as the flex is quite stout.

[JohnKHawk]

I've got to say the Nike VR_S hybrids are still one of my favorites. While these hybrids aren't what I would call real old they are 5 years plus old. I really like the shape of them. They look like little baby fairways & they're high, long & straight. May not be everyone's cup of tea visually but they hold their own with today's hybrids no question.

[bullsfan]

I like my Titleist 910's. They have a great balance of performance/forgiveness. When I use them, occasionally I still hit my long irons, they work great.

[Tex1986]

I'm a G25 guy. Not new but not really old. I've got a 17* and 20* that rotate in and out of the bag. 20* has been benched while I experiment with a 3 iron.

 

My 17* has the stock "tour stiff" shaft which for me eliminates the hybrid left miss. The 20* has the stock "stiff" shaft for higher launch and spin to hold greens, but the left miss is still a factor.

 

I hit a bunch of the old Adams hybrids a few years back, but just didn't feel as good as the Pings for me.

[DaveGoodrich]

I just built a couple of Adams Pro hybrids (from a few years back) to see if they can knock my 909h's out of the bag. I've only played them once, on a very windy day, so no valid comparison yet. The 909h's will be hard to beat.