Best hybrids of 2021: By club fitters for you!

[GolfWRX]

The best hybrid for your game is going to be the one that gives you the greatest opportunity to both score and save shots during your round of golf.

 

In 2021, we have seen a continued expansion of hybrid options from every manufacturer with models designed to fit golfers of all skill levels and clubhead speeds to the point that some manufacturers offer models all the way down to 8-iron-replacement lofts. These hybrids all utilize new technology and manufacturing methods to launch golf balls higher, faster, and farther, while also offering forgiveness. It's now easier than ever to find the right one that matches your swing and fits into your set.

 

You have to think of your set of clubs like a toolbox with a 14-tool capacity. It's extremely important to make sure each and every tool has a defined role to make navigating around the course as stress-free as possible. Hybrids play an important part in that selection process.

 

That being said, ultimately the best way to find the best hybrid or hybrids for you is to work with a professional fitter using a launch monitor and gap them accordingly. The difficult part is a lot of people don’t have easy access to fitters, launch monitors, and club builders—so at GolfWRX, we have done a lot of the work for you.

 

Read the piece here.

[Warrick]

So, of all new fairway woods and hybrids, only the big 4 are represented between all of the lists?

 

is this the golf digest gold medal award......?

 

Odd, nothing else made it in any category for either.

[DouglasKEdwards]

This is a disappointing series.   Only big 4/5 clubs make the list for driver, fairway and hybrid? Feels more like the Hot List than any useful appraisal.

[Hedgehog]

2 minutes ago, DouglasKEdwards said:

This is a disappointing series.   Only big 4/5 clubs make the list for driver, fairway and hybrid? Feels more like the Hot List than any useful appraisal.

 

Yeah nothing new here..

[rkillian]

In the podcast for the driver best of they did talk about other brand's clubs. With this series being based on what fitters have been working with, is it that disappointing or surprising that it's the bigger 4-5 brands that are picked? Especially in a year with, supply issues, less opportunity for in person fittings with lockdowns and such, and just the simple popularity and presence of the bigger brands.

[third-times-a-charm]

GolfWRX: "Well, we asked fitters and this is what they said."

 

So...stop asking people who make money from products/brands/amount sold? Or at least vary it with some people who dont.

 

I understand everything has flaws, and so does 'the other sites' testing...but this is not better. It's turned into the same as any other listicle.

[Double Dodger]

44 minutes ago, Hedgehog said:

 

Yeah nothing new here..

Should be named ‘what Taylormade Ping Callaway Titleist clubs do fitters want to sell’ list. 
 

Personally I don’t think I would pay for any of these guys’ fittings if they are this narrow minded.  

[GrandStranded]

this is going well..... 😱

[Double Dodger]

43 minutes ago, rkillian said:

In the podcast for the driver best of they did talk about other brand's clubs. With this series being based on what fitters have been working with, is it that disappointing or surprising that it's the bigger 4-5 brands that are picked? Especially in a year with, supply issues, less opportunity for in person fittings with lockdowns and such, and just the simple popularity and presence of the bigger brands.

If you really want what works, what does popularity have to do with it?

[rkillian]

2 minutes ago, Double Dodger said:

If you really want what works, what does popularity have to do with it?

Not much. But if a lot of clubs can work for someone than popularity and market presence would be a factor, no? 

[MojoEd]

I think this is a great series.  If you presume that the fitters are being honest - and I believe they are - I don’t think there is a better evaluation/guide out there.  These guys are experts in their field and are sharing there observations from hundreds (minimum) of fittings.  I don’t get the cynicism.

[MojoEd]

Also, keep in mind that a fitter has a limited amount of time with a customer and that a customer has a finite number of swings before fatigue affects them.  I expect that the vast majority of customers want to try the latest from the “big 4”, so I am not surprised that fitters will stick with those.  There is a limit to how many clubs someone can effectively try in a fitting.  Nothing nefarious.

[64VokeyTX]

FYI - a minor correction to the article... twist face was introduced in the M6 hybrid, one model year before the SIM 1.

[Double Dodger]

On 3/19/2021 at 10:26 AM, rkillian said:

Not much. But if a lot of clubs can work for someone than popularity and market presence would be a factor, no? 

Well I will say that golf equipment is a lot like cars. People buy the same brand over and over believing it is the best “just because “. Brand loyalty is a strange thing to me. But to each his own....

[dhen9]

Ok, from a club nut perspective as well as a constant tinkerer I can say 100% since 2015 I've been spent the $$$ to go through a trackman or Flightscope fitting EVERY YEAR for driver's and irons. Here's what I've bagged:

Driver's: Cally, Cally, TM, Ping, Titleist

Irons: Ping G400, 919 HM, PXG, T300, G425, Srixon Z whatever. 

I've used Golfworks, Granville Golfland Granville, OH, Club Champion, Truespec and Golf Room in Dublin, OH. So I'd say my fitters are mostly brand agnostic and with driver's I changed to pick up something (accuracy or distance) and most times asked for stock shaft offerings. BTW, I'd say I'm a better than average golfer but this is my only hobby and I love to tinker. The Big 5 are the Big 5 for a reason as they perform very well and are a pretty good value. 

[SwingMan]

Fitters afraid to think outside of box - staying safe.

 

I am still stuck in 2020.

 

SIM Max - not the greatest with turf contact but long with custom shaft.

 

TEE EXS 220 with a custom shaft

 

I think shaft selection makes or breaks a good hybrid.

 

If I wanted an OEM with good stock shafts without an upcharge, it would be Mizuno.

Edited March 22, 2021 by SwingMan

[Nixhex524]

On 3/19/2021 at 8:56 AM, MojoEd said:

Also, keep in mind that a fitter has a limited amount of time with a customer and that a customer has a finite number of swings before fatigue affects them.  I expect that the vast majority of customers want to try the latest from the “big 4”, so I am not surprised that fitters will stick with those.  There is a limit to how many clubs someone can effectively try in a fitting.  Nothing nefarious.

This is part of the issue with fittings for me.  If I go in and the fitter mostly has the big name gear in there, 4 or 5 options, I am going to feel like I may have missed out on something.  In a perfect world fitting, to me, the fitter should have a much more diverse selection of heads and shafts.  Not only that, but should know enough about each one so that I can find the most optimal fit for ME.  Having 4 or 5 options, where I am probably going to rule out at least 1 of them due to looks alone, isn't a real in depth fitting IMO.  It's just shortcuts for the fitter to say, "You fit best in THIS, out of the 4 things I have here."  That's leaving a lot on the table when there are more than just Ping, TM, Cally, and Titleist out there to choose from.  TEE has made some fantastic FW and hybrids, as well as Mizuno, Srixon, Cobra, Honma... I mean, there's a lot of meat on this bone.  Not to take away from the big guys but this is exactly why people ARE cynical when it comes to fittings.  It often feels like its JUST about sales, and while it may be, we don't want it to actually feel that way since we are trying to maximize performance.  Pushing these few brands makes it look like an advertisement, maybe it's just me.

[QuigleyDU]

Some rough comments here. Which I get.. But I am curious.. 

 

Be honest here, if you walked into a store to be fit. Whatever it was and they handed you a club outside of the major brands. Said this is the best and tried to fit you for it. How likely are you to actually buy said club? Or are you going to say "Its not one of the major brands no thanks".. 

 

Fitters fit what people ask for to a large extent. Sure a good one will introduce something that may be a bit out of the norm but honestly, their job is to sell clubs. Most golfers what those brands. And guess what. they are the major brands because they make good stuff and have for a long time!!

 

I understand the want to have something outside of these come through as a dark horse. But you have to see that retailers and stores also cant carry everything. 

 

You have to also factor that most fitters are not going to have anything DTC (sub70, Hogan, PXG, etc) for you to try. so that cuts them out of the equation. Maybe a bit unfair but is a simple fact. 

[Drumdog]

I'm in the market for new hybrids. I was hoping to hear more about brands other than just the big 4. Guess I'll keep looking.

[SA Steve]

I think EVERYONE makes great gear, so it is a bit sad that no one says anything other than the marketing schtick from company x.  I also think that is because most fittings are drivers and irons, so we actually have fitters that have worked with more product. Anyway, to suggest that DJ and Rory find the SIM Max hybrid to be great goes beyond moronic. Neither one of them have played it more than once and they wont! It was a damn commercial for $&&$ sakes. Either learn whay the clubs do and for who or stop giving advice