A hybrid golf club is a must-have for any golfer, especially the high handicappers.
As a beginner, the game of golf can be very intimidating. There’ll be times when you think you’ve got everything figured out, only to lose it the next day. More than mastery of the proper tactics, you need to be armed with the right clubs.
Fortunately, hybrids deliver the much-needed consistency to a high handicapper’s game. In this guide, we’ve compiled our picks for the best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers in 2021.
At a Glance: Best Hybrid Golf Clubs For High Handicappers
Callaway Apex Hybrid
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
- offers exceptional forgiveness yet delivers an outstanding overall distance
- draws bias and has an adjustable loft too
Cons:
- on the expensive side
- has a bulky, square shape that won’t suit everyone at address
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Rescue
Overall Rating: 5/5
Pros:
- provides impressive forgiveness across the face, thanks to a multitude of technologies
- excellent at maintaining distance consistently
Cons:
- offers minimal gains over previous models
- non-adjustable
Cleveland Launcher Halo Hybrid
Overall Rating: 5/5
Pros:
- has excellent forgiveness through the turf, even on heavy strikes
- can be used in many ways to hit a myriad of shots from different lies
- provides good value for money
Cons:
- its stepped crown design may not suit all eyes
Wilson Staff D9 Hybrid
Overall Rating: 4/5
Pros:
- features sleek, sharp looks with plenty of forgiveness
- provides stopping power into greens
Cons:
- high spin results in reduced distance compared to its competition
Honma XP-1 Hybrid
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
- a premium-looking hybrid that’s very inviting behind the ball
- is fast, forgiving, and generally easy to strike cleanly
- allows you to launch the ball into the air from a variety of lies
Cons:
- the corresponding price remains a stumbling block, but you can add to your performance using them
Review Summary
Callaway Apex Hybrid
The new Callaway Apex Hybrid has several new features, making it an ideal club for players who struggle with their long irons. It builds on the reputation of the Mavrik Max, which remains a terrific option for high handicappers.
This hybrid club is constructed using Callaway’s patented AI technology. The most notable is the Jailbreak AI Velocity Blades, which help maintain the face square at impact while also providing ball speed further down the face, where most people hit terrible shots.
With such forgiveness at the bottom of the club, shots out of difficult lies become considerably less risky. You’ll even feel just as confident using this club in the rough as you do off the short grass.
Very few hybrids have the ability to add or remove draw bias, which is hugely beneficial to golfers who want to avoid a dreaded slice or boost their overall distance by drawing their hybrid clubs.
Overall, the Callaway Apex Hybrid is a technologically advanced hybrid that should appeal to a wide array of abilities. The combination of forgiveness and distance rivals any other hybrid on the market, and the loft and lie adjustment is a standout feature in terms of getting dialed in.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Rescue
The SIM2 Max is equipped with a redesigned V-Steel sole that makes it even more forgiving and easier to launch than its predecessor, the phenomenally successful SIM Max, which found its way into the bags of Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, among others.
In addition, its equipped with Twist Face Technology will undoubtedly benefit high handicappers by minimizing how far off-center the ball goes on off-center strikes.
Further, the Speed Pocket guarantees no shortage of distance available to round out this versatile hybrid.
TaylorMade’s SIM2 Max is an excellent all-rounder hybrid club for golfers of all skill levels. A good custom fit should place this club near the top or middle part of any golfer’s bag with a wide range of loft options.
Cleveland Launcher Halo Hybrid
A whole new trend is emerging around creating equipment for more casual, less serious golfers — those who just want to play for fun and don’t want to bother being fitted. If that description fits you, the Cleveland Launcher Halo is a fantastic option for a very reasonable price.
The head is mid-width with a matte black crown that is very appealing. Three sole rails also make it easy to flight shots out of an assortment of lies. In case you’re wondering what you give up if you don’t get fitted? Golf data indicate an estimate of roughly five yards (compared to the longest hybrids), which many golfers will consider a very fair trade given the price.
We consider the Halo to be a very versatile hybrid. It’s more helpful and friendly than a standard 3- or 4-iron and much more fun to use. Truth be told, it probably offers the type of long-game performance that club golfers don’t believe is remotely possible.
Wilson Staff D9 Hybrid
The Wilson Staff D9 strikes a premium and symmetrical look at address that inspires confidence for what some might consider an entry-level hybrid.
It’s a rather compact head for a hybrid as forgiving as this one, and the all-black crown and subtly aligned aid contribute to the appeal, though you’d probably want it to be easier to align.
The D9 slightly disappointed in terms of overall carry, with the 19° head registering just 211 yards of carry on average, placing it at the bottom of the standings compared to other hybrids released this year.
However, what you give up in overall distance, you make up for in control, consistency, and ball flight, with the D9 being one of the most consistent hybrids launched recently.
At its price point, the D9 is an excellent choice if you want to invest in more than one hybrid, and we’re certain that higher handicappers will acquire more confidence with the clubs at the top of their bag, thanks to the D9.
Verdict:
This budget-friendly hybrid offers performance and style that are at par with its more pricey competitors. While there are hybrids that will give you more overall distance, none will be as consistent or forgiving as the D9.
Honma XP-1 Hybrid
This handcrafted XP-1 hybrid from Japanese company Honma is a game-improvement hybrid fashioned in an easy-to-square, draw-biased design, similar to the driver, fairway woods, and irons.
It features ultra-lightweight, handcrafted Vizard shafts that give increased swing speed, a high launch trajectory, and a responsive feel.
Further, it’s equipped with a Double Slot Sole, similar to the driver, to boost ball speed for longer carries, while a 42g weight pad in the rear of the head aids with launch and forgiveness.
The price tag may be a deterrent for some, but there is no denying the performance benefits available to everyone who purchases one of them.
Overall, the XP-1 hybrid is a very playable set specifically crafted to make hitting good iron shots a lot simpler. You can see for yourself how it will comfortably exceed your expectations.
What to Look For When Choosing the Best Hybrid Golf Clubs For High Handicappers
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is the key advantage of hybrids over irons. There is a larger sweet spot for those stressful mishits, resulting in less distance loss and accuracy. The center of gravity is shifted lower and backward, which allows improved accuracy and consistency.
Shaft
Most beginner and high handicap golfers acquire their clubs off the shelf without investigating the specifics of the shaft attached to the head.
The tempo heavily influences the flex of the shaft. The regular flex is most appropriate for beginners since most of them showcase a slower tempo,
The flex is the first component of the shaft to be addressed. Shafts are available in a variety of flexes to match your swing speed, namely: Ladies (L), Senior (A), Regular (R), Stiff (S), and Extra-Stiff (X).
The shaft’s length, kick point, and torque are other factors you also need to consider.
Clubhead
Hybrids come in different sizes and shapes, which can affect the clubhead speed, launch angle, and exit velocity.
Wide-soled hybrids have similar characteristics to fairway woods, but minor design changes allow the hybrid to get the ball airborne faster.
Since a hybrid’s clubface is comparable to irons, it offers a more prominent sweet spot and the appearance and feel of your preferred iron.
Adjustability
The adjustability of hybrid shafts used to be impossible in earlier hybrids but is now becoming the standard in the most recent releases.
This characteristic of the best hybrid golf clubs For high handicappers allows you to modify the shaft angles the same way you would on your fairway woods and driver.
The clubhead weight, lie, loft angles, and offset are all adjustable. Such capability allows you to keep the hybrid in your bag longer as you develop and refine your swing.
Body Type
Hybrids come in a wide range of body shapes that can be classified as wide or narrow bodies.
Narrow Body
This body shape is intended for more experienced golfers who sport a quicker swing speed. The narrower head increases the likelihood of a mishit. Since the head is smaller, it also generates less spin.
Wide Body
Beginners with slow to fast swing speeds can benefit the most from this body type. The bigger body enables manufacturers to present a broad head, which increases forgiveness and raises your confidence. In turn, the larger head generates more spin.
Bottomline:
Choosing the right clubs is essential to taking your golf game to the next level. Your set of clubs should include hybrids especially designed for beginners.
With this in mind, consider our recommendations for the best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers, and you’ll find it easier to improve your game and become a better player.
Hybrid irons are broader and more forgiving compared to standard irons, making them ideal for recreational players. It will pave the way for improved shots and overall game growth!
What are you waiting for? It’s high time to step up your golf game! Consider the hybrids we mentioned and see for yourself what they can do for you on the course!
