Hybrids

These 5 hybrids excel in two important areas, according to our robot testing

By: Jonathan Wall July 26, 2023

Several months ago, GOLF.com’s equipment crew had Golf Laboratories’ swing robot run a test to determine the differences in launch, spin and carry for three clubs with very similar lofts (roughly 20 degrees) — 7-wood, 3-hybrid and 3-iron. Finding the ideal club combination to tackle shots from 230-190 yards remains a top priority for most golfers. The problem is, with so many options available — and we didn’t even mention utility irons — most golfers don’t even know where to start.

Thankfully, the data provided some interesting findings that helped clear a few things up. For example, the launch and spin deltas between the 7-wood and 3-hybrid were a staggering 5 degrees and 2,260 RPMs in favor of the high-lofted fairway. So if you’re someone who struggles to get the ball in the air with enough spin to hold the green, the 7-wood is the way to go, according to the robot.

But what happens if the fairway wood shape is off-putting or you generally have better turf interaction with an iron-like profile? The obvious choice is to find a game-improvement long iron or utility and conduct testing because the hybrid doesn’t generate nearly enough launch and spin to make it a viable option.

While the numbers from our three-club test confirm there are some lower-launching hybrids in the marketplace, it’s still possible to find something that launches the ball high with plenty of spin if a hybrid is more your style.

Below are 5 hybrids (19 degrees) that generated a combination of high launch and spin on the robot. (It’s worth pointing out the difference in launch between the 5 models mentioned was less than 1 degree of launch and 300 RPMs, highlighting the importance of getting fit for a hybrid that checks the looks and performance boxes.)