Hot List
Best Hybrids: Performance
The best clubs in each category of the Hot List reflect excellence across an array of criteria. For Performance in hybrids, how far the ball travels isn’t the only factor (every shot our testers hit is measured by a Rapsodo MLM2 Pro launch monitor). The quality of the trajectory, the degree of forgiveness and the confidence it inspires are equally important. The hybrids with the best Performance scores are based on a combination of results on our 1-5 rating scale and include a second top-5 rating that a tester submits after hitting all models in the category. In the second step, the tester compiles a list of his or her top-5 rated hybrids in order from 1 to 5. Here you’ll see how our 32 testers evaluated hybrids based on their interpretation of Performance, with each earning a minimum score of 4.5 stars. Note: The star rating is for the brand’s family of models (e.g., Elyte family, Qi35 family, GT family), so the rating applies to all the models in a family.
Ping
G440
$325
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$325
A faster face and a range of adjustable lofts make these hybrids among the most versatile in the game.
Ping lowered the face height by 8 percent and made it thinner. This encourages center-face contact for a higher launch and more ball speed.
A redesigned interior section of the hosel removes mass that helps to lower the center of gravity by 12 percent for higher launch and less spin.
A lightweight carbon-composite section wraps around the back half of the crown to make room for a rear sole weight for improved stability.
A slimmer rear section helps keep the sole flush to the ground so that the face angle changes less when the hosel is adjusted.
The specs of these hybrids target the players most likely to use them: The 2-hybrid is designed for faster swingers who prefer a lower, fade-bias ball flight, and the 3- and 4-hybrids have ample loft to help approach shots hold the greens.
Top 5 in Performance, low-, middle-, high-handicaps
17, 20, 23, 26, 30, 34 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
TaylorMade
Qi35
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300
Built to fit the broadest range of player types, the standard Qi35 now straddles the line between the previous Qi10 and Qi10 Tour models.
That difference means the Qi35 boasts a similar shape to the Qi10 but with a slightly more forward center of gravity for lower spin and better energy transfer.
A carbon-composite crown with a chromium aesthetic saves weight for a lower center of gravity.
A weight screw in the center of the sole allows fitters to tweak swing weight and further reduce spin.
A forward hosel position, particularly on the higher lofts, places it closer to the leading edge for an iron-like appearance and greater sense of control.
A slot in the front part of the sole improves the way the face flexes and gives distance a boost, especially for impacts low on the face.
The adjustable hosel tweaks loft by 1.5 degrees, giving the lineup a loft range of 15.5 to 26.5 degrees.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps
17, 19, 22, 25 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
TaylorMade
Qi35 Max
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300
The oversized shape emphasizes forgiveness and a higher launch with more of a draw bias than the Qi35.
The weight screw in the back center of the sole deepens the center of gravity for more forgiveness.
A carbon-composite crown with a chromium aesthetic saves weight for a lower center of gravity.
A slot in the front part of the sole improves the way the face flexes and gives distance a boost, especially for impacts low on the face.
Lofts are 0.5 degrees stronger than last year’s Qi10 Max for less spin and more ball speed.
Lie angles are slightly more upright than in the standard Qi35 to minimize a slice.
Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps
20, 23, 27, 31, 35 degrees (fixed hosel)
TaylorMade
Qi35 Max Lite
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300
The Max Lite is oversize like the Max but has a more tip-flexible shaft. It also weighs less to help golfers with moderate swing speeds launch shots higher with a slight draw.
The weight screw in the back center of the sole deepens the center of gravity for more forgiveness.
A carbon-composite crown with a chromium aesthetic saves weight for a lower center of gravity.
A slot in the front part of the sole improves the way the face flexes, creating more potential distance, especially for impacts low on the face.
Lofts are 0.5 degrees stronger than last year’s Qi10 Max to reduce spin and add ball speed.
Lie angles are slightly more upright than in the standard Qi35 for help against slicing.
23, 27, 31, 35 degrees (fixed hosel)
Titleist
GT1
$330
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$330
This wood-like hybrid is Titleist’s most forgiving, targeting players looking for a higher launch.
It has the deepest center of gravity in the GT hybrid lineup to improve stability on off-center shots and increase the launch angle.
Movable weights in the front of the sole and rear perimeter allow players to tweak launch (heavier weight in rear) or lower spin (heavier weight up front).
The fairway-wood shaft, with a narrower tip, contributes to higher launch angles.
The larger face (than the TSR1) extends the degree of forgiveness for inconsistent ball-strikers.
Featured shafts include 50- and 40-gram versions to build the speed potential for moderate-speed players.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps
20, 23, 26, 29 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
Titleist
GT2
$330
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$330
Designed to provide maximum forgiveness to inconsistent players with average to above-average swing speeds.
New shape is sleeker than last year’s TSR2.
Improved stability on off-center hits (an increase of 10 percent compared to the TSR2) provides meaningful distance gains.
Adjustable heel and toe weights in the sole control draw or fade trajectories and dial in the best energy transfer for where players tend to contact the face.
A flatter leading edge increases the hittable area low on the face where most impacts occur.
Higher launching with higher forgiveness on heel and toe mis-hits compared to the GT3.
Relief pockets in the rear heel and toe of the sole improve turf interaction for cleaner contact.
Top 5 in Performance, middle-handicaps
18, 21, 24 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
Titleist
GT3
$330
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$330
More compact than the GT2 and last year's TSR3, the GT3 offers iron-like control for players looking for more ball speed than their lower-lofted irons.
Because of a wider face, this year’s model boasts a 15 percent improvement in stability on off-center hits for more consistent carry yardages.
Adjustable heel and toe weights in the sole control draw or fade trajectories and dial in the best energy transfer for where players tend to contact the face.
A flatter leading edge increases the hittable area low on the face where most impacts occur.
Relief pockets in the rear heel and toe of the sole improve turf interaction for cleaner contact.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps
19, 21, 24 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
Callaway
Elyte
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300
This model seeks to maximize distance for average golfers through adjustability and lie angle while offering the same control of the equivalent iron.
The mid-size profile makes for an easier transition between hybrids and irons.
The adjustable hosel has seven settings that provide 1-degree loft adjustments (weak or strong) and up to 2 degrees of adjustment for lie (weak or strong).
After researching thousands of average-golfer swings, Callaway concluded that the proper lie angle for an individual player was crucial to better contact with hybrids, hence the reason for the new adjustable hosel’s emphasis on lie angle.
These heads have more of a neutral flight to work across a broader range of players and trajectory preferences.
The lofts and neutral ball flight make these hybrids a good fit with Callaway’s Elyte and Elyte HL iron models.
The design of the variable-thickness face used input from AI’s analysis of thousands of swings. The result is more precision and effectiveness for the target player.
Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps
19, 22, 26, 30 degrees (with seven-way adjustable hosel)
Callaway
Elyte Max Fast
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300
This model seeks to maximize distance for average golfers through adjustability and lie angle while offering the same control of the equivalent iron.
These heads sport a larger overall profile with a shallower face to foster confidence in average golfers looking for more forgiveness and easier launch.
A slight draw bias works to offset the tendency of average golfers to fade or slice lower-lofted clubs.
These feature the weakest lofts in the Elyte hybrid lineup to help average to below-average players create more distance potential.
The adjustable hosel has seven settings that provide 1-degree loft adjustments (weak or strong) and up to 2 degrees of adjustment for lie (weak or strong).
After researching thousands of average-golfer swings, Callaway concluded that the proper lie angle for an individual player was crucial to better contact with hybrids, hence the reason for the new adjustable hosel’s emphasis on lie angle.
The design of the variable-thickness face used input from AI’s analysis of thousands of swings. The result is more precision and effectiveness for the target player.
The head sizes, lofts and overall lighter swingweights best complement Callaway’s Elyte Max Fast iron.
Designed for moderate-swing-speed players who need the benefits of a lighter club.
23, 27, 31, 35, 39 degrees (with a seven-way adjustable hosel)
Callaway
Elyte X
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300
This model seeks to maximize distance for average golfers through adjustability and lie angle while offering the same control of the equivalent iron.
The oversize profile provides stability on mis-hits for more consistent carry distance.
A slight draw bias works to offset the tendency of average golfers to fade or slice lower-lofted clubs.
The strongest lofted hybrids in the Callaway lineup improve ball speed and compensate for golfers who tend to add loft at impact.
The adjustable hosel has seven settings that provide 1-degree loft adjustments (weak or strong) and up to 2 degrees of adjustment for lie (weak or strong).
After researching thousands of average-golfer swings, Callaway concluded that the proper lie angle for an individual player was crucial to better contact with hybrids, hence the reason for the new adjustable hosel’s emphasis on lie angle.
The design of the variable-thickness face used input from AI’s analysis of thousands of swings. The result is more precision and effectiveness for the target player.
The head sizes, lofts and built-in draw bias best complement Callaway’s Elyte X iron model.
18, 21, 25, 29 degrees (with a seven-way adjustable hosel)
Cobra
DS-Adapt
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300
With a focus on forgiveness, this model is the highest launching of Cobra’s hybrids and features a larger head size than the King Tec.
A bridge-like structure inside the front of the head attaches to internal heel and toe weight pads to push the center of gravity low and forward for better energy transfer.
That structure also yields extra stability on off-center hits.
An eight-gram weight screw in the rear section of the sole lowers the center of gravity for increased forgiveness and a higher launch. The weight can be adjusted.
The face is designed with variable thicknesses across 15 distinct regions for more consistent speed across the face.
Adjustable hosel features 33 settings for tweaking ball flight low, high, left and right.
Top 5 in Look, middle-handicaps
17, 19, 21, 24, 28 degrees (with a 33-way adjustable hosel)
Cobra
King Tec
$320
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$320
Cobra’s most advanced hybrid uses multiple materials and adjustability to optimize distance and trajectory.
The L-shaped face insert wraps around the leading edge and into the sole to maximize rebound, particularly on lower-face impacts.
The face is also designed with variable thicknesses across 15 distinct regions for more consistent speed across the face.
The adjustable hosel features 33 settings for tweaking ball flight low, high, left and right.
A thin carbon-composite crown comprising just one percent of the head’s weight saves mass that’s redistributed low and on the perimeter for forgiveness and less spin.
The saved mass also creates room for widely spaced heel and toe sole weights that can be used to tweak trajectory from neutral to a slight fade.
A bridge-like structure inside the front of the head attaches to the sole to push the center of gravity forward for better energy transfer.
The unique design rises barely above the sole, allowing the lower part of the face to flex more freely.
Also available in a one-length version (7-iron length) with a metalwood-like shape and a single sole weight in the deep center.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps
17, 19, 22, 25 degrees; one-length in 19, 21, 24 degrees (with a 33-way adjustable hosel)
Srixon
ZXi
$280
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$280
Srixon’s hybrids now feature a larger size and hosel adjustability to fit a wider variety of swings and skills.
These also benefit from the same approach to face design that has fueled more ball speed in the ZXi drivers.
By varying rigid and flexible layers in the face and crown transition areas, these hybrids get an additional speed boost from the flexing of the crown at impact.
The increased volume on these (more than 11 percent bigger on the lower lofts) and larger areas in the toe and back provide increased stability on off-center hits.
The 12-way adjustable hosel stretches the loft range from 15.5 to 29.5 degrees.
Top 5 in Look, high-handicaps
17, 19, 22, 25, 28 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)