Equipment
Best hybrids of 2023: Most versatile, most forgiving hybrids for your game
At GolfWRX, we believe 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 2023, 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.
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. We want to give you the tools and information to go out and find what works best for you, and we’re offering recommendations based on exactly what you need from your hybrids.
GolfWRX best hybrid of 2023: Meet the fitters
- Nick Sherburne: Founder, Club Champion
- Clare Cornelius: Fitter, Cool Clubs
- Shaun Fagan: Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Kirk Oguri: PGA Professional/ Club Specialist, Pete’s Golf
- Scott Felix: Owner, Felix Club Works
- Mark Knapp: Fitter, Carls Golfland
- Ryan Johnson: Fitter, Carl’s Golfland
- Brad Coffield: Fitter Carl’s Golfland
- Matthew Sim: Director of Operations, Modern Golf
- Scott Sikorski: Fitter, Club Champion
- Ryan Grimes: Fitter, Club Champion
- Ben Giunta: Owner, The Tour Van
- Alex Dice: Fitter, Carl’s Golfland
- Gus Alzate: Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Marc Roybal: Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Carmen Corvino: Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Bobby Ennis: Fitter,Club Champion
- Dane Byers: Fitter, Club Champion
- Blake Smith: Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Shaun Fagan: Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Mark Hymerling: Fitter, Club Champion
- Joey Simon: Fitter, Club Champion
- Dean Fry: Fitter, TXG
- Jim Yenser: Fitter, Club Champion
- Dan Palmisaro: Fitter, Club Champion
- Mike Martysiewicz: Director of Club Building & Fitting, TXG
- Rob Gallagher: Fitter, Club Champion
- Alex Praeger: Fitter, Club Champion
Best hybrid of 2023: The categories
We have again broken our 2023 best hybrid list into two categories.
- Best hybrid for golfers seeking forgiveness
- Best hybrid for golfers seeking versatility
As a reminder, we selected this format for hybrid clubs because every golfer fits into one of these two “want” categories, regardless of age, handicap, or gender. For many golfers, forgiveness is the number one factor when selecting the hybrids that will go into their bag.
Before we started building the survey, we reached out to our trusted fitters to discuss how they sort through the hybrid club options available to golfers. Forgiveness and versatility were the highest-ranked choices.
Most forgiving hybrids 2023
Ping G430
In all of the G430 fairway woods and hybrids, Ping developed Carbonfly Wrap in a bid to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the face line in design to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams, which are reallocated to achieve the lower CG and increase ball speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Titleist TSR1
Titleist’s new TSR1 hybrids are built with a larger, “wood-like” size to help golfers find more speed and forgiveness. They’re also built 0.5 inches longer than standard to provide additional assistance creating speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym X
The Paradym X model is for golfers looking for full-sized, wood-shaped hybrid that’s long with versatility and forgiveness. By incorporating high-density tungsten, Callaway pushed the center of gravity (CG) low and forward. The result is lower spin with more ball speed. In addition, the A.I. designed Jailbreak with Batwing Technology increases stiffness in the perimeter, while allowing the face to flex in design for high ball speeds across the face.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD
In the Stealth Rescue, the new carbon crown construction allows for the relocation of 7 grams of weight which has been transferred lower in the head to better position CG in design for easier launch, optimal forgiveness, and better stability through impact. Stealth 2 HD features a larger profile, deeper CG, and draw bias.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Great Big Bertha
In their Great Big Bertha hybrids, Callaway engineers leveraged a titanium face and body, resulting in 100g of discretionary saved weight. After extensively reviewing performance characteristics, this weight was then redistributed in design to enhance ball speed, improve forgiveness, and promote an easy launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Most versatile hybrids 2023
Ping G430
In all of the G430 fairway woods and hybrids, Ping developed Carbonfly Wrap in a bid to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the face line in design to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams, which are reallocated to achieve the lower CG and increase ball speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Titleist TSR2
“Forgiving speed and performance,” is the branding for the TSR2. TSR2 hybrids remain slightly longer with a classical shape. Center of gravity is lower and deeper in the TSR2 for higher launch, maximum forgiveness.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym
The Paradym model is for golfers who want a mid-sized, wood-shaped hybrid that’s long with versatility and control. By incorporating high-density tungsten, Callaway pushed the center of gravity (CG) low and forward. The result is lower spin with more ball speed. In addition, the A.I. designed Jailbreak with Batwing Technology increases stiffness in the perimeter, while allowing the face to flex in design for high ball speeds across the face.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
TaylorMade Stealth 2
In the Stealth Rescue, the new carbon crown construction allows for the relocation of 7 grams of weight which has been transferred lower in the head to better position CG in design for easier launch, optimal forgiveness, and better stability through impact.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Titleist TSR3
TSR3 is a smaller-profile hybrid and offers precision, workability, and adjustability. TSR3 hybrids are designed for a more iron-like look with a reduction in offset.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Conclusion
The fitters consulted for this piece have accumulated data from thousands of fittings with golfers just like you. From beginners to tour players, their feedback and information can’t be undervalued.
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Equipment
Spotted: PXG prototype putters
PXG’s line of Battle Ready II and 0211 putters contain a lot of different head shapes and options to fit just about any golfer out there. From the high MOI mallets to the classic blade shapes, there is one thing that all PXG putters have in common, a milled pyramid face structure. The pyramid face looks like many small triangles on the face and is designed to optimize the sound and feel upon impact as well as create a smoother roll.
This week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, we spotted a couple of PXG prototype putters on the practice green with a more traditional milled face on them. The putters look to be very traditional Anser head shape with a more squared-off look and sharper corners. One of the putters was naked, with no site lines or dots milled into the topline or flange for a clean and classic look. I don’t see any tungsten weights integrated into the heel and toe bumpers like the retail putters, but the interchangeable sole weights look to be the same as we’d expect.
A more traditional, shallower face milling looks to have been used on the face with PXG’s Darkness skull logo milled into the heel. The sole also features a large PXG logo with many different-sized Darkness skulls around it. We have no word on if this will ever be available at retail or if it just a tour-only prototype. Very cool either way!
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/6/24): 2023 Titleist T-100 iron heads
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a set of 2023 Titleist T-100 iron heads.
From the seller: (@sdaileyiii): “2023 T-100 4-P iron heads. Got these in a trade, but decided to go another route. See condition in pics. $765.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: 2023 Titleist T-100 iron heads
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Whats in the Bag
Alex Noren WITB 2024 (March)
- Alex Noren what’s in the bag accurate as of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7, draw setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X
3-wood: Callaway Epic Speed Triple Diamond (15 degrees @14)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 80 TX
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (19 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 95 6.5
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Callaway Jaws (46-10S, 50-10S, 56-08C, 60-08C)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (46), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (50-60)
Putter: Odyssey O-Works #1W
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Noren’s clubs here.
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