Best Hybrid Golf Clubs 2024: Revolutionize your long game with our top-rated rescues
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What are the best hybrid golf clubs in 2024? Distance, forgiveness, or an all-rounder, our test to find the top-performing golf rescues has you covered.
How we tested the best hybrid golf clubs 2024
To ensure we produce the most accurate and reliable test data available, we create a controlled environment indoors at Keele Golf Centre, here in the UK. And to reassure golfers we have no bias towards any golf ball brand we like to use a different premium golf ball supplier for our club testing each year. For 2024, we’re using the market-leading Titleist Pro V1x, which was highlighted as a top performer in our most recent robot golf balls test.
We collect data points from the ball and club for every shot hit using a Foresight GQ Quad launch monitor. We chose Foresight as their launch monitors are recognized as industry-leading and they replicate the technology employed by top brands when testing their own clubs and balls. They’re also owned by many of the best players in the world.
Our test spec for hybrids is 20° loft with a stock stiff flex shaft. Shots are hit from a range mat into an indoor net, while our launch monitor keeps an eye on impact location and records how shots are launched into the air and where they go.
For each model tested we capture data for 12 shots our test pro is happy with. Only once all clubs within a test have been hit do we start looking at analyzing the data.
We created an indoor test lab at Keele Golf Centre to ensure a controlled environment for our data capture. Major misses were rejected but the remaining shots were watched for how they launched, span, peaked out, and how far they flew in which direction.
See more about how TG tests golf clubs and other equipment.
Best At A Glance
Best hybrid for distance: TaylorMade Qi10 | Buy Now – US
Best hybrid for ball speed: Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke HL | Buy Now – US
Most forgiving hybrid: PXG 0311 XF GEN6 | Buy Now – US
Best hybrid for launch-ability: Cleveland Halo XL | Buy Now – US
Best hybrid for adjustability: Ping G430 | Buy Now – US
Best hybrid for playability: TaylorMade Qi10 Max | Buy Now – US
Gone are the days when hybrids and rescue clubs were for beginners and amateurs. Some of the world’s best players, including Major champions Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick have used hybrids at the world’s biggest tournaments so they are more than worthy of your consideration.
We tested the latest hybrids from the game’s major brands on launch monitor data to identify the best of 2024. If you’re not completely sold on the idea of a hybrid, perhaps consider one of the best driving irons. Let’s dive into the best golf hybrids in 2024 to find out which models deserve a place in your golf bag.
Best Golf Hybrids 2024:
A flat out distance machine with more forgiveness than Stealth.
With three brilliant Qi10 options, it’s really important to select the one that best suits your game, and judging by our data I believe the Qi10 Max might be a better option if you struggle to get hybrids soaring into the air.
Like its predecessor, the Qi10 is a flat-out distance machine for golfers who sweep hybrids off the deck like a fairway wood. Surprisingly for a hybrid that carried 14 yards further than our test average, the carry drop-off (14 yds) was smaller than our test average (15.5 yds) even though the shot area was 84.2% larger.
If chasing speed and distance isn’t your priority with a new hybrid, the Qi10’s wider body Max sibling launched and flighted shots higher (by 4.3% and 14.8% respectively), and hit greens at a significantly steeper landing angle, so long approaches will settle down much more quickly.
Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 hybrid review.
Pros
- You'll struggle to find longer or more powerful hybrids on the market.
- Tons of loft options mean you can replace any iron you're not confident with.
- I love the head shape and profile.
Cons
- The Ventus TR shafts don't have Fujikura's VeloCore stability tech.
| Lofts | 3H – 19° / 4H – 22° / 5 – 25° / 6 – 28° / 7 – 31° |
| Stock shafts | 50g Mid –<strong> </strong>Fujikura Ventus TR Blue HB (5A), 60g Mid – Fujikura Ventus TR Blue HB (6R), 70g Mid –<strong> </strong>Fujikura TR Blue HB (7S – 70G, Low) |
Fast off the face with a high, hanging ball flight for stopping power.
I’m very much of the opinion that hybrids need to fill yardage gaps between your longest fairway wood and iron and be able to flight shots higher, with more spin and a steeper descent angle than an equivalent long iron. And the results of our 2024 test spell out the Ai Smoke HL is better equipped to do that than most.
Yes, a 144.4mph ball speed and 231 yard total made it the fastest and second-longest hybrid we hit this year. But much more importantly it gave our test pro the high hanging ball flight he loves. Compared to our test averages the HL launched and flighted shots higher, so shots hit the green at a steeper angle, which means long-distance approaches will jump on the brakes when landing on the dancefloor.
With significant differences between the Ai Smoke HL and its slightly narrower body sibling I would urge anyone drawn to the franchise to hit both.
Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke HL hybrid review.
Pros
- There are a ton of loft options.
- Super easy to launch at below-average speeds.
- The larger head size inspires confidence.
Cons
- If you need more one they become seriously expensive.
| Lofts | 3H - 18° / 4H - 21° / 5H - 24° / 6H - 27° / 7H - 30° / 8H – 33° |
| Stock shafts | Project X Cypher 2.0, Mitsubishi Tensei Blue (Light), Mitsubishi Eldio (Womens) |
A stylish hybrid for those seeking low penetrating distance.
Our thinking comes down to how our test data reveals that compared to the competition the Darkspeed flighted shots 20.5% lower than our test average and hit the green at a 17.1% shallower descent angle. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you specifically want to target a lower ball flight with a hybrid.
If you do we love the simple unfussy head shape and profile of the Darkspeed, hence why it ranks among my favorite four hybrids of the year.
Read our full Cobra Darkspeed hybrid review.
Pros
- Looks fantastic behind the ball and in the bag.
- A wide range of loft options make it easy to find the perfect hybrid you need.
- Sounds and feels much better than the previous model.
- Instills a lot of confidence from a range of lies
Cons
- Completely black head might not be to everyone's taste
| Lofts | 2H - 17° / 3H - 19° / 4H - 21° / 5H - 24° / 6H - 28° |
| Stock shafts | KBS PGI |
A high-flying and confidence-inspiring hybrid for average-speed players.
Best for launch-ability
We really like the confidence-inspiring wider head and the lively but stable feel of the newly installed Mitsubishi Tensei Blue shaft. The railed sole is also really well equipped to cut through gnarly lies, and power shots out of trouble back into play.
From a 1° weaker set-up than our test loft, the Halo span shots 1,132 rpm above our test average, which meant shots flew 3.6 yards higher and hit the green at a 4.6° steeper angle; traits that will help slightly more average swing speed players not only flights shots for maximum carry, but also stop them quicker.
Throw in tighter carry distance drop-off and shot area averages and how the Halo comes in for a little bit less than most of its competitors and I believe this club golfer-focused model is well worth a spot on any shortlist of best-performing hybrids in 2024.
Pros
- Confidence-inspiring shape.
- High launching and high spinning.
- Good level of forgiveness.
- Easy to hit from tricky lies.
Cons
- Better options for those seeking pure distance.
| Lofts | 3H - 17º / 4H - 20º / 5H - 24º |
| Stock shafts | Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue |
An excellent all-rounder offering with the adjustability to fill any gap.
Read our full Ping G430 hybrid review.
Pros
- There are lots of loft options so you can replace everything down to a 7-iron with hybrids.
- A fast and powerful hybrid option.
- An adjustable hosel allows individuals to set the G430 hybrid up to accurately fill distance gaps.
Cons
- There's only one Ping G430 hybrid.
| Lofts | 2H - 17 / 3H - 19° / 4H - 22° / 5H - 26° / 6H - 30° / 7H -34° |
| Stock shafts | PING ALTA CB Black 70 (SR, R, S), PING ALTA Quick 35/45 (HL build only) |
Those seeking ultimate forgiveness need this hybrid on their radar.
Most forgivng hybrid
PXG fans may also want to check out our PXG 0311 Black Ops hybrid review.
Pros
- One of the most forgiving hybrids out there.
- PXG has an outstanding range of stock shaft options.
- Striking looks in the eyes of most.
Cons
- Ball speed and distance are the compromise.
| Lofts | 19° / 22° / 25° / 28° / 31° |
| Stock shafts | Multiple custom-build options |
Another outstanding addition to the Qi10 franchise, geared for playability.
Best for playability
Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max hybrid review.
Pros
- Extremely easy to launch and forgiving from the turf.
- The wide body inspires confidence.
- With so many loft options you could replace your 7-iron with a cracking hybrid.
Cons
- The very shallow profile might be an issue if you hit lots of hybrids from the tee.
| Lofts | 2H – 17° / 3H – 19.5° / 4 – 22° |
| Stock shafts | Mid 60g – Mitsubishi Tensei AV Ltd Blue HY (65R), Mid 70g –<strong> </strong>Mitsubishi Tensei AV Ltd Blue HY (85X/75S, Low) |
A tour-proven hybrid suited to players with a sweeping motion.
Read our full Titleist TSR2 hybrid review.
Pros
- A solid and powerful hybrid.
- Excellent adjustability.
- Easy to align.
Cons
- Will be superseded by a newer model in summer 2024.
| Lofts | 18º, 21º, 24º |
| Stock shafts | Tensei 1K Black 85/95g HY, HZRDUS Black 4G 80/90g HY, Tensei AV Blue 65g HY, HZRDUS Red 60g HY |
Best Golf Hybrids 2024: The Data
Below is the data from our independent testing of the best hybrid golf clubs available in 2024. You can read about all the other models that didn’t make our shortlist above in our golf club review pages.
| Hybrid | Loft | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Backspin | Height | Descent Angle | Carry Distance | Carry Distance Drop Off | Carry Distance Drop-off |
| TaylorMade Qi10 | 19° | 143.2 MPH | 11.5° | 2669 RPM | 27 YDS | 35.5° | 234 YDS (1) | 14 YDS | 949.2 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Ai Smoke HL | 21° | 144.4 MPH (1) | 10.8° | 3283 RPM | 29 YDS | 38.3° | 231 YDS (2) | 14 YDS | 645.4 SQ YDS |
| Cobra Darkspeed | 19° | 141.8 MPH | 9.3° | 2651 RPM | 21 YDS | 31° | 226 YDS (3) | 18 YDS | 586.8 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade Qi10 Tour | 19.5° | 142.9 MPH | 9.2° | 3125 RPM | 23 YDS | 34.1° | 225 YDS | 18 YDS | 801 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Ai Smoke | 21° | 142.2 MPH | 9.9° | 3270 RPM | 25 YDS | 35.9° | 225 YDS | 8 YDS (T2) | 156 SQ YDS (1) |
| Titleist TSR 1 | 20° | 143.8 MPH (3) | 10.2° | 3668 RPM | 28 YDS | 38.8° | 225 YDS | 21 YDS | 735 SQ YDS |
| Titleist TSR 2 | 21° | 142.6 MPH | 10.5° | 3359 RPM | 27 YDS | 37.4° | 225 YDS | 17 YDS | 759.9 SQ YDS |
| Ping G430 | 19° | 142.4 MPH | 9.4° | 3295 RPM | 24 YDS | 35.1° | 224 YDS | 17 YDS | 554.2 SQ YDS |
| Titleist TSR 3 | 19° | 143.9 MPH (2) | 8.2° | 3378 RPM | 22 YDS | 33.1° | 223 YDS | 25 YDS | 387.5 SQ YDS |
| Cobra King Tec | 19° | 141.9 MPH | 10.3° | 3611 RPM | 27 YDS | 38° | 222 YDS | 21 YDS | 720.3 SQ YDS |
| PXG 0311 Black Ops | 22° | 139.8 MPH | 10.1° | 3313 RPM | 25 YDS | 35.7° | 220 YDS | 20 YDS | 380 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade Qi10 Max | 20° | 140.7 MPH | 12° | 3782 RPM | 31 YDS | 41.2° | 220 YDS | 18 YDS | 480.6 SQ YDS |
| Cleveland Halo XL | 21° | 142 MPH | 10.6° | 4739 RPM | 30 YDS | 42° | 213 YDS | 13 YDS | 438.1 SQ YDS |
| PXG 0311 XF GEN6 | 22° | 138.7 MPH | 11.7° | 4016 RPM | 30 YDS | 41.1° | 213 YDS | 7 YDS (1) | 166.6 SQ YDS (2) |
| Wilson Dynapower | 22° | 139 MPH | 10.6° | 4164 RPM | 28 YDS | 39.8° | 211 YDS | 13 YDS | 341.9 SQ YDS |
| Inesis 500 | 20° | 140.2 MPH | 10° | 4407 RPM | 27 YDS | 39.9° | 211 YDS | 12 YDS | 454.8 SQ YDS |
| MacGregor V Max | 21° | 132.8 MPH | 10.5° | 4587 RPM | 25 YDS | 38.9° | 196 YDS | 8 YDS (T2) | 200.8 SQ YDS (3) |
| Average | 141.3 MPH | 10.3° | 3607 RPM | 26.4 YDS | 37.4° | 220.2 YDS | 15.5 YDS | 515.2 SQ YDS |
Best Golf Hybrids: Buying Guide
How to choose the best golf hybrid for you
The minefield of which golf clubs to choose is often enough to get the better of any golfer, knowing what the best clubs on the market are, knowing what suits your game, and what best fits your bag and set up the best, all questions you should be asking before buying a new club.
With hybrids, it’s not always easy to get a full-fitting swapping in and out of shafts, as they’re not all adjustable at the head. However, I know we keep saying it, but simply getting yourself down to the driving range and trying some out can be good enough. If you can’t secure a fitting most shops and clubs will let you hit a demo or tape up a hybrid for you so you can get an idea of how it feels, the weight of the club, and if the shaft is right for you.
Performance
Getting a fitting is key for all golf clubs and if not just hitting the club on the range can be great to answer most of your questions about the new club you’re trying. With hybrids, it’s about versatility on the course to help you lower your scores, a hybrid is a club that can be used in all matters of different situations on the golf course, so trying it in them situations first would be ideal.
To find the right hybrid for you, if you can hit some shots off of the tee, out of the rough, on the fairway, and even around the green, you will gauge if it’s right for your game. Most golf clubs and shops will host a demo day or most of the time if you ask politely you often borrow a club to take out for a round.
Feel
You won’t have a clue how the hybrid feels until you’ve hit it, the feel of a golf club is subjective to the golfer, with everyone demanding something slightly different from their clubs. Some hybrids will be heavier more like an iron and have a solid feel off the face and others being more like a wood and feel softer and faster off the face.
Looks
Not every hybrid looks the same there is so much variation, some have higher toes, are rounder in shape, have shorter faces, and adjustable heads. You have to like how a club looks behind the ball at address it’s that simple, if you don’t it can be off-putting and distracting which has a negative impact on your game.
Finding a club that suits your eye and suits your bag may seem a weird way to judge a product but confidence is king in golf and if you step onto the course confident in your equipment then that can help improve your game hugely.
Budget
As with most things in the golf world, prices for hybrid golf clubs can vary considerably. Value for money is subjective and therefore you should spend however much you feel comfortable with, be it a premium model, or one with a more competitive price point.
If you’re ready to upgrade in 2024 but can’t justify the dizzying price tags of the games’s powerhouse brands, check out our pick of the best hybrid golf clubs from 2023. Many of these recently replaced models are now available at reduced prices and still deliver a competitive performance package.
Best Hybrid Golf Clubs: FAQs
What is a hybrid golf club?
In simple terms, a hybrid golf club is a mix of a fairway wood and an iron. They sit at the top of your bag after your woods replacing the longer irons. If you have a 3 or 4 hybrid then you would often take out the 3 or 4 iron to be replaced as the hybrid is easier to hit thanks to the shorter shaft and offset clubhead that leads to straighter shots.
Do I need both a 3 and 4 hybrid?
In terms of your whole bag setup, it may be more beneficial to carry an extra wedge rather than the extra hybrid as the 3 and 4 hybrids are so close in lofts. We’d recommend carrying one or the other, if you don’t have a 5 wood or a 4 iron then a 3 hybrid would work, on the other hand, if you don’t have a 7 wood or a 5 iron then a 4 hybrid would be the better choice.
When should you use a hybrid club?
As they often replace your longer irons, this is the time you would usually pick one out of the bag. Hybrids can be hit from most places on the hole, from the fairway, the tee, and the rough. Hitting longer irons can be tough for many golfers, especially beginners, so having a club that promotes a more natural sweeping swing helps make a more consistent strike with the ball.
Do professionals use hybrids?
Many pros are now gaming hybrid golf clubs, on both the men’s and women’s tours, and do so for the same reasons as most club golfers. The shape and technology on offer in the latest hybrids make the ball easier to launch from a variety of lies. Golf courses that require players to hit long approaches into firm greens are ideal for hybrid due to their higher launch ability and increased backspin. Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Colin Morikawa are just a few of the pros that have added hybrids to their setup in recent years.
About the author
Simon Daddow – Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor
Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what Simon doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.
He spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years. He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World.
You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.
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Best golf hybrids of 2024
