2012 Hybrids

Following on from our look at the 2012 Drivers, fairway woods and wedges, we take a look at the 2012 Hybrids.

Titleist 910 Hybrid

Titleist’s latest Hybrid offering features the same modern sleek black finish as the Driver and Fairway in the 910 series, but this is not what sets this Hybrid apart from the rest.

The versatility created by adjustable technology in the hosel is unusual in the Hybrid market and Titleist have pulled out all the stops with the 910H.

You can adjust both loft and lie with the Sure-Fit system as well as change between a wide range of shafts. Having the ability to customise in this way is a real advancement in the Hybrid market.

The head itself is a classic shape and in addition Titleist have added a changeable weight in the sole.

They have also tightened their manufacturing tolerance inspiring confidence in the precision of the loft and lie.
 

Ping i20 Hybrid

New in 2012 is the Ping i20 Hybrid. It has a distinctive matte black finish creating a very modern looking club. The i20 is classic in shape with small powerful head. Perimeter weighting increases the MOI and a low centre of gravity makes it easy to escape from heavy rough.

Ping G20 Hybrid

Although the G20 was launched in the middle of 2011 it is Ping’s current Hybrid. It has been altered to a flatter lie than previous models which helps its appearance. The G20 has a similar shape to a driving iron with a smaller head than many Hybrids on the market. This makes it slightly less forgiving, but as a result it has a strong and powerful ball flight.

The G20 is made from 17-4 stainless steel and comes with a TFC 169 hybrid shaft, which is lightweight and soft tipped to help create a higher launch angle.

Callaway  Golf RAZR –X HL Hybrid

The Callaway RAZR HL is designed with ease of use in mind. It has several features to encourage a great strike and long high ball flight.

The VFT technology allows Callaway to create a thinner, stronger face; this creates a larger sweet spot.

There is also a thinner crown than previous models. The centre of gravity is lowered as a result and an increase in forgiveness is gained.

The RAZR comes with a mid-torque, low kick point shaft as standard. Both these attributes in the shaft will increase the launch angle encouraging a high ball flight.

TaylorMade Rocketballz TP and Rocketballz Tour Hybrid

Joining the popular Rocketballz family of drivers and fairway woods are Rocketballz and Rocketballz Tour Hybrid. Both clubs boast a distinctive white crown and slick black sole plate, making these some of the best looking hybrids on the market.

TaylorMade claim that new technology in the form of a sole speed pocket gives up to an extra 17 yards in distance. In addition to this, a low and forward centre of gravity promotes a high, but low spinning ball flight. A high MOI increases club stability throughout the swing adding to shot consistency.

There are two main differences between the TP and Tour models. Firstly the TP has a slightly smaller and shallower head aimed at lower handicappers, with the Tour model having a deeper and larger head to inspire confidence. Secondly, the TP comes with a shaft suited to higher swing speeds in the form of the Matrix Altus 85 gram shaft.  The Tour version comes with a medium weight; low kick point RBZ TaylorMade shaft. This shaft promotes a long high ball flight

Nike VR-S

Part of the newly launched VR-S range of Nike clubs, the VR-S Hybrid incorporates the Nex-Cor face technology that is the hallmark of the VR-S family. This technology creates a multilayered face with an ultra thin impact zone. This leads to a hot feeling when struck with an increased ball speed.

The shape is not a classic hybrid with the weight being pushed back to create a low centre of gravity and a Hybrid that is more of a fairway wood/hybrid cross. This does have the advantage of making it very easy to get the ball launching high in the air as well as insuring a good strike.

The head is coupled with a top end shaft in the form of the Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki Fairway shaft with a stiff tip to create a lower ball spin.


 

Adams Golf Idea A12 OS hybrid

Adams has led the market in the US in Hybrid sales during recent years. The new Hybrid from Adams has now hit the UK and European markets in the form of the Idea A12 OS. The Idea is fast becoming an iconic name in the hybrid market and has won many fans.

The A12 is packed with new technology and at the forefront is velocity slot technology. This is a clever bit of technology as it allows the face to flex and spring much like a driver which increases distance. The velocity slot also increases the size of the sweet spot.

A Grafalloy pro-launch Blues shaft as standard completes an impressive offering from Adams

Cobra AMP Hybrid

Much like the AMP Driver the AMP Hybrid is a striking golf club. It has a black and orange sole and silver crown creating an ultra modern look. The head is made of 17-4 stainless steel and has been computer modelled to allow thinning of the walls. This thinning has moved weight further back in the head to promote a long high ball flight.

Unlike many hybrids on the market the Cobra Amp incorporates adjustable technology with the lie and lofts both customisable. The AMP is coupled with Adila RIP shaft and lamkin 3Gen grip.

Cobra Baffler T- Rail Hybrid

Cobra’s classic Baffler makes a return in 2012, but has been updated for today’s market. It has a stunning black finish and follows a classic baffler head shape. Made of 17-4 stainless steel, the face is maraging forged for a hot feel and trampoline like effect.

The Rail on sole is a design component synonymous with the Cobra Baffler and the current model makes use of the rails by lowering the centre of gravity and creates the ability to cut through the turf with ease.

The T- Rail comes with a Graphite design shaft and lamkin N-DUR 3 Gen grip as standard.