Best Hybrid Golf Clubs For High Handicappers In 2024

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This is a review of the best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers in 2023.

As high handicappers and beginners, the hybrid can be a powerful weapon that will lower your golf score significantly. 

With the feel of a fairway wood and the performance of an iron, the hybrid is frequently substituted for the harder to hit long irons like the 3-, 4-, and sometimes even the 5-iron. 

best hybrids for high handicappers

As avid golfers ourselves, we’re confident that all high handicappers and beginners should consider substituting their long irons with its comparable hybrids as it’ll significantly improve their golf score and golfing experience. 

That said, we found the TaylorMade SIM 2 MAX Rescue Hybrid to be the best hybrid for high handicappers.

As you read this post, we’ll give you the 7 best hybrids that you should pay attention to. After the review, we’ll end with a buying guide and useful hybrids FAQ for you to leave with. 

Also, since replacing your longer irons with its comparable hybrids is probably what’ll improve your game the fastest, we suggest you prioritize the 3-, 4-, and maybe even the 5-hybrid first for each of the hybrids on this list.

With that in mind, let’s get started.

Our Top 7 Picks

  1. TaylorMade SIM 2 MAX Rescue (Best Hybrid For High Handicappers)
  2. PING G425 (Runner-Up: Best Adjustable Hybrid)
  3. Cleveland Golf Launcher Halo (Runner-Up 2: Best Hybrid For Beginners)
  4. Pinemeadow Excel EGI (Best Bang For Your Buck)
  5. Callaway 2020 Mavrik Max (Best Overall Hybrid)
  6. Lazrus Premium (Best Budget Iron Replacement)
  7. Callaway Big Bertha B21 (Most Powerful Hybrid)

7 Best Hybrid Golf Clubs for High Handicappers

Every option in this list meets most of the criteria in our driver’s buying guide covered below.

1. TaylorMade SIM 2 MAX Rescue Hybrid (Winner: Best Hybrid For High Handicappers)

Pros
  • V-Steel sole makes it more forgiving than previous SIM MAX
  • One of the best hybrids to hit out of the rough with
  • Built to go far and forgiving with Thru-Slot Speed Pockets
  • C300 Twist Face Technology giving you a high MOI
  • A popular club in the golf community and the PGA Tour
Cons
  • No Adjustable Loft

TaylorMade’s SIM 2 MAX Rescue Hybrid takes the number 1 spot on this list. 

The most up-to-date hybrid by TaylorMade in 2021, this TaylorMade SIM 2 MAX Rescue Hybrid comes with many features that make it extremely easy to hit the ball far, accurately, straight, and out the rough.

With its V-Steel sole, this hybrid is more forgiving than its predecessor the SIM MAX, allowing it to have excellent turf interaction and a low-and-deeper center of gravity (CG) to launch the ball higher and further. 

It also comes with the C300 Twist Face Technology, which increases the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club, meaning hits off the toe or heel are straightened out for you.

Finally, TaylorMade’s patented Thru-Slot Speed Pockets are fitted on the SIM 2 MAX, allowing your club head to travel faster and generate more power on impact. This results in a much higher exit velocity, which is the velocity of the golf ball right after impact.  

The downside of this hybrid golf club is that it’s not adjustable. Meaning what you buy is what you’ll get. However, this didn’t stop Dustin Johnson and Rory Mcllroy from adding the SIM 2 MAX Rescues into their golf bag.


2. PING G425 Hybrid (Runner-Up: Best Adjustable Hybrid)

Pros
  • Extremely adjustable for a Hybrid
  • Many adjustable options
  • Easy-to-hit
  • Powerful and can hit really far
  • High MOI
  • Lightweight feel to increase your swing speed
Cons
  • It’s priced on the higher end of the market

It’s exciting to be a PING fan right now as the G425 is one of our favorite hybrids we recommend for any golfer. We say ‘any’ because this hybrid is one of the few hybrids available that is actually adjustable from the hosel.

With eight available positions, you can move the loft by 1.5 degrees up or down and make the lie angle up to 3 degrees flatter! As a high handicapper or beginner, this should be a very attractive feature as we always recommend adjustable golf clubs for starters.

We’re not done, besides its adjustable features, the G425 hybrid is extremely powerful and easy-to-hit thanks to its Facewrap technology where a thin and strong steel face overlaps the crown and sole. Therefore, the golf ball will bounce off the face at a very fast speed.

Its high MOI is credited to its sole weight and overall weight distribution around the club face, so you don’t have to worry as much about your off-center hits. 

Finally, this club is rather light, so it’s perfect for those who want to increase their swing speed.


3. Cleveland Golf Launcher Halo Hybrid (Runner-Up 2: Best for Hybrid for Beginners)

Pros
  • Extremely beginner-friendly
  • Great turf interaction
  • One of the most forgiving clubs on this list
  • Easy to launch the ball
Cons
  • Not the most far hitting hybrid 

The Cleveland Golf Launcher Halo Hybrid is the best hybrid for beginners. 

Cleveland’s line of Launcher golf clubs has been some of the best options for beginners looking to step into the sport. And just like the Launcher HB series, the Launcher Halo hybrid also has a Hi-Bore (HB) crown design to lower the CG which helps the most with launching the golf ball into the air. 

It also comes with three sets of guiderails that rest on the sole of the club. These guiderails smoothen out the turf interaction, allowing the golf club to glide through the rough and sandy lies naturally.

The Launcher Halo is available in 3-hybrid and 4-hybrid options.


Now that we’ve shown you our top 3 best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers, let’s dive a bit deeper and review some other really great hybrids with their own unique features.


4. Pinemeadow Excel EGI Hybrid (Best Bang For Your Buck)

Pros
  • Bang for your buck
  • Budget-friendly
  • Eight loft options: 19, 22, 25, 28, 32, 36, and 40 degrees
  • Large sweet spot
  • Extremely forgiving
Cons
  • Some may not like the heaviness of the club head compared to its light graphite shaft
Pinemeadow Golf Men's Excel EGI Hybrid Club, Graphite, 36-Degree, 8, Regular, Right Hand

Pinemeadow has been rocking it in the budget-friendly yet high-performing golf club niche.

As a result, the Pinemeadow Excel EGI Hybrid is a great option for high handicappers looking to get the most out of their money when it comes to testing out hybrids for the first time.

One of the stand-out features of this golf club is how versatile it is for its price. With eight loft options: 19, 22, 25, 28, 32, 36, and 40 degrees, you won’t need to worry about choosing the wrong loft anymore.

Something else that makes this hybrid great for high handicappers and beginners, is it has a very large sweet spot. Therefore, your misses are reduced as even off-center hits will go far and feel smooth.

Despite its cheaper price, it also comes with a headcover, meaning your clubs will still be protected during shipping.


5. Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Hybrid (Best Overall Hybrid)

Pros
  • Low-and-deep CG plus a wide sole design for easier launching ability
  • Jailbreak Tech, Flash Face SS20 Tech, and a larger head for a consistent and fast ball speed
  • Larger head also means good turf interaction which is great when hitting out of the rough
Cons
  • Head may be too bulky for some 

The Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Hybrid is one of the best overall hybrids on this list.

Featuring several of Callaway’s best features in their golf club, the hybrid comes with the Jailbreak Technology, A.I. designed Flash Face SS20 Technology, and an oversized club head to maximize swing speed and power on impact.

With the Jailbreak Technology, two titanium bars are fitted from the sole to the crown, reducing the overall weight of the club head while allowing a more solid club head build which gives it more power when you make contact with the ball.

A wider sole and a good draw bias design make it very easy to hit out from the rough while reducing your slices significantly.

High handicappers looking to use the hybrid more off the tee, will appreciate the Mavrik Max as it is one of the best hybrids off the tee and is particularly great for tighter par 4s.


6. Lazrus Premium Hybrid (Best Budget Iron replacements)

Pros
  • Extremely budget-friendly
  • Versatile options for you to choose from
  • Great quality for its value
  • Great to add distance for those with a slower and less consistent golf swing
Cons
  • Doesn’t provide much feedback according to some
LAZRUS GOLF Premium Hybrid Golf Clubs for Men - 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,PW Right Hand & Left Hand Single Club, Graphite Shafts, Regular Flex (Black Left Hand, Left Hand, 2, Black Single)

The cheapest option on this list is the Lazrus Premium Hybrids.

However, don’t let its price fool you because these hybrids are amazing for high handicappers and beginners who want to test out hybrids for the first time.

They’re a great budget option that offers a large range of hybrids from the 2-iron to the pitching wedge. This means, you’re essentially buying a whole golf set or you can buy just a few if you’d like.

The Lazrus hybrids are extremely forgiving and feel amazing. As a result, many high handicappers and senior golfers end up hitting 5 to 10 yards further compared to their irons because of how easy it is the launch the ball and still hit relatively centered.

If you’re on a budget and want a set of hybrids, the Lazrus Premium Hybrids are definitely something you should look into.


7. Callaway Big Bertha B21 Hybrid (Most Powerful Hybrid)

Pros
  • Absolute Power House
  • Good Forgiveness
  • Jailbreak and Flash Face Technology
  • Ultra-Thing 455 face
  • Specific RCH shaft for the Big Bertha
Cons
  • Rather Expensive

Like the Mavrik Max Hybrid, the Big Bertha B21 hybrid also comes with Callaway’s Jailbreak Technology and an A.I. designed Flash Face Technology.

That said, with a couple more features on the club, the Big Bertha is the most powerful hybrid on this list.

Besides the features just mentioned, it also comes with an ultra-thin 455 face and a Hyper Speed Face Cup. All this means is that more power is efficiently transferred to the golf ball on impact, so you best believe this hybrid will hit the ball far.  

The Big Bertha is also fitted with the new OptiFit Hosel Technology, which reduces the overall weight of the club while stabilizing the club head for better consistency and feedback. 

Finally, it has its own RCH graphite shaft made specifically for the Big Bertha. This shaft is flexible, responsive, and custom made so you can be confident that you’re using the best shaft for this hybrid.


Important things to consider when buying a hybrid for high handicappers and beginners.

When we’re choosing the best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers and beginners, we need to prioritize forgiveness over anything else

The main reason why we want hybrids in the first place is to replace our longer irons like the 3-iron and 4-iron which tend to be very difficult to hit with.

The design of the hybrid will make it easier to launch the ball while making up for the distances covered by these long irons. That said, not every hybrid is forgiving enough for high handicappers to use. That’s why we want to make sure you know what to look for in a good hybrid. Here are some of the features.

Loft Angle

The loft angle is the angle of the club face in reference to the ground. 

For the standard hybrids, their lofts are pretty much the same as their comparable irons. Hybrids are substitutes to your longer irons after all. 

Most of your 3-hybrids will have a loft range of 21 to 24 degrees, your 4-hybrid is between 25 to 24 degrees, and your 5-hybrid has a range of 28 to 32 degrees. 

Yet, even with the same loft angle, most beginners to mid-handicappers will hit further with their hybrids. Why? Mainly because the hybrid is much easier to hit and launch the golf ball compared to the longer irons. Here’s a chart for your reference. 

Club TypeAverage Distance (yards)Loft (degrees)
3-Iron 180  21 – 24
3-Hybrid 190 21 – 24
4-Iron17025 – 28
4-Hybrid 180 25 – 28
5-Iron16028 – 32
5-Hybrid 170 28 – 32

You might ask, why would anyone use the longer irons then? 

We’re not saying the irons are worse, they’re just harder to use. In fact, it’s still the better club for maximum distance and shot-shaping if you can hit it correctly. For lower handicappers and professional golfers who can easily hit dead-center of the club face and have a fast club head speed, the longer irons can carry the ball further. Furthermore, the narrow club head will give more feedback to the golfer, allowing them to shape their shots better and determine the quality of their golf shots.

Shaft Type

Generally, hybrids use a graphite shaft because it’s much lighter and stronger than steel. However, most hybrid shafts are heavier than fairway wood shafts because swinging fast with your hybrids is not a priority.

In terms of shaft flex, they’re just like any other golf clubs, ranging from Extra Stiff (X), Stiff (S), Regular (R), Senior (A), and Ladies (L). 

For most high handicappers, you likely don’t have the fastest swing speed. In that case, sticking with a Regular is often your best choice. For senior high handicappers, go with a Senior flex and for female high handicappers, go with the Ladies shaft flex.

Of course, if you’re a baseball player stepping into golf, you may naturally have a faster golf swing. If that’s you, the Regular may be too flexible, which will prevent the club head to be in sync with your golf swing on impact and result in a slice or mishit. Therefore, a Stiff flex should be a viable option. 

If you’re still not sure what shaft flex you should go with, here’s a useful table to help you find the right shaft flex.

Shaft FlexClub Head Speed (mph)Distance Range (yards)
Extra Stiff (X)93 or more260
Stiff (S)84 to 93240 – 260
Regular (R)75 to 84210 – 240
Senior (A)60 to 75180 – 210
Ladies (L)60 or lessLess than 180

Shaft Length

After you’ve picked your shaft flex, it’s also good to check that you’ve got the right length to your shaft.

Your shaft length is directly determined by your height and wingspan. The taller you are, the longer your golf shaft and the farther that club will carry the ball. It’s the same reason why longer irons hit farther than shorter irons. However, longer shafts also mean it’s harder to control and generally harder to hit.

It’s good to get fitted for your shaft length by a professional in the PGA store. But, if that’s too pricey for you, just make sure you’re not using knock-off golf clubs as they’re often low-quality and don’t fit you.

Customization/ Adjustability

Buying an adjustable golf club is probably the best idea for any golfer, especially beginners and high handicappers.

When you’re buying an adjustable golf club, you can think of it as buying more than one golf club as you’re able to try out many loft options and weight adjusting options. 

That said, as a high handicapper, you’re likely still figuring out your golf swing and finding consistency with your golf clubs. As you practice more, you’ll frequently want to tweak your golf clubs to eventually land on the most comfortable and well-performing setting for you. 

The PING G425 Hybrid is a great adjustable hybrid we have on this list.


Hybrids FAQ

Should I have a Hybrid?

All high handicappers and beginners should definitely start with hybrids instead of long irons. For most amateur golfers, they avoid using their longer irons because they know it’s too hard to hit. As a result, there’s often a yardage gap between their fairway wood and their shorter irons.

Here are a couple more reasons why you’ll want some longer irons:

  1. When you struggle to hit out of the rough with your irons.
    • Hybrids are the best clubs to hit the ball out from the rough due to the shape and loft of the club head.
  2. When you’re not using your longer irons (3-iron to 5-iron) because you can’t hit well with them, resulting in a yardage gap that can harm your golf score.
  3. Don’t have a 7- or 9-wood but you have a 5-wood.
  4. Need a consistent and accurate tee shot on shorter par 4s and some par 3s.
  5. If you have a high handicap.

What’s the difference between the Hybrid and Fairway Wood?

The hybrid is not a replacement for the fairway wood and vice versa. Both are used for completely different scenarios. 

Instead, the hybrid is a direct replacement for its comparable longer iron. For instance, the 3-hybrid will replace your 3-iron.

On the other hand, a 3-hybrid can’t reach the distances of a 3-wood. A 3-wood is longer and has less loft than a 3-hybrid, allowing it to hit an average distance of up to 215 yards while the 3-hybrid just 190 yards. 

Which Hybrid Should I get?

Since we are looking to replace the longer irons (3- and 4-iron), start off by getting a 3- and 4-hybrid.

If you’re on a larger budget and really want to maximize your game, feel free to get the 5-hybrid too as most high handicappers also leave the 5-iron idle in their bag.


Conclusion

If you haven’t got a hybrid in your bag, you’re really missing out on a potentially great round of golf. 

High handicappers often struggle at the golf course because they have too many clubs in their golf bag that they would never use. For most of them, they’d rather use a 6-iron to hit the ball short but towards the green, than to risk hitting a 3-iron they know they can’t hit well with but has the chance to reach the green.

Having a yardage gap is something that must be addressed if you want to improve your golf game or you’ll often struggle with longer holes like par 5s and longer par 4s (which is where most high handicappers get the majority of their double to triple bogeys from).

That said, we recommend the 3-hybrid and 4-hybrid of the TaylorMade SIM 2 MAX Rescue Hybrid for high handicappers looking for forgiveness, distance, and a good value with their next hybrid golf club.

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Author
Mark has been an avid golfer for more than 15 years and has reviewed golf clubs since 2015. He is also the founder of the Golf Leap Blog site.

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