Our guide to the most forgiving hybrids on the market, aimed at those players who require a little more margin for error
Most Forgiving Hybrids
Most golfers would agree that hybrids make the game easier. There are those who prefer the workability of long irons, but for anyone who struggles to find the centre of the club face consistently, there’s more to gain from the most forgiving hybrids.
So, as well as taking a closer look at the best golf hybrid clubs, we’ve narrowed it down to those models which perform best in the ‘forgiveness’ category.
That’s because not all hybrids are designed to perform exactly the same way. Some golfers prefer a compact head; some want a hybrid that performs like a long iron, others would rather it felt more like a wood.
Mid handicappers and those who aren’t such consistent strikers of the ball often want a hybrid that, above all else, offers forgiveness.
These clubs aren’t magic wands; you’re still going to play your bad shots and no new technology can save that from happening. However, if your mis-hits travel further and straighter, then you’re onto a good thing.
If the sheer number of options on the market is daunting you, fear not, because we’ve narrowed it down by identifying the most forgiving hybrids on the market.
Elsewhere, we have some in-depth guides on the best hybrid golf clubs for seniors and best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers if you think you’d be more suited to a hybrid in these categories.
Most Forgiving Hybrids
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Rescue
+ Sits very square at address
+ Effective from various lies
– Not adjustable for loft
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Rescue had big shoes to fill when it was released at the start of 2021. Its predecessor made it into the bags of some of the world’s best but TaylorMade insisted there was still room for improvement.
A new sole design means mass could be redistributed making this model even more forgiving than last year’s, while the Twist Face and Speed Pocket technologies once again ensure this is hybrid is fighting for top spot in the distance charts.
Another brilliant feature of this club is that it is available in so many different lofts, lengths and lies.
While not adjustable on the hosel, right-handed golfers can get this club in 19°, 22°, 25°, 28° and 31°, and it’ll fit seamlessly into the bag as each different loft option is the appropriate length and comes with the correct lie setting.
In fact, we liked this club so much that it also features in our most forgiving hybrids guide.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Rescue Review
Honma T//World GS Hybrid
+ Easy to launch
+ Will help slower swingers get more from their shots
– Looks don’t match premium price
This hand-crafted hybrid from Japanese brand Honma is a game-improvement club which offers performance across the entire face. This is thanks to a CG that has been positioned in the rear of the head as well as a shallow slot carved out of the sole. The effect is a hybrid that is easy to launch and that maximises ball speed no matter the strike location.
There might be cheaper options on the market, but from a performance perspective we were very impressed with its forgiveness levels.
Callaway Apex Hybrid
+ Plenty of adjustability
+ Produces consistent flight
– On the expensive side
The Callaway Apex Hybrid builds on the success of previous models like the Mavrik Max and is certainly one of the most forgiving hybrids on the market.
Featuring the manufacturer’s updated Jailbreak Velocity Blades as well as its Face Cup technology, forgiveness is at an all-time high while ball speed across the face is also maximised.
With a low CG and plenty of adjustability in the hosel, finding the perfect launch conditions for your game has never been easier.
Ping G425 Hybrid
+ Three dots on crown improve alignment
+ Easy launch and increased distance
– Not as penetrating as other models
Ping’s G425 is the latest in a long line of easy-to-hit hybrids the club manufacturer has released over the years. New for 2021 is the Facewrap design which comprises a thin but strong maraging steel face that overlaps into the crown and sole. The result is increased flexibility across the face for faster ball speeds, more distance and easy launch.
Also new is the complex face curvature that normalises spin and maximises distance on strikes low on the face.
A three-dot alignment system on the crown provides a great visual cue that makes it easy to line up out the middle, while it also sits nice and square, making it a hybrid that inspires confidence.
It’s available in 2H through to 7H, meaning you can pick up this hybrid in lofts of 17°, 19°, 22°, 26°, 30° and 34°, with each adjustable by up to 1.5°.
We found it a little more tricky to flight low compared to some other models but it’s so forgiving and easy to hit that it’s comfortably one of the best hybrids on the market.
Titleist TSi2 Hybrid
+ High launch and good spin rates
+ Sits beautifully at address
– Glossy crown does produce sun glare
One of three hybrids in the range this year, the TSi2 is the most versatile, maximising distance and launch for golfers of all levels.
In terms of the clubhead, it’s bigger than the TSi3 and smaller than the TSi1, so it’s right in that sweet spot.
It’s equipped with the fastest hybrid face Titleist has ever made, while the low CG means players can launch it high and long.
With 16 independent loft and lie settings, the TSi2 can easily be tailored to your game.
Cobra Radspeed Hybrid
+ Cobra Connect
+ Easy to use from any lie
– Not as long as other models
Building on the popularity of the Speedzone range, the Cobra King Radspeed once again features hollow sole rails that increase face flex for greater ball speeds. Additionally, the rails are great for turf interaction, making this hybrid one of the best for using from a variety of different lies.
While it’s perhaps not quite as long as other 2021 offerings, with weight positioned low and forward as well as at the rear, it’s definitely one of the most forgiving.
Available in 17°, 19°, 21° and 24° and in a variety of different lies and lengths, there are plenty of options to choose from. Admittedly not as many as some other brands but more than enough for what most golfers could realistically be looking for.
From a testing standpoint, the standout performance feature was the rails on the sole of the club. They really do their job brilliantly, making this one of the best true recovery clubs on the list.
Cleveland Launcher Halo Hybrid
Image credit: Cleveland
+ Good value for money
+ Forgiving through the turf, even on heavy strikes
– Stepped crown design might not suit your eye
‘Fuss free’ is how we’d describe this hybrid from Cleveland, one that has the potential to become your go-to club.
Gliderails help provide more speed with improved turf interaction, while a redesigned HiBore Crown pushes the CG low and deep for a low spin, high-launch ball flight.
Wilson Staff D9 Hybrid
+ Very easy to hit
+ Looks great behind the ball
– No adjustability on the hosel
Perhaps better known for their irons, Wilson’s D9 hybrid is packed with performance that makes it one of the easiest hybrids to hit on the market. It’s also an extremely nice-looking club that sits squarely behind the ball, inspiring confidence to perform your best.
Milled using the same premium Carpenter Custom 455 steel used by Titleist in its hybrids, the face is hot and thin, delivering optimal feel and distance. This is enhanced by the Variable Face Technology for high ball speeds and launch angles.
It comes in a variety of lofts from 17° through to 31°, although there is no adjustability on the hosel. Each different loft option is also the correct length to help it fit seamlessly into your bag.
An incredibly easy club to hit, this club really could suit every type of golfer if they can find the right specs for their unique game.
Callaway Big Bertha B21 Hybrid
+ Wide soles and thick toplines inspire confidence
+ Easy to launch
– Offset look at address may put off some golfers
This is Callaway’s all round forgiveness package in a neat hybrid shape – this hybrid also featured highly on our best hybrid golf clubs for seniors buyer’s guide.
It is Callaway’s easiest hybrid to launch and, with a large amount of offset provided, will also be the best hybrid for you if you tend to slice the ball.
The offset at address might not suit everyone’s eye, but if you can get past this, the Big Bertha 21 hybrid provides the best combination of forgiveness, distance and offset in Callaway’s extensive hybrid range.
The Big Bertha 21 comes will all of Callaway’s latest A.I technology too, with the SS21 Flash Face and Jailbreak technology giving you a feature-packed hybrid. It’s also available all the way down to a 34° 8-hybrid if you want to use these down into your mid-low irons.
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