Best golf hybrids for high handicappers
Hybrid golf clubs have soared in popularity in the last decade. Now over 65% of pro’s on the PGA tour use a hybrid. But with so many options on the market it’s difficult to choose a right one for your game – especially if you’re starting out. That’s why we have reviewed the best golf hybrids for high handicappers.
Quick Answer:
Our Top Pick: Callaway MAVRIK MAX Hybrid
Best Budget Option: TaylorMade RBZ Hybrid
Best Hybrid Clubs For High Handicap Woman Golfers: Cobra F-Max Hybrid
What is a hybrid golf club?
A hybrid golf club is a cross between an iron and a fairway wood. When you are in situations which require the distance that comes with a wood and the playability that comes with an iron, you can use a hybrid.
My favourite shot which utilises a hybrid, is when i’m too far to accurately hit my 3 or 4 iron to the green but i’m in the thick rough which means I won’t get a clean strike with my fairway woods. The hybrid has the distance and the ability to ‘chop’ through the rough like an iron.
When I was just starting out in golf, I really struggled to hit my 4 and 5 iron. I purchased a set of Cleveland hybrids which replaced the distance of my 4 and 5 iron. I found them much easier to hit off the tee and from the turf. In-fact, they were my go to club off the majority of the tees at my local club.
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A.I. Technology
Callaways MAVRIK MAX Hyrbid uses A.I to design a specialized face to optimize the loft for each model to improve ball speed and a high launch.
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Jailbreak & Face cup
The face is constructed from a high strength steel which has ‘Jailbreak’ technology and Callaways renown ‘Facecup’ to prompe exceptionally high ball speed.
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Favourable Shape
With a square toe and a cambered fairway wood shape, this hybrid is easy to address the ball square.
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Centre of Gravity
The centre of gravity location has been optimized to promote an easy launch, long carry and soft landing - exactly how a hybrid should be.
The MAVERIK Hybrid has a whole host of technology packed into the clubhead, from an optimized centre of gravity to Callaways Facecup and Jailbreak features. Many golfers love the MAVERIK for it’s high launch, soft landing and for how easy it is to hit – perfect for high handicappers.
You can choose a hybrid in the range of 3-8 iron equivalents, a light, stiff or regular shaft and 3 different shaft manufacturers. So you are sure to find the perfect golf hybrid for your game.
See more products from Callaway >>
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Face Cup Technology
Industry Leading Hyper Speed Face Cup For Increased Ball Speed
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Jailbreak
Jailbreak Technology in a Hybrid to promote ball speed and distance
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New Design
A Total Distance Overhaul from previous models, new design with increase club head and ball speed promotes extra yardage
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Desirable Shot Shape
Striking the ball is easy, and the trajectory is high to promote soft landing shots on the green.
The Rogue clubs from Callaway have been some of the most loved fairway woods, drivers and hybrids amongst amateur and professional golfers alike. Many golfers report that the launch is high and the distance is great on the rogue hybrid clubs. You have the option of 3, 4 and 5 hybrids and 4 different shaft options; light, ladies, regular and stiff.
See more products from Callaway >>
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Baffler Rail System
Baffler rail System utilizes Shallower or steeper rails depending on loft and angle of attack for improved versatility and forgiveness from any lie
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Drag Reduction System
Multi Directional crown aero-innovative polymer trips positioned around the perimeter of the clubhead improve drag reduction face-on through the downswing to generate maximum clubhead speed
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Flex Face
Forged 455 stainless steel face-thin, high strength stainless steel maximizes face flex for increased ball speeds and distance across all points of the face
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Back CoG
Back CG position-a fixed, interchangeable weight positioned low and back results in a high, towering ball flight for maximum carry distance and forgiveness
The Cobra F8 Hybrid is perfect for any high handicap golfer looking to take their game to the next level and begin shooting lower scores.
The face has been designed to ‘flex’ giving higher ball speeds and increased distance from the fairway or the tee.
Many high handicap golfers have left 5 star reviews, mentioning that this is the best hybrid they have used, commenting specifically on the forgiveness, spin and distance this club offers. There are 3 different shaft options; light, regular and stiff. You can choose from a 3, 4 or 5 hybrid option – which are the most common and the variations you should be purchasing as a high handicap golfer.
See more products from Cobra >>
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Speed Pocket
Legendary speed pocket for high launch and increased carry distance
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Aesthetic FInish
New satin black finish with elegant detailing to improve alignment
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Shallow Profile
Shallow profile and improved sole geometry for optimized turf interaction
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Rocket Fuel Shaft
Lightweight RocketFuel shaft for increased speed
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Mass Pad
Strategically positioned mass pad for optimal launch, sound, and feel
The RBZ clubs have been around for a few years now, however due to the popularity of the clubs TaylorMade has tweaked and improved the originals to make then even better. These new hybrids have an aggressive style and versatile performance. It features the renown speed pocket which helps to launch the ball higher and further.
The shallow profile of the RBZ hybrid lowers the center of gravity and improves the sole geometry to optimize the interaction with the turf. Put all the features together and you have one of the best golf hybrids for high handicappers.
Many high handicap golfers report that the RBZ hybrid is perfect for replacing the 3 and 4 irons the can’t hit. It gives them the height and soft landing that the other long irons don’t have.
See more products from TaylorMade >>
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Guide Rails
Guider Rails - featuring a set of three Rails, The leading edge and sole geometries are optimized for improved turf interaction and speed retention.
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Hi Bore Crown
HI bore Crown - the redesigned HI Bore Crown enables a lower CG position, promoting that ideal low spin, high launch ball flight.
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High Stength Steel
High strength steel face - constructed using high strength steel, the variable face Insert provides higher COR over a larger impact area leading to increased ball speeds and distance.
The cleveland golf launcher halo hybrid makes our list due to how easy it is to hit, this is perfect for high handicappers. It features guide rails on the sole and leading edge to help the club cut through the turf and remain square to the ball for a straighter shot.
Some golfers report that they have completely taken their 3 and 4 iron out of their bag and replaced it with the Halo. For many high handicappers, 3 and 4 irons aren’t forgiving enough and they struggle to hit them airborne with a soft landing. The Cleveland Launcher Halo is perfect for rectifying this issue.
See more products from Cleveland >>
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V Sole Design
V Steel Sole Design: Designed to improve turf interaction through reduced friction and provides additional versatility when playing from tight or difficult lies
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Twist Face
Twist Face : Uses corrective face angles designed to overcome inherent golfer tendencies on mis-hits and to produce straighter shots
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C300 Steel
C300 Ultra-Strong Steel Face: High-strength C300 steel allows for a stronger, faster face for explosive speed performance
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Speed Pocket
Speed Pocket : Allows for increased sole flexibility engineered for additional ball speed and forgiveness on low-face mis-hits
The cleveland golf launcher halo hybrid makes our list due to how easy it is to hit, this is perfect for high handicappers. It features guide rails on the sole and leading edge to help the club cut through the turf and remain square to the ball for a straighter shot.
Some golfers report that they have completely taken their 3 and 4 iron out of their bag and replaced it with the Halo. For many high handicappers, 3 and 4 irons aren’t forgiving enough and they struggle to hit them airborne with a soft landing. The Cleveland Launcher Halo is perfect for rectifying this issue.
See more products from TaylorMade >>
Best Hybrid Clubs For High Handicap Women Golfers:
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Offset Design
Offset design-an offset hosel design creates higher launch with more draw bias for straighter, more accurate shots
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Ultra-Lightweight
Ultralight configuration-lighter shafts and swing weights promote maximum club head speed and distance for slower swing speeds
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Rear CG Weighted
Back/heel CG weight-a fixed, back weight positioned near the heel promotes more forgiving, straighter drives
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Alignment Aid
Crown alignment feature-a visually appealing crown feature makes it easy to align the clubhead at address for straighter shots of the Tee
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Forged 455 Steel
Forged 455 stainless steel face insert-forged stainless steel face insert delivers more speed and distance on off-center hits
The Cobra F-Max takes the spot for the best golf hybrid for a women with a high handicap. It has a lightweight club head and shaft design to increase your swing speed, which in turn, increases the distance you hit the ball.
The club head is aesthetically pleasing and comes with a red/pink color theme to appeal to the women golfers who don’t just want a regular black/grey club with a womens shaft.
Cobra have left the standard mens grip on this club, they say that it helps to promote a better grip which allows for more control when using the club.
See more products from Cobra >>
Best Golf Hybrids For High Handicappers - FAQs
What shaft should I select on my hybrid?
The shaft you select primarily relates to how fast you swing the club. Selecting the right shaft is important as it will ensure that every strike is square with the ball and that you don’t slice or hook the ball.
Use the table below on guidance on the right shaft for you.
Swing Speed | Flex |
Under 75 mph | Ladies or Senior |
75 to 95 mph | Regular |
95 to 110 mph | Stiff |
Over 110 mph | Stiff or Extra Stiff |
When should I use a hybrid on the course?
Hybrids are a very versatile golf club which can be used from pretty much anywhere on the course. Many golfers use them in replacement of their 3, 4 and 5 irons as they are much easier to hit and produce a higher ball flight which lands softly on the greens – this makes them great for use on longer par 3 holes.
They are also commonly referred to as ‘rescue’ clubs as they are well known for being able to cut through the thick rough and get you out of trouble. Where as an iron would get ‘hung’ up and drag through the roof resulting in a mis-hit. A hybrid will sweep through the rough and get a nice strike.
What loft should I use on my Hybrid?
Generally, hybrids will go a little further than irons with the same loft. For example, a 26° hybrid will go further than a 26° iron. To make things easy, most hybrid golf club manufacturers will show which iron it replaces on the club.
The chart below shows what loft hybrids correlates to each iron.

For a high handicapper, I would choose anything above 19°. It’s likely that you won’t be able to hit a 1 or 2 iron anyway, so you may struggle with the lower lofts, and it’s possible the hybrids won’t get as much use as the higher iron hybrids. Once you start to go lower than 19° it’s probably best to start using fairway woods.
Conclusion
Choosing the best golf hybrid for high handicappers should be a fairly straightforward task once you know the key features to look out for and what questions to ask yourself before you buy. They are one of the most versatile clubs in your golf bag and I can guarantee that once you buy your first hybrid you’ll wish you had done it sooner!
As a high handicap golfer who is just playing for fun or as someone who is actively looking to improve their game and shoot lower scores, the best golf hybrid for high handicappers would be perfect for anyone.
To recap our favourite hybrid was the Callaway MAVRIK MAX Hybrid and the best golf hybrid for women was the Cobra F8 Max Hybrid.