Best Hybrid Golf Clubs for High Handicappers 2018, 2019 & 2020

What are the best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers? I recently asked myself the same question and set out to review the best golf hybrids available to set up my own club buying guide.

In a hurry? The best hybrids for high handicap golfers in for 2018, 2019 and 2020 are TaylorMade SIM Max and Callaway Mavrik Max.

If you want to take another step towards lowering your scores then you might want to invest in a rangefinder. It doesn’t have to break the bank – read our budget rangefinders article to see what are the best affordable rangefinders on the market in 2024.

Best Hybrid For High Handicapper: Quick Comparison

Winner TaylorMade SIM Max
  • Long
  • Forgiving
  • Good Feel
  • SpeedPocket
  • TwistFace
  • C3000 Steel
Check Price
Best for Distance Callaway Mavrik Max
  • Long
  • Forgiving
  • Normal Feel
  • Jailbreak
  • FaceCup360
  • FlashFace
Check Price
Mizuno CLK
  • Average
  • Forgiving
  • Excellent Feel
  • Variable Face Thickness
  • Maraging Steel
Check Price
Titleist TS2
  • Average
  • Very Forgiving
  • Good Feel
  • Ultra Thin Crown
  • Thin Face
Check Price
Old but Gold TaylorMade M2 Rescue Club
  • Long
  • Forgiving
  • Good Feel
  • Speed Pocket
  • Fluted Hosel
  • Low Profile
Check Price

Best Hybrid Golf Clubs for Beginner Golfers 2018, 2019 and 2020: Reviews

1. TaylorMade SIM Max Hybrid

Best Overall

The TaylorMade SIM Max series manages to fit even more technological advancements into the clubhead.

As well as the well-known “Speed Pocket” which reduces weight to improve speed whilst increasing the size of the sweet spot, high handicappers will also enjoy the SIM Max Hybrid that offers “TwistFace” technology.

This data derived advance has resulted in a twisted clubface, which whilst completely legal, corrects off-center strikes in the most efficient way possible.

For example, heel strikes will be lifted higher and given a draw spin to reduce the low fade they normally produce.

Distance is not forgotten as the clubface is made from C3000 high strength steel which forces the ball forward at higher speeds, which as we all know means more distance.

One way that the SIM Max Hybrid is different from their Drivers and Woods is the V Steel Sole Design, which reduces friction between the clubhead and ground.

This is essential for hybrids as they are used mainly off the fairway or in the rough, and reducing friction will increase the clubhead speed through impact.

The SIM Max design combines a modern feel with no surprises and does nothing to detract from this excellent product that has been awarded the overall best hybrid of 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Pros

  • Full of Technology
  • High clubhead speed
  • TwistFace improves accuracy

Cons

  • Expensive

Check Current Price

2. Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Hybrid

Best for Distance

The Callaway Mavrik Max Hybrid offers a winning combination of technologies that create long, high, and straight shots.

The distance comes from the numerous Callaway patented technologies such as Flashface technology, which creates speed from the steel used, Jailbreak technology, which includes 2 bars inside the clubhead to provide weight behind the strike zone, and FaceCup 360 technology.

All of these combine, as they do with the Callaway woods and drivers, to give longer distances.

The Mavrik Max is also very easy to hit high and straight due to the design of the clubhead which offers a high Moment of Inertia and low Center of Gravity.

The shape of this high handicap hybrid golf club allows the clubhead to cut through rough or pick the ball off the fairway with a high flight. Also, it has a square-shaped toe that will increase confidence when they stand over the ball.

The Mavrik Max follows the Mavrik colorway of black with orange details and looks as good as it plays.

Additionally, the sound made is as you would expect. The Callaway Mavrik Max Hybrid does everything a hybrid should. It is long, easy to hit high and straight, and gives confidence. 

Pros

  • Full of technology
  • Long
  • High Ball Flight

Cons

  • Quite expensive

Check Current Price

3. Mizuno CLK Hybrid

Best for Feel

Mizuno golf clubs consistently rank highly in user surveys because of the feel they offer the player and the Mizuno CLK Hybrid is no exception. 

This hybrid is designed with feel and accuracy in mind. It achieves this with a Maraging Steel Face of varying thicknesses, which reduces the margin of error from off-center strikes.

However, with the thin steel around the sweet spot, the feel is maintained when you catch it just right.

This, combined with refinements in the design means that it feels as good as it sounds, and when you pure one your smile will be instant.

The clubface design maximizes distance so it is as long as most other hybrids, but where this club excels is giving the user the confidence to aim for even the tightest of pins from way downtown.

To add to this effect the crown of the clubhead makes the hybrid feel larger than it is and also lowers the Center of Gravity so it is easier to get the ball in the air.

Pros

  • Excellent Levels of Feel
  • Confidence Building
  • Forgiving

Cons

  • Not overly long

Check Current Price

4. Titleist 2019 TS2 Hybrid

The Titleist TS2 Hybrid is a great alternative for those who do not care too much for gimmicks and new technology.

This traditional looking hybrid offers all of the performance with none of the fuss.

The most impressive aspect of this hybrid is the forgiveness it offers the user. It has an ultra-thin crown and thin clubface which means that off-center strikes are reduced in intensity, so they fly straighter than with other hybrids.

This also creates a lower Center of Gravity, as most of the club’s weight is in the sole.

For those who sweep the ball, this club is an excellent option. The low CoG gets the ball in the air and flying high, and the sweet spot is lower on the clubface than other models tested.

With low spin rates, this is definitely the club if you need a go-to club or have a lot of long irons into greens.

Pros

  • Very Forgiving
  • High Flight
  • Low Spin Rates

Cons

  • Not very long 
  • Low Tech

Check Current Price

5. M2 Rescue Club – TaylorMade

Old But Gold

This article was originally published in 2018 and M2 hybrid was featured there.

Originally released in 2017, this rescue club is still going strong.

Many years have passed but this club is just too good to delete from the list.

I was a huge fan of the M2 Driver’s color pattern, design and over all look and the hybrid is no exception.

Of course, looks have little to no influence on your game however any owner of the M2 will certainly look cooler with this in their bag.

TaylorMade has kept the M2 name in high regard with the hybrid and is my favorite club in this line up.

The club performed great and I had really great ball speed with every shot I took.

The M2 hybrid’s strongpoint is its sweet spot that seemed difficult to miss.  I particularly like its forgiveness and the overall feel of the club.

The M2 really worked well with my swing and I’ll find a place for it in my own bag in the very near future.

Pros

  • Ideal Mix of Length and Forgiveness
  • Low Center of Gravity
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • No Longer Cutting-Edge

Check Current Price

What is a Hybrid Golf Club?

If you’re like millions of other golfers out there you probably have a little trouble being consistent with your lower lofted irons.

There’s a reason you don’t often see guys with 1 and 2 irons in their bags, it’s because they can be tricky to hit due to their low loft. In recent years the answer to this dilemma has been hybrids.  

Just like the name suggests, a hybrid golf club is essentially half iron-half wood and brings the best of both worlds into one club. They provide the distance and power of a fairway wood while also having the playability and forgiveness of an iron.

Most hybrids have a club head that looks somewhat similar to a fairway wood but is usually smaller than your typical 5-Wood. Although designs do vary most hybrid shafts are shorter than woods meaning you need less room when swinging the club which can be helpful when hitting out of tricky positions.

Hybrids are also known as utility clubs or rescue club because it can really save you in some difficult situations.

I tend to use mine after I’ve hit a bad drive into the rough and need a combination of distance and loft to get out of a bad lie.

Essentially these clubs were created to replace long irons which as I’m sure you know can often be difficult clubs to hit, even with the best of lies.

So if you’re having trouble with hitting some of the longer irons in your bag and are looking for an alternative consider the following when looking for a hybrid that’s best for you.


Should I Buy a Hybrid Golf Club and How to select the Best Hybrid Club for Beginner?

The first question you need to ask yourself is: do I need a hybrid club? Most players would likely benefit from a club that is easier to hit than a 1-4 iron and is far easier to use.

So it’s very likely that the answer to this question could be a yes especially when you consider the versatility of a hybrid.

They could be used in many different situations nearly anywhere on the course. From tee boxes to fairway bunkers to bump and run, you’ve probably seen players use their utility clubs multiple times and in different situations.

The second question you should ask yourself is: What club(s) am I looking to take out of my bag and replace?

If you’re carrying around a 2 iron in your bag and it’s doing more for your looks than it is your game you can probably start there. There are probably many instances where you would need to pull out that 2-Iron and whack a badly hit ball from the rough back on to the fairway.

Start here. The next time you go to the range hit your 2 iron enough to find out the distance you usually get with it and look for a hybrid that can provide you with the same or similar numbers.

Chances are you’ll like the feeling of the hybrid more than you will the iron. This is because the average hybrid has slightly more loft than its iron equivalent which aids in getting the ball off of the ground and on to the correct trajectory.

The club head size aids in getting the desired distance that you would expect from a long iron.

The next question you should ask yourself is: What hybrid club is the best for me? As always, club selection can be a difficult thing to find. Finding the club that works for you isn’t impossible but you should do your research and look at all of the options available to you.

This year I’ve hit many different hybrids in an attempt to find a replacement for my 3 iron and I think I’ve found it.

Of the many different hybrid golf clubs I reviewed these three seemed to be the best hybrid clubs of 2018 & 2019.

Conclusion

Best High Handicap Hybrid Golf Clubs of 2018, 2019, and 2020 are…

The hybrid clubs discussed above have all shown promise and should certainly be considered when looking to add a new hybrid t your bag.

The TaylorMade SIM Max offers the best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 for its all-round performance and distance with its technology-filled clubhead.

Honorable second place belongs to the Callaway Mavrik hybrid club.

9 thoughts on “Best Hybrid Golf Clubs for High Handicappers 2018, 2019 & 2020”

  1. Pingback: Best Golf Irons (Set) for Beginners and High Handicappers 2018: Complete Guide

  2. Pingback: Best Wedges for Mid Handicappers and Average Golfers 2018 (Complete Guide)

  3. Pingback: Best Golf Wedges for Beginners (High Handicappers) 2018: Ultimate Guide

  4. Pingback: Best Putters For Beginners And High Handicappers 2018 (Complete Guide)

  5. Pingback: Best Golf Practice Mats 2018: Complete Guide & Reviews

  6. Nice picks on the hybrids but I gotta go with the Callaway XR-16’S and Callaway Rogue X ones everytime. I have a complete set 3-8 and love em.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *