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The PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a set built for new players or those who want more help on the course.  Nine club set makes great sense for many players.  Strong value.

Introduction

When PXG first entered the game, the one thing that everyone knew was that their clubs were expensive.  Several years later, there is not a single OEM doing more for the budget-conscious golfer.  The PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a follow up to the 0211 Z line [review HERE] and arguably the best way for new and higher handicap players to get a sensible set of clubs with great performance at a reasonable price.

Looks

Overall, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs have a sharp, premium look that’s largely in line with the rest of PXG’s offerings.  The black and silver color scheme is the same, the PXG branding is the same, and the black headcovers even have the same QuickStick magnets.  You’re not going to see the elaborate mill marks like on the Sugar Daddy III wedges [review HERE], but that’s reflective of the price gap.

Starting at the top of the bag, the PXG Wildcat driver looks really good.  The crown is a high gloss black with a white stripe that gives the shape definition.  It’s round and symmetrical, not stretched or leaning toward the heel.  The only sign that it’s meant for higher handicap players is that the face is a little closed.

You get a very similar story with the PXG Wildcat fairway wood.  It has a traditional, symmetrical shape that I found really appealing.  The face depth is average, making it comfortable to hit off the tee or turf.  It’s also a little closed at address, which makes sense for the target audience.

While all three of the woods are better looking than I expected, the PXG Wildcat hybrid may take top prize.  It’s slightly pear shaped, which is something we usually only see in players hybrids.  The alignment mark skews slightly toward the heel and there’s some offset, both of which nod toward a draw bias.

Finally, the PXG Wildcat irons are thick.  In the bag, they show off their ultra wide, anti-digging soles.  At address, the top line is thick and softly rounded, there’s a healthy dose of offset, and the large face encourages players to take a confident swing.

Sound & Feel

Starting again at the top of the bag, the PXG Wildcat driver was a pleasant surprise.  Most “high handicap” drivers are loud and unrefined.  This club, in contrast, has medium volume with a concentrated, mid-pitch, metallic tone.  The ball feels fast off the face.  There’s moderate feedback through the hands and ears when you have more than a slight mishit.

Both the Wildcat hybrid and fairway wood lean toward the prototypical fairway wood sound.  Both are quieter than the driver but higher pitched and more metallic in tone.  The feel in both is more fast than solid, which should provide confidence and excitement for the newer player.

Finally, the PXG Wildcat irons have the soft, bouncy feel that I’ve come to associate with many of PXG’s premium irons.  The ball feels like it’s springing off the face, even on slight mishits.  This feel accompanies a quiet “thud” which doesn’t change unless you hit only the bottom groove.

Performance

The PXG Wildcat driver is the club that really helps the Wildcat golf set stand apart from other premium options.  It’s built to 44″ with 16 degrees of loft, so it’s engineered to be a fairway finder.  And PXG didn’t skimp on the materials either, making the entire head and face from titanium for durability and ball speed.  This is a high launch, high spin club – largely as a result of the loft – but these are good things for a new player or any player without a lot of swing speed.  But the real selling point is the dispersion.  Players can stand on the tee feeling confident that their shot is going to go in the right direction and get the hole started the right way.

Both the PXG Wildcat fairway wood and PXG Wildcat hybrid carry forward that idea of making the long game less intimidating.  Both of these clubs have more loft than you might expect – 19 and 26 degrees, respectively – but, as with the driver, that’s the key to making them work so well.  That added loft gets the ball airborne, and strong ball speed across the face gives every shot the potential to carry a long way.  The additional loft also helps those longer shots to land softer – something golfers struggle with at almost every handicap level.  There is a notable draw bias in these clubs, which will help players fight that hated slice.

From a technology standpoint, the PXG Wildcat irons might be the most exciting and best value in this set.  These irons feature the same proprietary XCOR2 polymer core that PXG uses in their Black Ops irons [review HERE].  This material supports an ultra-thin face which means that players get exceptional ball speed, even on mishits.  The thick soles help player by lowering the CG for higher ball flight and providing insurance against digging.

While these irons are miles from my gamers [the PXG 0317 T, review HERE], I had a ball hitting them.  Every shot launched high and carried forever.  With so much forgiveness, I felt free to swing away.  That freedom led to exceptional accuracy.  PXG put a note in this box saying that these irons aren’t for me, but I’m not so sure about that.

Overall, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs deliver on their promise of exceptional performance for the new or high handicap golfer.  Every club is easy to hit with a look that promotes confidence.  It is worth noting that this set is offered with graphite shafts only – Project X Cypher – in R, A, or L flex.

If you’re wondering about the PXG Black Hawk putter which can be included in the Wildcat set, I have a full review HERE

Conclusion

Available as a complete set or individually, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a great choice for a new golfer, someone coming back to the game, or any higher handicap player looking for great value.  As a nine-club set, this covers everything that most players need without giving them things they don’t, and it lets players take advantage of great technology without breaking the bank.

Visit PXG HERE

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The Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid adds a movable back weight to its well-respected better player model.  Designed for higher swing speeds, adjustability and shaft choices offer versatility for a wider range of competitive golfers.

Introduction

One reason I’ve always appreciated the Tour Edge Exotics lineup is their commitment to providing two distinct offerings: C models for competitive players, and E models for the more everyday golfer.  The latter was typified in my review of the Exotics E725 hybrid [read it HERE] where forgiveness was the highlight.  Slipping off the headcover on the C725 hybrid, I knew Tour Edge continued to exemplify distinctiveness – at least visually.

Looks

From every angle, the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid screams “player.”  At address, the compact size is evident both front to back and heel to toe.  The shape is a bit more rounded than prior models, and I love the new matte finish.

In the photo above, the differences between the Exotics C725 and E725 are self evident.

The head of the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid looks beefy from the toe view, while the fade/draw adjustability – called the Flight Tuning System – is readily apparent from the rear.  The sole of the C725 is nice-looking, with modest branding and glossy finishes.  The black theme from grip to toe creates a high-end, sharp look, although I would have liked to have seen a hint of red continued from the headcover.

Sound & Feel

At impact, the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid produced a metallic sounding ‘crack.’  I’d give it a 4 out of 10 on volume, and I liked the staccato nature of the sound that communicated speed.

The feel was similar – quick and solid.  I also noted that the head felt stable with reasonable contact.  Feedback was clear but subtle.

Performance

So what does the ‘competitive player’ designation really mean for the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid?  Think of it in terms of a better skilled player, not just a spirited competitor.  From a performance perspective the design is intended to produce lower launch and lower spin at faster swing speeds.  A bit of forgiveness is exchanged for workability.

That’s not to say that the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid isn’t suitable for the non-targeted golfer – the adjustability could offer a game changing experience.  The C725 offers both a loft adjustable hosel (+/- 1.5°) and a moveable weight port in the rear of the head (draw/neutral/fade).  Plus, Tour Edge offers no upcharge custom shafts.

I opted for the Project X Cypher 60i shaft, billed as high launch and high spin, that suited me well with the E725 hybrid.  With the #4 model C725 loft being 1° less than the E725, my peak trajectory with the Exotics C725 hybrid was a bit lower comparatively – more in the mid-high range.  The low spin head design combined with the high spin shaft put my ball spin in a compromised mid category – still good for holding a green.  I’d rate my dispersion as acceptable, but state that the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid does require solid strikes for solid performance.

As for the moveable back weight, what Tour Edge refers to as the Flight Tuning System, it’s meaningful.  In the neutral setting, my ball flight was basically straight.  In both the draw and the fade settings I saw about a 15 yard movement left and right respectively. 

The Exotics C725 hybrid also features a new 3D Diamond Face.  The Diamond Face technology isn’t new to the 725 Exotics line-up – it’s still 41 different shapes that act like mini-trampolines – but it’s been revamped to maximize ball speed and consistency across the face.  The key takeaway for 2025 is an expanded sweet spot.

Also not new to the Exotics family, but re-designed for the C725 is what Tour Edge calls the RyzerSole.  Extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the sole, basically where the “Tour Edge Exotics” badging is located, the RyzerSole adds weight to lower CoG, boosting launch.  The design also aids in turf interaction, making the Exotics C725 hybrid equally viable from the rough and fairway as it is from a tee.

Conclusion

With more and more players across the spectrum of golfers turning to hybrids, it’s not surprising that Tour Edge continues to offer two distinct models.  And while the compact size and low spin design might satisfy the better golfer, the adjustability of the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid truly adds to the appeal.  To me it’s amazing how much technology can be fit into such a small head.  Whether you’re a true player looking for shot shaping or a good golfer needing some help with a undesirable tendency, the Exotics C725 offers versatility along with strong general performance.

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Tour Edge Exotics C725 Hybrid Price & Specs

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The Tour Edge Exotics E725 hybrid is very forgiving and playable in terms of spin and launch.  Stable feel and appealing sound.  Attractive price.

Introduction

With MOI being all the rage in driver talk during 2024, I was intrigued to read “Our highest ever Moment of Inertia hybrid” on the Tour Edge website for the Exotics E725 hybrid.  I’ve always been impressed with Tour Edge hybrids, but could the Exotics E725 truly be “improving accuracy by leaps and bounds”? It was time to find out.

Looks

Overall, the Tour Edge Exotics E725 hybrid has a high-end and cohesive look.  The black theme from grip to toe truly looks sharp.  There’s a lot of features and badging displayed in and on the head, but Tour Edge designers did a masterful job of pulling it all together without distractions.

I like the matte finish on the exposed carbon weave of the crown.  The shape of the head at address has a classic pear shape that most players should find appealing, similar to the E723 hybrid [review HERE].  There’s ample length heel-to-toe to inspire confidence at address.

While it’s not part of the look of a club, the headcover is uber soft – creating a positive tactile vibe when the Exotics E725 is called into action.

Prefer a smaller hybrid?  Check out the Tour Edge Exotics C725 hybrid HERE

Sound & Feel

With the mix of materials and head size, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect on the sound front.  What the Tour Edge Exotics E725 hybrid produced was a slightly muted, woodsy ‘snap.’  This appealing sound didn’t come about by chance – Tour Edge incorporated internal fins above the rear weight port to tune the acoustics.

To my hands, strikes felt crisp and clean.  Not surprising with a high MOI design (more on that in a moment), there wasn’t much twisting feel when contact moved towards the toe.  I could sense that I wavered from center, but the feedback was very subtle.  More direct, but not harsh, was the feedback on my dreaded thin strikes.

Performance

“Extreme forgiveness” may be the headline for the Tour Edge Exotics E725 hybrid, but it really needs an asterisk that reads *high, straight, and easy to hit.  Typically it takes multiple swings to get comfortable with a new club, but the E725 played like an old friend.  The 22° 4H that I tested produced a lovely high trajectory straight at my target from the first swing.  Spin hovered right in the zone where I could trust the ball to hold the green.  Equally important on the trust meter was knowing the minus on the distance dispersion was solid, so I didn’t over club when water stood between me and the green.

Tour Edge packed a lot of features that drive performance into the Exotics E725 hybrid, so let’s take a look at each one, starting with weighting.  The rear weight port is positioned low and rearward (10% more so than the E723) to boost MOI, launch, and spin.  I tested with the standard 10 gram weight, but eight additional weights ranging from 5 to 28 grams are available to customize swing weight and performance.

The glossy section on the sole is what Tour Edge calls the RyzerSole.  Working in conjunction with the Power Channel behind the face, the design increases face flexing while promoting stability and turf interaction.  And, important for me as a picker, it delivers solid performance with strikes low on the face.

Topside on the Tour Edge Exotics E725 hybrid, 360° Ridgeback Technology harnesses power for the face.  You can see the titanium bracing that provides the framework for the carbon crown.  This leads us to the actual face, or more accurately, the 3D Diamond Face.  The Diamond Face concept isn’t new to the 725 Exotics line-up, it’s still 41 different shapes that act like mini-trampolines, but it’s been revamped to maximize ball speed and consistency across the face.  The key takeaway is an expanded sweet spot for 2025.

Conclusion

The Tour Edge Exotics E725 hybrid is a great all-around performer suitable for golfers seeking a balance of forgiveness and playability.  Whether it’s leaps and bounds better in accuracy may depend on your starting point.  But toss in good looks, plus an attractive price, and the Exotics E725 hybrid is worthy of a closer look – whether you’re switching out your long irons or just needing a hybrid refresh.

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Tour Edge Exotics E725 Hybrid Price & Specs

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The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid produces exceptional ball speed thanks to Ai Smart Face and the Tungsten Speed Cartridge.  Easy, mid-high launch with mid-low spin mean lots of very long shots.  Good forgiveness.

Introduction

With the booming popularity of high-lofted fairway woods, hybrids seem to have lost their shine.  But while they may not be getting headlines, hybrids remain one of the best options for recreational players aiming to find the green from long distance.  The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid, using the same AI-based technology seen in the company’s drivers and fairway woods, seeks to prove that point with great ball speed and distance.

Looks

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid is billed as having a “larger overall profile,” but it’s at most average in size.  Comparing the Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid to last year’s Paradym hybrid, Callaway has switched to a matte crown.  The shape is more refined, removing some of the bulk in the heel.  The face height is a touch above average which instills confidence when facing tough lies in the rough.

In the bag, the Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid has a bold look, mixing several colors and textures.  The branding remains modest in size with the focus on the blue Tungsten Speed Cartridge in the center of the sole.

Sound & Feel

Striking premium balls with the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid produces a very light, quick impact sound.  The exact tone is hard to pin down.  It’s not quite a “tink,” but there’s too much metallic character for it to be a “click.”  Regardless of how you verbalize the sound, it communicates speed.

The feel of impact is similarly quick, but the face doesn’t feel too thin.  This club definitely favors a speedy feel over strength, but it’s not too extreme in that direction.

Feedback on strike quality is average both through the hands and ears.  The character of the sound changes slightly  on mishits, and you can feel the impact location if you’re paying attention.

Performance

While I didn’t test last year’s Paradym hybrid [find Matt Meeker’s review HERE], I have tested numerous Callaway hybrids over the last few years.  They’ve set a very high bar for ball speed, and the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid cleared it.  My testing notes say, “1.4+ guaranteed,” referring to smash factor.  Callaway’s Ai Smart Face continues to impress in all its applications, from drivers to fairway woods to hybrids and irons.

Callaway rates the Paradym Ai Smoke as “high” launching.  For me, this club launches easily, but mid to mid-high.  This pairs well with the mid-low spin to create a lot of distance.  While it’s not a pure bomber hybrid, I would rate this as more focused on distance than precision.  If you want to go extreme chasing distance, check out the Callaway Super Hybrid HERE.

One interesting change from the Paradym hybrid is on the sole.  The Ai Smoke hybrid ditches the Cutwave Sole in favor of “more pronounced sole camber” in the pursuit of better turf interaction.  I didn’t find the camber to be extreme, but the Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid did get through rough lies fairly easily.

Finally, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid line is fairly expansive, including three different models.  Per Callaway, the standard version, which is what I tested for this review, is meant for players with average and above speed looking for more distance and tighter dispersion.  The Paradym Ai Smoke HL hybrid is built to create more height for players with average speed.  Last, the Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast is designed to help slower swingers create more speed and higher ball flight.  The latter two models also feature larger profiles for more forgiveness.

Conclusion

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid makes a strong case for sticking with hybrids over fairway woods thanks to its combination of ball speed and distance.  Whether you need to replace a long iron or an unreliable wood, this is a quality option for the player with average or greater swing speed.

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Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrid Price & Specs

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The Cobra DARKSPEED hybrid is a compact, all matte black club that launches balls high and far with minimal spin.  A perfect replacement for those difficult long irons.

Introduction

The biggest story coming from Cobra this year is their use of computational air movement when designing their clubs.  Cobra found that through the study of high speed cars and aviation they could reconfigure shaping to reduce drag on their woods line.  This lead to improved club head speeds and added distance across the board.  While much of these studies and designs are done on a computer or in a lab, I was able to get one of the Cobra DARKSPEED Hybrids to review to see how well it performs in real life.

Looks

Right out of the box, I noted the Cobra DARKSPEED Hybrid is compact with a small footprint.  At address, the matte black crown mirrors its DARKSPEED siblings in the driver and fairway woods with only the Cobra “C” logo as an alignment aid.  The white face lines sit nicely against the ball and act as a secondary alignment tool.

In the bag, the sole sports a single replaceable weight.  This interchangeable weight is not new, but its location has been moved forward for 2024.  Keeping up with the rest of the DARKSPEED line, the hybrid remains all black which is underrated and brings an elevated look to the hybrid.

Sound & Feel

Cobra nailed the sound for the DARKSPEED Hybrid.  Each strike elicits a solid “tick” at impact that sounds more like a perfectly struck iron than a wood.  The sound was quiet and only got louder and a bit more metallic when you miss well out on the toe or heel.

The feel is just as good as the sound.  Any decent strike felt like the ball bounced off the face.  This is a club that is almost hard to miss with.  Feedback was only evident in the worst swings as any decent contact had minimal effect through the hands.

Performance

The Cobra DARKSPEED hybrid is a true rescue club.  Its shape is compact enough where I could get it through any type of rough or fescue.  It is also inspiring enough where I felt confident using it off a tee or in the fairway when necessary.

While testing the 19 degree three hybrid I had no trouble holding a green.  Its high launch yielded a steep landing angle that countered the low spin.  This is exactly what I prefer in a hybrid: a massively high trajectory that was fun to watch and stopped a few feet after landing.

From left to right dispersion, I found the Cobra DARKSPEED hybrid to be fairly neutral.  It did not favor a fade or a draw.  In fact, it seemed to autocorrect my miss and deliver straight, penetrating balls almost every time.   Cobra only offers the single hybrid so if you’re looking for something with more spin and workability, I would recommend looking elsewhere.  The good news is that Cobra offers their hybrid in a two through six model that span 11 degrees in loft.  From 17 degrees in a two hybrid all the way up to 28 degrees in the six hybrid.  Each club comes in at $279 and stock with a KBS PGI shaft with weight depending on the flex stiffness of your choosing.

I also should mention that any Cobra purchase also comes with a full set of Arccos sensors [review HERE] to use to track your stats – an added value built right in.

Conclusion

The Cobra DARKSPEED hybrid blends the precision of a long iron with an easier to launch wood to fill in those awkward gaps in the bag.  Add in the variety of lofts and this low spin club can be fit for even the most tricky of bag setups.

Visit Cobra Golf HERE

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Cobra DARKSPEED Hybrid Price & Specs

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The TaylorMade P DHY takes the fear out of long approaches and tight tee shots.  Very consistent distances.  Straight, predictable ball flight.  Some workability, but it leans toward forgiveness.

Introduction

The TaylorMade P DHY – Driving Hybrid – is built for players who don’t want to give up the control of an iron but need a little more help with speed and launch.  This club bridges the gap between utility irons, which can be challenging to hit, and hybrids, which some find unpredictable.  If that sounds like the perfect Goldilocks solution to your long game, read on.

Looks

In the bag, the TaylorMade P DHY is a stunner.  The all-matte look is super clean, and TaylorMade kept the branding extremely minimal.  Though it does have a little bulk, the look still screams “This guy can play!”

At address, the P DHY is a bit more iron-like than the Stealth DHY [review HERE].  The face, though still elongated, is not as round.  Additionally, the top line looks a little thinner, and there appears to be less flange sticking out behind it.  Overall, it gives you the feel of hitting an iron with some added comfort.

The TaylorMade P DHY and P UDI (above, right), while clearly related, have some obvious differences at address.  The P DHY has a thicker top line, and its face is about 1/8″ shorter at its peak.  Both irons are the same length from heel to toe, though the shorter face makes the DHY look longer.  TaylorMade does not give offset specs, but to my eye there is slightly more offset in the P DHY.

Sound & Feel

The TaylorMade P DHY has the exact sound and feel that I hoped for.  I would describe it as a supercharged traditional iron.  The sound on center is a powerful “snap” that pairs with a solid feel.

Despite its larger size, the P DHY provides clear feedback on strike quality.  Centered shots feel sweet, and small misses feel good – less soft but not hard.  When you explore the edges of the face, the feel becomes quite firm.  Similarly, the volume of impact climbs as you get farther from the sweet spot.

Performance

The TaylorMade P DHY is built to take the fear out of tight tee shots and long approaches.  With a long iron, mishits can be very ugly.  With the P DHY, almost every shot is going to end up in a good place.  The combination of the Speed Pocket and internal weighting with up to 26 grams of tungsten make this club very forgiving and stable.

Testing the TaylorMade P DHY on a launch monitor, I was impressed with the consistency of the numbers.  On shots ranging from pure to fairly poor, ball speed stayed in a range of about 5 MPH.  That and the robust spin numbers kept the distances predictable whether I hit it flush or off center.  The dispersion also stood out as a real positive.  While I was able to shape shots when I wanted to, this club defaults to a straight flight.

Compared to the P UDI [review HERE], the TaylorMade P DHY is the friendlier option.  It launches and spins slightly more which helps to get more shots on a playable trajectory.  Additionally, the P DHY is slightly better a preserving ball speed.  All this means that your mishits are going to end up closer to your best strikes.

The tradeoff that you make with the P DHY is a small loss in versatility.  TaylorMade rates the P DHY slightly lower than the P UDI off the fairway and out of the rough because of the wider sole.  I don’t agree that the P DHY is universally harder to hit from these situations – some players benefit from that wider sole – but I understand the idea behind the rating.  Additionally, while the P DHY can certainly shape shots, it’s more “point and shoot” than the UDI.

As with the P UDI, getting fit for the TaylorMade P DHY is key.  I know a lot of players treat utility irons like hybrids – buying one off the rack and hoping it works – but that’s not going to help you get the most out of this club.  Long approaches are some of the most challenging shots in the game, and getting the perfect shaft and loft on your club can make them much more manageable.

Conclusion

For many golfers, the TaylorMade P DHY is going to be the “just right” option for their long game.  This club offers the looks and control of an iron with the forgiveness that we normally associate with hybrids.  If you’re ready to take on those long shots with more confidence, check one out the next time you visit your club fitter.

Buy the TaylorMade P DHY HERE

TaylorMade P DHY Price & Specs

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The TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue hybrid is a larger, more forgiving version of the standard Qi10 Rescue.  Stronger draw bias.  Extremely easy to hit.

Introduction

Not long ago, I posted a rave review of the Qi10 Rescue [find it HERE].  After testing the TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue, I found that this club is perfectly named.  It takes almost everything that’s great about the standard model and takes it to the Max.  Read on to find out if it deserves a spot in your bag.

Looks

The TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue is built for the players who find comfort in seeing a larger club head at address.  This is clearly the biggest of the Qi10 Rescue clubs, over 1/8″ longer from front-to-back than the Qi10 Rescue.  Interestingly, this extra bulk gives the Qi10 Max Rescue a little more of a pear shape than its smaller brother.  Also, it sits square at address.

In the bag, the Max looks nearly identical to the standard Qi10 Rescue.  The one obvious difference is the additional gold paintfill on the “Max” under the Qi10 branding.

Before moving on, I want to give credit to TaylorMade for giving this series an elevated head cover.  The embossed “Qi10” logos across the white section make it stand out without screaming for attention.

Sound & Feel

This is the one category where “Max” doesn’t seem to fit this club.

The first thing that isn’t “Max” about the TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue is the volume.  At impact, this club emits the same pleasing sound as the standard Qi10 Rescue.  It’s crisp and quiet with just enough oomph to let you know that you hit a powerful shot.  This sound pairs with a light, quick feel off the face.

Additionally, the feedback is not “Max.”  The sound of impact barely changes even when you’re striking it poorly.  Similarly, the stability of the Qi10 Max covers up the feel of most mishits.  So while the feedback is more minimum than maximum, this club does “Max” out on keeping your ego boosted.

Performance

With truly maximum forgiveness, the TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue is like a get out of jail free card.  Duffed your tee shot?  Pound this down by the green.  Stuck in the tall stuff?  Swing hard and this will send the ball flying.  Lost confidence in your driver?  Hit this instead.

While the consistency and forgiveness are definitely the A1 quality of this club, it’s not short on ball speed.  Players will be very happy when they discover how far they can hit the Qi10 Max Rescue.  Make sure to get fit for yours because you may not need as much loft as you think.

In terms of launch and spin, both register mid-high.  I did not see any shots balloon, but you will have to put in some effort to flight the ball down.  Thanks to the Speed Pocket, my thin shots were all playable.  This club is definitely more focused on consistency than workability.

Finally, another thing that is turned closer to the max is the draw bias.  While it doesn’t have the strongest draw bias I’ve ever seen, the Max is noticeably more left-biased than the standard Qi10 Rescue.  This is likely a combination of the head design and the stock shaft.  The Speeder NX in the Max is about 10 grams lighter than the Ventus used in the standard.  If you want max forgiveness with less draw bias, work with your fitter to make a shaft change.

Conclusion

For players that want maximum forgiveness in their long game and some help turning the ball over, the TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue is a great choice.  Offered at five different lofts, you can use this to replace much of your iron set and hit higher, more consistent shots into the greens, or just dump your long irons to set up more eagle opportunities.

Visit TaylorMade Golf HERE

TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue Price & Specs

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The Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 hybrid is easy to hit and versatile.  Mid launch and spin.  The Tour Edge Hot Launch E524 hybrid has higher launch and spin with a very strong draw bias.

Introduction

While many people point to drivers when talking about the rising price of clubs, I’ve noticed it most in fairway woods and hybrids.  This year, we’re seeing those two segments blast through the $300 barrier.  Tour Edge, however, is burnishing their reputation as “Golf’s Most Solid Investment” with the new Hot Launch C524 & E524 hybrids.  As with last year’s models [review HERE], they’re offering modern performance at a throwback price.

Looks

Of all the Tour Edge Hot Launch 524 clubs, the two hybrids are the most similar.  Both have similarly short faces, more like fairway woods than irons.  They also share the Ridgeback Technology on the crown which provides some alignment help.  All that said, there are still meaningful differences between the two.

The Hot Launch E524 hybrid has the larger footprint.  It’s longer from front to back with a rounded shape.  Additionally, the offset is more noticeable in the E524, and it wants to sit a bit closed at address.

Side by side, the Hot Launch C524 hybrid is noticeably shorter from front to back.  It also has a slight pear shape which is enhanced by the Ridgeback Technology.  The long, shallow face with fairway wood-like score lines gave me a lot of confidence in elevating this club off the turf.

Sound & Feel

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 hybrid has a snappy sound at impact.  The volume is a bit below average, and it’s very consistent across the face.  The one exception is the heel which is noticeably louder.

Your feedback will come mainly through your hands which get a medium quick feel if you’re near the center.  The C524 hybrid is somewhere in the middle of the bell curve, feeling neither super solid nor hollow.

Check out the new Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 and E524 Fairway Woods HERE

The Tour Edge Hot Launch E524 hybrid has a similar feel – a little quick, a little solid.  You won’t get a big change in the character of the feel when you miss one, but you’ll be able to sense the impact location through your hands.

Surprisingly, the impact sound of the E524 hybrid is a bit quieter than the C524.  It’s not a massive difference, but it’s fairly obvious when you hit them side by side.  Pure strikes have a very crisp impact sound, but the volume is dialed down.

Performance

As with the other Hot Launch 524 clubs that I’ve tested, Tour Edge has done a good job of differentiating these two hybrids while allowing them to share some key traits.  One thing I noticed immediately about both hybrids is their shaft length.  While most 19* hybrids are 40.5″ or longer, these measure 39.75″.  That may not seem like a big deal, but it’s a smart way to help golfers get a little more consistency.  While every golfer should get fit for the length that suits their body and swing, opting for a shorter shaft can be beneficial, especially for higher handicap players.

Sticking with the idea of consistency, both the E524 hybrid and C524 hybrid have very good forgiveness.  Neither has elite ball speed, but the speed numbers are consistent across the face.

While both hybrids are easy to get airborne, launch angle is one area where the two clubs separate a bit.  The Hot Launch C524 hybrid tended to launch on an mid trajectory for me.  I found that the Hot Launch E524 hybrid launched a degree or two higher.  I could also feel the E524 hybrid’s Houdini Sole offer some additional help when I get the club into the ground too early.

Another key differentiator between the two hybrids is the level of draw bias.  In the Hot Launch E524 hybrid, the draw bias is advertised with a weight in the heel.  This club is a legitimate slice killer.  I had to hit the ball all the way in the heel or make an exaggerated cut swing to get the ball the fly straight.  In contrast, the Hot Launch C524 hybrid has some draw bias, but it’s not nearly as extreme.  My “straight” swing produced a modest draw, and I could get the ball to cut with some effort.

Finally, I found the Hot Launch E524 hybrid to be higher spinning than the Hot Launch C524 hybrid.  Relative to other hybrids, the C524 hybrid has spin that’s about average, giving it a strong ball flight.  The E524 hybrid has higher than average spin which gave it more stopping power on the greens.  Higher spin is also necessary to optimize carry distance for players with slower swings.

Conclusion

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 hybrid is a great choice for the good or improving golfer who needs a reliable long game club.  Higher handicap players or players at any level who fight a slice will love the Tour Edge Hot Launch E524 hybrid.  Either way, adding one of these to your bag won’t empty your pockets.

Visit Tour Edge HERE

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Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 Hybrid Specs

Tour Edge Hot Launch E524 Hybrid Specs

The post Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 & E524 Hybrid Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue has a beautiful, compact look at address.  Iron-like sound and feel.  Tremendous versatility and workability.  Significantly more demanding than the standard or Max versions.  Lower launch and spin.

Introduction

TaylorMade’s Qi10 Rescue family has something for everyone.  The Qi10 Max Rescue [review coming soon] is ideal for players who put a premium on forgiveness.  The core Qi10 Rescue is one of the best do-everything hybrids available.  But for the high level ball striker, the only choice is the TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue.  This is one of the best players hybrid I’ve ever tested.

Looks

I gamed one of the original Tour Preferred Rescues for many years, and while the technology has changed a lot from then to now, TaylorMade’s ability to craft a beautiful hybrid has not.  The TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue is one of the best looking players hybrids in recent memory.  It’s compact from heel to toe and front to back with a distinct pear shape.  The toe is square, and the face is tall, though neither is taken to a cartoonish degree.

Flipping it over, the Qi10 Tour Rescue looks sharp.  The tiny amounts of blue and gold have an outsized impact, giving this a look that’s very different from TaylorMade clubs of the past.  Branding is moderately sized with most of the visual interest coming from different finishes and geometric designs.

Sound & Feel

The TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue reminds us that hybrids are meant to be part iron with a feel that’s more solid and iron-like than explosive.  There’s a lot of satisfaction in feeling the strength of this contact and knowing that you earned the distance.

This solid feel pairs well with the quiet impact sound.  Again, this club has more in common with an iron than its bigger, distance-first cousins.  The strike sounds crisp and satisfying on center.

When it comes to feedback, the Qi10 Tour speaks clearly.  There is an obvious change in the sound of impact when you go from pure strikes to mishits.  You can also feel the impact location precisely, even if you’re not fully locked in.

Performance

A players hybrid needs to walk a fine line.  It must provide more distance and forgiveness than a long iron without giving up too much control of the golf ball.  The TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue walks that line with aplomb.

It took only one swing to see that the Qi10 Tour Rescue is a different animal than its brothers.  Where the Qi10 Rescue [review HERE] is happy to put every shot on a similar, mid-high trajectory, the Qi10 Tour Rescue naturally opts for a lower route.  The launch angles this club produces are noticeably lower, as is the spin, resulting in a more piercing ball flight.  High speed and high spin players will turn this into greater distance.  It it possible to put the ball on a higher trajectory for a soft landing, but that requires skill and effort from the player.

Similarly, the Qi10 Tour Rescue allows you to move the ball in any direction you choose.  There is no built-in bias, so your swing will decide if you’re hitting it straight, drawing it, or cutting it.  The Tour model is the only Rescue with an adjustable hosel, so you do have the option of opening or closing the face to promote a particular ball flight.

All of this freedom does come at the cost of some forgiveness.  Compared to its peers, the forgiveness in the TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue is very respectable.  However, compared to its Qi10 line mates, it is substantially more demanding.  If you’re not swinging well, even your best efforts may not generate the ball speed produced by the standard or Max Qi10 Rescues.  As always, the answer is in getting fit so you can make an educated decision about the tradeoffs between these three excellent hybrids.

Conclusion

If you want to take your long game fully into your own hands, the TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue won’t disappoint.  This club is much easier to hit than a long iron, but it retains the ability to flight the ball up or down, left or right.

Visit TaylorMade Golf HERE

TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue Price & Specs

The post TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue Hybrid Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The Cleveland HALO XL Hybrid is a big, forgiving hybrid with surprising versatility.  Strong distance.  GlideRail sole helps it deal with all types of lies.

Introduction

If you’ve read my reviews of the other HALO XL clubs, you’ve no doubt noticed a theme.  These are some of the most reliable, easy to hit, consistent long game clubs available.  But for as good as the Hy-Wood and fairway wood are, the Cleveland HALO XL hybrid is my favorite.  Read on to find out why.

Looks

The Cleveland HALO XL hybrid earns its name with a larger than average footprint.  It has a symmetrical, oval shape, and a gloss black crown with a subtle sparkle to the finish.  At address, the most standout feature is the HiBore Crown Step just behind the silver alignment aid.

Cleveland highlights their GlideRails with a silver finish on each rail.  The rest of the sole is dark grey, making the white paintfill for “Cleveland” and “HALO XL” pop. This classic black/white/silver color scheme carries over to the headcover, too.

Sound & Feel

On center, the Cleveland HALO XL hybrid produces a snappy, mid-volume sound that blends speed and power.  The sound gets higher pitched and more metallic – a fairway wood “tink” – when you get off center.  This provides clear, almost binary feedback about whether or not you hit the ball well.

Through the hands, the sensation blends solid and quick just like the sound does.  Also like the sound, it gives you good feedback, which is surprising for a larger-than-average club.  If you’re paying attention, you can easily determine where on the face you struck the ball.

Performance

In my reviews of the HALO XL fairway wood [find it HERE] and Hy-Wood, I hammered one theme: consistency.  For players seeking more predictability in their long game – and that’s almost all of us – you can hardly do better.  The Cleveland HALO XL hybrid is no different, but it adds something more.

But let’s start with the reliability.  Thanks to the XL Head Design, MainFrame XL, and Rebound Frame, the HALO XL hybrid keeps the ball speed high regardless of where on the face you strike it.  It also delivers tremendous stability, even when you’re peppering the edges of the face.  All that means your worst shots are going to look a lot more like your best shots.

Another key to the consistency of the HALO XL hybrid is the GlideRail sole.  These big, pronounced rails help the club slide through the turf rather than getting tangled in rough.  They also provide insurance against fat shots like bounce on a wedge.

For me, what elevates the HALO XL hybrid is that its top end is a bit higher than its brothers.  I found it easier to work both ways – there was less draw bias than in the FW or Hy-Wood.  Additionally, it has average spin, so it has more distance potential.  Comparing it to the HALO XL Hy-Wood [review HERE], the hybrid launches higher on stock shots, but I was able to flight it down more easily.  Some of that may be related to my preference for hybrids, but I do think some of that is inherent to the club.

Conclusion

All of the Cleveland HALO XL woods are consistent and easy to hit.  That gives them all wide appeal, but the HALO XL hybrid also ropes in the high end player with its versatility.  This is a club that really doesn’t sacrifice much of anything, offering very solid distance and shot control along with forgiveness.

Visit Cleveland Golf HERE

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Cleveland HALO XL Hybrid Price & Specs

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