Hot List 2009: Hybrids: Golf Digest

ADAMS IDEA TECH A4/A4OS

STREET PRICE: $170
WEBSITE: adamsgolf.com
LOFTS: 17, 19, 22, 26 (a4); 17, 19, 22, 25, 28 (a4OS)

TECH TALK: Adams combines a square head and a maraging-steel face to increase ball speed and moment of inertia (MOI)—to 3,400 in the a4OS. An adjustable sole weight in the a4 allows the company to customize swingweight to fit any player. The a4OS comes with a lightweight magnesium crown and heel-toe tungsten sole weights to optimize the launch angle. Its offset hosel is designed to reduce slicing.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Adams has figured out hybrids better than anybody. The ball just takes off, and it's forgiving, too.'' ... (L) "Wow! This hits the ball longer than any other hybrid out there." ... (T) "It's really easy to hit, even off tight lies. Versatile, like an iron."

HOT: Another hybrid leap for Adams, and the premium shafts (Graphite Design YSQ-HL and Mitsubishi Rayon Javln FX) are a bonus.

NOT: A rectangle lacks an aesthetic flow.

BOBBY JONES WORKSHOP EDITION

STREET PRICE: $200
WEBSITE: bobbyjonesgolf.com
LOFTS: 16, 18, 20, 22, 26, 30

TECH TALK: A thin, lightweight hosel helps lower the center of gravity (CG) and features a notch that allows the lie and face angle to be adjusted. Constructed of multiple materials, the clubhead has a thin, strong Carpenter 465 face and a thin maraging-steel crown to relocate 30 grams to the sole.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Amazing. I just hit three balls right on top of each other. It's incredibly easy to get in the air. Certainly good enough to get over the looks." ... (L) "For such a small head, it gets the ball in the air, and you can really work it any way you like.''

HOT: Being able to bend the hosel for different lie and face angles on a hybrid is new thinking other companies will soon copy. This feature and designer Jesse Ortiz's contoured sole get high marks for versatility.

NOT: The snub-nose toe shape of yesteryear's cleeks might not appeal to modern tastes.

CALLAWAY BIG BERTHA DIABLO

STREET PRICE: $160
WEBSITE: callawaygolf.com
LOFTS/BOUNCE: 18, 21, 24, 27

TECH TALK: This straightforward 17-4 stainless-steel design incorporates Callaway's variable-thickness face for increased efficiency on off-center hits. A pair of rails on the back of the sole helps improve turf interaction; they also get the leading edge of the face closer to the ground so players can get the ball up fast, even from heavy lies.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "A stealth-fighter-looking club with cool graphics. Without question, it's easy to hit and very long." ... (L) ''This club does every trick in the book. I hit about seven different shots with it, and it did everything I wanted it to do.'' (T) "This is one of the most user-friendly hybrids you could hit."

HOT: A favorite across all groups, Callaway finally gets the hybrid category right.

NOT: We get it: Diablo, the devil, heat. The red color still looks "roller rink."