As you may recall from the fairway section of the golf guide, I said that fairway woods were generally uninteresting clubs.  A good bit of the reason for that is the emergence of hybrid clubs.  Hybrids have found their way into an increasing number of golfer’s bags as replacements, not only for hard to hit long irons (as they were originally intended), but in some cases, they’re replacing fairway woods as well.

More recent designs have reflected this trend.  In the past few years we’ve seen hybrid clubheads grow to such an extent that, in many cases, the end product more closely resembles a short-shafted fairway wood than the original compact hybrid clubs that emerged earlier this decade.

For some, the larger heads inspire confidence.  To guys like me, they just look bulky.  Others still, the better golfers among us, favor designs more in step with the original hybrids because, old-school  hybrids (6 years ago) while more forgiving then long irons, still offer a level of workability that’s largely absent from the current generation of big-headed hybrids.

What’s great about 2009 is that not only are we seeing some great new hybrids hit the market, but some of the manufacturers (TaylorMade for example) are returning to their roots, and are once again, producing hybrids with compact heads.

Let’s look at the clubs…

TaylorMade 2009 Rescue Mid

It feels good for a self-confessed TaylorMade guy like myself to finally be excited about a TaylorMade hybrid again.  I’ve owned two hybrids in my life.  The first of them was the original Rescue Mid.  Unfortunately, subsequent offerings from TaylorMade have left me uninspired to say the least.  For me, it’s welcome news that TaylorMade is returning to its (hybrid) roots, and releasing a new and improved Rescue Mid with, and this is the import part, a compact head.

The 2009 Rescue Mid builds on the solid foundation of the original from 2003.  The bigger, bulkier, Burner style head has been replaced with a more compact design, which moves the emphasis of the club back towards playability.  That’s certainly not to imply that the new Rescue Mid is unforgiving.  The newest incarnation features an ultra-thin wall crown which has allowed the engineers at TaylorMade to lower the center of gravity.

The sole of the 2009 Rescue Mid features substantial heel and toe relief, which reduces the amount of the clubhead that comes into contact with the turf.  We’ve seen this approach several times already this year, so we know it’s all about decreasing resistance and improving playability from a variety of lies.

As is almost always the case with TaylorMade, there are both standard and Tour Preferred options available.  The most substantial difference between the two models is that the TP version includes TaylorMade’s adjustable shaft Flight Control Technology, which again, we’ve covered a couple of times already in this guide.

The standard version comes stock with the Aldila RE*AX shaft in lofts designed to replace your 2, 3, 4, or 5 iron.  Retail price is $199.

The Tour version comes stock with the Aldila Voodoo VS8 shaft.  Other shaft options include the Fujikura® Motore 85 graphite hybrid shaft and the Matrix Ozik Altus Hybrid graphite shaft.  The TP model is available in lofts designed to replace a 2, 3, or 4 iron.  Retail price when it hits store shelves early this spring is $249.  More information is available at www.taylormadegolf.com.

Titleist 909 Hybrid

I mentioned that I’ve owned two hybrids in my life.  The first an original TaylorMade Rescue Mid, the other a Titleist 505H; a club I’ll try and find any excuse to hit.  Quite frankly I had hoped Titleist would never release another hybrid because I didn’t want to deal with the temptation to purchase yet another golf club I probably don’t need.  God knows I couldn’t be happier with the 505.  Fortunately for you, and unfortunately for me, however; the Titleists 909 lineup also includes the new 909 H hybrid.  I probably should just go order one now.

Perhaps what’s most intriguing about the 909H is that it’s what Titleist calls a “progressive line of hybrids”.  What this means is that as you move through the various lofts, the size, shape, offset, and even the center of gravity progress.  Titleist claims this provides proper ball flight, workability, and trajectory control.  Given their reputation, I have no reason to doubt that they know what they’re doing.

Stock shaft offerings for the 909 H include the Titleist Aldila VooDoo Hybrid or the Titleist Mitsubishi Diamana Blue.  The 909H is available in lofts of 15°, 17°, 19°, 21°, 24°.  Retail price is $189.99

Cleveland Launcher Hybrid

With the original Halo phased out, Cleveland fans have seen two incarnations of the HiBore hybrd.  Finally, for 2009 Cleveland has created a new Launcher hybrid.  Apart from being (at least in my opinion) the best looking clubs Cleveland has produced over the last few years, the resurgence of the Launcher line has given those Cleveland fans, who aren’t necessarily fans of the sloped-back HiBore design, something to get excited about.

Just because it isn’t a HiBore doesn’t mean the Launcher isn’t all about forgiveness.  It’s face is 12% bigger than any hybrid Cleveland has ever produced, making it among the largest on the market today.  The Launcher hybrid features “Extended Horseshoe Perimeter Weighting”, which moves the clubhead’s mass low and deep.  The result is an MOI of 3000; Cleveland’s most forgiving hybrid ever.

As with all Cleveland woods, the stock shaft options are the Fujikura Fit-On Gold and Red.  Available lofts include 15.5° (1 iron), 18° (2 iron) 20.5° (3 iron, 23° (4 iron), and 26° (5 iron).  Retail price for the Cleveland Launcher Hybrid is a relatively inexpensive $149.99

Nickent 5DX Iron-Wood

Nickent, the self-proclaimed King of Hybrids™ has really made a name for itself in the brief history of the hybrid club.  While overall the Nickent name is not as well-known as some of the other manufacturers you’ll find in this year’s Guide, their clubs are in play on the PGA, Nationwide, and Champions Tour.  They’ve also built up quite a following among everyday golfers who’ve fallen in love the performance of Nickent products.

Nickent is billing their new 5DX as the longest, straightest hybrid they’ve ever created.  The highlight of the 5DX is the “wings” on the back of the club.  As with all perimeter weighting systems, the wings are their to optimize the center of gravity and increase MOI.  They’re strategically placed not only for performance, but also to not cause any distraction to the golfer’s sight lines.

In addition to the “wings”, the 5DX incorporates XW (extreme weighting) inserts into the rear of the clubhead.  These tungsten-polymer plugs combined with the wings, result in what Nickent calls a “super-high” MOI; an astounding 3130.  Like other clubs we’ve looked at so far, the 5DX features a contoured sole to reduce contact with the turf.  The variable thickness technology helps to create more consistent ball speeds across the entirety of the face.

The 5DX comes stock with the Fujikura Level 5ive shaft.  It’s available in lofts designed to replace a 1-iron through a 6-iron with strong lofts in between.  Retail price for the 5DX iron-wood is $199.99.

TourEdge Exotics XCG-V

I’m including the TourEdge Exotics XCG-V here, not jut because I promised I’d have a lot to say about TourEdge, but mostly because there’s something unique about their newest hybrid.  All of the other hybrids we’ve looked at so far are constructed primarily (if not entirely) from one form of steel or another, the XCG-V, however; a large part of the clubhead it made from titanium.

Before we get to the titanium thing…The XCG-V is 25% larger than previous Exotics hybrids.  It also has the largest hot zone (sweet spot) of any Exotics hybrid to date.  So you may be thinking “ok, titanium, so what?”  While I’m not a scientist, I can tell you that titanium weighs considerably less than steel (which is why they make drivers out of it).  By using a titanium cup face and crown, TourEdge was able to relocate an astounding 30 grams of of weight from the face and crown to the high density steel sole plate.  This results in that 80% of the total mass of the clubhead is right where you want it; low and deep.  The XCG-V has the deepest CG of any Exotics hybrid.

The TourEdge Exotics XCG-V hybrid comes stock with a GraphiteDesigns Exotics Tour shaft.  It’s available in lofts of  16° (2 iron), 18° (3 iron), 21° (4 iron), and 24° (5 iron).  Retail price is $249.99.

Mizuno MX-700

I haven’t had too much to say thus far about Mizuno woods.  Mostly that has to do with the fact that the press releases detailing the new MX-700 lineup weren’t released until after I had already completed the Driver and Fairway Woods section of the Golf Guide.  Fortunately we were able to sneak the MX-700 hybrid in just under the wire.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Mizuno is calling the MX-700 series the longest, most-forgiving woods the company has ever produced.  They hybrid is no exception.  The new club features an ultra-light ES230 steel face plasma welded to a 431 stainless steel body.  The combination comes together to create what Mizuno calls “Hot Metal” technology; an extremely responsive head, with increased COR for higher ball speeds across the face.  All of this translates to more distance.

The MX-700 also features a “drop-down” crown which helps to lower the CG, making it extremely easy to get the ball in the air.  The drop-down crown is also part of a new design that allows the lie and loft of the MX-700 to be adjusted; a rarity in a hybrid club.  Early reports are that the alignment aid on the crown can be a bit distracting, but that any apprehension dissipates once you’ve hit your first ball with the new hybrid.

The Mizuno MX-700 hybrid is available in lofts fo 17°, 20°, 23°, and 26°.  Retail price is $200.

Look for more information at mizunousa.com/golf

Cobra Baffler TWS & 2009 Baffler Pro

Cobra’s 2009 lineup is as impressive as any in golf, but it certainly wouldn’t be complete without an update to their crazy-popular Baffler hybrids.  This year, Cobra has introduced the TWS (Triple Weighting System), which, as the name suggests, involves 3 strategically placed internal weight pads.  Those pads, along with the Fastback crown (think HiBore-esque), are designed to create the perfect balance of high MOI and low CG.  As is almost always the case with new clubs, the TWS is the best Baffler Cobra has produced to date.

The redesigned Baffler’s head features a larger face area that incorporates a Maraging steel face for higher ball speed.  The new contoured sole improves playability from a variety of lies, while the stock Aldila DVS HL 65 gram shaft provides optimum launch conditions.

Available in lofts of 16°, 18°, 20°, 23°, 26°, and 29° the Baffler TWS is designed for all golfers looking for more versatility from their hybrid clubs.

For 2009 Cobra has also introduced the new Baffler Pro.  It features a more compact head for improved shotmaking.  It also offers what Cobra is calling a “Tour Preferred Setup”, which you can bet means a neutral face alignment,  and a lower trajectory (higher CG) ball flight.  Like some of the clubs from its sister company, Titleist, the Baffler Pro will include a factory installed swing weight adjustment screw, the actual weight of which will vary based on the particular shaft you choose.

The other big feature of the Baffler Pro is a longer hosel which, like hybrid clubs from Mizuno and Bobby Jones, will allow the lie and loft of the club to be adjusted.

The Baffler Pro comes stock with either the Fujikura Speeder graphite or DynamicGold S300 shaft.  Upgrade charges range from $35 to $75.      Available in lofts of 16°, 18°, 20°, and 23°, the Baffler Pro is better suited for the low handicap golfer.

More information about both clubs is available at www.cobragolf.com.

Bobby Jones Workshop Hybrid

Although it won’t hit store shelves until around April, I fully expect there will be a ton of interest in the new Workshop Edition hybrid from Jesse Ortiz and Bobby Jones Golf.  Information on the new club is still a bit spotty, but I wanted to share with you what little I have.  The new club is anything but a radical departure from the Player’s Series hybrids that came out a few years ago.  The shape of the club will be very similar.

The head is assembled from a Maraging Steel face and crown.  There’s only a hint of offset, which better players should find appealing.  It’s possible that the new model could prove to be less forgiving than the original because of the addition of a new, longer hosel which has raised the center of gravity a bit.  Like we’ve seen from others on this list, the longer hosel allows for the lie and loft of the club to be adjusted.  Like the original, the Workshop Edition will offer a contoured sole for playability from a variety of lies.  The Bobby Jones sole design emerged with the Player’s Series hybrid, and has spawned very similar designs from other companies.

No word on pricing yet, but I’d expect retail price to be in the $200 range.  I don’t have shaft information either, but you can bet the JS-7 will be in the mix.  More information will eventually be available at www.bobbyjonesgolf.com.  For now, I suggest you check out this interview with Jesse Ortiz on Tony Korologos’ HookedOnGolfBlog.