Callaway

What it does: The hybrid is caught in that grey middle zone between fairway wood and long iron and has to decide which swing and trajectory it wants to favour. Unless, of course, it isn’t one but two. The Apex line presents two takes on the hybrid: the standard, larger Apex model is designed to launch the ball high, and the compact and almost iron-like Apex Pro offers a penetrating flight with more speed and a higher launch than the long iron it’s replacing. The highlight in both cases is a wraparound cupface that’s uniquely designed by artificial intelligence with specific variable thicknesses for each model and each loft. A pair of internal bars that angle from crown to sole further direct more spring into these faces.

Why we like it: The internal weighting is fundamentally different on these two clubs because that’s about how fundamentally different you are from Xander Schauffele. The Apex model houses a huge slab of tungsten towards the back to provide stability on those pesky mis-hits, and the forward weight screw on the Apex Pro keeps your ball flight down and helps the club to be more workable like, say, a 4-iron – you know, that club you can’t hit but Xander can. 

Lofts 19, 21, 24, 27 (apex); 18, 20, 23, 26 (Apex Pro)