Mizuno

What it does: It’s not as if a slot in the front part of a sole on a hybrid is some new frontier to help the face flex for more distance, but Mizuno is trying to get the slot on these new hybrids to perform an additional, distance-enhancing purpose. Adding a slug of steel in the polymer filling lowers the centre of gravity and still allows the face to flex better. Additional mass low and forward enables shots to launch higher with less spin for the most possible distance. The forward weight balances with a large central weight pad to create more stability than in either of the past two Mizuno hybrids.

Why we like it: Creating a hybrid that fits the eyes of better players requires a compact shape and a slightly flatter lie angle, two features that aren’t quite ideal for many average golfers. But this hybrid has features that will make it work for all ability levels. These include a super thin high-strength steel face, a variably thin crown to lower the centre of gravity and an adjustable hosel that tweaks lie by as much as 3 degrees (more upright for draw enhancement) and extends loft to as low as 16 degrees and as high as 27. Those are numbers well within the wheelhouse of both ends of the ability spectrum.

Lofts 16, 19, 22, 25