BEST OF THE REST CALLAWAY PARADYM AI SMOKE

P ING G430

£295

TG VERDICT: The G430 was a TG award winner in 2023, but thanks to its near £300 price tag, it didn’t quite get a ‘Best of 2024’ award this time around. Our stats show that it produced a ball speed and carry distance above our test average, with a slightly wider dispersion than the majority. That says that if you need help dialling in hybrids to a specific purpose, the adjustable G430 can absolutely help you out.

PXG 0311 XF GEN6

£239

TG VERDICT: The 22° XF didn’t quite compete in terms of ball speed or distance with models at our 20° test loft, but let’s not ignore that it generated our test pro’s smallest carry distance drop-off and second tightest shot area of all 17 models hit. No matter what level of speed or ability you’re at, if forgiving hybrids are your thing, this £239 model, with its multiple shaft options, is screaming out for attention.

TAYLORMADE QI10 TOUR

£269 TG VERDICT: Not many narrow body hybrids make it onto our best performing lists as they’re always the least forgiving model in any line-up. As lovely as the Tour is, there’s no getting away from the fact that you need decent clubhead speed to get the best out of it. But if that’s you, the Tour is the best narrow body hybrid we’ve hit this year. It was faster and longer than our test averages, and it launched and flighted shots lower, span less and hit the green at a shallower angle.

TAYLORMADE QI10 MAX

£269 TG VERDICT: In the hands of our test pro, the Max was 14 yards shorter than the Qi10. But let’s not forget the loft was 1° weaker and in reality, at more average club golfer swing speeds, this will be the better option. We say that because it launched and flighted shots higher, span significantly more (1,113rpm) and hit the green at a much steeper landing angle, so its handling is much like hitting a mid-iron into a distant green.

TITLEIST TSR 2

£259

TG VERDICT: Our test pro liked the slightly longer blade length and narrower body over the TSR 1, and also had a preference for the alignment aid on the top edge over the TSR 3. In terms of its numbers, the model was faster, longer and higher flying than our test averages. Which is to say that if you can find a TSR 2 for reasonable money as it nears the end of its two-year life cycle, it would be an absolute steal.

£299

TG VERDICT: Any club model in any category that produces our second smallest carry distance drop-off and the smallest shot area of an entire 17-club test is well worth a mention. Those traits alone would often mark a model out for a top award. But as lovely as the Smoke is, it’s just overshadowed by its slightly wider bodied, higher launching HL brother. Unless you want to target a lower ball flight with your hybrids, the Ai Smoke HL might well be a better choice.