Looking for a New Hybrid “Snot-Knocker”?

Posted by doug

October 20, 2008

In John’s recent review of the Ping G 10 hybrid I mentioned to him a review that used the term “snot-knocker” – not sure why (and surely a bit distasteful) but somehow it fits this hybrid I will be reviewing.

Anyway, I recently received the RX 26* hybrid from Alpha golf. Before I get into the review let me say I have been having a hell of a time finding a hybrid that works for me.

Earlier this year I tested the Callaway FT, the Nike SQ SUMO squared hybrid and the TaylorMade Burner Rescue and honestly did not like any of these although I loved the look of the Nike squared hybrid. Something about that square back that promotes confidence (for me anyway)

When I first received it and took it out of the box, honestly not a whole lot stood out for me. It had a dark head, black shaft and black grip and a slightly rounded back. It came with a regular shaft. Don’t get me wrong, I was not disappointed just not “wowed” either. However, when I picked it up, somehow the head felt heavier to me, like there really was something substantial at the end of the club and immediately promoted a type of confidence for me.

So I was not expecting much when I took it to the range. I hit a few irons first to loosen up then figured I give it a few whacks. From the first ball I hit I KNEW this was the club. I went on to hit many more balls and truly could not hit a bad shot with it. I mean I tried to hit out of heavier rough, out of a divot and from clean lies and they all went straight with a beautiful trajectory.

Granted, with 26* you should be getting the ball nicely into the air but somehow could not (to my satisfaction) with the other clubs I tested. I figured I consistently hit the club about 180-185. That’s about 10/15 yards more than a well struck 5 iron for me. It plays a bit more like a 4 iron. Just to test, I went back and forth with the five iron and hybrid just to “test” the differences, distance, etc. and this is the beauty of hybrids – they are just damn easier to hit than irons.

I hit many more poor iron shots than I did with the hybrid. Even the misses were acceptable with hybrid. As for many “middle-aged” golfers my days of hitting crisp, high and beautiful 3-irons is probably over. I just don’t play enough, a shoulder operation and slightly less flexibility being the main culprits. Bottom line: this club is a game changer for me.

I am set to get the 19* club and also a 22/23* hybrid as well. I have been drooling about all the holes at some of the local clubs I play at that I can use the clubs. Needless to say I highly recommend the Alpha RX hybrid club. Take a look, give it a test and I think you’ll be as impressed as I am.

Note: I went with the RX because I’m a lefty and they did not yet have a left hand version in the new Alpha V5 Hybrid series. So I cannot speak for the V5. But I would not be surprised if a lot of the characteristics were the same.