New Hybrids 2026A gear nerd who averages 72 compares lofts around 22°, volume and length, and picks one

A "#4 hybrid" is 20° on the XXIO 14, 21° on the Callaway QUANTUM MAX, 22° on the Srixon, TaylorMade, Mizuno and PRGR, and 23° on the PING G440 and Qi4D MAX LITE. Even with the same club number, the contents differ by 3°.

That's why I barely look at a hybrid's number. What I check first is the loft of the longest iron I own. Choose a hybrid 3 to 4° stronger than that and the steps connect. How to choose a hybrid covers how to set the loft in detail.

The steel versions of the Srixon ZXi RKT and PING G440 are set 0.5 in shorter than the graphite. It's a way of building where a shorter length with a heavy steel shaft keeps the swing feel (balance) matched.

If you play steel in your irons, a steel hybrid makes the steps in weight and length connect more easily. On the ZXi RKT #3, graphite (S) is 347g and steel (S) is 385g, about 40g apart.

If the hybrid shaft is too light, this is the one club where you swing late, or the one where you flip your hands. My rule of thumb is the same weight as your iron shaft, or a little lighter.

For example, if your irons have 90g-range steel, go with a 70 to 80g-range graphite hybrid, or steel of the same family. Among the 2026 releases, heavier shafts are available as standard, such as the PRGR RS (VENTUS 3UT S, 77g) and Callaway QUANTUM MAX (ATHLEMAX 80 S, 85.5g).

From the #2 at 17° (custom order) to the #6 at 28°. The face is forged HT1770M; the body and crown are maraging steel. The maker says it set the center of gravity slightly high on purpose to keep spin up, for a flight that attacks the pin.

From the previous ZXi, the price goes from ¥44,000 to ¥47,300 in graphite and from ¥40,700 to ¥44,000 in steel. Loft and length are the same, and the #5 volume goes from 112 to 115cc. Left-handed comes in #3 and #4.

Loft and length haven't changed from the previous model, so if the previous ZXi fits your current set, I see little reason to rush to replace it.

Four clubs at 19°, 22°, 25° and 28° (the 28° 6UT is new this time). Volume is large, 131 to 119cc. The face is CNC-machined maraging steel, the body precision-cast maraging steel. The maker says it added a new 8-way adjustable cartridge and rounded the crown shape to make it easier to set up.

The QUANTUM MAX is a smaller head with a shallow center of gravity that's easy to shape (101cc at 4H 21°). It has about 13g of weight on the toe side. The MAX FAST is lightweight with a high flight, has 1° more loft than the MAX in each club, and a larger volume (122cc at 4H 22°). Both come with a sleeve on every club.

The Qi4D Rescue has a sleeve on every club and an 8g weight you can move to the front. The topline is thin, so it looks closer to an iron. The lighter Qi4D MAX LITE Rescue is the only one without a sleeve.

From the previous Qi35 Rescue, length is 0.5 in shorter in each club (#4 from 40.25 to 39.75 in).

Three clubs at 19°, 22° and 25°. The maker says the lattice "waffle crown" saves weight that goes to the rear of the sole, and a "Speed Bevel Sole" with a relieved leading edge improves turf interaction. From the previous ST-MAX 230, the price goes from ¥44,000 to ¥49,500 and the 19° volume from 120 to 125cc.

The Srixon ZXi RKT hybrid, released Sep 12 (graphite ¥47,300, steel ¥44,000).

It depends on the maker. The XXIO 14 is 20°, the Callaway QUANTUM MAX 21°, the Srixon ZXi RKT, TaylorMade Qi4D, Mizuno JPX ONE and PRGR RS 22°, and the PING G440 23°.

As of Sep 15, there are no new 2026 hybrids from PING (men's) or Titleist. The PING G440 hybrid and Titleist GT1, GT2 and GT3 (all released February 2025) are the latest.

If you play steel in your irons, a steel hybrid is worth trying. The steel versions of the Srixon ZXi RKT and PING G440 are 0.5 in shorter, which makes it easier to carry the flow over from your irons.