“Driver DNA in a Hybrid”
That’s quite the bold claim, but then again, Callaway has never shied away from the bold. If anything, they run headlong into the fray seeking to be the bold.
Two years ago, they did that with the introduction of the Super Hybrid. In 2021, they’re bringing it back, and this time they are throwing everything at it.
2021 Callaway Epic Super Hybrid
The original Super Hybrid was the prime example of, in my opinion, Callaway when they are at their best. A fall release which isn’t attached to any major line and instead can be aimed at a specific segment of golfers, a niche if you will. For the Super Hybrid, it was for better players who wanted a fairway wood replacement with launch and power, but without the left bias that anything other than a utility iron typically carries. The release was a hit, even at the price it came in at, so naturally this time there will be more of everything, more tech, more accessibility, more playability, more distance, and yes, more money.
When I say Callaway is throwing everything at this one, I mean it. Literally every major technical design feature is in play here, in a hybrid. The body remains titanium which is what allows so much to be packed into this one, the material offers strength and stiffness at the lowest possible weight, a key with this kind of speed potential. The face is also titanium with all the A.I. design optimization which Callaway is leads the industry.
Of course, the Jailbreak A.I. Velocity blades are here as well, and with the new angled and widened position within the head it means there is even more allowance for the face to flex and produce massive ball speeds while still keeping the vertical stiffness intact to maximize energy transfer. Add in the Triaxial Carbon crown which puts even more weight savings in play and the most extreme tungsten weighting (up to 90g) Callaway has ever put into a hybrid, literally custom shaped for the head design, then you have the checklist that is unparalleled in the entire segment.
With all the tech, it’s easy to lose sight of some important aspects. First, according to Callaway this is a more robust offering than the first version. There is a higher MOI, more spin potential in the right places, and more overall playability while still holding true to the tenets of the original. Oh, and their internal testing has even shown it to go toe to toe with the rocket launching Epic Speed Fairways, which is crazy to think about.
It is nice that the message here remains, this is a multi-objective club. But to make it more so, they are expanding the loft options from 16° to 27°. Interestingly, Callaway has recognized the different needs within that loft range, so there are two different head and face shapes within the single line. First, the 16° and 18° appeal more as the fairway replacements and as such have more camber across the leading edge as well as a symmetrical looking crown that peaks in the center. On the other hand, the 21°, 24°, and 27° have a squarer toe accompanied by a crown that peaks towards the toe looking more iron like overall. It’s a savvy progression decision which both expands the playability while staying true to its roots.
Naturally, the Opti-Fit 3 adapter is being utilized here as the adjustable sole weight in order to really dial in the club to one’s specific needs. The stock pairing here will be the Aerotech Steelfiber FC Hyrbid shaft in 60g (Light), 70g (R, S), and 80g (X). For initial reference, the 16° plays 41.5” stock, and the 27° at 39”. Additionally, the 18°, 21°, and 24° are also available in LH.
Now, the heavy part of the conversation that will 100% be the conversation driver most focus on, for better or worse. The 2021 Epic Super Hybrid comes with a price tag of $399.99, and no, you did not read that incorrectly. So yes, that is one heck of a price tag, and I won’t sit here and try to get you to rationalize it, but what I will say is there is little doubt this is the most technologically advanced hybrid ever made. Is that worth it? Well, only you can answer that when you get out and hit them to see for yourself. Stay tuned to THP as we will have much more with the new Callaway Epic Super Hybrid to come.
The Details
Availability: 8/26/21 Pre-Order, 9/9/21 Retail
Lofts: 16°, 18°, 21°, 24°, 27°
Shaft: Aerotech Steelfiber FC Hybrid (60g, 70g, 80g)
Price: $399.99
[QUOTE=”JonD, post: 10586120, member: 5907″]
I know I’m not normal, but I find the ESH easier to hit off the deck than the UW for some reason. I have no logical explanation, just is what it is. ????
[/QUOTE]
I have always struggled with hybrids but this one seems a tad different and I have the Mavrik Max 5w now and I like it bc of the shallow leading edge but I’m ready to upgrade and this is a possible for that spot.
[QUOTE=”ttucliffhanger, post: 10586131, member: 40538″]
I have always struggled with hybrids but this one seems a tad different and I have the Mavrik Max 5w now and I like it bc of the shallow leading edge but I’m ready to upgrade and this is a possible for that spot.
[/QUOTE]
If I keep getting on with the 2H, there’s a solid chance the 3H makes an appearance in my bag this year. Just filthy long.
[QUOTE=”JonD, post: 10586135, member: 5907″]
If I keep getting on with the 2H, there’s a solid chance the 3H makes an appearance in my bag this year. Just filthy long.
[/QUOTE]
If I come across a deal for a Super Hybrid 2 I may pull the trigger and crank it down 1° and then take my three super hybrid and crank it up a degree to replace my original Apex hybrid that I still game. That might be the perfect set up in those two positions for me.
Other than one bad swing on a short par 4, the ESH 2H was a monster when I pulled it out of the bag this weekend. Pretty sure it’s just a matter of time until my UW hits the marketplace.
What an Internet Golfer I am!
Been really struggling with my game and had to adjust to just keep the ball in play.
So I picked up an Apex 21 5h and a Super Hybrid in a 6h
Callaway put the 2021 SH on sale so it was the same price as the Apex 21 hybrid.
Plus it was that same cost as getting a Apex 21 6h and upgrading that shaft.
I’m making my own Hybrid Iron set with Hybrids.
So a 6h is on order.
Randomly came accross one of these and I’m SUPER (hehe) intrigued.
Thinking a UW in 19 and this pup in 21…. What say THP?
PS: it surprised me by how short the length of the 21 felt in hand. Is it just me?
What is the consensus on the SF shaft? Stiff to flex? Is it well received.
Curious if I should go stiff or X.
Gotta dig back through this thread…..
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 10607729, member: 45706″]
Randomly came accross one of these and I’m SUPER (hehe) intrigued.
Thinking a UW in 19 and this pup in 21…. What say THP?
PS: it surprised me by how short the length of the 21 felt in hand. Is it just me?
[/QUOTE]
I’d be curious how that UW and Super Hybrid combo would work for you. It’s something I’ve thought about pretty hard.
I guess it’s never felt like the shaft length was short to me but I went in to it with basically no expectations. It definitely doesn’t lack in distance though even if the shaft is short. I’ll have to pay attention and compare it to another hybrid sometime.
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 10607765, member: 45706″]
What is the consensus on the SF shaft? Stiff to flex? Is it well received.
Curious if I should go stiff or X.
Gotta dig back through this thread…..
[/QUOTE]
I’m not a huge fan of the feeling of the SF shaft but it flat out performs for me. I figured I would be swapping it out at some point but I’ve had no desire to at all. Although I still want to put my 5 wood length shaft in to see what it does.
[QUOTE=”KEV, post: 10607900, member: 36767″]
I’d be curious how that UW and Super Hybrid combo would work for you. It’s something I’ve thought about pretty hard.
I guess it’s never felt like the shaft length was short to me but I went in to it with basically no expectations. It definitely doesn’t lack in distance though even if the shaft is short. I’ll have to pay attention and compare it to another hybrid sometime.
I’m not a huge fan of the feeling of the SF shaft but it flat out performs for me. I figured I would be swapping it out at some point but I’ve had no desire to at all. Although I still want to put my 5 wood length shaft in to see what it does.
[/QUOTE]
Are you playing the SF shaft in X?
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 10607923, member: 45706″]
Are you playing the SF shaft in X?
[/QUOTE]
I just have the stiff flex and it seems to play similar to the other stiff shafts I’ve used.
[QUOTE=”KEV, post: 10607928, member: 36767″]
I just have the stiff flex and it seems to play similar to the other stiff shafts I’ve used.
[/QUOTE]
Ok, thank you.
Anyone have two if these in the bag? I just ordered the 3, but tempted to get a 4 too….
Or maybe a UW….
I ordered a 3 to try since golf league will be starting and I decided that I deserved it after the Minnesota winter.
[QUOTE=”Iceman!, post: 10606614, member: 32688″]
What an Internet Golfer I am!
Been really struggling with my game and had to adjust to just keep the ball in play.
So I picked up an Apex 21 5h and a Super Hybrid in a 6h
Callaway put the 2021 SH on sale so it was the same price as the Apex 21 hybrid.
Plus it was that same cost as getting a Apex 21 6h and upgrading that shaft.
I’m making my own Hybrid Iron set with Hybrids.
So a 6h is on order.
[/QUOTE]
Greatest email to get:
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Threw a new tip on a Kinetixx Ballistic to give it a run in the ESH this weekend. Should be interesting to see how it works out!
My Super Hybrid shipped! Excited to try it out.
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 10616141, member: 45706″]
My Super Hybrid shipped! Excited to try it out.
[/QUOTE]
Mines scheduled for delivery tomorrow. 🙂
[QUOTE=”goalie, post: 10616333, member: 5611″]
Mines scheduled for delivery tomorrow. 🙂
[/QUOTE]
Curious to read about how you get on with it. I like the way it sets up. Just bought one totally blind. No idea what to expect…
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 10616440, member: 45706″]
Curious to read about how you get on with it. I like the way it sets up. Just bought one totally blind. No idea what to expect…
[/QUOTE]
I’ll be posting my my thoughts. 😉
Oh baby!
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[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 10617226, member: 45706″]
Oh baby!
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Callaway in Mexico is moving pretty quick – I ordered on Monday Morning with a custom shaft/grip and I received mine on Thursday.
Man plugged the Kinetixx Ballistic in and the swing weigh is down quite a bit. Anyone know which Callaway weights fit in these?
Mine came today.
I haven’t got to hit it yet, so I’m not in love, but lust is definitely on the table…….
Showed up two mins before walking out the door to the range!! Perfect timing!
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I see now why this thing is loved.
[media=giphy]YRDyiMrY9EkhbSaQrB[/media]
[QUOTE=”jjfcpa, post: 10619622, member: 40019″]
I have found that I can hit my Mavrik hybrid as far, maybe further, than the super hybrid. I think the size of the super hybrid inhibits my swing speed and thus results in less distance.
[/QUOTE]
That begs the question: how far do you hit them?
[QUOTE=”jjfcpa, post: 10619622, member: 40019″]
I have found that I can hit my Mavrik hybrid as far, maybe further, than the super hybrid. I think the size of the super hybrid inhibits my swing speed and thus results in less distance.
[/QUOTE]
It’s very rarely a size thing. Normally if one isn’t getting the distance, it’s because they are hitting it too low. Being a low spin club head, combined with lower loft, brings in challenges for some with more moderate speeds.
my swing finally doesn’t suck again sometimes with the hybrid hahaha
Which means now I get to track stupid long Super Hybrid shots and sit in here giggling calling it stupid.
Because it’s really stupid after today ?
the highlight of the day was a wind supported (off the left) hole 10 tee shot, which hit the ground hard and went flying forward, stopping at a crowd pleasing GPS marked 284 hahahahaha
Get out of here.
Maiden round with the SH and it wasnt great, but I put that on my struggling to trust it on course. I didnt trust it wouldn’t go left on me and instead I just pushed everything out right. Once I find the trust, I know its gonna be spicy in the bag.
There was a Callaway rep at the practice area today doing a demo. Went over and tried some hybrids after my practice session. Tried the Super Hybrid, new Rouge, Rouge Pro and Apex. They were all very nice. The Rouge was very easy to hit. I liked the weight of the pro better. The Apex was nice but for me I couldn’t get always a solid hit.
The Super Epic was just insane. Thing was so HOT to hit. Even miss hits seemed to roll out. I ended up spending another 15-20 hitting it as the rep was helping some others. But I’m going to have to get one of these. Such a solid club. The only thing o would switch is my shaft. My epic has the Graphite Design AD-Di shaft and I prefer that over the stock. Fwiw I‘m currently using an Epic Flash 3h so this would replace that.
[media=giphy]cklPOHnHepdwBLRnQp[/media]
Guess what hit CPO today!
So last night in my League Play, I was playing a par 3 136 yards up hill, playing 145 plus a 1 club in your face wind, so call it 155.
Watch 3 other players hit their shots and watch the wind move their shots to be short or to the one side.
I come up with my 6h ESH, playing 22’CSXLS and put a really nice smooth swing on it.
It cut right through that wind and landed 10 ft from the pin.
One of the shots that go nice and high. Right on the pin as soon as it took off.
I’ve been a little concerned about the height of my shots with this club – No More.
Really a great addition to my bag. Perfect club for “Senior Golf” Chip and Chase.
Yesterday traded in my Apex 21 4h & 5h for 4h ESH on CPO.
[QUOTE=”Iceman!, post: 10640338, member: 32688″]
So last night in my League Play, I was playing a par 3 136 yards up hill, playing 145 plus a 1 club in your face wind, so call it 155.
Watch 3 other players hit their shots and watch the wind move their shots to be short or to the one side.
I come up with my 6h ESH, playing 22’CSXLS and put a really nice smooth swing on it.
It cut right through that wind and landed 10 ft from the pin.
One of the shots that go nice and high. Right on the pin as soon as it took off.
I’ve been a little concerned about the height of my shots with this club – No More.
Really a great addition to my bag. Perfect club for “Senior Golf” Chip and Chase.
Yesterday traded in my Apex 21 4h & 5h for 4h ESH on CPO.
[/QUOTE]
Are you playing the Steelfibers in yours? I’m still trying to figure out which weights are best in these so I can give the Ballistic I put in mine a run. May be lead tape time soon.
[QUOTE=”JonD, post: 10640718, member: 5907″]
Are you playing the Steelfibers in yours? I’m still trying to figure out which weights are best in these so I can give the Ballistic I put in mine a run. May be lead tape time soon.
[/QUOTE]
Fujikura Pro 2.0 6R
I’m loving this more and more as I use it from the fairway.
The Kinetixx Ballistic experiment begins in the ESH. If this works out I could be looking to reshaft some other clubs! I was trying to get to D3… Pretty close. That lead tape won’t last long on that sole though so if I like it I’ll reach out to Cally CS and see if they have heavier weights. Worst case I can always hot melt it.
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I have the 4H and 6H in the bag and they are going nowhere.
Best Hybrids I’ve owned – Out of Rough, off the Deck or Off the Tee – They are my workhorse clubs.
Great time to pick one up from CPO if your in the market.
[QUOTE=”Iceman!, post: 10696749, member: 32688″]
I have the 4H and 6H in the bag and they are going nowhere.
Best Hybrids I’ve owned – Out of Rough, off the Deck or Off the Tee – They are my workhorse clubs.
Great time to pick one up from CPO if your in the market.
[/QUOTE]
I love that these work for you there. My Mavrik hybrids are still pretty locked in so 2H is the only play here for me right now. Only had a chance to hit it with the new Kinetixx Ballistic in it a few times on the course. This is a little more stout than I’m used to so still settling in. Flight is down though, which is good for me. I’m going to keep working on it and see if I can get it dialed in.
[QUOTE=”JW Smoove, post: 10051783, member: 63219″]
I am really liking this club, but I cannot for the life of me get over the price at $400. I know that I have trouble cracking my wallet (but that is just a me as a dad thing), I could get this club if I wanted it enough, however the price – well I guess they have a strong and specific clientele for this model and type of club. The thing is, as people get older (myself as a very small sample) we are hitting more hybrids and 5 woods and longer irons – as we play the game and fight for distance. But still, in my round Sunday, I only hit my hybrid about 4 or 5 times max, and one was as bump and run under a tree. So again, I scratch my head based on cost.
I hope to see this new line with new tech be 100% successful – so I can get it next year (on sale!).
James – as always great write up, very interesting article.
[/QUOTE]
Now is the time… golfEtail has them for $175
So, I did a thing. Ordered the 3-hybrid to try as a 5-wood replacement. Im usually not a fan of hybrids due to pulls/ draws but this one sounds different and my brother loves his. I haven’t found my groove with my 5-wood so this has a great chance of making the bag. Only thing to explore will be gapping into the long irons and if I need a 4 utility iron type club to gap better into the irons.
[QUOTE=”COmedic, post: 11031360, member: 52831″]
So, I did a thing. Ordered the 3-hybrid to try as a 5-wood replacement. Im usually not a fan of hybrids due to pulls/ draws but this one sounds different and my brother loves his. I haven’t found my groove with my 5-wood so this has a great chance of making the bag. Only thing to explore will be gapping into the long irons and if I need a 4 utility iron type club to gap better into the irons.
[/QUOTE]
Unrelated but your avatar is hysterical lol
[QUOTE=”JonD, post: 10678649, member: 5907″]
The Kinetixx Ballistic experiment begins in the ESH. If this works out I could be looking to reshaft some other clubs! I was trying to get to D3… Pretty close. That lead tape won’t last long on that sole though so if I like it I’ll reach out to Cally CS and see if they have heavier weights. Worst case I can always hot melt it.
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[/QUOTE]
There are a ton of different weights on Ebay for these clubs.
Have a little CPO credit in my pocket and have my eye on one of these in a 2h. Would throw it in the mix against my 300 Mini Driver and LTDx 3W for that spot in the bag. Had the original Super Hybrid 2h and was a fan, but it eventually got replaced by the OO Mini Driver.
Curious if anyone has compared it to the Cobra Tec hybrids distance wise? I love my 3-5 Tecs, and tried the Tec 2h but I couldn’t hit it quite far enough to be the 2nd club in the bag.
Well today was a rough day but the Super Hybrid was a bright spot at least. An unfortunate incident led to using the SH off the tee the entire back 9, and it got a lot of use prior to that due to the course layout. I went 6/8 FW hit with the Super Hybrid during the round. If you’re in the market for a fairway wood or long hybrid you MUST give these a look. It did everything for me, providing forgiveness on poor swings and when I did make a good swing it was a ?. Few examples below.
First, I borderline chunked this off the tee as you can tell by the distance. It still flew straight and wound up in the middle of the fairway.
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I caught this one EXTREMELY low on the face and heel side but it still got a mid-low launch and gave way more distance than the swing deserved.
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Then there was this one, one of the few good swings I had during the day. For context, this hole plays very uphill to a flat landing area so this isn’t a case of an elevated tee box giving extra distance. This is just what happens when you catch this on the screws.
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[QUOTE=”willplaysgolf, post: 11063448, member: 61852″]
Have a little CPO credit in my pocket and have my eye on one of these in a 2h. Would throw it in the mix against my 300 Mini Driver and LTDx 3W for that spot in the bag. Had the original Super Hybrid 2h and was a fan, but it eventually got replaced by the OO Mini Driver.
Curious if anyone has compared it to the Cobra Tec hybrids distance wise? I love my 3-5 Tecs, and tried the Tec 2h but I couldn’t hit it quite far enough to be the 2nd club in the bag.
[/QUOTE]
I had the 3h Superhybrid last year to review and I never got along with it. When I did hit a good one it was a rocket launcher. I’d say it was probably a little longer than the Tec 3h. Overall I like the Tec much better.
[QUOTE=”willplaysgolf, post: 11063448, member: 61852″]
Have a little CPO credit in my pocket and have my eye on one of these in a 2h. Would throw it in the mix against my 300 Mini Driver and LTDx 3W for that spot in the bag. Had the original Super Hybrid 2h and was a fan, but it eventually got replaced by the OO Mini Driver.
Curious if anyone has compared it to the Cobra Tec hybrids distance wise? I love my 3-5 Tecs, and tried the Tec 2h but I couldn’t hit it quite far enough to be the 2nd club in the bag.
[/QUOTE]
See my post just below yours. I happen to get along great with mine, butI will note it seems that (like [USER=55623]@GoDawgs#LRB[/USER] and yourself) it seemed the lower handicap guys who tested didn’t love it as much as I did.
[QUOTE=”thewilderside, post: 11066871, member: 59217″]
See my post just below yours. I happen to get along great with mine, butI will note it seems that (like [USER=55623]@GoDawgs#LRB[/USER] and yourself) it seemed the lower handicap guys who tested didn’t love it as much as I did.
[/QUOTE]
It’s so weird reading my name when I’m tagged.:(
For me I had trouble for some reason getting this club squared up. One might be a slice, the next a hook, and then on right down the middle. I will say I didn’t have a chance to try out any other shafts so that could have been one of the issues.
[QUOTE=”GoDawgs#LRB, post: 11066899, member: 55623″]
It’s so weird reading my name when I’m tagged.:(
For me I had trouble for some reason getting this club squared up. One might be a slice, the next a hook, and then on right down the middle. I will say I didn’t have a chance to try out any other shafts so that could have been one of the issues.
[/QUOTE]
I have trouble with many clubs but for some reason this one just works for me. It makes me wonder if I shouldn’t try out the aerotech shaft in other clubs.
End of year Review of the Callaway Epic Super Hybrid:
When I went out to California last year I really had no expectations of what would make it into my bag, but I knew without a doubt I wanted to at least hit the super hybrid. I know I’ve mentioned it before but it was the club I took one swing with and told my fitter that yeah – it was going in the bag. He had to beg me to hit a couple more with it, but I was sold on it after first contact.
That feeling proved to last all year. I got the 4 Hybrid 21 degree and it fit into my bag really well gapping wise, the thing is I found myself pulling this club anytime I just needed a good shot. Even in situations that didn’t call for a hybrid, I would pull it out just to give myself and nice easy swing and it always did what I expected. The perfect example of this was at True Blue in Myrtle Beach. 18th hole and I’m 140 out. That’s not a hybrid distance by any means, but I was tired, on my 36th hole of the day and I just wanted to make solid contact. I hit a draw that nestled up just inches from the pin. I can’t even describe the feeling I had watching that ball roll up onto the green on one of the most beautiful courses in SC. I had a lot of shots like that all year where I was just getting in trouble or my swing was getting away from me and i wanted to hit an easy shot into the fairway. There’s something to be said for just getting that feeling of solid contact and this club would give me that almost all the time.
I will say the few times this club got away from me is when I tried to get super aggressive with it, maybe try to get more out of it than I should.
If you struggle with hybrids I think you have to give these a shot. The bigger look gives you the confidence of a fairway, but performance of a hybrid. Just a super fun club to hit and I don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon. I’ve wanted to experiment with a UW and I may very soon, but the Super Hybrid will always be that fail safe that I’ll keep to help get me back on track when I need it.