As a golfer, you’ll know better than anyone the expression “broad shoulders’.
In other words, getting lumped with a partner who doesn’t contribute much, and you having to take on a big workload.
Well, in some ways, it’s the same for hybrids.
Whereas ll other types of golf club generally just have one job to do, hybrids’ remit includes getting off the tee, the fairway, negotiating tricky lies, shaping the ball, and even chipping if you’re Todd Hamilton (remember him?).
As such, it’s pretty hard to get them perfect. But the latest claimant to such a feat is the Callaway Epic hybrid, which is the final piece of the hugely-impressive Epic puzzle.
Encompassing all the technologies of the Epic irons and Epic woods (see our review of the Driver and Fairway Woods), there was every likelihood that the hybrids would live up to the billing.
But we don’t like to leave such things to chance, so we decided to put them through their paces…
We reviewed the Callaway Epic Hybrid as part of our Best Golf Hybrids, see review here.
If you already own the Callaway Epic Hybrid please leave your review in the customer review box at the end of this article.
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Callaway Epic Hybrid
Our Assessment
There is no doubt that the Callaway Epic hybrids are a bit of a game changer. Aside from their striking look and feel, the level of forgiveness, distance and versatility they deliver is second to none.
Callaway had already set the bar high with the Steelhead XR hybrids, but these are worthy of their increased price tag. That in itself may seem like a big call, given the high-end asking price.
But these are as close to perfection as we’ve seen, and whether you’re a scratch golfer or a mid-handicap player, these clubs are seriously worth having a second glance at.
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Pros
Cons
Key Facts
Features | Details |
|---|---|
Launch RRP | $279.00 |
Gender | Men’s |
Handicap Range | Low – Mid |
Hand Availability | Right & Left Hand |
Lofts | 18° (2), 20° (3), 23° (4), 26° (5) |
Lie Angle | 57.5° – 59.0° |
Swing Weight | D2 |
Adjustability | Loft/Lie Angle |
Shaft Type and Name | UST Recoil ES 760/780 |
Grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 |
Manufacturer's Website |
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Callaway Epic Hybrid Detailed Review
Design & Appearance
The carbon crown is cutting-edge, and, aside from the technological gains, looks very appeasing at address.
Better players will also be pleased to note that, despite the increased focus on forgiveness, the head is actually more compact than other hybrids like the Callaway Apex.
The leading edge is appreciably rounded, and it makes for a high toe. It still sits nicely at address though, and leaves a footprint you’d expect of a slim, high-performance hybrid.
The back of the crown looks much the same as the woods and driver in terms of detailing, and the badging in the sole looks relatively understated.
Despite the base of the tungsten insert and hosel adjustability, it all blends in quite nicely which makes for a good look in the bag.
Image Credit: Callaway Golf
Build Quality
The face on the Epic is manufactured from forged 455 steel, and, like many other Callaway clubs, uses Face Cup technology. The kicker is that the face has a thinner exterior, with the emphasis on optimising ball speeds.
The hybrids also make use of the lighter Triaxial Carbon associated with the Epic driver, which enables a redistribution of weight saved higher up in the head to the bottom – thus lowering CG and boosting launch and forgiveness.
A more visually-noticeable feature is the Speed Step crown, which appears as two markings above and below the chevron. This serves to enhance aerodynamics – perhaps not as impactful as things like a thinner face, but it nevertheless underlines the focus on distance.
As for the stock shaft, the silver UST Mamiya Recoil ES 780 graphite shaft has the added bonus of being easy on the eye. There are four hybrids comprising this overall package; namely, the 2 (18°) 3 (20°), 4 (23°) and 5 (26°) – each of which can be adjusted one degree up or down.
There is also 2° worth of draw bias adjustability in the OptiFit hosel.
Control & Performance
The most immediate element which catch your attention when you start hitting balls with this hybrid is the launch, and the resultant distance and carry you get.
With the 2-hybrid – which is an especially-excellent club – there is at least another 10 yards to play with. Plainly, this is a result of the increased ball speeds Callaway have coveted, so you have to give kudos to them for that.
Naturally though, it is forgiveness which matters most, and there is no doubt that there is lots of give here when you don’t get it right.
There is still ample feedback to be had too, but consistency becomes a doddle when the ball flight and distance are predictable. Interestingly, we noted that the trajectory seemed a little bit on the high side relative for each club, although with loft adjustability, that need not be an issue.
But just before you write this hybrid off as exclusionary to better players, the good news is that it isn’t all about distance, and the spin numbers were not at rock-bottom. In fact, holding greens is very much one of the primary properties.
Image Credit: Official Callaway Image
Value for Money
Firstly, you’ll note that Callaway have whacked a premium of nearly 50 per cent on this hybrid compared with the Callaway Steelhead XR.
That’s a heck of a lot of daylight between the two, especially when you consider that the Steelhead XR isn’t exactly a shabby club.
Does the Epic do enough to justify this hike in cost?
Our short answer to that question is yes. This is a step up in terms of forgiveness, distance and adjustability, and where the long irons of the Epics may arguably be a little bit difficult to hit, these hybrids ably fill the void.
If you already use the Steelhead XRs, and are wondering if these are worth the upgrade, it’s probably a close call.
But for those looking to join the Callaway hybrid family for the first time; well, this is a rewarding, enjoyable gateway.