The hybrid mania continues as Nike introduces its CPR 3.  The original CPR club was Golf Digest’s Hybrid of the Year, and Nike continues to upgrade the brand.

The new CPR 3 has a “scoop back design”, which is supposed to move the center of gravity down and back, helping players get the ball airborne. This is the second club I’ve seen recently with this design.

If you’re not on the PGA Tour, you really should think seriously about replacing your long irons with hybrids. I replaced mine last year with the TaylorMade Rescue Dual last summer and saw an immediate improvement in my scores.

ESPN dot Com has an article on the pending death of the 1 iron. Apparently, it was used only 50 times on tour in 2005, and Joey Sindelar accounted for half of those. Worse, you apparently can’t find one from any of the major manufacturers.

The culprit: hybrids.

Still, there is a sort of romanticism associated with the “cleek.” Hogan at the 1950 Open at Merion; Nicklaus at the 1975 Masters; and countless other similar miracles.

I actually have a 1-iron, though I built it from components. I have it mainly for the novelty factor. But when I want to play mind games with an opponent, I put it in my bag in place of the three iron. Then, on I take it out on the first tee and swing it around warming up. Inevitably, my partner asks what I’ve got. The 1-iron never fails to impress.

I can hit it off the tee, too. Not nearly as far as my driver, but it goes straight.

It seems like everyone is getting into the hybrid business. Ping has released a new set of G5 Hybrids that they say uses the same variable thickness technology that graces the G5 drivers, and ave a sloped crown to move the center of gravity away from the face.

I like the look of that crown. Its quite different from the other hybrids.

Golf Magazine recently rated the Cleveland Halo as the best of the utility woods.

Cleveland says that it offers an extra large sweet spot and a high moment of inertia for increased stability and forgiveness at impact. Its sole design and low, deep center of gravity make it extremely versatile for shots from the fairway, rough or tee.

No one should have a three or four iron in their bag anymore. These utilitiy woods are so easy to hit, even the pros are turning to them. Plus, I’ve found them incredibly useful for chipping and pitching.

PowerBilt now offers a line of composite hybrid clubs called the TPS Iron Wood. With its composite crown, PowerBilt has been able to move more weight down and to the back of the club, making it easier to get the ball into the air.  Its’s available in 17, 21, 24, and 27 degree lofts, which PowerBilt says means that you’ll be able to “retire your pesky 5 and 7 woods, along with the dreaded 2, 3 and 4 irons.”

Best of all is the price. Just $89 at The Golf Warehouse

Rescue Dual Graphite
Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: Forgiving and Versatile.

With the Rescue Dual, TaylorMade has created another excellent addition to its growing line of adjustable weight clubs. Long, forgiving and versatile, the Rescue Dual is a worthy successor to the TaylorMade Rescue, which has been the number one hybrid club on several tours.

From Pinemeadow Golf comes the Synchron Medic Hybrid Irons.

Hybrids have to be the big story in golf equipment over the last couple of years. These are a clone of the Nike CPR clubs, and sell for just $39. Pinemeadow is confident that you’ll like them because they offer a 30 day guarantee. Buy them, play them and if you don’t like them, send ‘em back.

Pinemeadow’s blurb on the clubs:

The Synchron Medic Irons are a complete utility system for your golf bag! The latest Medic irons will lift your game to new heights. Innovative weight and distribution technology moves the center of gravity towards the soles and sides for higher angle and increased forgiveness. The head design of the utility wood allows you to make solid impact out of any lie on the course and they are also great replacements for those hard to hit long irons. Gorgeous candy apple red finish makes these clubs really standout with their look and play.