2026 Hybrid & Utility Iron Deep Dive: Fully Fit Club Tests Revealed

PHOENIX, AZ – GOLF has launched “Fully Fit 2026,” a comprehensive initiative to help golfers find the best equipment for their individual games, culminating in extensive club fittings with six major manufacturers. The project, which ran over nine days in Phoenix and Carlsbad, California, involved six GOLF content creators with varying handicaps undergoing full-bag fittings, from drivers to putters.

A key focus of the initiative has been identifying the optimal clubs for the challenging space between fairway woods, and irons. According to panelists, hybrids and utility irons require careful consideration to avoid gaps in distance and performance. “Have a utility club that goes too far and you’ll struggle to gap your iron set after it,” noted Jack Hirsh, a Fully Fit panelist.

The results of these fittings are now being released, offering insights into the choices made by the six golfers. Jack Hirsh, with a 2.4 handicap, opted for a Ping G440 3-hybrid with a Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 GOST Hybrid TX shaft, citing a year of experience with the club as a key factor. “I walked away with three other really good options… but honestly, the G440 has such an advantage with a year of playing with it already in my back pocket,” Hirsh said. He also utilizes a Titleist U505 3-iron with a Project X HZRDUS Hybrid Gen. 4 80g shaft, swapping it with the hybrid depending on course conditions. Hirsh reported a ball speed of 157 mph with the Titleist U505.

Jake Morrow, a scratch golfer, selected a Ping iDi #3 driving iron with a Ping Tour 2.0 Black 90 X-Stiff shaft. Morrow highlighted the club’s versatility, noting its ability to produce different ball flights. “I really enjoy having a club I can hit extra shots with,” he stated, adding that the iDi fills a significant gap in his set.

Johnny Wunder, with a 2 handicap, stuck with his longtime gamer, a Ping G430 4-hybrid with a Graphite Design Tour AD DI HY 9X shaft, praising its consistent performance and reliability. Maddi MacClurg, a 5.6 handicap, chose the Callaway Quantum Max 4-hybrid with a Denali Frost Silver 70G 6.0 shaft, citing its forgiveness and consistent ball speed, even on off-center hits.

Sean Zak, a 7.8 handicap, opted for a TaylorMade P-UDI 4-iron with a KBS Tour Lite S shaft, emphasizing its ability to fill a loft gap in his bag and provide versatility. Wadeh Maroun selected a Callaway Apex UW 2021 hybrid with a Fujikura Ventus Red 7-X shaft, a club he has trusted for three years, and a Srixon ZXiU utility iron with a Graphite Design Tour AD-VF Hybrid 95-S shaft for tight courses.

The “Fully Fit 2026” initiative aims to provide golfers with real-world insights into equipment choices, with a focus on personalized fitting experiences. True Spec Golf is offering club-fitting locations for golfers looking to replicate the experience.