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REVIEW: Titleist 818 H2 Hybrid
A Hybrid for the Lower Handicap Golfer
There is a thought out there that hybrids are for high handicap golfers. There is some truth to that since many hybrids have design features that favor golfer that can’t get the ball in the air and they have a tendency to slice the ball. That is why many hybrids have some to significant off-set and will hit the ball fairly high for their loft. That doesn’t mean that low handicap golfer wouldn’t like to have a hybrid or two in their bag rather than a 3 or 4 iron, but they need something a little different. The Titleist 818 H2 hybrid is just what they are looking for. It has minimal offset and is not super high launching. It was designed to blend in perfectly with Titleist 718 irons at long iron replacements. The Titleist 818 H2 hybrid is an excellent hybrid for lower handicap golfers.
Titleist might not be known for the hybrids, actually if you had to rank the clubs the are best known for, hybrids might come in dead last. I think the 818 hybrids could change that perception, they are really good. I was able to do a fitting for my 818 H2 hybrid at the same time I was getting fit for the 718 AP2 irons. I was testing a bunch of different combos and settled on the 818 H2 19* with Mitsubishi Tensei Blue 80h stiff. The H1 hybrid is aimed at the mid to higher handicap golfer and lines up better with the AP1 or AP3 line of irons. The H2 is designed to blend with the AP2 irons or the MB and CB irons. I was able to fill the distance gap between my 4-iron and my 3-wood.
The Titleist 818 H2 hybrid has a sleek business-like appearance. The head is on the smaller side of hybrids which appeals to the lower handicap golfer. The finish is a dark charcoal, almost black, finish. It does have an adjustable hosel which Titleist has had now for the last couple years, it has the active recoil channel and a horizontal weight in the toe. You should be able to dial this hybrid in pretty nicely for your swing needs. The ability to slide the CG toward the toe is very helpful to keep the lefts out of play with a hybrid. Lower handicap golfers tend to struggle more with the left side, and often especially with hybrids. The Titleist 818 H2 hybrid can be set up to really help avoid that miss.
The Titleist 818 H2 hybrid has an incredibly solid feel. I would compare it to hitting a forged iron. There is just enough “hollow” in the head to feel the pop, but it comes off so solid, you really feel like it was a well struck long iron. The launch is fairly low for a hybrid. It does launch quickly, but has a fairly flat flight yet maintains good stopping power. It really hits the ball like an ideal long irons, but so much easier. Long irons always feel to me like the swing needs to be perfect to get the right results, this feels much easier to swing that I could be a little off and still get a strong trajectory, good distance and the ball will go straight. That might actually be the result I liked best about this hybrid; it went straight. I’ve hit some really good hybrids, I’ve been able to hit the same shot every time I hit other hybrids, but many still have a tendency to go left. The 818 H2 just wants to go straight. I like that, then I never have to worry about how far to play the movement or what if it doesn’t move this time, I like straight, easy to aim and easy to play with confidence.
Titleist Thursdays are a great opportunity to check out the 818 H2 hybrid. They have free fittings happening all around the country on any given Thursday. Currently most are in the south (weather) but there are numerous shops and fitting carts to hit this indoors. I strongly suggest you take advantage of this because getting the right shaft is vital as well as getting the setting right for you. My lie, loft, etc tend to be pretty much stock, but having the right shaft can make all the difference. I assumed I would like the Fujikura ATMOS stock shaft since I’ve had great success with almost every Fujikura shaft, but not so much with the ATMOS. We tried a couple others and settle on the Tensei blue 80. It is a no up-charge option. The numbers, feel and trajectory made it clear this was the best fit for me. On the course and on my own FlightScope, it confirmed what the fitting showed, this was the best fit for me. The combo offered great distance and excellent dispersion.
FlightScope Xi Tour Launch Monitor
Titleist 818 H2 19* Hybrid
- Spin: 3971 rpms
- Launch Angle: 17.0*
- Dispersion: 3.2 yds
- Club Head Speed: 97.9 mph
- Ball Speed: 136.9 mph
- Total Distance: 227.1 yds
- Carry Distance: 217.6 yds
Titleist might not be known for its hybrids, but the 818 H2 deserves a look. It is an excellent combo for the lower handicap golfer with its compact design, excellent feel, strong trajectory and straight results. Go see for yourself at a Titleist Thursday event near you, or find a fitting cart to give this club a swing. I think you are going to be very happy with the results. The blend between the H2 hybrid and AP2 irons is seamless. This is a hybrid made for better golfers!
For more information: www.titleist.com
Quick Hits:
+Compact look
+Solid feel
+Straight
+Strong trajectory
+Good distance control
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