Big Bertha Diablo hybrids

First impression:

Callaway says the Diablo hybrids are 'stacked with confidence-inspiring design features, designed for mid to high handicappers looking to get the ball airborne with the minimum of fuss.' The large, stable head has a dual runner sole with a lower leading edge to help lift the ball cleanly off a variety of lies, while VFT technology across the stainless steel face provides increased ball speed for high-flying distance..

Looks: Bears a strong resemblance to Callaway's ground-breaking Heavenwood - remember them! The Diablo hybrid falls into the rescue end of the hybrid market, with the dual runner sole making it ideal for cutting through the first and second cut of rough, rather than lifting the ball cleanly from a tight lie. The slightly bulbous head shape is unfussy, demure and gave me bags of confidence over the ball. The high MOI head helps square the face at impact.

Feel/performance: I've tried this off all types of lies during my initial testing, as well as from the tee and from a fairway bunker. My review clubs were Nos 3 and 4 and proved extremely versatile. I was impressed with their accuracy and the initial launch proves as long as a long iron struck sweetly and crisply, rather than swept away like a fairway wood.

The shorter shaft provides a welcome element of control and the sound off the mid-sized clubface is a metallic 'ting'. Sounds rather weak at impact but it has no discernable impact on distance, which was excellent, easily eclipsing an equivalent iron, yet delivering a high launch with a soft landing.

A very forgiving club, too, yet one that is able to deliver accurate approaches to long par-4s and short par-5s as well getting the ball to stop on tee shots at mid-to-long par-3s.

At officially nearly 160 quid, it's quite pricey but I've seen them sold online below three figures, which is a steal.