Sonartec HB-001 Hybrid Review

Web: www.sonartec.com
Price: $189 each in graphite

Manufacturer’s Description: From the company that legitimized the hybrid, comes the revolutionary new high-launch, low-spin HB-001. This is the first hybrid to incorporate rail technology for playability from any lie. It provides optimal launch and low spin for consistent ball flight. The HB-001 has perimeter weighting and a deep center of gravity which produces a high MOI for maximum forgiveness. It also has a neutral face angle which promotes a square clubface at address. Available in lofts of 17, 19, 21, 23 degrees with a suggested retail price of $189 each in graphite.

Review: We were real skeptical of whether or not Sonartec could actually improve upon the ever popular Md hybrid. One of the thing that we feel Sonartec does so well is match their club head with a shaft that promotes optimal performance on course. They did that very well with the Md and UST IRoD shaft which is why a follow-on hybrid has been slow in coming about. Not until they had something that performed better were they going to release a new club. Well, they've done that with the HB-001 hybrid. At address, you only notice subtle differences between it and the Md but when you compare the sole plates of each, the difference is very evident. With the HB-001, Sonartec has incorporated rail technology that enables the club to perform well from any lie and we found that this was the case. After testing numerous shafts to complement the new head, Graphite Design's ONiN2 shaft was selected and it's easy to see why. The ONiN2 shaft has a little softer tip that goes well with the HB-001 head. This softer tip promotes a little higher ball flight but distance isn't sacrificed at all. In fact, one of our reviewers hit the 19 degree HB-001 as far as their 17 degree Md with a higher trajectory. On a tight or thin lie, it was a little difficult to get the ball in the air with the Md hybrid. The HB-001 is much more versatile in that regard. The feel of the new shaft as compared to the IRoD in the Md is much improved too. It's more of a buttery feel similar to a true forged iron but with the forgiveness of a cast club. We found that minimal distance is sacrificed on toe or heel shots. Shot dispersion and accuracy is tighter as well because of the high MOI in the club which promotes stability in the head at impact for more consistent performance. The ONiN2 shaft also comes in 5 flex offerings: L, A, R, S and X which will appeal to more golfers as well in dialing in the right weight, feel and flex.

Looking at every category across the board (accuracy, distance, forgiveness, trajectory, feel, distance, looks), we found the HB-001 hybrid from Sonartec to be much improved over the Md hybrid. Sonartec from the very beginning specialized in fairway woods and many of the games best players used those clubs without getting paid a cent. In the early 2000's, the Md was designed, tested and hit the market place with huge success. It's stayed that way for several years. As golf consumers ourselves, we appreciate the fact that Sonartec has been reluctant to put a new club in the market place until they were convinced it was an improvement over what they already had out there. The HB-001 is just that club and will appeal to golfers of all levels. It's that good. Additional information on the complete lineup from Sonartec Golf can be found on their web page at www.sonartec.com