Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
I’ve been playing with a Cobra Baffler hybrid for about ten years. Yes, I’m well aware ten years is certainly the point that it’s time to update some technology, so I finally did. I tested the Callaway Paradym X, Titleist TSR2, and the TaylorMade Stealth 2 hybrids using the Foresight GC3. I’ll show you my launch monitor results, give you my feedback and insights and even give you an update after having the final club selection of choice (Spoiler alert: Titleist TSR2) in the bag.
As a +1 handicap and former golf professional, I’ve tested a lot of golf clubs through the years, and I have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for and, most importantly, what you want to know before purchasing a club.
Titleist TSR2 Hybrid vs. Callaway Paradym Hybrid (Which One Wins?)
The Titleist TSR2 hybrid is the club I ultimately ended up with. Interestingly when I first started swinging the Paradym, the face looked incredibly upright, almost like it was pointed to the sky. This was a 4 hybrid I was testing, so I expected some of that, but not quite to this degree.
However, after a few minutes of hitting with the Paradym, I actually began to like the fact that the club was angled like that; it kind of gave me confidence about my ball flight.
When looking at the top-down look of these two hybrids, the TSR2 has a more classic look, something I wanted in a club; I’m kind of particular about that.
Callaway Paradym X Hybrid vs. Titleist TSR2 Hybrid (Launch Monitor Info)
I was testing quite a few clubs while helping the kids with their games and practicing some of my own issues the day I hit these two clubs. You will see some ups and downs in my data. In addition, I always think it takes me a few swings to get used to a new club in my hands.
Carry Distance
I’m really looking for a club that goes about 185 yards. When I started my testing session for hybrids, I found that the Cobra Baffler I currently had would travel around 170 and 180 on a good one.
To be honest, the club just doesn’t fit me anymore.
I noticed that the Callaway Paradym X was a little longer than the Titleist TSR2 at first because I had a heavier shaft in the TSR2. When I switched to the Tensei 1K Black HY, I could hit it just as far as the Callaway X.
The bottom line here is that I went from about 180 to about 190 yards on average.
Now that I’ve had the Titleist TSR2 in the bag for a few years, I can push one over 200 if I want, even though I have it set with a slightly higher loft than the standard 21-degree it comes in.
Launch Angle & Spin
My launch angle was between 14 and 15 for both hybrids I tested, which is about what I would expect. You will notice in some of my Foresight GC3 data that the spin rates are a little high.
Once I got the shafts fine-tuned for my needs and ended up with something stiffer with a little less weight, the spin rates came down into the 3500 range, which was much better.
Shaft Selection: Callaway Paradym X Hybrid vs. Titleist TSR2 Hybrid
The Callaway Paradym hybrid comes stock with a Project X HZRDUS Gen 4 Silver 75 in the stiff shaft that I was looking for. This is a mid-launch and mid-spin golf shaft.
The Titleist TSR 2 comes with a few stock shaft options in the stiff shaft, including:
- Tensei AV Blue With Xlink Tech HY
- HZRDUS Red 4G HY
You can also get two other shafts in higher weights (80g+); they include:
- HZRDUS Black 4G HY
- Tensei 1K Black HY
I was looking for something that had enough stiffness to control my speed (it’s not that high, but high enough), but I didn’t want so much weight that it slowed down my swing and ball speed.
At first, I was testing the TSR2 with the HZRDUS Black 4G HY 70. I was struggling to square the clubface up, but the shaft didn’t feel too stiff.
By switching to the Tensei 1K Black HY 65 I quickly figured out how to square things up, and that is ultimately what I ended up with.
I love this shaft.
It’s high launching, workable, I don’t have to work very hard to square it up, and it’s very stable at impact. I would highly recommend trying the Tensei 1K Black HY in a hybrid if you are shopping for a hybrid in 2023.
Why Did I Go With The Titleist TSR2 Hybrid?
In the end, I could certainly justify a place in my golf bag for both of these hybrids. However, I went with the Titleist TSR2, and here is why:
- The TSR2 had a high launch, yet it was controllable; I knew in windy and poor conditions, I could lower it a bit if I wanted to; the Paradym X just pushed the ball too high for me.
- The top-down look from the TSR2 is preferred; it’s a great-looking club with minimal offset and works well for golfers who don’t like a lot of bulk in their golf clubs.
- Although the ball came off the face of the Paradym X quite fast, the TSR2 hybrid feels solid and powerful, and it feels this way each and every time.
One Month Post Club Selection
I play golf about three times a week but have clubs in my hands 5 or more days a week. My first week on the course with the new Titleist TSR2 hybrids was a little shaky. I didn’t trust the club yet and still felt like I had to hold back on it a bit through impact.
Now that I have confidence in the club, I go right after it and have seen incredible results. Most specifically, I’m hitting more par 5’s in two, and when I struggled on the past on longer par 4s, I now have so much more confidence about walking off the hole with a birdie or par.
Testing Method
I’m lucky enough to have access to a golf learning center where I can test all of the latest equipment and use the very accurate Foresight GC3 to get data about the clubs I’m hitting. My swing is fairly consistent, and I feel confident that testing these hybrids gave me accurate results and the information I needed to choose the right club.
Callaway Paradym X Hybrid vs. Titleist TSR2 Hybrid Specs
I feel like golf clubs have come a long way, and technology is more than a little advanced for the average golfer to try and understand. As a golfer shopping for new clubs, it’s important to understand some things about specs and technology, but mostly you should focus on experience and what golfers are saying.
First-hand experience is much more powerful in the current world of golf technology.
| Callaway Paradym X | Titleist TSR2 | |
| Tested Loft | 21 degrees | 21 degrees |
| Lie | 58 degrees | 57.5 degrees |
| Length | 40 inches | 40 inches |
| Pricing | SAME | SAME |
| Player Profile | Mid to High Handicap | Upper Low to Mid Handicap |
| Adjustability | Yes | Yes |
| Feature Technologies | Jailbreak batwing technology Draw bias High launch wood shaped hybrid | Optimized center of gravity Player preferred look and feel Longer blade length for added forgiveness |
Who Should Play The Callaway Paradym X?
The Callaway Paradym X is great for a golfer who prefers fairway woods, needs assistance with the extra launch in their clubs, and likes a lightweight and draw-bias feel. If you tend to lose your hybrid shots a bit to the right, the Paradym X might help you fix it without even changing your swing.
Who Should Play The Titleist TSR2?
The Titleist TSR2 is better for the middle handicap golfer down to a lower handicap player. You will be able to work the ball, control the ball’s flight, get incredible distance, and at the same time benefit from extra forgiveness from the rough.
Final Thoughts
If you read enough golf reviews, you will probably hear the cliche concept of taking strokes off the game. I’m going to go ahead and do this as well. The new TSR2 hybrid saved me at least one, but maybe two strokes off my game. I can recommend the Paradym X with full confidence for certain players, but for me, this was an easy decision and the right one to go with the TSR2 Hybrid.
Let me know what questions you have about the performance and my testing experience. Also, what do you want me to test next?
