Name: Cleveland 588 Hybrid
Brand: Cleveland

Golf Monthly Verdict

Hybrids have greatly enhanced the playability of the game, and this model is no different. It was easy to use and came in handy for all those tough long shots from both the fairway and rough. It gave a powerful flight, with greater yardage than I’d expected from the 20.5-degree model I tried. I also had great success when using it from fairway bunkers, thanks to the sole.

Reasons to buy

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One of the best-looking hybrid models on the market, the 588 manages to look compact at address without being intimidating. This is a difficult combination to achieve in hybrid clubs. The face sits square at address, which better players will appreciate, while the forgiveness on shots that miss the centre of the club will appeal to all golfers. The flight is lower than a lot of hybrid designs with similar lofts, which will suit those who struggle with a ballooning flight when using other hybrid heads. The sole performs well from tight lies, as well as from semi-rough.

Reasons to avoid

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Those really struggling with a low ball flight will need to opt for the 23 or 26-degree version to get the most out of the design.

By Nick Bonfield

published 19 May 2014

The Golf Monthly test team reviews the Cleveland 588 hybrid

Cleveland 588 Hybrid Key Technology:

A compact head with minimal offset. Variable face thickness technology is designed to create a powerful flight on strikes from the middle, and fast ball speeds on off-centre hits. The Gliderail sole features two rails to minimise drag and help the club cut through the turf. The head design and a sole plug move the centre of gravity low to help produce a higher launch.

Will suit... Players after a stylish, forgiving head design.

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x