Like Butter!
David A. Dodson

Feel's Butterstick 21 Degree Hybrid

There can be little doubt that hybrids (aka utility clubs) have proven themselves an invaluable asset to golfers at all levels. Just about every other amateur golfer now has at least one and they're even starting to show up on tour. Now Feel Golf has made their bid into the hybrid game with their new Butterstick 21 degree utility club. The Butterstick takes the benefits of woods and lower irons and fuses them into one club. What makes the Butterstick different? A vertical sweet spot. By adjusting the center of gravity to a more vertical plane and narrowing the sole, the Butterstick actually plays like a cavity back iron, creating an optimum launch angle for greater accuracy.

Sounds neat, but can it move the ball. Like U-Haul. We tried the 21-degree Butterstick with Feel's house brand Monterey regular flex graphite shaft and Feel's trademark release grip and were stunned. First, the balance on this club is exceptional; it swings easy with minimal power loss. The vertical center of gravity does a great job of keeping the swing steady no matter what the hitting surface. The feel at contact is also amazingly solid and tight.

Feel's Butterstick also has the distinction of being one of the easiest clubs to use when it comes to addressing the ball. As any pro will tell you, if your ball alignment isn't right, your shot already has no chance before your swing has even begun. The unique coloring of the clubhead at address does an amazing job of guiding your eyes so that proper (and improper) alignment is obvious. The butterstick is designed to be as easy to line up as your putter, and I'd have to say that they've met that goal handily.

Lines Up Like A Putter

This utility works nicely off the tee and from the bare turf. There is also noticeably less energy transfer into "steering" the club, which means almost all of your power goes into the ball, where it should. If you have trouble hitting woods off the fairway, then this is definitely the utility for you.

Also worth mentioning are Feel's Full Release Grips. The Full Release Grip uses Taper Tip Technology that allows the left hand portion of the grip to be carried loosely in the fingers due to the much smaller grip diameter in the left hand. The right hand also uses a more relaxed grip due to the Release's larger diameter at the bottom of the grip as compared with traditional grips. The grip fits comfortably and naturally in one's hands, thereby reducing the hand and wrist tension and increasing club control. They take a little getting use to, but after about two holes, you'll never want to use a traditional grip again.

The bottom line is that if you want a club that hits like a wood with the forgiveness of an iron and looks great doing it, then Feel Golf's Butterstick 21 degree Hybrid belongs in your bag. It's a sure bet that once you hit one, you'll be hooked for life. For about one hundred seventy dollars, you can get one just about anywhere clubs are sold or online at www.FeelWedges.com.