ORLANDO - What did we ever do without hybrids? Hybrids continue to be hot, and have replaced putters in many stores in individual club sales, and makers continue to churn them out.

Feel Golf debuted two: The 18-degree Competitor and the 21-degree Butterstick. Founders Club has one that supposedly prevents clubhead twisting. MacGregor and Nickent, of course, have new lines.

Nike has its new set of SQ Sumo hybrids, which I carry in my own bag. Sonaretec has claimed to “reinvent” the hybrid, claiming its new HB-001 has both more forgiveness and workability than any long iron. Both workability and forgiveness? Wow.

Wilson has a new set that combines fairway woods and hybrids into a single family, the FY fairway utility club system.

— What recession? According to golf officials here at the PGA Merchandise Show, the luxury golf market is booming. For example, right here in Orlando, Disney closed Eagle Pines and is now selling Osprey Ridge, replacing it with a Four Seasons Resort, scheduled to open 2010 with a renovated and upscale Osprey Ridge. Hilton and Waldorf Astoria plan hotels there.

— I still think “wellness-related jewelry” is bogus, even though Angel Cabera wears one
Of those magnetic bracelets. I tried one once and it broke after I played two holes. I never felt any of its “energy-balancing technology.” I just felt gay.

— The most attractive new clubs are the bamboo irons by Komperdell: “Clear mountain rivers, untouched forests, lakes with drinking water quality in the middle of the Alps – that’s the origin of these golf clubs,” the company says.

In person, they are indeed handsome, with the inlaid bamboo and hand-polished stainless steel.

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