Rescue 2009 Right away you notice that the new Rescue hybrid's clubhead is refreshingly compact, which improves its playability, especially out of trouble spots like the rough. Despite it's smaller size, it still looks substantial and easy to launch, its appealing shape is more refined, and its two-tiered, monochromatic crown and silver clubface are a distinct improvement over the Rescue Mid's appearance. A crown decal is strategically positioned to make it easier to align the clubface properly to the target-line, promoting increased accuracy.

Although the Rescue hybrid's size is similar to the original Rescue Mid, the new club has the benefit of Ultra-Thin Wall technology in the crown, which saves enough weight to significantly lower the CG location. Meanwhile, the sole has been redesigned with substantial areas at the toe and heel significantly recessed, so that a much smaller percentage of the sole area comes in contact with the turf. "By minimizing turf-resistance, the Low-Friction Sole helps the Rescue hybrid's head glide freely and squarely through impact without slowing or twisting," said Todd Beach, TaylorMade senior director of metalwood development. "That promotes longer, straighter results, even on "heavy" shots when you hit slightly behind the ball."

Two versions are available, the standard Rescue and the Rescue TP, the key difference being that the Rescue TP hybrid features the same TaylorMade Flight Control Technology (FCT) that's in the R9™ driver and fairway woods, while the standard Rescue hybrid does not. FCT gives the player the ability to change the Rescue TP's face angle, loft and lie angle, which has never before been possible with a hybrid of any kind.

ThThe Rescue TP hybrid is also equipped with an Aldila® Voodoo VS8 graphite shaft with S-core technology, which is the No. 1 hybrid shaft on the PGA Tour. S-core technology involves an internal carbon-fiber rib system to stabilize the shaft's cross-section. According to Aldila, S-core technology increases the Voodoo's hoop stiffness by 80% compared to conventional graphite shafts, allowing the Voodoo to better resist ovaling and deformation during the swing, which in turn maximizes energy transfer to the ball to promote increased distance. And because the Voodoo's symmetry remains constant throughout the swing, the shaft loads and unloads more consistently to help the player square the clubface to the ball with greater regularity, promoting greater accuracy. X, S and R flexes. Additionally, the Rescue TP hybrid is available in two custom shaft options, the Fujikura® Motore 85 graphite hybrid shaft and the Matrix Ozik Altus Hybrid graphite shaft; both in X, S and R flexes.

The standard Rescue hybrid is equipped with an Aldila RE*AX® 65-gram graphite shaft, designed to promote greater distance, accuracy and control to the average golfer. Offered in 2, 3, 4 and 5 right-handed and 3, 4 and 5 left-handed. Availability begins on May 1st at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199. S, R and M flexes. The Rescue TP hybrid is offered in 2, 3 and 4 right-handed and 2, 3, and 4 left-handed; the MSRP is $249 and it becomes available at retail on May 1st.