Titleist Hybrid Adjustments

Hopefully this is a quick learn - i've scoured the web and I still have some questions about playing with the lie on an adjustable hybrid.

For the last 2-3 years I've been hitting pretty consistent fades (sometimes a slice with it gets away) with the golf ball - and I've been an exceptional hybrid player. Probably the strong point in my game. During this winter I worked with an instructor to try to control the fade a bit and make a bit more contact in the center of the face (used to be slightly on toe, due to the swing path). Things are working great now with my woods and irons, but with my hyrbids, I'm still making very solid ball contact, but they are going left. They start left, and then draw a bit more left.

I know lot's of people have trouble keeping hybrids from going left, I was never in that camp but I am now. I am wondering if adjusting the lie - flat 1 degree - B1 setting in the 816 - could maybe adjust this ball flight? Am I understanding that correctly that flattening the lie on a hybrid would theoretically produce a more fade/no left ball flight?

Thanks in advance,

Yes that is correct, in theory. B1 will promote more of a fade flight compared to A1. C1 would open up the face even more (although this would also deloft your 816 by 1*).

My natural shot is a draw. I don't do well with clubs that are draw biased b/c they tend to hook.

I have my 818H2 19* set to C1. I can still turn this club over, but this setting has definitely helped eliminate the "hard left" miss.

Note that there is a very detailed threat talking about adjustable hosels and how that impacts face angle and thus draw or fade bias. I recommend you check it out: https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1081535/how-adjustable-drivers-actually-work-everyone-should-be-required-to-watch-this-to-be-allowed-to-pos/p1

B1 is standard lie angle and -1* in loft. C1 is 1* flat and -1* loft.

In theory it might so it never hurts to try it, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. In practice the effect is fairly small maybe 2-3 yard directional change per 1* the lie is adjusted.

You're more likely to get help by opening up the face angle (lower the loft setting) so it couldn't hurt giving D-1 or even C-1 a try to see what happens.

Looking at shaft weight and swing weight compared to your other clubs might not be a bad idea as well. For some they can play an important role in the transition and release (and therefore face control).

NO. B1 is -1* in lie angle and standard loft. D1 would be standard lie and -1* in loft. Agreed on what C1 does.

Official adjustment chart and background from Titleist: https://www.titleist.com/fitting/golf-club-fitting/surefit

As you’ve experienced, an in to out swing path frees your hands to turn the club face over, promoting a draw. Hybrids are lighter, smaller, and easier to manipulate, so if you’re now straight with other clubs, you’ll have a tendency to draw or hook hybrids. That’s why “better” players may not get along well with many hybrids. There’s no great mystery IMO.

Titleist’s 818 and TS3 series have the sure-fit cartridge to help with this. The 816 unfortunately doesn’t. I had an 818H1 and the difference was noticeable. As others have noted, changing the face angle will likely have only a minor effect. You can try lead tape on the toe side to see if this is the situation for you though.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I did go to the range last night and was experimenting with the settings.

I did find that the B1 setting was promoting a straighter ball / 1-3 yard cut. It also seemed to remove the "hard-left" miss that I had been experiencing. I did seem to notice a 2-5 yard distance loss with the changed settings, but that doesn't hurt me in the least for the control I gained. I also think that those yards were mostly the difference between a lower draw/hook and the high straight ball / fade.

For now I think I'm good, but as many have mentioned here - as my swing continues to progress from out/in to in/out - I do think I'm going to have ditch some of the hybrids. In this swing transition and work I've gained about 15 yards with each stick, so hybrids shouldn't be needed as much as my 5iron now flies as long as my 4hybird before the work I did in the offseason.

one additional point on Titleist hybrids is the 818 series allows one to put a draw/fade weight in it which does assist in fading the club/avoid hooks somewhat

By adjusting your hybrid flat it won't be a "fade bias". It will howver mover the starting point to the right for a RH golfer.

Lead tape on the toe.

Hit it down and in like your irons instead of up and out like your woods.