Iron length hybrids... a possible experiment

Hello fellow WRXers. I was recently watching a TXG YouTube video on replacing long irons with hybrids. Here is the video for reference:

I play a 3 and 4 hybrid that weigh about 40gms less thanand are about 1.25" shorter than my 3 and 4 iron. I choke up and hit the hybrids well but sometimes get the dreaded straight left shot.

This is probably not a new topic but I was wondering if anyone's had experience with shortening their hybrids and if they play them with a heavier shaft.

My experiment would be to reshaft my current hybrids with a shaft that is about 15-20 grams heavier. I would build them to my iron length and set the swing weight to D2 like my irons play.

Complaints, concerns or ideas?

I did this over a year ago and have had great results. Before I struggled with many different hybrids. Granted, I was just buying off the rack and was never fitted but the story was the same for each. Would hit some miraculous shots, and some absolutely dreadful hooks. Sometimes a poor result on what actually felt like a decent swing. I couldn't understand why I could hit my 4 iron fairly well, but not the 3 hybrid. Then I decided to try to make a hybrid that was more similar to the iron it was replacing.

First, find a hybrid with a neutral setup that suits your eye. I like the more iron like look of the Callaway Apex. It also setups neutral. And ideally, your hybrid would have a weight port.

Next, make sure the shaft is at least 85 grams. Alot of stock shafts in hybrids are 65-75 grams. Go heavier. Steel is always on option. Something like the GOST shaft or a 95 gram steelfiber is fine. I have a AD DI 95S in my 4 iron and went to 85S in the hybrid. The weight profile is dependent on you and your swing, but the point is you may need something heavier than the stock shaft that is letting you whip it around too quickly and has you hitting pulls all day.

Next, Cut the shaft down. My 5 iron is 38 in. My 4 iron is 38.5. My 3 hybrid is 39. Just like a progressive iron set. I had to cut 1 inch off the shaft. Some manufactures, you will have to cut even more. But try to make the hybrid the same length as the length of the iron it is replacing. Consequently, this will also flatten the hybrid, which will help if your big miss is to the left.

Finally, you may need to add weight to the head. The heavier shaft may have helped enough, but when you shorten the shaft you reduce the swing weight. The stock weight in the Apex is 6 grams, I replaced it with a 12 gram weight to maintain a D3 SW, just like my irons.

Looks like an iron, feels like an iron, swings like an iron, is as controllable as an iron, but obviously with a hotter face and lower and deeper CG to launch high and increase spin.

I did the same thing with my Titleist 818H2. Cut it down 1/2 longer than my 4 iron, and got a heavier 20 gram weight for the port ,as it came with the 14 gram. Much better results with the shorter length paired with a heavier shaft.

I did something similar with my Apex 3h. Cut it down to 39" to play at a traditional 3i length with a 100g VTS Silver. Hot melt to get it back to D3.

That VTS silver is a fantastic hybrid shaft, had it in an Adams Idea pro.

I watched the same video and it is very tempting to give this a try.

Please keep posting your results.

It would make sense for a hybrid to be an iron replacement that it would be close to iron length and distance.

I did something similar with my F7 hybrids where length was between std and iron length, really liked it. Most people's complaints with hybrids are hooking, in essence shorter makes it play flatter as well, so win win.

I've been doing this for years with hybrids and now my utility iron.

If you believe a hybrid is an iron replacement it makes perfect sense. If you are looking for a fairway wood replacement then you could go longer / lighter.

Don't be afraid to go with steel. I put together a DG iron shaft with a TM adapter for my Stage 2 Tour 3h. I left mine a little longer, but i feel it's a great way to keep the static weight up for shorter hybrids or utility irons.

I have been playing my 21* hybrid at 3 iron length and swing weight for many years. It fits the distance gap perfectly. It is the club that has remained in my bag unchanged far longer than any other. I know I can trust the distance and am comfortable I can strike it well. Like me, the face is a bit worn, but it cleans up well and still loves to play.

chafita Posted: May 28 2020 2:26PM"I play a 3 and 4 hybrid that ... are about 1.25" shorter than my 3 and 4 iron." Assuming you meant 1.25" longer.

I'd go with 3/4" off and not 1.25". Your effective lie angle will flatten 2° - 3° instead of 4° - 5° and you'll only have to counteract 3 - 4 swing weights rather than 6 - 7 SW. Assuming you're starting with a 70g graphite shaft, a 30g heavier steel shaft will get back 2 SWs (1 SW for every 15g) and you can just skip correcting for the last 1 - 2 SWs. This way you're good to go with just a shaft change.