16º hybrid as fairway wood replacement?

[pearsonified]

For about 2 years, I was a "big hitters don't use hybrids" snob, but then I put an XR Pro 20º in the bag, and everything changed.

 

The 20º is now my favorite club, and I rely on it when I've got to keep the ball in play. In fact, I've had so much success with the 20º XR Pro that I've started to think I might be better off with a 16º hybrid than the M2 3HL I currently play.

 

I seem to be able to hit the XR Pro straighter than I can hit "traditional" woods, and I also tend to hook it less than the M2 (especially off the deck).

 

Soooo, has anyone else done this? On tour, I know Derek Fathauer is currently gaming a tour-only 16º Apex hybrid, so this isn't a completely unprecedented move.

 

I love the sound and feel of my M2 3HL, but after playing in a couple tournaments recently, I learned I just don't trust it enough to seriously commit to sticking with it in the future. I'm hopeful the 16º could be a more reliable solution for this spot in the bag, but I suppose I'm a little concerned about ball speeds and carry consistency with a club I've never been able to hit.

[boggyman]

Not to cut you short, but use the search... should produce several threads on your question. You'll get pros and cons of all different views but until you try it you'll never know for yourself, meaning the 16* hybrid. If you don't trust the HL, then you'll never be satisfied with it! That's a tough spot to fill, but find one you trust and leave it be!

[pgetzen]

I have gone down both paths. Currently have a Cleveland Mashie 18 degree 2 hybrid, so I put in a 15.5 degree Mashie hybrid in the bag as well. Great off the tee, give up about 10 yards on fairway shots, but pretty happy otherwise.

[smokedturkey]

Totally feel what you are saying. My 3 wood HL rarely gets used vs my shorter shafted Baffler and 19* hybrid. Courses I play in FL have so much trouble everywhere, that keeping the ball in play gets my first option. I find myself using my 3HL when distance in an absolute need so why not go for it or its pretty open ahead. So, it sits in the bag most of the time. Get the club in the bag that gets you confident and wanting to pull it out. Why not get the hybrid and make a game time or course needs decision before playing or depending which one you are hitting the best at the time.

[pearsonified]

Courses I play in FL have so much trouble everywhere, that keeping the ball in play gets my first option.

This is really the bottom line. I can't flight the ball down as easily with the 3HL as I can with the driver, and my miss vector with the 3HL is about 80% as wide as it is with the driver (aka still pretty damn huge).

 

Therefore, I simply don't use the 3HL unless [1] there is serious trouble where I will likely hit my driver and [2] there is no wind in the face (because exacerbated hooks are a non-starter).

[rjr25]

I have carried my rbz (original, no stage 2 junk) 3hl for years and refuse to pull it out of the bag even though i will consistently pull out my 20° hybrid for a shot before I will even consider the 3hl. But there is that once or twice a year I absolutely flush the 3hl.....

[chickenpotpie]

I played one last year as a 3 wood replacement. The plus was that it was the straightest club in my bag, and also that I could hit it 3 wood distance (for me about 235-240). The minus was that it hit low bullets, so trying to carry obstacles or hit over obstacles was a challenge. For this, a 3 wood of similar loft is better in that it can get the ball up easier.

[McMoo]

I had that setup for a while last year. 16 degree xr pro hybrid instead of 14 degree xr pro 3 wood. Ultimately I need the 3 wood for the extra 10-15 yards at my home course off the tee and on some par 5's so I put it back in the bag. I was probably a little more consistent with the hybrid but not by much.

[BMC]

At one time, Anthony Kim carried no fairway woods. He used an Adams 14 degree hybrid. Carried it 250.

So, it is an option.

[JohnKHawk]

I tried a few times but just cannot seem to hit a low lofted hybrid consistently. Lowest I can hit is the 19 degree. Of course I really can't hit a lower lofted fairway very well either. lol.

[pearsonified]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I need to be able to carry this club about 270 off the tee, and I'm skeptical I can achieve that with a 16º hybrid. It's no problem with the 3HL, but it's also no problem to sling it straight into the hazard.

 

I have a 15º that wants to fly straight, but unfortunately, it flies too far to fill the gap I need.

[Tigermatt31]

I think you just keep whatever is more consistent even if its a little shorter

[A.G. Pennypacker]

I used to have Nickent 4dx 2,3,4 hybrids (or various combos of them) in the bag, in lieu of any fairway woods. Now that I can hit a 3w reliably, I like it better, but I loved the low loft hybrids for a couple seasons.

[zzyzxx33]

I currently game a 14* Taylor Made TP Mid Rescue and a 3HL RBZ. There was a time before I found the RBZ, that I gamed all of various combinations 14*, 16*, and a 19* hybrid. It worked fine for me.

[Jwin323]

At one time, Anthony Kim carried no fairway woods. He used an Adams 14 degree hybrid. Carried it 250.

So, it is an option.

 

At one time, Anthony Kim played golf.

[bluedot]

I played one last year as a 3 wood replacement. The plus was that it was the straightest club in my bag, and also that I could hit it 3 wood distance (for me about 235-240). The minus was that it hit low bullets, so trying to carry obstacles or hit over obstacles was a challenge. For this, a 3 wood of similar loft is better in that it can get the ball up easier.

 

I think this is the real issue, rather than distance alone. I'd add to what you noted as problems that low bullets often don't hold greens, either.