2i vs hybrid

[gambit]

Currently have the 818 H1 19* and then next is the 718 TMB 4i (23*). I've been hitting the 4i really well, but the hybrid not so much. Thinking about getting the TMB 2i at 17*, maybe weaken it to 18*. Just wondering if my gapping would be OK from 3w to 2i to 4i. I've even thought about losing woods all together and go TMB 2-4. Thoughts?

[LoopySwing13]

Is your 3 wood adjustable by chance? If you have the club head speed to use a 2i TMB maybe make the 3 wood into a 4 wood?

 

I picked up a 2 iron 712U for some of the courses out by the ocean where I can take advantage of lower bullets off the tee or into a green. My thought was to drop my 5 wood and loft up my 3 wood from 15-17*. The 712U carries about 220-225 where my 5 wood carries about 230 but much more roll with the 2I.

 

Depends on your distance gaps and needs.

[gambit]

Is your 3 wood adjustable by chance? If you have the club head speed to use a 2i TMB maybe make the 3 wood into a 4 wood?

 

I picked up a 2 iron 712U for some of the courses out by the ocean where I can take advantage of lower bullets off the tee or into a green. My thought was to drop my 5 wood and loft up my 3 wood from 15-17*. The 712U carries about 220-225 where my 5 wood carries about 230 but much more roll with the 2I.

 

Depends on your distance gaps and needs.

 

I hit my AP2 5i about 200 and the tmb 4i about 215. Furthest I hit one was over 230. I’m assuming the 2i would go about 230 since I may not hit it quite as well as the 4i so a 15 yard gap is what I’m hoping for.

[Jonesy]

I'm all for the 2 iron over the hybrid

 

I think trajectory plays a role here, the 2 iron will get you that 230 but will it be from run or are you looking for all carry? My theory for a happy medium might be the 2 iron with a graphite shaft, you can still get that low trajectory in the breeze but when you need the carry it's easier than a heavy steel shaft.

[Mysticfalcon]

I have been hitting my MP-18 Fli-hi so well lately that I am contemplating the #2 iron for the tee. I have never been able to hit a Fwy or Hyb consistently enough but my long Irons have always been great. Long Irons go nice & straight and a miss hit 3I for me is usually about 180 and still right in the middle.

The long Iron gives me a lot more control and a lot less penalty from the bad strikes.

[Belmont148]

Check out TXG on YouTube. They just released a video this morning comparing the P790 UDI with graphite to a hybrid. Interesting results. Just depends on what you want out of that spot in the bag. I was surprised to see the peak was the same, but the UDI was much longer. So a flatter trajectory than the hybrid. If decent angle is a concern, the hybrid may be the choice, but if you strike the DI better than the hybrid, I would take consistency and confidence anyday. To me, that club in the 2i-3i spot whether it be a wood, hybrid, or iron needs to be confident out of sketchy lies. Below your feet, rough, shaping around trees. That’s usually the goal for me at that yardage.

[MelloYello]

Use whichever fits your game better. I know that doesn't sound helpful but If either was *clearly* better you wouldn't have to ask the question.

 

At about 18⁰ of loft, you're mostly talking about tee shots on short- to medium-length Par-4's or shots into reachable Par-5's. An iron is going to be more accurate (and potentially longer) on tee shots while a hybrid will be as good or better when trying to reach a far off green.

 

How often would you actually hit the driving iron? If it's just a couple over the course of a round, you're probably better off working around it.On the other hand, how often do you make birdie? Are you really in favor of giving up having the right club on a Par-5 and hitting a 2i approach in those scenarios?

 

Neither club is perfect. So would you rather have to hit a 2i into a far off green or tee off with a hybrid (or 4i) on occasion?

 

 

I'm currently carrying a 19⁰ hybrid, a 21⁰ driving iron and then I drop back to a 5 iron. So I did away with the 4, which seemed redundant. YMMV.

[manima1]

If you go with a wider sole utility iron like a U45/65 you won't need to worry about lack of height. These things launch to the moon even off the deck. I'd look to other options besides the TMB if you're looking for a little more elevation but don't want to bag a hybrid. Best of both worlds in my opinion.

[Albatross85]

I have been hitting my MP-18 Fli-hi so well lately that I am contemplating the #2 iron for the tee. I have never been able to hit a Fwy or Hyb consistently enough but my long Irons have always been great. Long Irons go nice & straight and a miss hit 3I for me is usually about 180 and still right in the middle.

The long Iron gives me a lot more control and a lot less penalty from the bad strikes.

I love my 2 fli hi, thing is amazing. Just bought the 4 fli hi yesterday and reshafted last night. I hope its better than my 712u

[bdubs3316]

To be honest...I think it depends on the shots you need to hit on the course you're playing. I have a T-MB 2 iron and it's usually in the bag. However, for a tournament I just had, it was taken out for a 915hd 2 hybrid. I hit the hybrid higher and a similar distance...and the course called for a few shots that could have longer carries and need height to stop the ball.

 

I also took out my 5 iron...figured I could cover that distance with either choking down on the 4 iron or deloft and swing harder at a 6 iron. Didn't miss the 5 iron at all that day...and used the 64* wedge I added a few times. So, it really just comes down to the shots you are going to need to hit at the course you're playing.

[gambit]

Thanks for all the replies fellas. My biggest thing is consistency. I have none off the tee with any kind of wood but I’m confident with iron in hand. I know it’s a mental thing because I can then hit the woods from the fw. I don’t have a problem with hitting height either. A lot of the courses I play tend to get pretty windy so there’s another factor. I’ve never used or even thought about using a graphite shaft in a driving iron. I play px 6.0 in my irons. Maybe something like an even flow black?

 

Edit: Just realized the TMB has a .355 hosel and most hybrid shafts are .370. Do you have to grind it down?

[Belmont148]

I wouldn't say grind it down, but more just sanded down slightly. It really doesn't take very much to get a .370 shaft into a .355 hosel. I just did a whole set of irons for my son and the tip prep took about 15 minutes for 7 clubs.

[LoopySwing13]

I wouldn't say grind it down, but more just sanded down slightly. It really doesn't take very much to get a .370 shaft into a .355 hosel. I just did a whole set of irons for my son and the tip prep took about 15 minutes for 7 clubs.

 

Agree with the above, any good club builder can do it, just make sure you trust them. If you aren't sure, ask them, and their response should tell you right away. For driving irons, a lot of people have gone the hybrid .370 route into a .355 head with no issue.