why do we use graphite in a hybrid?

[cavemeister]

my perception is that people swing hybrids too hard (or lost the accuracy they had with irons) with light graphite shafts. That steel is heavier and usually more stable torque wise(though a few graphites are in the steel torque range).

 

So why do people use graphite? Are we suckered into more expensive shafts just for a possible 5-10 yard gain in distance and less consistency?

[floycota]

You're right simple answer is I don't use graphite. Steel in both my hybrids. I like the shorter length and heavier feel. I'll give up 2-4 yards for more fairways.

[carlito_tx]

nice call.

If you have half-decent swing speed, seems steel would be the (un-sexy, but better) way to go.

[Egan101]

Most hybrids have heavier shafts (80-90g) compared to fairway woods. It's a decent transition from the 100g+ of iron steel shafts to the 70-80g of fairway graphite shafts.

[jahopki]

I use the same steel shaft in my 17* hybrid as I've got in my irons -- PX 6.0. In retrospect, I wish I had gotten one softer (5.5), but I'm glad that I didn't get graphite; I wanted my hybrid to take the place of a 2-iron, which it's done beautifully.

[stage1350]

I played DG Tour in my hybrids until I got the Project X hybrid shaft. It's the nuts. Gets up in the air much quicker and flattens out with very low spin. No more ballooning into the wind.

At 100g, it's a good transition between my woods and irons.

[gdb99]

I had a 105 gram NVS in my hybrid, but just put in a Dynamic Gold. I'm much happier with the performance.

[Greggz]

I pulled the DVS 85 graphite from my hybrids and reshafted them with Nippon 8950's (104g).

I haven't lost any distance, and it has really helped with the "hookiness" that crept up sometimes.

Besides the physics, I think the steel makes me "feel" more like I have an iron in my hand, and that makes me swing more like I have an iron in my hand.

[bigred90gt]

I play an 85 gram shaft in my driver, a 96 gram shaft in my fairway wood, and TT DG S400's in my irons. I tried an S300 in my hybrid, and hated the feel of it. It felt dead to me. I replaced it with a PL Red 65 gram shaft, with easily 25-30 grams of lead tape along the length of the shaft, and it is now money.

[MikeG]

You're right. About 4 years ago I went through hell trying to find a replacement for my 2 iron. Tried a bunch of 5 woods and hybrids to no avail. One day I found a 19* Rescue TP with a steel shaft (no band...I assume it's an S300) at a Second Swing. It's still in my bag. I've found nothing better since then.

[rainkingjr]

Best hybrid I've ever owned was a Titleist 585 w and s300 steel shaft. Close 2nd was the J36 w the Vs Proto. Thought about putting steel in the J36 before I got rid of it. I may pick one up soon and try it with a steel shaft.

[Cletus]

I'm pulling my NV 75S from my Nickent hybrids for this very reason. I'm going to give these a try:
[url="http://www.diamondtour.com/true-temper-crossfire-utility-iron-p-504.html"]http://www.diamondtour.com/true-temper-cro...iron-p-504.html[/url]

Outside of the Hogan hybrids they came on a couple of years ago, there isn't much info on them, but for $12 a pop I figured it was worth a try. If I don't like them I may try the KBS hybrid shafts.