Tried a hybrid -- wow

[Debit]

Had first lesson of the season -- usually a tune up and to verify that no nasty quirks have entered the swing/set up over the off season. Anyhow, down range was this guy swinging a quiver full of hybrids. Of course, he insisted that NO ONE should carry anything longer than a 6I. Sorry, I won't give up my 5I. That's my true go to. As I mentioned elsewhere, I'm stubborn and poor. Hadn't had trouble hitting longer irons, but exchanged 3I (non-scoring) for another wedge. So I swung this guy's hybrid. I was impressed. Even though it was a stiff shaft, the hit was solid and straight and long. Pro came back with a Callaway FT 24* r-flex hybrid -- he happens to be a Callaway fitter, but hasn't been all that in your face about changing equipment. The club felt really head-heavy, but talk about a solid hit; even out of tall grass. I'm hooked. He was involved in another lesson, so I don't know what he's asking for this miracle club to help an old lady get out of the rough. Not sure I'm impressed with the higher ball flight -- really launches the ball. But, I think I can deal with it to have a go to club from intermediate length rough and when 170-180 yds out. Sure I can hit a 4I, but not with same consistency that I had during this practice session. Anyone else out there with a testimonial? I'm still open to suggestions.

[Simp]

Hey, I'm not afrais to say that dropping the manly 2 and 3 irons and replacing them with a 17* hybrid has improved my game. Unless you're Tiger, getting a long iron to fly high and drop like a butterfly is all but impossible. Hybrids are for real.

[Debit]

Wasn't so much thinking of shooting the ball high and landing it softly. IMHO a woman's game is less subtle, I'm just concerned about getting it there. Just don't have the strength to muscle my way out of REAL rough and my long irons, even when they work, aren't going to be scoring clubs. I'll know better after the weekend as I have been able to demo the hybrid until next week. It will be fun to see if I can figure out how to control the flight of the ball. My standard trajectory is just fine, regardless of the club. This 24* hybrid flies much higher than anything in my bag. I can't wait to get to the course.

[aedoue]

Debit, I don't think you can go wrong adding a hybrid or two to your bag. I don't play at your level, so I can't address ball control and such. For me, hybrids are just incredibly easy to swing (though I like my new 5i better than my 5h). My boyfriend, who's a more experienced player, poo-pooed them for the longest time, but he's recently updated his bag, and he's got 3,4,and 5h now, and he loves them. Gets great pin placement with them. As for trajectory, if you don't like the height, that can be changed with shaft choice.

[Debit]

It (the 4h) does throw the ball incredibly high -- but it's like swinging a weighted club. No way is this sucker going off line unless there is a fault in your set up. I 2 rnds this weekend, I used it maybe 10x and had only one off-line hit. I think I had the ball in the wrong position. Takes some adaptation as the thing is offset and my irons aren't. If anyone is considering the purchase of one these things, check it out on a range or somewhere where you can see what's happening. In 2-4 inch rough, it was amazing. Watched my playing partners struggle to muscle their way out with various irons and fairway woods. No such problem for me. I do believe that I'm in love... okay, I'm easily entertained.

[Aimee]

If you have access to the Callaway fitter, try the Optifit system, you might find a shaft you like better (if you want to lower ball flight). No doubt, these glide thru the taller grass more easily. I still have my 3-iron in the bag, but that's a quirk of my game, I can actually hit it. I struggled to hit my hybrid for a long time, recent lessons have gotten me back on track, and when I hit it right (TM Rescue Mid 19 deg)...well it's a beautiful thing. Nice to have my approach shot on a par 5 be a short iron.

[tbowles411]

Heck, I've replaced 3 through 6 with hybrids, and am about to replace my 7 iron. My S9s are easy to hit, but hybrids are even easier!

[Debit]

Aimee, I'm right behind you. I had no difficulty hitting the long irons. Getting the ball airborne has never been a problem, so I As I had mentioned earlier, it was difficulty getting out of intermediate rough that opened my wallet. Sure, I could get out of almost anything, but sacrificed distance when I grabbed a higher lofted club to hack back to the fairway. This "thing" is like swinging a weighted club. I've never experienced anything that was quite so effortless. I'm sure that I will eventually get use to the high ball flight, just now it's a bit distracting. Now, if I could just figure out in which pair of pants I left my iron game. I think it's the aimer. Too bad the rest of us don't have some caddy to make sure that we are aligned properly. Ah, woe is me