Driving iron v. Hybrid

[FlyingLaw1]

Hi All, 

 

I wanted to get your advice on my bag set up. I used to play a hybrid in the slot right below my 3 wood (19-20 degrees) but switched To a driving iron a number of years ago as (at the time) I hit hybrids way too high no matter what shaft I tried. 
 

I used to love my driving iron, I used it from everywhere. I’d consistently hit it 240 plus. In the last couple of years I’m not playing near the golf and my swing speed has dropped. I’m also not striking the ball as consistently and have hit a few really bad shots with my driving iron. 
 

It has led me think about hybrids again. Right now my driving iron is an 18* Srixon U45 with a VTS silver hybrid shaft in it. I had a trackman session with it about a month ago and the launch numbers etc are good... but in the course it’s just not as consistent as it needs to be. 
 

I thought about picking up a used Tight Lies hybrid or something similar... I don’t really want to buy new at this point as I’ve not even hit a hybrid in several years now. 
 

Any ideas? 

edited: had “Z45 instead of “U45”

Edited September 17, 2020 by FlyingLaw1

[scooterhd2]

Sitck with a more players hybrid, and look for something with some weight in the shaft. More likely to keep the flight and spin down.

 

Older Adams are great. I have one myself, but the ones branded Tight Lies are probably not the best option for you. Pro A12, 9031, XTD. But my ultimate recommendation is the 2016 Callaway Apex. There is a bit of a cult following of these for a reason. I'm gaming 2 now and have 1 in the backup bag. Very reminiscent of a Adams hybrid. Workable but forgiving. Plenty long. And doesn't want to go left as most hybrids do. One of the few that I feel comfortable with actually using off the tee, because you know it wont snap and you can flight it low. Plenty versatile from bad lies as well. 

[setter02]

I dropped my G410 2 crossover this week (rather than reshaft and hope) for a TS3 19* hybrid and it is infinitely more versatile from the rough (if/when needed) and still gives me the flight I want (primary use is off the tee).  Have been a fan of the 816/818 H2's and now the TS3 for being a smaller head shape with adjustability.

Edited September 17, 2020 by setter02

[JoeFrigo]

Maybe try one of the chunkier "driving irons".... I know youre not looking for new but just as examples the SIM DHY, titleist 510, or Srixon u85 come to mind. Look like irons but have a little more meat on the back of them to make them more forgiving

 

I myself play a SIM UDI 2 iron and then have a SIM hybrid as my 4i. I gave up on lower lofted hybrids since I hit them high and typically hook also. By giving up my 4i and replacing with a 4h I have a lot more options now

[FlyingLaw1]

@JoeFrigo

 

i typed the wrong model in my original post. I’ve got a U45 so it’s pretty “chunky.”

 

to everyone else... thank you! The 2016 Apex is a good idea. There are a couple 20* on eBay... I imagine a 20* hybrid would go about as far as my 18* DI? 
 

What would you consider “heavier” for a hybrid shaft? 90g?

 

[Drivingrangehero]

1 hour ago, FlyingLaw1 said:

@JoeFrigo

 

i typed the wrong model in my original post. I’ve got a U45 so it’s pretty “chunky.”

 

to everyone else... thank you! The 2016 Apex is a good idea. There are a couple 20* on eBay... I imagine a 20* hybrid would go about as far as my 18* DI? 
 

What would you consider “heavier” for a hybrid shaft? 90g?

 

My 18* 2H Apex 2016 goes longer than my 17* T-MB 2 iron by 10+ yards and I don’t get much roll out from it. 
 

it’s produces about 8mph faster ball speed as well. 
 

I think the 20* Apex should be comparable to your 18* DI depending on launch/spin characteristics 

 

Why are you going with the 20* Apex rather than the 18* Apex....... gapping purposes? 

[ChipNRun]

Two options...

6 hours ago, scooterhd2 said:

Stick with a more players hybrid, and look for something with some weight in the shaft. More likely to keep the flight and spin down.

1. Check out the Tour Edge CBX family of hybrids. The TE reps bill these as left-proof, and available used.

 

2. Get a more helpful shaft for your U45 driving iron. My "driving iron" is the 4i from my CBP set, refitted from KBS Tour to a SteelFiber 780 HLS hybrid shaft (about 18 grams lighter). New shaft helps out on launch, smooths out shots with longer club.

[FlyingLaw1]

6 hours ago, Drivingrangehero said:

My 18* 2H Apex 2016 goes longer than my 17* T-MB 2 iron by 10+ yards and I don’t get much roll out from it. 
 

it’s produces about 8mph faster ball speed as well. 
 

I think the 20* Apex should be comparable to your 18* DI depending on launch/spin characteristics 

 

Why are you going with the 20* Apex rather than the 18* Apex....... gapping purposes? 

That was my primary thought (gapping). Though I could go with the 18* and choke down on it, right?

3 hours ago, ChipNRun said:

Two options...

1. Check out the Tour Edge CBX family of hybrids. The TE reps bill these as left-proof, and available used.

 

2. Get a more helpful shaft for your U45 driving iron. My "driving iron" is the 4i from my CBP set, refitted from KBS Tour to a SteelFiber 780 HLS hybrid shaft (about 18 grams lighter). New shaft helps out on launch, smooths out shots with longer club.

I'm tending to lean more toward option #1 for the simple reason that I need the confidence of those off center shots. When I hit it well the DI still does what I need it to... But instead of that being 8 times out of 10 its not 5 or worse. I just feel like that slot in my bag needs some more forgiveness than a new shaft would likely bring.

[Drivingrangehero]

4 hours ago, FlyingLaw1 said:

That was my primary thought (gapping). Though I could go with the 18* and choke down on it, right?

I'm tending to lean more toward option #1 for the simple reason that I need the confidence of those off center shots. When I hit it well the DI still does what I need it to... But instead of that being 8 times out of 10 its not 5 or worse. I just feel like that slot in my bag needs some more forgiveness than a new shaft would likely bring.

If you would be carrying a 5 wood and not wanting to omit it from the bag, then the 20* would be better for gapping I suppose. 
 

if you were just looking to get something down the fairway as much as possible to replace the driving iron, and you would still keep a 3 wood in your bag, then I suppose the 18* would be best. I don’t know your game, or bag, but I know mine, and that would be MY best bet. 
 

I don’t carry a 3 wood, so I go from driver to 18* Apex, although I’m looking to replace the Apex with something that is a bit lower launch, and loft to be more of a 3 wood replacement. The 18* Apex is more of a 5/4 wood replacement for me. 

[driveandputtmachine]

I go driver (9.5 410 LST)

3 Wood (TM M5 15*)

Hybrid 1 (Ping G400 17*)

Hybrid 2 (Sub 70 21*)

5 Iron 25*

 

I get 30+ yards between Driver and 3 wood.  I get about 20 yards between 3 wood and hybrid 1 and 20 yards between Hybrid 1 and Hybrid 2.  I get 23 yards between Hybrid 2 and 5 iron.

[FlyingLaw1]

@Driving Range Hero @driveandputtmachine
 

Thank you for your input!

 

My current set up is: 

 

Driver

3W

18* DI

4iron (21* but bent to 22*)

 

I don’t typically carry a 5 wood. I own one but I don’t even think I’ve hit it in a couple of years. 
 

I should also specify that I don’t only use this club off the tee. I’ll hit it on long par 3s as well as into par 5s. I’m pretty comfortable choking down on clubs (I do it with my 3 wood all the time) but I’m afraid if I choke down too much on a shot into the green it won’t spin enough to hold. 

[Myherobobhope]

6 minutes ago, FlyingLaw1 said:

@Driving Range Hero @driveandputtmachine
 

Thank you for your input!

 

My current set up is: 

 

Driver

3W

18* DI

4iron (21* but bent to 22*)

 

I don’t typically carry a 5 wood. I own one but I don’t even think I’ve hit it in a couple of years. 
 

I should also specify that I don’t only use this club off the tee. I’ll hit it on long par 3s as well as into par 5s. I’m pretty comfortable choking down on clubs (I do it with my 3 wood all the time) but I’m afraid if I choke down too much on a shot into the green it won’t spin enough to hold. 

My setup is similar, but I go Driver, 3W, 18 degree hybrid, 22 degree utility iron...

 

It covers my distance gaps in the 220+ range and gives me options on the course... I rarely have long irons into greens, so hybrid and driving are more tee and rescue clubs than anything, though I'm comfortable hitting either into the green. 

 

16 on my home course requires a 230-240 yard shot with little margin for error... most days I hit the hybrid, but if the wind is blowing, I'll give up some distance and hit the utility iron for more control and a lower ball flight. 

 

Personally, I like having both options in the bag... and I don't mind not having a traditional 4 iron.

[driveandputtmachine]

@FlyingLaw1

 

I get it.  I used to have a 18* driving iron (TM UDI) and as I hurt my wrist and could not practice or play as much I started hitting it horribly.  I moved on to the 17* hybrid as it is much more forgiving.  With the G400 I don't have the horrible misses left as I did with most hybrids.  I can hit a cut, draw or hook or a mostly straight ball.  

 

I have a 699 Pro U 4 iron that I will be putting directly up against the 939x 21* hybrid, those two may be subbed in and out depending upon the course, or I may just go and stick with one all the time.  The 18* driving iron was just too much, and using it off of the ground for a par 5 approach was just not quite high enough.  

 

My 3 wood is strictly a tee club, and I use it often in that capacity.  I view that if I need a 3 wood to get to a green off the turf that I should be laying up to a full wedge shot instead.

[Drivingrangehero]

38 minutes ago, FlyingLaw1 said:

@Driving Range Hero @driveandputtmachine
 

Thank you for your input!

 

My current set up is: 

 

Driver

3W

18* DI

4iron (21* but bent to 22*)

 

I don’t typically carry a 5 wood. I own one but I don’t even think I’ve hit it in a couple of years. 
 

I should also specify that I don’t only use this club off the tee. I’ll hit it on long par 3s as well as into par 5s. I’m pretty comfortable choking down on clubs (I do it with my 3 wood all the time) but I’m afraid if I choke down too much on a shot into the green it won’t spin enough to hold. 

I think a 20* Apex may be a right fit then. Probably close in distance as your 18*, but it will get there with more carry, less roll.  

[FlyingLaw1]

Thank you all for your help!! I found a 2016 Apex 20* with a Kuro Kage 90g shaft for a good price. Went a head and placed the order. I figure it worth the test. If it doesn’t work for me, I can probably sell it for pretty much what I paid. 

[Drivingrangehero]

Keep us posted ?

[RxGolf1]

The Titleist 818 H1 hybrids are anti-left with plenty of forgiveness. I have one with an 85G Evenflow blue shaft(SS ~95mph) and it's never ballooned on me. More of a penetrating flight.

[FlyingLaw1]

Slapped a new grip on the club Thursday and went to the range on Saturday. It certainly has a different look/sound/feel than my U45 but it’s so much easier to hit. I was carrying shot after shot to a green thats at 218 and that’s with range balls. Sunday I put it in action. First shot with it was a 190 yard par 3 slightly into the breeze. Choked down about an inch and a half and made a normal swing—landed and stopped about 20 feet from the pin. Second shot was where it really earned its place in the bad. Par 5–second shot left me 225 to a back stick. I miss hit it off the toe. Pretty bad swing. It came out a little lower than normal with a bit of a draw that’s started a tad right. It still carried about 210-215 to the center of the green. Easy two putt birdie. That same swing with the driving iron would have never got me near the green. I’d have been lucky if that shot had gone 175. I was so impressed I started looking for 23* apexes lol

Edited September 29, 2020 by FlyingLaw1

[animalgolfs]

7 wood

 

Taste the rainbow 

[mootrail]

Swing speed is the defining factor for any DI.  My U45 20° launched high and easy, but when I went with a U85 18° it was a complete no go.

 

I've played a lot of DIs and the chunky iron soles are difficult at best from the turf, so I've ended up going with hybrids for all around play-ability.

 

Consider getting a 20° U45; mine's just sitting in the closet.