Hybrids plus Driving Iron?

[achappy]

So I have a dilemma where I go back and forgth between hybrids an a driving iron.  I love driving irons off the tee and I'm so much more accurate with them. But I also realize the benefit of a hybrid, especially on long par 3s and out of the rough.  I've tried 17-19* hybrids as driving irons and I'm just not as accurate with them nor as comfortable off the tee.

 

So I was wondering, has anyone bagged both and been relatively successful?  20-22* hybrid and a 18* driving iron. 

[Pepperturbo]

A few years back I tested hybrids, but never put one in the bag, never like the look.  I have carried only Driver & 3/4 wd and either a 1 or 2 iron since taking up the game and currently enjoy 718 T-MB 17' 2 iron.  It could be called a driving iron, but it's just a 2 iron to me as it's part of a set; U500 is a driving iron.  My buddy, however, has 2 hybrids, 5wd and 3wd and most of the time hits them decently.  He does not get along with long irons or a driving iron. 

[leftymatt]

This is a super interesting post to me because I find myself in this exact dilemma! My driving iron and long irons are easily my best clubs from the tee. I had a 16* low launching hybrid in the bag a few years ago that was money when I could catch it right, but I just never got comfortable with it.

 

Right now, I'm bagging exactly what you listed: a 22* hybrid AND an 18* driving iron. This seems weird to me "on paper," but nearly every time I hit the course w/o the 22* hybrid, I regret it. It's just a lot easier to trust that club for long shots from the rough and other bad lies, even if I'm leaving it short of the green.

 

There was another post on the forums recently about gapping and someone had really great advice. They more or less suggested to keep what you have in the bag depending on the types of shots you encounter and not to get too caught up in gapping and what looks good on paper.  I'm a strong follower of this advice!

 

 

[spring70]

I like to think as clubs as tools, you need a hammer and a wrench, carry them lol.

 

Last time out I had a 18* driving/utility iron and a 21* hybrid, the hybrid is for trouble shots and/or soft landings on the green, the DI for for tight driving holes and punch outs lol.

 

 

[J_Tizzle]

Just now, spring7 said:

I like to think as clubs as tools, you need a hammer and a wrench, carry them lol.

 

Last time out I had a 18* driving/utility iron and a 21* hybrid, the hybrid is for trouble shots and/or soft landings on the green, the DI for for tight driving holes and punch outs lol.

 

 

 

Yep, I totally agree.  Been looking at putting a 2i in the bag for tee shots, and taking out the 3w and putting in a 5w for high 230ish shots into a handful of par 5's at my home course.  I'm no more accurate with the 3w than my driver, and trying to air out a 3w usually just gets me into more trouble than anything else.  

[LUXOR54]

I have a P790UDI and then go to a 21° hybrid. Like you said, driving iron is great for off the tee or low punch runners out of the crap. Hybrid is good for getting it up in the air and landing soft. For me hybrids always go sky high, at least for me a driving iron is more versatile off the tee. High? Low? Stinger? You got it.

[JB_007]

I carry both a DI (2U500 2iron) and a hybrid 22*.  I live near the water and some early mornings when the wind is kicking a bit, I use the 2iron as the hybrid has a tendency to spin up in the air. The 2 iron gets more play than the hybrid, but probably every 4-5 rounds I'm happy I have the hybrid in there. 

 

End of the day it really depends on what shot you need to hit and what club lets you do that. If you are bagging those two clubs, are you taking a club from somewhere else that may hurt you

[manima1]

I've really considered doing this myself.  I love my 18 degree driving iron and don't want to give it up, but definitely need some more versatility for 200+ shots out of less than perfect lies.  

 

Question is - do you drop the 4 iron in favor of the 22 degree?  Seems like 22 degree hybrid to 5 iron might create a large gap in the bag 

[Triple Putt]

I play both a 2 iron mizuno driving iron and a 3 hybrid. I find myself hitting the 2 iron if I need that 250 yard shot off the tee and hardly ever off the turf. My hybrid is my go to when I need that 225 to 240 yard shot and don't want to risk spraying my 2 iron OB lol. 

 

Hope this helps. 

[Triple Putt]

2 minutes ago, manima1 said:

I've really considered doing this myself.  I love my 18 degree driving iron and don't want to give it up, but definitely need some more versatility for 200+ shots out of less than perfect lies.  

 

Question is - do you drop the 4 iron in favor of the 22 degree?  Seems like 22 degree hybrid to 5 iron might create a large gap in the bag 

I dropped a wedge to go this route. I okay pw, 54, 58 so I can carry my 2 iron, hybrid, 3 wood & driver. My irons are 4-pw. 

[chipa]

I am playing around with a 22 degree hybrid and a 24 degree long iron to see which works best. 

 

I have thought about getting a lower lofted driving iron but most seem to be so big and have more offset than I like which takes away confidence. Ideally I would like to find a really forgiving small cb at 19-20 degrees with no more than 4 mm of offset.

[leftymatt]

18 minutes ago, manima1 said:

I've really considered doing this myself.  I love my 18 degree driving iron and don't want to give it up, but definitely need some more versatility for 200+ shots out of less than perfect lies.  

 

Question is - do you drop the 4 iron in favor of the 22 degree?  Seems like 22 degree hybrid to 5 iron might create a large gap in the bag 

I think it could create a larger gap for some than others. I find that since I hit the 22* hybrid pretty high, there is less of a gap between it and my 5 iron than I would have thought. I can get a bit more out of the 5 by keeping the trajectory down. I could probably go without the 4-iron and am considering it, but right now it still gets quite a bit of use.  Lately I've been going from 18* DI straight to the longest club in the bag (which I've been messing with this whole season between mini driver, driver and strong 3 wood)

 

I've seen some others go with a bit more loft when dropping the 4i and opting for a 23-25* (could also tweak shaft length/SW a little bit on the 22*)

 

Again, I think this gets back to balancing how the club fills a void for the types of shots you encounter vs. having perfect distance gaps 

 

 

[leftymatt]

13 minutes ago, chipa said:

I am playing around with a 22 degree hybrid and a 24 degree long iron to see which works best. 

 

I have thought about getting a lower lofted driving iron but most seem to be so big and have more offset than I like which takes away confidence. Ideally I would like to find a really forgiving small cb at 19-20 degrees with no more than 4 mm of offset.

 

This^ was a huge reason why I held out on a driving iron for so long. The 2018 X Forged UT was what I've been waiting for. Picked one up slightly used this year and I love it. 

Edited October 19, 2020 by leftymatt

[chipa]

1 minute ago, leftymatt said:

I think it could create a larger gap for some than others. I find that since I hit the 22* hybrid pretty high, there is less of a gap between it and my 5 iron than I would have thought. I can get a bit more out of the 5 by keeping the trajectory down. I could probably go without the 4-iron and am considering it, but right now it still gets quite a bit of use.  Lately I've been going from 18* DI straight to the longest club in the bag (which I've been messing with this whole season between mini driver, driver and strong 3 wood)

 

I've seen some others go with a bit more loft when dropping the 4i and opting for a 23-25* (could also tweak shaft length/SW a little bit on the 22*)

 

Again, I think this gets back to balancing how the club fills a void for the types of shots you encounter vs. having perfect distance gaps 

 

 

 

I am trying to fill the 210 slot with either a hybrid that I just ordered or a long iron. After that I have a 5 wood for 225 off the tee and then the driver at 265. Since my course is very hilly and has small hard elevated greens I ordered a 68 degree cheap wedge to give it a try as I am dismal with the flop shot where I have to open the face a lot.  I don't have anything I can hit over 220 off the fairway but then again I'm dismal with those too so I don't have anything in my big for that. That may change depending on the TM M4 my brother is giving me, I've never had such a good quality fairway wood in my bag.

[chipa]

3 minutes ago, leftymatt said:

 

This^ was a huge reason why I held out on a driving iron for so long. The 2018 X Forged UT was what I've been waiting for. Picked one up slightly used this year and I love it. 

 

I just looked at the specs, it looks sweet. I don't think I could afford it for now. I am looking at some Maltby alternatives though.

[Fairway14]

5 hours ago, achappy said:

So I have a dilemma where I go back and forgth between hybrids an a driving iron.  I love driving irons off the tee and I'm so much more accurate with them. But I also realize the benefit of a hybrid, especially on long par 3s and out of the rough.  I've tried 17-19* hybrids as driving irons and I'm just not as accurate with them nor as comfortable off the tee.

 

So I was wondering, has anyone bagged both and been relatively successful?  20-22* hybrid and a 18* driving iron. 

 

More clubs to play from tee boxes is always a good idea, so yes to the 18* driving iron.  22* hybrid is ideal for long distance shot from rough or other less than ideal lies, so yes to that club as well.

[farris207]

This is exactly what I do. I carry a 21* hybrid a 17 degree driving iron. I use the driving iron pretty much only for tee shots on Par 4s. I dropped my 4 iron to pick up the driving iron and it has but much more useful.

[AdExec]

Driver

15* 3 wood

19* hybrid 

17* 2 iron 

4-PW

54,60 

 

love this gapping set up for my game. 2 iron and hybrid go about the same distance carry, but ball flight and total yardage are very different. 

[MPAndreassi]

This is a great topic, and something I talked myself into doing this evening. I’m going to be playing an HMB 3 (19*) and a CLK 4 (22*). The HMB I use for a ton of tee shots, punch outs, etc. and the CLK will replace my 4 iron. Into par 5s, from the rough. 

[OsnolaKinnard]

I am about to put an 18* tour edge exotics CBX 116 into o,ya, and will eventually add a 21 and 24 degree utility/driving iron.

 

the TEE is a VERY low spin, low flying monster and is exactly what I was looking for on windy days on the Texas gulf coast.

[MPAndreassi]

4 hours ago, manima1 said:

I've really considered doing this myself.  I love my 18 degree driving iron and don't want to give it up, but definitely need some more versatility for 200+ shots out of less than perfect lies.  

 

Question is - do you drop the 4 iron in favor of the 22 degree?  Seems like 22 degree hybrid to 5 iron might create a large gap in the bag 

 

My 4 iron length in 38.5” and the clk 4 hybrid is 40” stock. I’m going to play the hybrid at 39” to bridge the gap and not let the gap between the 5 iron and 4 hybrid get too large 

[Jwin323]

Similar but different for me. I have an 18* 4 iron built like a driving iron and a 20* 7 wood. One hits darts and the other brings rain 

[ChipNRun]

The 4H flies longer than the 4i, which was refitted with a graphite hybrid shaft. The 4i gives a lower, very straight ball for holding tight landing areas.

 

If I go back to four wedges, I likely will select either the 4H or the 4i, depending on the course.

[butch10x]

On 10/19/2020 at 3:47 PM, chipa said:

 

I am trying to fill the 210 slot with either a hybrid that I just ordered or a long iron. After that I have a 5 wood for 225 off the tee and then the driver at 265. Since my course is very hilly and has small hard elevated greens I ordered a 68 degree cheap wedge to give it a try as I am dismal with the flop shot where I have to open the face a lot.  I don't have anything I can hit over 220 off the fairway but then again I'm dismal with those too so I don't have anything in my big for that. That may change depending on the TM M4 my brother is giving me, I've never had such a good quality fairway wood in my bag.

Try a 58-60* wedge with more bounce.  It worked for me on the open face.

Edited October 21, 2020 by butch10x
spelling

[chipa]

8 minutes ago, butch10x said:

Try a 58-60* wedge with more bounce.  It worked for me on the open face.

 

I have a problem opening the club but I am working on it, I am trying John Daly's (and others takeaway) by turning the left hand over to start the swing and get the clubface open early. If I can get comfortable opening it 20 degrees I'll probably get a 64 degree wedge. The heads only $10 and won't have the greatest feel but then again I'm not a wedge player of any caliber and I've had expensive wedges and still hit them poorly.

[RoyalMustang]

On 10/19/2020 at 2:13 PM, achappy said:

So I have a dilemma where I go back and forgth between hybrids an a driving iron.  I love driving irons off the tee and I'm so much more accurate with them. But I also realize the benefit of a hybrid, especially on long par 3s and out of the rough.  I've tried 17-19* hybrids as driving irons and I'm just not as accurate with them nor as comfortable off the tee.

 

So I was wondering, has anyone bagged both and been relatively successful?  20-22* hybrid and a 18* driving iron. 

 

I have tried exactly what you suggested: MMC Hi-fli 2-iron compared to a 818 H2 19 degree 3 hybrid.  

 

It turns out that these 2 are almost identical for me.  I find the hybrid more versatile, but off the tee, hit well, they are both 245-260 yard clubs.  There is a ton of overlap.  I am going to sell the MMC as I can also hit my 4W off the tee. 

[JackpotJohnny]

This is super interesting. I do it a little different I guess.  I have an 18deg hybrid I will use occasionally off the tee and 2nd shots into par 5s. Then I have a graphite shafted 21deg DI that I primarily use as a rescue if I need to get out of trouble on par 5s where I know I can’t get there. And also sometimes off the tee. 

[bnperrone]

20 minutes ago, JackpotJohnny said:

This is super interesting. I do it a little different I guess.  I have an 18deg hybrid I will use occasionally off the tee and 2nd shots into par 5s. Then I have a graphite shafted 21deg DI that I primarily use as a rescue if I need to get out of trouble on par 5s where I know I can’t get there. And also sometimes off the tee. 

Exactly what I was going to say. I'd rather have the longer club be the hybrid to hold greens and then have the 4i equivalent function as a driving iron when I want that.

[Adamjoyce15]

I do find that I hardly ever hit my 50* wedge, if it came down to it I would probably switch up my wedge gapping to something like a pw at 46ish and then something around a 53 and then a 60 (7 degree gaps) which would leave room to carry both. Don't tell anyone but I normally carry both anyway with all the wedges in there and have 15.. 

[FAbb]

On 10/19/2020 at 3:13 PM, achappy said:

So I have a dilemma where I go back and forgth between hybrids an a driving iron.  I love driving irons off the tee and I'm so much more accurate with them. But I also realize the benefit of a hybrid, especially on long par 3s and out of the rough.  I've tried 17-19* hybrids as driving irons and I'm just not as accurate with them nor as comfortable off the tee.

 

So I was wondering, has anyone bagged both and been relatively successful?  20-22* hybrid and a 18* driving iron. 

 

I'm experimenting with just that type of setup right now actually.

 

I've tried and liked a few different driving irons over the years, but they never stayed in the bag.  Like you said, they're great off the tee, but not great for approach shots.  I'm not a super high speed player (I suspect I hit 105 with driver, on the top end), and I play long enough tees that my need for a 210-225 yard shot into a green far exceeds my need for a 225 yard tee shot.

 

I just joined a place where I need the 225 yard tee shot, with very little room for error on half a dozen holes.  Great as it is into greens, I just can't rely on the hybrid for that shot.  Especially if it's real wet, and/or windy.  I just bought a GAPR Mid 3 iron (18 degrees) to use for those tee shots.  However, I'm also keeping my hybrid (20 degree turned down to 19) in the bag, because there's one long par 3 where it'll come in handy, along with one par 5 where it'll see some action on second shots.