Converting Super Hybrids to single length

[RollingStone73]

Hi guys, new member here with a few questions.  I'm a pretty new golfer (just started last summer), 48 y.o. in decent shape and taking lessons.  Currently, I am playing:

 

• Callaway Mavrik Max 10.5* driver and 3 wood
• Callaway Super Hybrids in 17* and 20* w/ Ventus Blue HB 7R shafts
• Callaway Mavrik Max 5-AW w/ Steelfiber i95 shafts
• Callaway PM Grind 54 & 58* wedges

 

I am pretty pleased with my progress from 7 iron down.  I'm lucky enough to have access to a Trackman for daily practice, and my club path and face to path are both usually under 2*.  I use a single plane swing due to a nasty injury history which I won't bore you with.  My 7 iron carries right at 160 and I'm still speeding up.  However, I'm more inconsistent with my long irons and hybrids.  I just can't seem to groove them as well, and my typical miss is off the toe - and gets worse as the club gets longer.  When I do strike the 20* Super Hybrid well, it is carrying 200 and rolling 220, but my dispersion is poor.  The 17* has been more elusive.

 

Anyway, I decided to try single length irons in the name of simplicity and repeatability, and have ordered 5-AW in Cobra Forged Tec's with my same Steelfiber shafts (which I really like) and length/lie (1/2" long, 2* upright).  My question now is what to do with the Super Hybrids?  They are currently playing about D4 in 40.5" standard length with GP MCC Plus 4 Midsize grips.  I see that I can get a used Ventus HB shaft on eBay pretty cheap, and am thinking that if I cut it to 38" (reduce SW 7.5 points), use the same grips, and substitute an aftermarket 18 gram head weight (add 6 points back)...that OUGHT to get me back to around D3.

 

I'm thinking of doing this as an experiment without butchering my existing shafts.  What am I missing?  Effect on lie angles?  Any other thoughts?

[bvanlieu]

you can get really wrapped around the axel with the minutea of fitting....or you can just tinker for free with choking down and lead tape, use some powder and measure your strike and see where you fall with respect to how that club feels at a 1.5-2" shorter length and at what relative head weight. I wouldn't not focus on the SW as an absolute, its a relative number to begin with. 

 

I look at my 4H for example as an iron, and I like them to be closer to iron length etc...and have cut my shaft down and added weight to it. I also from working measuring strike and good advise from many fitters, have added lead both to the head and to shafts to get a feel for good weight ranges for what works for me. Turns out I like  bit more head weight to feel clubs. But if I am using a shorter shaft driver, the SW may not be stock at D3 for example yet I have added a bit of weight to feel the head. 

 

So play around for free before going into the shaft rat hole (which we all have done, me included). 

 

Also don't forget: 200y shots are not easy to begin with: most of us strike it all over, modern clubs are quite forgiving with those toe strikes 🙂 For the long clubs its OK for them to be longer too. Superhybrids are basically mini-woods. You don't see people swinging a 38" driver, so the one length is not absolute. At some point the clubs are longer so you can get distance. 

 

 

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by bvanlieu

[RollingStone73]

3 hours ago, bvanlieu said:

 

 

So play around for free before going into the shaft rat hole (which we all have done, me included). 

 

Thanks for this - I am going to give it a shot!

 

 

 

 

[laxwax]

It’s 3 points per 0.5 inch, so 40.5” to 38” is actually 15 points off. Adding 6 back with a heavier weight you’re only at C5. You are also ignoring the effects the head weight and more butt trim will have on the stiffness of the shaft. 
 

I would be hesitant to try a 17* at 38”, unless you are over 90mph with 7iron speed you are not going to get enough launch, height or descent angle to go at greens. You don’t see Wishon or Cobra going lower than 19* with single length hybrids.

 

I would demo the Cobra one length hybrids to see if you like the concept before messing with the Super Hybrids. I you like the cobra one length hybrids, you’ll probably come out ahead in cash if you trade in or sell the super hybrids.

 

I would suggest going with more of something like a 5, 7 or heavenwood instead of the 17* super hybrid. The woods are easier to launch due to higher loft and added length.

 

 

[RollingStone73]

2 hours ago, laxwax said:

It’s 3 points per 0.5 inch, so 40.5” to 38” is actually 15 points off. Adding 6 back with a heavier weight you’re only at C5. You are also ignoring the effects the head weight and more butt trim will have on the stiffness of the shaft. 
 

I would be hesitant to try a 17* at 38”, unless you are over 90mph with 7iron speed you are not going to get enough launch, height or descent angle to go at greens. You don’t see Wishon or Cobra going lower than 19* with single length hybrids.

 

I would demo the Cobra one length hybrids to see if you like the concept before messing with the Super Hybrids. I you like the cobra one length hybrids, you’ll probably come out ahead in cash if you trade in or sell the super hybrids.

 

I would suggest going with more of something like a 5, 7 or heavenwood instead of the 17* super hybrid. The woods are easier to launch due to higher loft and added length.

 

 

Thank you. My 7i swing speed is 87 mph. I bought a used Ventus Blue HB 7S for $60 on eBay and an 18 gram rear weight (adds 6 sw). I’m going to start experimenting with the 20* Super Hybrid, taking off 1.5” to start and going down from there and adding lead tape as necessary. If I butt trim the 7S and add weight to the head,  it sounds like it should flex similarly to my 7R shafts and I’ll be at the same swing weight I started with. 
 

If it doesn’t work out, I’ve only wasted about $75 total and can put the old shafts back in and sell them to fund different hybrids. 😀

[Tampajoe3]

Don't forget, when you shorten the clubs they will effectively play flatter.  You may lose shots to the right because of that.

[RollingStone73]

Just an update on this - I cut both Ventus HB shafts from a 40.5” playing length to 39”, adding weights from Billy Bob’s to get swing weight back to normal. I have the 20* turned up to 22* and it gaps well with my One Length 5 iron. Trackman said that the dynamic lie was 1* flat and so I just put the hosel into the draw position and it’s flying straight and an easy transition from my OL irons. 
 

Thanks for the help, guys!
 

Edited March 12, 2021 by RollingStone73