Hybrid shaft and length

[BigTerp1524]

I'm in the process of building an almost completely new bag through Maltby. I'm 6'8" and based off a recent iron fitting I'm going with plus 1-1/2" over standard in my 7i and progressing in 1/4" increments between the rest of the iron set. I'm going to also pick up a 3h to fill the gap after my 4i. I plan to use a steel shaft versus graphite. But am trying to decide if I should stick with the shafts I'll be using in my irons, or should it be a "hybrid specific" shaft? FWIW, I'm debating between the FTS Pro 125 and the DG 120 both in X-Stiff for my irons. I have a test 7i being built my Maltby to try out the FTS shaft before making a final decision. The hybrid will be used off the tee on tight and/or short par 4's as well as off the deck. 

 

For length, should I continue my 1/4" progression from my 4i? That would put me at 38.75" for a 3h. I swing a standard length (45") driver. So maybe I should stick to a standard length 3h, which would be about 40"?   

[kjbuckeye]

So, this may be an unpopular opinion, but to me, hybrids have gotten lighter in shaft weight and longer, and I'm not a fan. For example, I got a Callaway Epic Flash Hybrid (21*) that came with the stock Tensei shaft at 40". After watching a video from TXG, I decided to jump up in shaft weight and reduce the length. 

 

For me, a hybrid that is intended to replace a long iron and should be exactly that, a long iron replacement. In my case, I was replacing my 4 iron to achieve better consistency. The longer "standard" shaft length didn't do this for me. For reference, at the time I played Modus 105S shafts in my irons. I installed the same shaft in the hybrid at 38.75" (.25"over standard 4 iron length). 

 

I immediately felt more comfortable with this hybrid in my hand. I just recently installed a SteelFiber 100 gram hybrid shaft in the same hybrid, but at 40". I am trying to decide if I like the heavier weight or shorter length accompanied by the heavier weight. 

 

In conclusion, I'll guess you'll have to decide. I don't think it will be good to put a 120 or 125 gram shaft in your hybrid but only you can determine that. I still like to have a weight progression between clubs. For me, I'm currently at 60 gram driver, 70 gram 3 wood, 100 gram hybrid, 120 gram irons, and 130 wedges. 

[BigTerp1524]

5 minutes ago, kjbuckeye said:

So, this may be an unpopular opinion, but to me, hybrids have gotten lighter in shaft weight and longer, and I'm not a fan. For example, I got a Callaway Epic Flash Hybrid (21*) that came with the stock Tensei shaft at 40". After watching a video from TXG, I decided to jump up in shaft weight and reduce the length. 

 

For me, a hybrid that is intended to replace a long iron and should be exactly that, a long iron replacement.

 

Thanks @kjbuckeye. The above is exactly why I was questioning the light weight hybrid specific shafts and seemingly long lengths.

 

For my irons I definitely need the extra length at my height. But going with a 1/4" progression from my 7i gets me the length I need in the short irons and wedges without getting the long irons ridiculously long. Felt like going with a 40" 3h or 4h would kind of defeat that purpose.

 

As far as weight goes, during my fitting I found that I'm a fan of an overall heavier club. 120g shaft, 66g grip and 266g 7i head at 1-1/2" over standard at D7 SW just felt "right" to me. WAY better than the standard clubs I'd been swinging. So I definitely don't want a super light steel or graphite hybrid shaft that comes in well under 100g.