Hybrids as a low hdcp

[BURKMI19]

I've always been a traditionalist with irons, still gaming 2-4 irons.  But the desire to get back into competitive state am events and possibly usga qualifiers has me wanting to ensure the most success between 200-240 yard shots.  What is the community opinions on putting a couple hybrids in the bag versus keeping long irons?

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

I had no issues replacing 3/4 irons with hybrids...only way to know if would work for you is to do some range testing. 

Hybrids way easier to hit and more forgiving, at least for me.

[golfinbrad]

Play what works, not what looks good.  More and more tour players are using utility, hybrids or 7 woods vs the traditional long irons.  Give it a try.

[NNJ]

There’s also a much wider variety of hybrids now in terms of how they look to the eye, the kind of feedback they give, etc. Some very small playerish looking hybrids that are still pretty forgiving while giving the all important hints as to strike location.

 

Lots of fun testing for you to do.

[DLeightonReid]

I have a buddy who is a scratch golfer and he plays 4 hybrids, 3 through 6.   

[B.Easy]

I took my 3 iron out of the bag and put a 7wood in.  Already had a hybrid in.  Wish I would have done it years ago.  Never thought it was for me, because I have good speed and a fairly consistent strike with long irons.  But, I'm an idiot.  Few people are going to strike a 3 iron as well as a 7 wood or hybrid.  I love hitting a 7 wood.  Makes hitting that 230 shot much less stressful for me.  Hybrids and 7 woods get a big thumbs up from me.

[amace04]

You'd think that's a question only you can answer.

 

If you don't swing fast, it can be awful hard to be consistent with long irons.  That's why a lot of low cappers are using hybrids/woods.  Some guys still prefer a 2/3/4 iron because their swing allows them to carry them consistently enough.

 

Really up to you.

[sheamclkel]

I went down this road many years ago, and still want to go back. I'm a huge iron preference guy, but for me at 3 iron I need to swing very well to make it perform right. I was fitted extensively and when I game it, it just doesn't cut it. Hybrid will take a bit to get used to but the performance is worth it. It simply will help flight the ball so much easier.

A basic way I think of this is, its easier for me to flight the ball down then it is to hit it really high. I have no issue flighting a hybrid, so it really makes the decision easy.

[Therealpatgiles]

I hover around an 8 and I have a 4 iron(lofted to 20) and 4 hybrid (lofted to 24). The 4 hybrid is great for those long out of the rough par 5 shots that are at that 220-240 distance but one you won't get a 4 iron on with consistency.  

[Pepperturbo]

Years back I played in various regional and a few local mini events (2 handi) using 17'/18' 2 iron and regular 3i-PW, 15' 3wd and Driver.  Never had a hybrid, 5 or 7wd in the bag.  People say hybrids are needed to stop the ball on long shots, only I never bought into that.  To me, it's about solid ball striking.

 

I am currently playing to 4+.  When I strike the ball, I naturally strike with a lot of spin, and flight the ball as needed; prefer to bring the ball in med-low and rely on spin to stop the ball.  Last weekend, 22'-4i stopped nicely on a few greens that were receptive.  It doesn't matter what club you use, if the greens are not receptive, the ball isn't going to stop even with hybrid; that's when landing short or on the green front and allow the ball to release back to the pin.

 

I frequently face a 220yd Par 3, kinda uphill; from any tee it's essentially full carry over water and green fronting slop that feeds back into the pond.  Usually around 190 to apron.  When pin is in the back my 2i stops the ball on the green every time, when pin is in the middle, I now use 4 iron, and I am 70+ on the aging scale. 🙂  Not sure how long I can keep it up, but.... that's One man's opinion that isn't giving up.

[Krt22]

Do you base your bag off of perception or off of what works? The goal of every single club in the bag except driver is to go a fixed distance and them settle quickly. Low lofted irons that fly low and run out unpredictably are not conducive to scoring, which is where hybrids and fairways come into play

[ChipNRun]

For two years I have volunteered at the Ascension Charity Classic, a Champions Tour event. (Players age 50 and over). A third of the field plays 3H + 4H in bag.

 

Complaint that hybrids miss left: I suspect you square the clubface well. If so, make sure you get a hybrid with a neutral face. Strong swingers hitting hybrids with noticeable offset may end up to the left. Of course, pay attention to shaft. Some players get a steel in their hybrid (... just not me!)

 

In my last bag mix, I carried a 4i (which was reshafted in graphite) and a 4H. With MAXs, I stop at 5i, which flies nearly as long as old 4i.

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, BURKMI19 said:

I've always been a traditionalist with irons, still gaming 2-4 irons.  But the desire to get back into competitive state am events and possibly usga qualifiers has me wanting to ensure the most success between 200-240 yard shots.  What is the community opinions on putting a couple hybrids in the bag versus keeping long irons?

The only thing that matters is If they help you play better golf. There’s no room for ego in the box on a scorecard. 40% of PGA Tour players have a hybrid in the bag. There’s a reason for that. 

Edited January 24, 2023 by hammergolf

[cav5]

I have a 22* hybrid that I keep for specific courses. Can be good for courses with long par 3s and short par 5s

[joj]

I have found that the hybrids have an advantage when it comes to contact/hole-high distance. If you struggle with solid contact on your long irons(leaving shots short), hybrids will help. 
 

I don’t know if they are more accurate, but I never chunk/thin them like I did with my long irons. 

[llewol007]

So our opinion will dictate if you play hybrids because? If you aren’t consistent enough hitting long irons those yardages I would definitely consider adding a hybrid or a 5 wood in the bag. That is a no brainer. Worse thing is to have a situation where you need that shot and you have any doubt in what your club can do. 

[jomatty]

Lots of fun options.  I currently game an apex UW, which is basically a hybrid, and then go to a 22 degree sim DHY which is also very hybrid like.  Those DHY clubs are stupid easy to hit.  I’ve also got a Cobra forged tec hybrid that isn’t currently in the bag but is great because it basically doesn’t go left.  Try to experiment with hybrids, DHY style clubs and some more game improvement style irons in the 3/4 slot and see what fits your game.  

[BURKMI19]

Thanks for the input everyone 👍 I feel like that's enough reinforcement to try out some hybrids.  Now to dig thru the mess of clubs in storage 🤣

[FifeRiviera]

I gamed a P7MC 4 iron until a couple weeks back and it was probably my favourite iron ever. 
 

I now have an apex pro 4 hybrid. It’s easier to make it do what I want it’s staying. 

[T Creer]

Demo some or hit your buddies hybrids before you commit. Every Hybrid I've gamed hook off the planet.

Started playing a driving iron 4-iron and its much better than a traditional 4 iron and fills the gaps better. 

[T1m0]

Mid to high hc'er and I've never really liked hybrids.. just don't suite my eye.. That said however I play old Mizuno MP H4's in my 3-5 irons. Which are like the best of both worlds if you ask me.. 

 

[Dan Drake]

On 1/24/2023 at 2:34 PM, BURKMI19 said:

I've always been a traditionalist with irons, still gaming 2-4 irons.  But the desire to get back into competitive state am events and possibly usga qualifiers has me wanting to ensure the most success between 200-240 yard shots.  What is the community opinions on putting a couple hybrids in the bag versus keeping long irons?

Have you done any stat-keeping with strokes gained to help direct your assessment of your game in this area?  Also, at the non-PGA tour level, you really are just trying to get down in 4 or less from these yardages.  Down in 2 is rarer than hen's teeth, and 3 is a really, really good score.  4 isn't the end of the world, unless is is every single time.  Honestly, avoiding 5 is the main goal.  

 

So with that in mind, do you need a different club to allow you to avoid 5's first and foremost, and then appreciably affect your ratio of 4's to 3's? 

[animalgolfs]

Low single & I'm on to 6h and 7h in the bag. Dispersion 7h v 6i is a real shocker

[OnTheBag]

13 minutes ago, animalgolfs said:

Low single & I'm on to 6h and 7h in the bag. Dispersion 7h v 6i is a real shocker

Same.  Still playing to a 4 (although it's going in the wrong direction) and I have hybrids down to 30° available when the course requires.  Nothing wrong with playing what makes the game more fun.

[MattC555]

I love to practice with my 4 iron, but when push comes to shove I bag the 4H.  I simply hit more greens with it. 

[Dan Drake]

I'm ashamed to admit that I forgot to use this thread as an opportunity to throw a shoutout to @Obee, something that I like to do whenever possible!

[DaveMc82]

Putting a 20 and 23 degree hybrid in the bag is like letting me carry 16 clubs. Where the shot from rough was a non starter with the 3/4 iron it suddenly becomes very easy. 
 

Pick up a pair of Adams Pro or Pro Mini from the bay for peanuts and have an experiment. Worse case you’ll be $100 out of pocket before you sell them on. 

[sneaky_pete]

never been a fan of hybrids (driving irons for me) but I bought a Cobra King Tec 2H a few months ago and it's the first hybrid I have been able to get along with - all the rest have been push/slice machines.  I bought it because it has adjustable weights in the sole and I can set up a draw bias.  I can hit it all over the face and get a decent result and anything flushed out of the middle goes for miles.

Edited January 26, 2023 by sneaky_pete

[Obee]

On 1/24/2023 at 12:24 PM, DLeightonReid said:

I have a buddy who is a scratch golfer and he plays 4 hybrids, 3 through 6.   

 

I'm a competitive senior am with some nice finishes over the years. My bag:

 

Driver

3-wood

5-wood

4h

5h

6h

7h

8i

9i

PW

GW

SW

LW

Putter

[DLeightonReid]

2 hours ago, Obee said:

 

I'm a competitive senior am with some nice finishes over the years. My bag:

 

Driver

3-wood

5-wood

4h

5h

6h

7h

8i

9i

PW

GW

SW

LW

Putter

Nice!