5 Iron v. 5 Hybrid Showdown ... It Wasn't Close

[Soccerrick10]

Heck, us old guys found out about this the hard way.  About every 1.5 years, an iron drops out and is replaced with a hybrid.

 

Right now I'm playing D, 5w, 7w, 9w. then 5h, 6h and 50/50 on 7h vs. 7i.  Probably next year the 7i will go.  I'm not ready (yet) to go to all hybrids.

 

The hardest part is finding a bag to fit all the head covers.  Seriously, I gave up on all the carry bags.  I just ordered a Vessel Lux Midsize Staff bag for this coming year.  If I'm not riding, I'm using a push cart, so this should work.

 

On one hand, it sucks to get old.  On the other hand, I gave up golf with a job, twin kids and their sports.  Now I'm back and playing the best golf since I was in college.  That's what retirement and playing 3-5 times a week will do for you.

[Shilgy]

2 hours ago, mantan said:

 

Oh gosh no. The Max shot captured is usually something that was downwind/downhill or both. Not what I could dial up.  And usually something bad. The 6-iron shot  was me making sure I had enough to cover the water on a par 3 with a narrow green.  I absolutely flushed it and hit the cart path behind the green and it bounded down a slope on the next hole.  Nice triple bogey on that hole as I had to hit a partial wedge back to the green, hit the same cart path and it went into the water I tried to carry on the tee shot.  Good times.

I get it..that’s what I thought.  Just seemed off to me to include it but must just show automatically. 👍

[ChaosTheory]

On 1/5/2024 at 8:22 PM, jlevitt9 said:

What I have found is I don't like hitting hybrids from tees

You may be interested to learn that it’s not mandatory to use a tee from the tee box.

🤓

 

Honestly, I get you.  I think this is why some players make a grass tee, if that’s the term for it.  Laura Davies style.

Edited January 7 by Snowman9000

[ARL67]

I have 26-23-20* TSR1 hybrids and still carry a 25* 5i.  Whether I pull the 5i or 26H depends on the shot at hand, landing zone, the weather, my mood, etc.  I can't see ever going down to a 29* hybrid, but never say never.

 

My wife is getting back into golf and is more confident with hybrids/woods vs irons.  I grabbed her some new $cheap Cally Mavrik Max 33-30-27-24 on eBay -> it's surprising how cheap you can get these from some of the liquidators.  I'll get her in the home-Sim this winter and probably decide to keep 3 out of the 4, depending on her gapping.

 

Ya, a bag full of woods/hybrids consumes a lot of space for headcovers.  I switched to sock covers with small pom-poms on all my hybrids to save space.  I have a couple bags of clubs, and in one of them I bought used Cleveland Mashie covers on eBay -> nice small covers, durable, $cheap.

Edited January 7 by ARL67

[LPSISCO]

I have no pride, nor brand loyalty, when it comes to golf clubs. I have ZX5s, TEE hybrids, Cobra driver, etc. I definitely have the iron line of demarcation at the 5 iron; how do you tell? When you are in the fairway and you hope you have 190 yards instead of 180 yards because you’d rather hit your 4 hybrid instead of your 5 iron….

 

My problem with higher lofted hybrids is an issue that pervades almost all “game improvement” clubs - they assume that additional forgiveness also requires help fixing a slice. So a 5 hybrid tends to have a rather closed face, and if your miss is a hook, like mine, it’s really disconcerting to look at at address. I have 3 and 4 hybrids and love them, but I struggle to find a 5H that I can look down at and not feel like it’s going due left. 

[Antmeister]

On 1/5/2024 at 10:23 PM, driveandputtmachine said:

It doesn't have giant amounts of offset like the previous model of ZX4, and isn't as big as the ZXU on the bottom.

Not sure about that offset part? Unless the gap is right there at 4.35mm 🙂

 

1 hour ago, LPSISCO said:

they assume that additional forgiveness also requires help fixing a slice

One of the biggest "problems" in finding right clubs. More often than not extends to any type of clubs.

 

1 hour ago, LPSISCO said:

So a 5 hybrid tends to have a rather closed face, and if your miss is a hook, like mine, it’s really disconcerting to look at at address. I have 3 and 4 hybrids and love them, but I struggle to find a 5H that I can look down at and not feel like it’s going due left. 

Something adjustable you can adjust most open (and flat)?

[Drivingrangehero]

19 hours ago, jlevitt9 said:

 

I've never understood the argument for "long" when it comes to hybrids and irons. long just means your gapping is screwed up and you need to add more wedges, lol. 

When I was playing hybrids, I played Adams Pro-mini/ Super 9031 proto, because they were the most iron like, they flew a little higher than the iron, retained their spin on the face if you caught it a little high, it wasn’t like a low spinning runner that goes an extra 15y and the faces were not as hot as a fairway wood, like the hybrids are now. 
 

most modern hybrids just seem to launch super high for me. The new ones are great if you want to replace a 7 wood or 4 wood, but a 4 or 5 iron, not so much IMHO

 

I’ve got 4 hybrids waiting to shaft up ranging from 20x2 to-21 to–25° but I want to get my gaps dialed in since im dropping the 3+5 wood for a 4 wood, plus I’m selling my gamers set that didn’t get much play, mostly range time which are Mizuno HMB’s (3 kids 6y-4y-1y with 60 hr work weeks) , so I’m moving on to some old Maltby DMB’s which are slightly weaker lofts, but a big change in VCOG which is what I’m looking for due to my style of play 

[LPSISCO]

4 hours ago, Antmeister said:

Not sure about that offset part? Unless the gap is right there at 4.35mm 🙂

 

One of the biggest "problems" in finding right clubs. More often than not extends to any type of clubs.

 

Something adjustable you can adjust most open (and flat)?

 

I actually just bought the matching 5H to my 3 and 4, but with a stiffer shaft to see if that will help the issue. But the next step is exactly what you suggested - something smaller that is adjustable. 

[kenomikes]

18 hours ago, LPSISCO said:

I have no pride, nor brand loyalty, when it comes to golf clubs. I have ZX5s, TEE hybrids, Cobra driver, etc. I definitely have the iron line of demarcation at the 5 iron; how do you tell? When you are in the fairway and you hope you have 190 yards instead of 180 yards because you’d rather hit your 4 hybrid instead of your 5 iron….

 

My problem with higher lofted hybrids is an issue that pervades almost all “game improvement” clubs - they assume that additional forgiveness also requires help fixing a slice. So a 5 hybrid tends to have a rather closed face, and if your miss is a hook, like mine, it’s really disconcerting to look at at address. I have 3 and 4 hybrids and love them, but I struggle to find a 5H that I can look down at and not feel like it’s going due left. 

Callaway Paradym 5H, just received one from CPO. Sits perfect. Hope this fixes my shaky 5 iron.

[Dkpnole]

I find this thread fascinating, I’m hovering around an 11 and what really has opened up my game was expanding my Hybrids. 
 

initially had a pxg gen5 4 hybrid that I use for 200~ ish shots. I found my game from 170-200 was wildly inconsistent with my irons, just couldn’t quite figure it out round to round no matter how much I worked a it. I’m very confident 150 and in. 
 

ended up snagging a PXG gen5 5 hybrid that I play for 185-195 and after loving the results I added a 6 hybrid (28°) for my 170-180/185 shots and it’s almost become my

favorite club lol. Can hit a draw, straight, fade if I have to. 
 

the PXG hybrid are really great for adjustability- I’ve got them all in a flatter setting and the heavier weight in the toe and it keeps me from turning over too much. If you are more of a sweeper Like Me I think it’s a huge benefit! 

[ChaosTheory]

38 minutes ago, Dkpnole said:

I find this thread fascinating, I’m hovering around an 11 and what really has opened up my game was expanding my Hybrids. 
 

initially had a pxg gen5 4 hybrid that I use for 200~ ish shots. I found my game from 170-200 was wildly inconsistent with my irons, just couldn’t quite figure it out round to round no matter how much I worked a it. I’m very confident 150 and in. 
 

ended up snagging a PXG gen5 5 hybrid that I play for 185-195 and after loving the results I added a 6 hybrid (28°) for my 170-180/185 shots and it’s almost become my

favorite club lol. Can hit a draw, straight, fade if I have to. 
 

the PXG hybrid are really great for adjustability- I’ve got them all in a flatter setting and the heavier weight in the toe and it keeps me from turning over too much. If you are more of a sweeper Like Me I think it’s a huge benefit! 

Good review.  I live close to one of their retail locations and I think I need to get over there and try the hybrids.

[ryanmn4]

On 1/6/2024 at 9:21 PM, Soccerrick10 said:

Heck, us old guys found out about this the hard way.  About every 1.5 years, an iron drops out and is replaced with a hybrid.

 

Right now I'm playing D, 5w, 7w, 9w. then 5h, 6h and 50/50 on 7h vs. 7i.  Probably next year the 7i will go.  I'm not ready (yet) to go to all hybrids.

 

The hardest part is finding a bag to fit all the head covers.  Seriously, I gave up on all the carry bags.  I just ordered a Vessel Lux Midsize Staff bag for this coming year.  If I'm not riding, I'm using a push cart, so this should work.

 

On one hand, it sucks to get old.  On the other hand, I gave up golf with a job, twin kids and their sports.  Now I'm back and playing the best golf since I was in college.  That's what retirement and playing 3-5 times a week will do for you.

My pops just turned 70 and was carrying a 3i and 2H up until last year.  I literally had to buy him a 5W and physically place my 5H in his hand to get him to try something "non-traditional."  Now he has both in the bag lol.  He was a great player back in the day but it comes for us all...

[mrdctaylor]

On 12/14/2023 at 9:19 PM, mantan said:

It may be an offseason project. The line of demaracation in my bag is the 5-iron.  I am very comfortable with my 6-rion.  Garmin shows I average 173 with it. I trust pulling it out in any situation.  My confidence level with it is an 8.

 

My 4H is my security blanket club. Garmin shows I hit it 202 yards. My confidence level with it is a 10.

 

My 5-iron is the problem. It's intoxicating when I flush it.  But I only pull it out if there is a decent margin of error on the hole. My confidence level is a 3.

 

I need to swallow my pride and just look for a 5h.

 

 

 

Ditto.  I have a 5i with my set, but I carry a 5h instead (and a 3h and a 4h) 90% of the time.  The only time I've wished for a 5i in place of the 5h is in really windy conditions where I want a low ball flight.  But that is rare.

[KingKong]

I agree with the findings of this thread 100%. Give me 10 balls with a 4 or 5 iron and I'll hit maybe 3 of them correctly (distance and strike). The simple fact that the miss is just not as messy with a hybrid is enough for me to know that's what is best for me...and for most if people can be honest with themselves. 

 

 

[Orange Hog]

When I put together my set about a year and half ago I went with a 4 iron (PXG 0311X) and a 4 hybrid (Srixon ZX MKII).  The lofts are close but the ball flight is different.  Much lower with the 4 iron and higher with the hybrid...pretty much as you might expect.  The distance, though, is different.  The 4 iron has a carry around 190 yards and the hybrid around 200 yards.  I like the 4 iron option because I can hit it lower and let it run out where the hybrid flight allows it to land soft and pretty much stop on a dime.

 

All that being said, I totally get the hybrid option replacing long irons.  Hell, look at some of the best LPGA players.  They're rocking all kinds of woods/hybrids at the top end of the bag.  For me, the only way I was going to play a 4 iron was a chunky soled option like the PXG.  I suspect when it comes time to switch out my irons I will probably re-configure a lot of things at the top of the bag and drop that 4 iron completely.

[Antmeister]

I agree with the findings of this thread too, but you can't just bunch up all the 4 irons of the world in one group.

[caniac6]

I replaced my 4i and 5i with hybrids this year. Has anyone compared results of a 3h vs a 7w, and what were the results?

[kthomas]

It's funny how this is different for different people.

 

I REALLY wanted to get along with hybrids, but they are the most inconsistent clubs for me. For whatever reason, hybrids really amplify my swing flaws. 

 

I am much more comfortable with my 4i (granted, it's a SGI - Ping Rapture), than I am with my 4 hybrid. 

[Dkpnole]

On 1/8/2024 at 8:48 PM, Snowman9000 said:

Good review.  I live close to one of their retail locations and I think I need to get over there and try the hybrids.

I absolutely recommend it, I did mine probably 1 1/2 years back and at the time I was fighting a slice and over the top, they fitted the first hybrid to help me with the right miss, as i worked on my swing and improved I now hit a consistent draw and that became problematic with the hybrid. Being able to adjust the lie and swap weights around is awesome and quickly helped me dial in the ball flight and shaping I want. Im sure there are better feeling or even looking hybrids but those 3 weights and lie settings really give an advantage imo! 

[hook_or_slice]

On 1/9/2024 at 3:12 PM, KingKong said:

...... The simple fact that the miss is just not as messy with a hybrid is enough for me to know that's what is best for me...and for most if people can be honest with themselves. 

 

 

 

The simple fact for many players is a hybrid is a messier miss. A big hook into the woods greenside is harder to recover from than a thin 4 iron in front of the green.

    I am honest with myself,  I play a 4 and 5 hybrid but I'm not going to pretend they are orders of magnitude better than long irons.

Just a different miss pattern. 

 

Yes if I go to the driving range and hit 10 hybrids compared to 10 long irons the hybrid will average better. On course the hybrid misses are more destructive. 

 

A hybrid combines some design features of woods and some of irons. To some players it is the best of both worlds,  to some the worst of both worlds. 

[Drivingrangehero]

7 hours ago, caniac6 said:

I replaced my 4i and 5i with hybrids this year. Has anyone compared results of a 3h vs a 7w, and what were the results?

I’ve been doing a little testing between a 20° hybrid that I play at 39” and a 22° 7w that I play at 40.75”, and they seem to fly close in distance and end up about the same in overall distance, on good strikes. 
 

The 7w is better off the deck, but the Hybrid is better off the tee, not much difference as far as dispersion goes, so far. 
 

My problem with the 7w is that I can have a 20y discrepancy in carry distance with the same ball speed. If I hit it like I would an iron with a negative AOA, it will have a nice penetrating flight that will hop and stop. If I pick it, or sweep it with a good strike it will fly 20 yards shorter.
 

My last range session with my 7w on the Rapsodo MLM I hit 8 balls with the 7W ranging from 142mph to 146mph,  the 2 that were 146mph flew 20yards apart, one at 208y with 13.2 launch, the other at 228y with 10.8 launch….. it doesn’t seem like I have to be that off to get wildly different distances.

 

Don’t get me wrong, the 20 yard difference would be great if I could do it on command, but that is above my ability, I feel like I’m making the same pass at the ball, 🤔 If I try to really focus on hitting down on it like an iron, I tend to push it 20y right of my target more often than I’d like, or hook it 😒 
 

The Hybrid is super consistent off the tee, but I’m prone to hitting it low on the face off the deck sometimes, although, I’ve only hit it a few times since I have just started to feel better after nerve issues with my neck at my C4-C5 
 

Im thinking of keeping the hybrid in my bag for my home course for now, because we have a par 3’s that is long (228y), but I’m open to getting an adjustable 7w, with a bit more face depth than the 22° Adams Tight Lies 7W (2013) I currently have since I just dropped my 3&5W for a 16.5° 4W

 

 

 

.

Edited January 16 by Drivingrangehero
.

[MartinKB]

I've been thinking about an in-between solution, for those whose longest iron is a little too difficult to hit well, but a direct hybrid replacement is too much.

I play a combo set of irons, Srixon ZX7 8i-PW, and ZX5 5i-7i. I also have a Ping 26 deg that I can use to replace the 5i.

My in-between thought is to use a Srizon ZX4 MkII 6i head, on a shaft the length of a 5i (plus +0.25" maybe). That 6i head in this (near) super-game-improvement club is the right loft to replace a ZX5 5i. The ZX4 head is also lighter, so it should play well at the longer 5i length.

This is kind of like a utility club, but those aren't available in these higher lofts for us slower swingers.

Any takers?

Edited January 18 by MartinKB
Fix typos

[dpark]

On 12/14/2023 at 7:28 PM, Golfer from MO said:

I'm a scratch high speed player that hits irons really well. I feel like I have way more control with my 5 and 4 than a hybrid in those spots. I do have a hybrid 19deg in my 5wood slot. Cally UW I really like but went thru 6 shafts to love it (100g tx). I think higher lofted hybrids are harder to control varied distances for higher speed players who also strike it well.

 

I agree. There is so much more control with an iron than a hybrid. No question a hybrid goes higher and is easier to hit. But forget about shaping a shot or hitting a knockdown to keep a ball out of the wind. It will be (hopefully) a long time before I give up my 4-iron and I will probably give up golf if I can't hit a 5-iron. 

[tsupo]

5iron is not in question, thats my 180 +/- club.replacing that is not gonna happen

alternating the 3 and 4 is the utes role for me.
19*  23*  roycoll  utes are superb and 100% easier to  hit.
but if  u like  a solid strike, then theres is nothing as sweet as a crisped  3iron.

if not playing for sheep stations   ill game the 3-pw.
monthly medal  however ill take one  or more likey both these  out instead.

7 wood  is fun as well, tha thing goes  monster high and drops on a penny.

still take the 3 i over them  all.

5i  is as  safe as the  putter  for bag space. 





 

[ARL67]

I took my 5i out of the bag last season and replaced with a TSR2 26*.

However, I now have very good Sim setup (GC3) in my garage, and have been working hard on my long game, and have things really dialed in now.  Over the last 2-3 season I've done essentially no range time and got really sloppy.   That's changed, and having a Sim and being out there 1-2 times a day has also gotten me a club longer. 

 

My miss with my 5i is not as drastic as a miss with my 26*  hybrid.  The 26H will be benched. That said, I do love my 23* and 20* TSR2 hybrids.

Edited January 19 by ARL67

[j-daniel]

well this thread re-peaked my interest in hybrid which has been on and off for years. hit my 5 iron 195 and 4 iron/hybrid 208ish

 

not 5 iron but got a g430 26 hybrid (set 24.5) to replace my 4 iron and its so much better (1.5 index) that I'm thinking of trying now something to replace my 5 iron for an experiment.

 

the spec of the hybrid I got was HZRDUS 100g 6.5 tipped 1.25" playing 38.5" (1 inch longer than 5 iron) and same swing weight as my 5 iron.

 

id love to now find a great condition ping anser 27 degree hybrid for a lower spinning 5 hybrid option and use the same shaft as above

[EaglesGolf99]

4 hours ago, j-daniel said:

well this thread re-peaked my interest in hybrid which has been on and off for years. hit my 5 iron 195 and 4 iron/hybrid 208ish

 

not 5 iron but got a g430 26 hybrid (set 24.5) to replace my 4 iron and its so much better (1.5 index) that I'm thinking of trying now something to replace my 5 iron for an experiment.

 

the spec of the hybrid I got was HZRDUS 100g 6.5 tipped 1.25" playing 38.5" (1 inch longer than 5 iron) and same swing weight as my 5 iron.

 

id love to now find a great condition ping anser 27 degree hybrid for a lower spinning 5 hybrid option and use the same shaft as above

If you can't find that Ping Anser 27, don't be afraid to look at Callaway's 2016 Apex Hybrid 26°. 

[Obee]

On 1/18/2024 at 11:41 PM, dpark said:

 

I agree. There is so much more control with an iron than a hybrid. No question a hybrid goes higher and is easier to hit. But forget about shaping a shot or hitting a knockdown to keep a ball out of the wind. It will be (hopefully) a long time before I give up my 4-iron and I will probably give up golf if I can't hit a 5-iron. 

A solid player can definitely shape the ball with a 5-hybrid and also hit a knockdown. I can do both.

 

You seem like a very solid player who probably has high ball speed and has no trouble hitting a 4i high and softish. Good for you. You are not the player who lofted hybrids will help much, if at all.

Edited January 21 by Obee

[uglande]

On 1/19/2024 at 1:41 AM, dpark said:

 

I agree. There is so much more control with an iron than a hybrid. No question a hybrid goes higher and is easier to hit. But forget about shaping a shot or hitting a knockdown to keep a ball out of the wind. It will be (hopefully) a long time before I give up my 4-iron and I will probably give up golf if I can't hit a 5-iron. 

That is one of the things that surprised me the most. The five hybrid was actually quite easy to shape both vertically and horizontally. (Playing TSr2 5H w/ AD DI 9x).

[animalgolfs]

On 1/19/2024 at 1:41 AM, dpark said:

 

I agree. There is so much more control with an iron than a hybrid. No question a hybrid goes higher and is easier to hit. But forget about shaping a shot or hitting a knockdown to keep a ball out of the wind. It will be (hopefully) a long time before I give up my 4-iron and I will probably give up golf if I can't hit a 5-iron. 

You can either play the shot required or be a single dimensional hybrid player. Your statement is incorrect....hitting knockdowns with my 6h is one of my favorite shots