Are Hybrid clubs any good?

I recently have got back in to golf. Managed to pick up myself a brand new set on the cheap. It came with a 22% Hybrid club

Iv tried teeing off with it a few times but cant hit properly with it at all (one even sliced and went about 5 yards). Havnt really had chance to give it a fairway shot yet

Will I get used to it or do other people on here have problems with the Hybrid club. Im normally not too bad with your normal iron (give or take a slice/hook or 10)

Thanks in Advance

The whole point of hybrids is that they are designed to be easier to hit than long irons. They help to get the ball up higher and are also very helpful from bad lies such as in the rough.

It just takes a bit of practice to get used to them, stick with it you'll be fine

Thanks for the advice. Iv gone out and bought a normal 4 iron though just to tee off with on certain holes. Will give the Hybrid a crack on the fairway maybe

I bought a hybrid and could not get on with it at all. I mean I couldn't even get it off the deck - it was that bad! Chopped it in and got a gap wedge instead

I would like to see all these barsteward abominations banned!

No Gruaniad readers and Daily Mail acolytes, put your pens pens down. I'm not being deliberately heretic here. I'm not saying they are illegal or anything. Old Colonel Fotheringhey-Smythe at the R&A has decided they are fine. It's just that they are supposed to be the answer to pestilance, famine, AIDS and probably Rupert Murdoch for all I know, for us mid to high handicappers - and I can't HIT the little fsckers!

If it meant that my voice would be heard I'd even buy a copy of the Daily Mail and write a letter as angry-from-Wokingham if I thought it would do any good. As a previously mentioned mid-to-high-handicapper I should be bowing to the altar of these spawns from hell but I'd still rather hit a pure 3- or 4-iron (perhaps once in ten shots) than be shown up by these horrible things.

Now I'd better stop because the men in white coats are coming and the nurses are pulling screens around my bed.









(oh yeah ... one of these for the real Guardian readers just to show I haven't really lost my mind)


Wibble

Don't know. I don't like them myself as I can't get used to the look of them at address. I also have a tendency to hit a snap hook far too often with them.

Davie - they are not new. Many examples of very similar clubs going back decades - check out a "baffie" (assuming spelling is correct, but someone will do the honours if it isn't!). First set I owned - very old second/third/fourth hand had a persimmon headed 4 wood which in shape was almost identical to my current 19dg utility/rescue club. There is nothing new in golf club shape - just material and colour.

I hate hybrids, tried many different ones and couldn't hit any of them very well, I've got a 2 iron which is great.

I carry 3 (an 18. 21 & 24 deg). Being able to biff the 18 deg 240 yds 1 don't even have a 3 wood in the bag never mind a 3&4 iron. I also have a 15 deg which I may swap in/out depending on the course/conditions.

I absolutely love em, indeed my 24 deg put me within 9 inches of an albatross on Tuesday night. 214yds out the rough, over trees, slighty downwind. There's just no way I'd have pulled thar shot off with a 4 iron from the lie I had.

I carry 3 of the little darlings; 18deg (5 wood replacement) 21deg(3-iron replacement) and 26deg(4/5 iron replacement). You need to practice with them, but I find them invaluable off the tee, fairway, light rough and even for Texas wedge shots from 30/40 yards when my chipping has gone completely t!ts. Most pros carry at least one; although some better players will always favour the 2/3-irons which certainly have their uses and are advantageous in windy conditions

Man up you bunch of wimps, get 1 and 2 irons in your bag!

They're not a magic bullet, just like any other club if the shaft isn't right for you they aren't going to work.
A hybrid in the hands of one player could be deadly but in the hands of another you might as well have a headless club in your bag.

D4S - 1 and 2 presumably to act as lightning rods and keep your playing partners safe? What a hero!!!! Tee hee

My one seems to be behaving itself lately.
I just pretend it is a 4 iron and play it as one.

You need to be careful not to 'over use' it from the rough.
I had a shot last game when I thought to use it and changed to an 8 iron which flew out and put me in a great position.

puligny wrote:D4S - 1 and 2 presumably to act as lightning rods and keep your playing partners safe? What a hero!!!! Tee hee

You know me puligny, always thinking of others

Seriously though, I've got such a selection of clubs from over the years. A 2 iron, 18 degree FliHi, 14 degree Taylormade TP hybrid, 19 degree hybrid and both sets of irons that I own go right down to 3 irons. So I've got all the bases covered.

All I need now is a swing to use them with

My 16 degree rescue is my favourite club, although it hasn't always been that way. It misbehaved once too many times and ended up in two pieces, reshafted with a shaft better suited to me and it's been as good as gold ever since. Not sure whether it's the shaft or whether it's scared of being broken again.

super_realist wrote:Not sure whether it's the shaft or whether it's scared of being broken again.

Brilliant! Chuckling away to myself at that comment

That was a severe punishment D4S, usually they are just placed next to the computer whilst I search for a replacement with a quick word in their shell-like that they'll end up on Ebay if things don't improve.

super_realist wrote:That was a severe punishment D4S, usually they are just placed next to the computer whilst I search for a replacement with a quick word in their shell-like that they'll end up on Ebay if things don't improve.

Does that work? I've tried it too, no difference

I do not have a hybrid in my bag - although I think there is one up in the loft, where all dead clubs tend congregate prior to holding up the beans in the garden!

It's not because I have any strong feelings for or against hybrids (easy tiger), but I fail to see the need for them.

Doon - I'm amazed that you changed your mind from a hybrid to an 8 iron. How come the 8 was not the first choice? Not wanting to have a pop or anything like that, I'm just don't understand how the shot could look like a possible hybrid shot if it was actually an 8 iron. Haven't put myself over very well there, but hopefully you can get the gist!

OS
It was a second shot at a par 5 with a strategically placed fairway bunker.
Lie was just about possible for a rescue but I would have had to carry the bunker and even if I hit a good one would still have been about 80 yds short of the green.

I thought I would lay up with the 8 but it came out like a rocket and luckily finished left of the bunker.

Another lovely 8 iron to 12 feet for a birdie putt that in the blink of an eye turned into a bogey.

I see now - I thought you meant the 8 iron went the same distance as the hybrid. My mistake!

OS
The point I was trying to make was that Hybrids can sometimes be seen as the wonder club when clearly they are not.
My normal playing partner is a fairly long hitter but not always accurate.
He plays an 80 to 100 shot very well with various clubs.
On my advice he is now not so keen on playing his 3 wood or hybrid at par fives when he cannot reach the green. He plays the club that puts him into that 80/100 yard area. It really has improved his scoring.

Well this thread may have steffan believing that hybrids are not a good thing but I really like mine and find them so useful on second shots to par 5's. Although my 19 degree is not quite forgiven for what it did to me last year on the 14th at TOC. Hit my best drive of the day miles up the fairway and had thoughts of getting there in two as it was a little down wind. I then duffed it so badly it did not even reach hell. Third was from the side of a small bank in a horrible little tuft and only just managed to clear hell. In the end a six seemed ok.

But anyway hybrids/rescues whatever you want to call them are a good thing due to their versatility. They can be as long as a 2 iron/5 wood but provide that same length from many lies including the rough.

If you think of them as a three wood alternate then they can really pay off over the long term. There is so much trouble to be had hitting a three wood second that is not there with a hybrid. Yes occasionally you will be a little short but believe shots will be saved over the course of a season.

As mentioned go have a shot of a few and make sure the shaft suits you, not just feel but also shot flight.

Im gonna give my Hybrid another chance but it certainly is not club for teeing off with. Got a 3 wood but bought a nice 4 iron yesterday for some of the shorter holes I play. No control with the Hybrid teeing off I find. Hopefully fairway will be different

Did your set of irons not have a 4 iron ? Bit odd to have one iron thats not the same as the rest of the set.

Diggers wrote:Did your set of irons not have a 4 iron ? Bit odd to have one iron thats not the same as the rest of the set.

Its a Dunlop same as the rest but I had to buy it separately. Its a different type of club but couldnt get one exact as the set iv got

Fair enough. My hydrid generally serves me well but misbehaving at the moment.

drive4show wrote:Man up you bunch of wimps, get 1 and 2 irons in your bag!

Drive: I've seen what LJ and your good self can do with your manly 2-irons

I have a 18dg which off the tee i can hit like a dream but is erratic from the fairway, not the clubs fault as i am officially a hacker. But have a 22d so should be easier but cant hit it at all. In the bag for decoration only.

I have an 18 degree Adams one which is pretty good but i'm ok with long irons, so it doesnt get much use... as a rescue per se. I more just fills the gap between the 3i and the 3w... Although i have been using a more and more this summer for bunting the ball onto the green from the fairway when a bit short but i'm not keen on putting it...

I think to some extent they are sold to high handicappers and the key to better scores when they really aren't... they maybe easier than long irons but that doesn't make them easy to hit...

Say you're a 21 hc and you have 190 yards to a green from the rough (nothing penal, just not in the fw)... Its a 3i yardage, but you can't hit a 3i very well, especially out of the rough so you get your new hybrid that cost you £100...

Or, should you have saved your £100, and pulled out an 8i and advanced the ball up the fairway leaving 50 yards ish for an up and down and a chance of par... or a bogie at worst?

What strategy do you think would yeild the lowest score on average?
In my expericence it would be the second...

Rossa, thats bang on and the best chance of a low score is by playing safety golf. But when your a bit of a hacker and just playing for fun, you want to have a go from out the rough at 200yards. Its like taking out the driver when you hit a 3 wood much better, that odd occasion it goes right is so satisfying (sp).

Oh yep i totally agree, but if that's the case, i would just have a whack with a long iron and save the £100...

... but i get most of the my satisfaction from my score and on the odd accasion where i do have a bounce game and go for everything, despite the 3/4 awesome shots i may pull off i'm still left uncontented by the my score which is usually a least 3 or 4 over what i could/should have shot playing more conservatively...

I guess it a personal thing...

Rossa
How many 21 handicappers can hit a 3 iron 190 yards out of the light rough? Or is this 606 fantasy land again?
"I think to some extent they are sold to high handicappers and the key to better scores when they really aren't... they maybe easier than long irons but that doesn't make them easy to hit..."
How many cat 1 or professional golfers do you know that don't carry at least 1 hybrid? They are the key to lower scores and they are a lot easier to hit than a long iron.

i carry driver and a 17 deg hybrid [2iron equivalent]. i don't hit too many drivers a round - off par 5s and the odd long par 4. otherwise its the hybrid off quite a few tees or a long iron. personally i think its a gem. gets me a nice high or low cutting fade, about 10-15 yards longer than my 3iron. if i put some draw spin on it, it can run as far as my driver carries. pretty useful. three wood might be better into the wind - though i tend to 'punch' a 3/4 driver in that situation. mine is the ping g15 which suits my eye, but is not to everyone's taste. i've not tried any others, but most seem to resemble minature fairway woods which i dislike.

Eyetoldyouso wrote:Rossa
How many 21 handicappers can hit a 3 iron 190 yards out of the light rough? Or is this 606 fantasy land again?
"I think to some extent they are sold to high handicappers and the key to better scores when they really aren't... they maybe easier than long irons but that doesn't make them easy to hit..."
How many cat 1 or professional golfers do you know that don't carry at least 1 hybrid? They are the key to lower scores and they are a lot easier to hit than a long iron.

Have you read my posts!?

I advocate not hitting long iron or hybrid out of the light rough from 190 yards, my suggestion was an 8i and take you chances with a chip and a putt, at worst a 2 putt bogey.

My comment regarding having a bash was a personal one, if i just wanted to have a whack (and ignore the percentage play) i'd do it with a long iron rather than splash out on new club, knowing that wasn't the smart play anyway.

My point about them being sold to high handicapper as i they key to lowers scores i stand by. I admit they are a bit easier to hit, i didn't say they weren't, but just replacing 3i-5i with new clubs for £200+ is not the key to lower scores... Most high handicappers would benefit more from better course management and spending the money on some tuition. I'm not saying don't get one, i have one, just don't expect the game to get infintely easier because you have bought some...

With regard Cat 1 Players or pros, they will almost all be capable with long iron but may choose a hybrid as they are a bit easier to hit (something i haven't disputed) and they will really reap the benefits as they already have very good swings.

I'm not very learned in most things on here, i use it to primarily to pick up Holly Wilaboobie bits rather than dish them out, but having being cut from 27 to 15 in the space on 15 or so months, i have pretty good idea about what worked for me in terms of achieving that. For me despite having 3 hybrids at various times that have produced little of the reason for getting cut.

If anyone's interested the things that helped me get cut are improving chipping, putting, course management and getting it i play of the tee (which some may find a hybrid useful for, my weapon of choice is however a 3w).

I'm a cat 1 player and can't stand them. Not because of any snobbery relating to how players should be able to hit long irons but I just have never got on with them.

I find that my yardages are not too wide between 3 iron and 3wd, especially knock down 3wd, but a 1/2 iron gives you an option for a different flight. I found that the hybrids that I have used were very easy to hit, particularly out of sloppy lies, but I simply hit them high and straight. This is why most golfers should try them but I would rather have a flight change option in the longer end of my bag than something that's just easy to hit.

Davie wrote:If it meant that my voice would be heard I'd even buy a copy of the Daily Mail

I can put up with reading most stuff on here but that really is taking things too far!

And does t1t really come out of the filter as Holly Wilaboobie?

SmithersJones wrote:

And does t1t really come out of the filter as Holly Wilaboobie?

It would appear so...!

I'm a Cat1 and I also don't carry a hybrid although I am looking around at a few right now and potentially going to get one. I carry driver, 3w then 2 iron down. As sharrison said above, the 2 iron gives me a better flight trajectory option. If I hit it off the fairway, I can really drill it low and into the wind it will go quite a long way. I'm thinking about a hybrid just to give me options. I want one that will go about the same distance as my 2 iron (200-210) but will give me the option of a higher flight with a softer landing. Good for parkland type tracks but not so useful for a links.

Holly Wilaboobie

Yes it does!!

Poopie Flip Kumquat urine Muppet Tinkywinky oh dear Holly Wilaboobie

I love the filter!

Don't like hybrids......prefer a 7 wood for those 180 - 190 yard shots....bigger head and even easier to hit...my old Callaway Big Berha 7 wood is my banker club when I need to just move it that distance fairly straight. I do have two hybrids which I don't generally carry...keep them for winter when we are off mats...great then but absolute pesh in summer.

haystongolfer wrote:my old Callaway Big Berha 7 wood

is that the one with the pink headcover hayston?

i was speaking to a guy on the range earlier in the year who carried an 40deg 8 iron equivalent wood, 15 or a 17 wood or something crazy like that??? he gave me a few hits with it - it was truly bizarre to look at, but quite easy to hit. not quite as easy to control the shape though as your typical 8.

I gave the Hybrid a second chance tonight. Its an ok club. Good for getting out of the rough and ok "ish" on the fairway. I certainly think there has been too much hype over them though I wouldnt say they give any extra distance or height they are just slightly easier to hit maybe but are not this saving grace of lower standard golfers. Glad I got one in my bag though

ban_bam wrote:

haystongolfer wrote:my old Callaway Big Berha 7 wood

is that the one with the pink headcover hayston?

I can assure you my good fellow that I am not that way inclined. The police checked out vmy handbag and declared me totally straight

Steffan wrote:I gave the Hybrid a second chance tonight. Its an ok club. Good for getting out of the rough and ok "ish" on the fairway. I certainly think there has been too much hype over them though I wouldnt say they give any extra distance or height they are just slightly easier to hit maybe but are not this saving grace of lower standard golfers. Glad I got one in my bag though

Couldn't agree more

Yet again another change. I went to the range just now and its official.............I can hit the ball further and more accurately with a 22% Hybrid club than I can with a 3 Wood. And that was from the tee off

Golf never ceases to amaze me