Golf-FAQ.com

when to use hybrid golf clubs

by Dr. Abraham Nicolas I Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

How And When To Use A Hybrid Club?

  • Bump And Run From Just Off The Green. One way of using your hybrid out on the golf course is almost using it as a little...
  • Rescue Shots. When TaylorMade released their first version of a hybrid, they called it a rescue club. This is because...
  • Hitting From An Old Divot. Sometimes, you are extremely unlucky and end up in a divot that...

Mostly, hybrids are used when you would normally pick a 1 to 4 iron. For beginners, using irons can be tough. This is because the swing motion with an iron should be aimed down to the ball – something amateurs struggle to do. Hybrids, though, allow a more natural, sweeping swing.Jun 9, 2016

Full Answer

What to look for when buying a hybrid club?

When buying a new hybrid golf club you should consider the following:

  • Grip
  • Shaft
  • Loft
  • Adjustable
  • Alignment Assistance

Can you use a tee when swinging with a hybrid?

When you do use your hybrids on the tee, remember to tee the ball very low to the ground. These clubs are meant to be able to hit directly off the turf, so teeing the ball too high would make it hard to find the sweet spot. Basically, you are going to use your tee just to get the bottom of the ball barely above the top of the grass, and that’s it.

How to choose your golf hybrid clubs?

  • Spend some time. It is never a good idea to expect immediate results in golf. ...
  • Find your flight. The ball flight you produce with a hybrid club may be a bit different than what you generate with some of the other clubs in your bag. ...
  • Watch ball position. It is a common mistake to play the ball too far back in the stance when using a hybrid club. ...

What are the advantages of using hybrid golf clubs?

  • Low pricing
  • Speed pocket technology
  • Increased speed
  • Higher launch

image

When should I switch from irons to hybrids?

Hybrids will help launch and spin the ball higher with less loft. For the majority of average golfers my advice would be to lose the 5 and 4-irons and move into hybrids after your 6-iron.

Who should use hybrid clubs?

Average players with slower swing speeds and less consistent ball striking hit the ball 5-20 yards further and hit more greens in regulation with hybrids as they are more forgiving and hit the ball higher. Put simply hybrid irons are a great option for everyone – even the pros!

Should I use irons or hybrids?

Interestingly, from over 200 yards a hybrid is almost twice as effective compared to a long iron. It is still more effective between 180-200 yards, but that gap closes within 180 yards. This proves that most golfers should not be carrying irons which they can hit over 180 yards – instead, swap them for a hybrid.

Do pro golfers use hybrid clubs?

37% of the top 100 PGA Tour pros use a hybrid club and 3% use two. Titleist and Callaway hybrids are the most popular with 11 of the top 100 each using their models while Callaway's Apex hybrid is the most used. The loft on the hybrids used by these pros varies from 15.5 degrees up to 23.5 degrees.

Should I replace my 6 iron with a hybrid?

As a general rule, a hybrid replaces an iron golf club of the same number. Hence, a 6 hybrid is often chosen by golfers as a replacement for a 6 iron. Hybrid clubs will be more versatile than their iron equivalent and can be used more comfortably from their fairway, off the tee and even from the rough.

Should I replace my long irons with hybrids?

Use hybrid clubs to replace long and medium irons. They can also be used to replace the 3-wood and 5-wood, but that's only for golfers who reject their fairway woods. The hybrid woods will not give you greater distance if that is what you are looking for.

Should I replace my 4-iron with a hybrid?

For hitting into greens, the 4-hybrid is the best play for most. Golfers across the board hit more fairways with a 4-iron. The 0-5 handicap bracket is more effective with the 4-iron than any other bracket. Almost every other bracket hits it longer and records more GIRs with the 4-hybrid.

Why use a hybrid over an iron?

0:216:19THE DIFFERENCE - LONG IRON SWING Vs HYBRID SWINGYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst with a long iron and a hybrid typically a long iron is more suited to golfers who swing itMoreFirst with a long iron and a hybrid typically a long iron is more suited to golfers who swing it faster. Because there's less club head behind the golf ball it's harder to easily pop the ball up in

What hybrids replace what irons?

Typically, a 3-iron is replaced by a 19 degree hybrid or a 5-wood, a 4-iron is replaced by a 22 degree hybrid or a 7-wood, a 5-iron is replaced by a 25 degree hybrid, and a 6-iron is replaced by a 28 degree hybrid.

Do you need a 3/4 and 5 hybrid?

The 3, 4 and 5 should be hybrids. If you can hit your 7-iron 150-160 yards, think about nothing longer than a 5 iron and look at 3 and 4 hybrids. If you can hit your 7-iron 160-170 yards, think about swapping your 3-iron for a hybrid. If you can hit a 7-iron more than 170 yards, you can use any set make up you choose.

Why do Tour players not use hybrids?

There are a few reasons why some pros choose not to carry a hybrid. For starters, some pros don't have room in their golf bag. By the time they load up all the wedges, the fairway woods, and the irons they want, there may be no space left for a hybrid.

Does Tiger Woods use a hybrid?

Fairway woods have been around for decades, but hybrids are the “new kids on the block” and receiving more attention. Even professionals are split--while most have at least one hybrid in the bag, Tiger Woods carries only fairway woods and Phil Mickelson carries a hybrid most of the time, but not always.

What are hybrid clubs good for?

Hybrid golf clubs help fill in the gap between your harder-to-hit irons and fairway woods. They are designed for distance, trajectory, control and playability, combining features from irons and fairway woods. They could even replace a fairway wood or iron in your bag.

Can you use hybrid clubs in the rough?

One of the most versatile clubs in the bag is the hybrid. It's most frequently used as a replacement for the long irons, but it's very handy from the rough, on tight driving holes and long par 3s, and around the greens (as an alternative to chipping).

What is the advantage of hybrid golf clubs?

Hybrid clubs are regarded by many as superior to their iron counterparts because a hybrid's head design allows the center of gravity to be moved lower and a bit further back from the club face, which helps get more trajectory and ball loft on a golf swing.

Are hybrid golf clubs worth it?

Today's irons certainly pack more distance and forgiveness features, but the fact remains that a hybrid is going to give you the best chance at launching the ball high with explosive distance. Hybrids are more forgiving on mis-hits, too, something that happens more frequently as lofts get lower and shafts get longer.

Why are hybrids good for golf?

Another benefit of hybrids is that it offers most golfers more confidence at address. Those that were intimidated by their long irons will be a lot more comfortable hitting a hybrid. This confidence is important and should help many players.

What is hybrid golf?

A hybrid is generally known as a mixture of two different species or things, usually trying to get the best attributes of both. Quick Answer: Hybrid golf clubs are a mix of woods and irons in an attempt to get the best features of each into one club. The hybrid will take the easier swing mechanics of iron play and combine this with ...

Why are hybrids not good for rough terrain?

Hybrids generally are not great for getting out of the rough because they don’t have that sharp leading edge of the iron and will tend to bounce rather than cut through long grass or rough. Because of the sharp launch angle, a hybrid would be a problem trying to punch out from under low lying trees and bushes.

Does a golf clubhead compress?

Not only does the ball compress, but the clubhead also compresses and launches the golf ball as if it is coming off a trampoline. Unlike the fairway woods, the back of the hybrid does not extend as far back, however, the loft or angle of the club is the same as the equivalent iron. The 7 hybrid, for example, will generally have ...

Can you play hybrid golf with irons?

The average golfer can now play his hybrid and get the ball to launch and fly which was often not possible with the iron. Apart from the increased launch angle and height achieved there is a further advantage thanks to the impulse, the trampoline effect, and that is backspin.

Can fairway woods be substituted for fairway woods?

The clubhead is relatively small, the shaft a bit longer, and the results usually not satisfactory. The result is that these clubs are generally avoided. Fairway woods could be substituted. They have a much larger sweet spot, but with their longer shafts are not always the best alternative.

When To Use A Hybrid Club?

The hybrid will be used for tee shots or approach shots for a distance that matches that club. The hybrid can be used from the fairway, rough, and even sand traps. The versatility of the club and being able to use the club on pretty much any shot from any lie provides the golfer with some quality options.

Where To Use A Hybrid Club?

From any lie on the course, the hybrid is maybe the most versatile club in the bag. A 3 hybrid can be used frequently on shorter par 4s where accuracy is more important than distance or where there is a hazard in reach.

How To Use A Hybrid Club?

Depending on the lie the golfer will either want to slightly sweep the ball and hit it on the upswing or hit down slightly like an iron. Make sure you read your lie, understand what you are working with and make a selection. The ball position on your stance will impact where you catch the ball in the downswing.

Why Use A Hybrid Club?

The bottom line is the versatility and the extra distance and height that is provided. For those golfers that struggle to have enough swing speed to hit quality long irons, the hybrid is a great alternative.

How To Know What Is Best For Your Golf Game

We provided the 90 mile per hour rule with the driver as a benchmark. Maybe you don’t know your swing speed or want to actually measure what is best for your game! Too many golfers fail to test their options out and truly determine what is best for their swing and their golf game.

Closing Thoughts: My Secret To Golf Improvement

Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:

Harnessing the Hybrids

Hybrid clubs are popping up in golf bags for a number of reasons: they are easier to hit than long irons, go farther than the irons they replace and are more forgiving. According to the pros, you’re missing out if you aren’t carrying any in your bag.

Choosing the Right Club

Hybrids are well into their second decade of existence and consistently getting better with time. John says the clubs come in a variety of styles and types, so each golfer should get what works for them.

Hitting a Hybrid

As for how to hit these wonder clubs, the pros say it’s not all that different from what you’re already doing.

How far should a hybrid golf ball be in front of the center?

When swinging a hybrid club, place the ball about 2 to 3 inches in front of center. A hybrid club typically reaches the bottom of the swing a bit later than an iron, which is why it's necessary to move the ball forward.

Do hybrid clubs require a hard swing?

Thanks to its lighter club head, hybrids don't require as hard a swing for an optimal result, meaning slow and steady plays to a golfer's advantage. If anything, swinging harder with a hybrid is more likely to result in a hook or slice.

Can hybrids be used on chip shots?

Non-Fairway Shots. Hybrids can also be of use in the rough and on chip shots. In the rough, hybrids produce less drag than an iron, and it's easier to stay square on shots. For chip shots, choking up on a hybrid and letting the club's natural loft take over is a surefire way to be more accurate in your ball placement.

Can you play hybrid golf off a tee?

Tees are OK. It is sometimes assumed hybrids are not suited to play off a tee; this is not true. It's perfectly acceptable to use a hybrid club off the tee on a long par-3 or short par-4.

Can hybrid clubs work?

Blending the look and feel of a fairway woods and the functionality of irons, hybrid golf clubs have gained popularity over the past decade. But there are still plenty of golfers out there who don't know how to get the most out of their hybrid clubs on the course.

Should I Use A Hybrid?

Yes, the majority of golfers would benefit from putting at least one hybrid into their bag. Unless you are a high end player with a low single digit handicap with a driver swing speed over over 105 miles per hour, a hybrid will benefit your game.

Next Steps: Test Out A Hybrid

If you have a friend who has a hybrid, give it a swing or five at the driving range the next time you are both there. Or head to your local sporting goods store and hit several options into the simulator.

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:

What is hybrid golf?

A hybrid is designed to launch the ball in the air and is easier to hit out of tall grass. You will not see many scratch golfers with “middle iron” hybrids, but if your handicap is 18+, it is worth consideration. Finally, the hybrid can be an alternative if you struggle chipping around the green.

When did hybrid golf clubs come out?

The hybrid was introduced to the golf marketplace in the early 2000s and quickly grew in popularity. Its original intent was to replace long irons. Instead of having a 3-iron, you would have a 3-hybrid. While this continues to be the most popular loft of hybrids, you can now find entire sets of clubs that are more hybrid than conventional irons.

Why use hybrid irons?

Why use a hybrid? Quite simply – they are easier to hit. While they were originally designed to replace long irons, they can be helpful as middle iron replacements, and even around the greens. First, hybrids have made 1-irons, 2-irons, and 3-irons almost extinct in the game of golf.

Is it easier to hit a 3-iron or a 3-hybrid?

The best example – it is easier to hit a low punch from the woods with a 3-iron than a 3-hybrid – regardless of what you do, the 3-hybrid will try to get up in the air. Second, the larger sole on a hybrid can feel too thick on the middle irons. If you can already hit nice, high 6-irons on to the green, you probably do not want to swap out ...

Can you swap out a 6 iron club for a hybrid?

If you can already hit nice, high 6-irons on to the green, you probably do not want to swap out that club for a hybrid. From our perspective, only beginners or high handicappers want to replace their middle irons with hybrid style clubs.

Why Were Hybrids Introduced?

Primarily to replace long irons like the 1 or 2 iron, which require many hours of practice to hit and control consistently. With 14 and 17-degrees of loft respectively, they are undoubtedly the hardest clubs in the bag to control. They are sometimes referred to as the “knife” and the “knife’s cousin”. ( At address the sheer face resembles a knife!)

What Pros Carry Hybrids In The Bag?

Many of the top Pros will put a hybrid into the bag, but may not stay there during a tournament. Matt Kuchar, a 7-time winner on the PGA Tour carries a 17-degree Ping Anser in his bag and is very effective with the club. Jason Duffner, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Webb Simpson often turn to hybrids during tournament play.

Why Do Pros Carry Hybrids In The Set?

Course and weather conditions would be deciding factors to put a hybrid or maybe even 2 into the bag. If the weather is calm, but the fairways are very wet with no roll, airtime will make up for the loss of rollout distance on the fairway.

Why Do Pros Not Use Hybrid Clubs?

Hybrids are not always in the bag, especially in windy conditions where a long, low shot into the wind is required. Hybrids tend to hit the ball higher. Weather conditions would probably be the major deciding factor.

Who Would Get The Best Results Out Of Playing Hybrids?

In the Senior and LPGA ranks, the hybrid is a utility club used to good effect. Hybrids cater for slower swing speeds and these suit both categories well. On tight tree-lined courses where thick semi-rough and rough abound, the accuracy and ball flight trajectory becomes all-important.

What Hybrids Do Pros Use?

Sponsors may stipulate what clubs their ambassadors can put in the bag for tournament play. Titleist and Callaway have a large percentage of pros using their hybrids, but the likes of Ping, TaylorMade, and others are not far behind.

Why Do Pros Not Carry Hybrids for Every Tournament?

Playing The Open or any other links-style golf course requires accuracy and control from tee to green. Long irons can be worked left to right, or high to low, depending on the circumstances on each hole. Playing in a crosswind requires low shots to keep them out of the wind.

What is hybrid golf club?

Learn more... A hybrid golf club is a versatile club that has characteristics of both an iron and a fairway wood. Hybrids are meant to replace your long irons but can also be used to tee off. When using a hybrid in lieu of a long iron, hit the ball just as if you were swinging a long iron. When teeing off with a hybrid, keep your swing ...

Where should the hybrid golf club be on the grass?

If you’re teeing off with a hybrid club, make it so that the bottom of the ball is just off the top of the grass and no higher. If you set your hybrid club next to the ball, only about a quarter of the ball should be above the top of the clubhead.

Why is hybrid clubface easier to hit?

Because of the larger size of a hybrid’s clubface, it is easier to hit your ball with the center of the clubface that it is with an iron. ...

What happens when you hit a hybrid club?

A ball hit with a hybrid club will usually fly higher and land softer than one hit with an iron. ...

How far does a hybrid golf ball travel?

When aiming, remember that a shot hit with a hybrid will travel an average of 4–12 yards (3.7–11.0 m) farther than a shot hit with a long iron. A ball hit with a hybrid club will usually fly higher and land softer than one hit with an iron.

What should the position of the ball be when hitting with a long iron?

The position of the ball should be the same as it would be when you are hitting with a long iron. The ball will fly higher and longer than when you hit it with an iron, so you may want to adjust the position of the ball to get the type of shot you want.

Can you hit a par 4 with a hybrid club?

A hybrid club won’t give you as much distance as a traditional driver, but it will allow you to be more accurate with your drive. A narrow par 4 would be an ideal hole to hit off a tee with a hybrid club.

image

When to Use A Hybrid Club?

  • The hybrid will be used for tee shots or approach shots for a distance that matches that club. The hybrid can be used from the fairway, rough, and even sand traps. The versatility of the club and being able to use the club on pretty much any shot from any lie provides the golfer with some quality options. Overall, the design of the hybrid allows th...
See more on golfjourney365.com

Where to Use A Hybrid Club?

  • From any lie on the course, the hybrid is maybe the most versatile club in the bag. A 3 hybrid can be used frequently on shorter par 4s where accuracy is more important than distance or where there is a hazard in reach. Unlike fairway woods that may be difficult to launch out of a tight fairway lie, the hybrid is more of a mix between the fairway wood and the difficult to hit long iron…
See more on golfjourney365.com

How to Use A Hybrid Club?

  • Depending on the lie the golfer will either want to slightly sweep the ball and hit it on the upswing or hit down slightly like an iron. Make sure you read your lie, understand what you are working with and make a selection. The ball position on your stance will impact where you catch the ball in the downswing.
See more on golfjourney365.com

Why Use A Hybrid Club?

  • The bottom line is the versatility and the extra distance and height that is provided. For those golfers that struggle to have enough swing speed to hit quality long irons, the hybrid is a great alternative. If you check out the PGA Tour you will notice more and more golfers carrying hybrids and the clubs becoming a viable option at many tour stops. The shot that pros fear the most wit…
See more on golfjourney365.com

How to Know What Is Best For Your Golf Game

  • We provided the 90 mile per hour rule with the driver as a benchmark. Maybe you don’t know your swing speed or want to actually measure what is best for your game! Too many golfers fail to test their options out and truly determine what is best for their swing and their golf game. Well, I have a solution for you! If you visit any PGA Tour even you will see golfers preparing for the tourname…
See more on golfjourney365.com

Closing Thoughts: My Secret to Golf Improvement

  • Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage. I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in …
See more on golfjourney365.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9