4 Iron or 4 Hybrid

[josmi15]

My first set of clubs that I'd purchased roughly 20 years ago, had a 4 iron, and I played those (Hacking is more like it) until 5 years ago, when I purchased a new set to improve my game.  It included a 4 Hybrid (Adams)  My game actually progressed that I purchased a new set of Irons this fall, and I hesitantly went with a 4 Iron.

 

I've really had no time to get to range to get the feel for the new Irons, but I'm debating on going back to my 4 Hybrid. 

 

Any thoughts on this? My clubs are put away for the season, maybe the occasional simulator, to try some things out.  Looking for recommendations on if I should stay the course and getting back into the groove with my 4 Iron.  Back when I was a hack, I could hit a 4 Iron, but I've been spotty at best with it since putting it in the bag over a month ago.

 

thanks!

[PlaidJacket]

I've actually been thinking the last week or so about trying a hybrid-driving type of iron. Not sure what they are really called. Ping makes one and so does Cobra and Titleist I believe.

One of our members, Chisag recently made a comment about his Cobra Utility Iron. http://www.cobragolf.com/king-utility-iron

He loves the thing. Personally I've had limited success with traditional hybrids and own several of them including a custom fit Wishon my fitter made for me. I currently carry a Wishon 771csi 4i in my bag and use it from time to time with decent results. But decent isn't good enough. I want more consistent shots with improved distance and ball flight.

 

I hit my irons pretty good most days and don't really have a place in my bag for a traditional hybrid. Will they work for you Josmi15? They just might. Go try a few and see if it fits our eye and needs. Lot of people use them.

[808nation]

I'm a hybrid guy and I love my 3 and 4 hybrids. I can hit it high, low, and stingers which I just learned to. Definitely try both of them out at the range or on the course and see which one you're more comfortable with hitting various shots. I probably can't get the same distances with an iron as I would with a hybrid too. Like PlaidJacket mentioned you might also look in to a utility iron.

 

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[Mr_Theoo]

4i for me. I hate hate hate hybrids and have banished them from my bag. They only seem to get me into trouble. I'm much more consistent with irons.

[Liberty Ball Markers]

Iron guy here too - no hybrids for me.

 

 

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[EthanSterlingPrice]

I don't care for hybrids personally but if you hit one well then you should probably consider sticking with it unless you hit the 4 iron BETTER. There are advantages to hybrids and if I ever find one I like then I'll use it.

 

 

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[GolfSpy Dave]

New Srixon set has the 3U (and maybe 4U) Z U65 utility irons rather than hybrids. Huge confidence difference for me at address as I prefer the look of the iron and tend to over swing the hybrids.

 

Cool thing about these was that they shafted them with my iron shaft (Aerotech Steel fiber 110) and were able to bend them 2° up to match the irons. High hopes for these, perhaps more than any other club from the fitting.

 

http://www.srixon.com/us/clubs/z-u65-utility/MZU65.html

[hckymeyer]

Try both and see which one more consistently gives you the yardage you're trying to hit.

 

Personally it's hybrids for me. I play a 15, 17, 22, & 25. My longest iron is a 6

 

 

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[evershady]

In an iron guy. I have the v4 2 utility iron. I've never been able to hit a hybrid, but I can hit a 2i blade.

[Miboy62]

4i for me, I can hit straight. Only hybid in the bag is a 16* #2.

[ole gray]

I'm more of a hybrid type of guy although my age may dictate that. I don't have the swing speed to elevate the longer irons. My longest iron is a 5i.

 

 

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[Kenny B]

Likewise, my longest iron is a 5i, although I will put a 4i in my bag for certain courses or wind conditions.  Curiously, I go from a 5i to a 5H as my next club because the 5H is the right gap instead of a 4H.  I also carry a 3H as my longest club from the fairway.

[MattF]

I play a Maltby 4 hybrid iron...probably in reality is a utility. I love those clubs, but, they're discontinuing them. 

[braveheart]

I use a Tour Edge Exotics cb pro h 2/18 degree as a driving iron and I also have a Callaway Diablo 4 iron. Both easier to hit than most lower lofted irons I've tried.

I do continue to carry one hybrid as it's easier to hit from furrier lies. It's harder to control off the tee. That is the issue I have had with hybrids.

 

 

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[chershey]

Once I found a hybrid that didn't automatically go left on me it was a game changer. I carry a 23 and 18 degree and I have no fear of shots from that 200 - 220 range anymore. Sometimes I'll even choke down on them to play less yardage when I want complete confidence over a shot.

[josmi15]

I currently have my Cobra Hybrid set to 18.5, because I've gotten pretty good with 3Wood. I remember reading an article that if I struggle to break 90 that I should use multiple hybrids so that's what has me rethinking this.

 

 

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[Kanoito]

No hybrid for me.

5w and 4i.

Since you've gotten good with the 3w, why not try a 5w as well?

[4Left]

Hy 3 and 4 for me. They are great options off the tee on tight fairways, when driver just isn't cooperating, long par 3's, and especially better out of the rough. They are the only two clubs I haven't considered replacing as of late lol

 

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[josmi15]

No hybrid for me.

5w and 4i.

Since you've gotten good with the 3w, why not try a 5w as well?

i do have a 5w .... hadn't thought about it honestly, it's in my backup bag in the garage!!!

 

 

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[revkev]

Everybody is different so its hard for us to answer this question for you.  It's really about which one you are more consistent with.  Maybe you thought you hit the ball well with your 4 iron when you were a beginner because you were about the same with all of your clubs.  As you got better it didn't come along for the ride.  Regardless the best thing to do is hit them side by side for a bit or keep a chart of how each works for a bit and you should get an idea of which works better.

 

It's hybrid for me - In fact 6 iron is the longest iron that I bag - I hit a 5 okay but I just hit the 5 hybrid better. 

[djahubes]

Love my H2 3 hybrid, and my apex 4 hybrid. The H2 is basically a wood replacement, and the apex gives me a consistent 200 high ball flight. Not for everyone, but the consistency over a traditional 3/4 iron works best for me.

 

 

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[Golfspy_CG2]

I had a love/hate relationships with hybrids until I got my current 23 degree H1. Now it has become my favorite club in the bag to hit.

[hckymeyer]

I've posted this in other threads before, but it's very applicable to this one as well.  

 

My rule of thumb is that if you can't hit a club well 80% of the time it shouldn't be in your bag.  What changes based on your abilities is what "well" means.  That percentage may also change based on your ability but basically it means is the club helping you more than it's hurting you.  

 

This is just an example, but I was having troubles with my 3w.  I would say maybe half the time I was striking it well enough that I considered it a good shot with an acceptable outcome.  Basically if it came time to hit a 3w I realized I would be better off hitting my longest hybrid instead.  Maybe it wouldn't reach the green, but it was in plan and long enough.  I've since replaced the 3w with a 15 degree hybrid that goes just as far and I'm much more consistent.

 

It's very hard to say a blanket statement like if you can't break 90 you shouldn't have a 3w.  Or you should have only hybrids.  It really just comes down to what you as a golfer can hit well the majority of the time.  My advice is always to play whatever combinations of clubs allows you the chance to shoot the lowest score possible.  

[josmi15]

I appreciate all advice. It's going to be a fun off season that I'll try things out again

 

 

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[Orange Hog]

I'm a hybrid and iron guy. Play a hybrid in the 3 iron spot then go down to a 4 iron. My 4 iron is the Srixon Z 545 which is a really nice crossover between the hybrid and my cavity back irons. It offers me some versatility to flight the ball down if needed but can also hit it off the tee. I used to play a 4 hybrid but I struggled to keep it down if I needed to and it didn't seem to gap very well into my 5 iron.

 

 

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[acemkr9]

I have a 4 iron and a 19 degree hybrid, I can do so much more with the hybrid! 4 iron is pretty one dimensional.

 

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