Drastic- shelving the 5 iron for a 23° hybrid

[Sluggo42]

My 5-iron seems to be the goblin in my bag. Based on my incredible success in shelving my 3 and 4 irons in exchange for my now beloved 19° callaway 815 hybrid. So I've ordered a 23° same model.

 

Perhaps a sign of my advancing age, but it just seems a lot easier to hit these hybrids.

 

I feel like I'm cheating tho...

[Rusty1885]

Cheatin'? No. I think it's the right call. I shelf all the clubs in my main set that I don't use in a few rounds. Heck I only carry 12.

[MDGolfHacker]

I just went the opposite way, put the 3 iron back in the back pulling out a 4 hybrid....

 

MDGolfHacker

[revkev]

I don't know how old you are MD but generally speaking Sluggo's move would be best for many golfers.

 

Many LPGA players have 6 as their longest iron. I think it's a great move although generally 26 degrees is the 5 iron equivalent. So you may have to consider strengthening your 6 iron s couple of degrees and your 7 a degree to cover the gap.

 

Good luck and just remember it's not cheating, you still have to hit good shots and it's harder to flight the hybrid down. It's always a trade off.

 

 

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[PlaidJacket]

My 5-iron seems to be the goblin in my bag. Based on my incredible success in shelving my 3 and 4 irons in exchange for my now beloved 19° callaway 815 hybrid. So I've ordered a 23° same model.

 

Perhaps a sign of my advancing age, but it just seems a lot easier to hit these hybrids.

 

I feel like I'm cheating tho...

 

My 5-iron seems to be the goblin in my bag. Based on my incredible success in shelving my 3 and 4 irons in exchange for my now beloved 19° callaway 815 hybrid. So I've ordered a 23° same model.

 

Perhaps a sign of my advancing age, but it just seems a lot easier to hit these hybrids.

 

I feel like I'm cheating tho...

I say whatever works.

[Rusty1885]

I don't know how old you are MD but generally speaking Sluggo's move would be best for many golfers.

Many LPGA players have 6 as their longest iron. I think it's a great move although generally 26 degrees is the 5 iron equivalent. So you may have to consider strengthening your 6 iron s couple of degrees and your 7 a degree to cover the gap.

Good luck and just remember it's not cheating, you still have to hit good shots and it's harder to flight the hybrid down. It's always a trade off.

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^^^this.

 

Plus hitting partial shots on a hybrid is far more effective than longer irons especially with the 815 or the apex hybrid. Both offers straight stock shots with less draw bias. Higher loft also lets you be more imaginative with shot choices and still hold the greens.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I did the same last year. It has helped my game tremendously. The only down side is my small carry bag looks cramped with all these head covers now. Lol

[dadivots]

I did the same last year. It has helped my game tremendously. The only down side is my small carry bag looks cramped with all these head covers now. Lol

Im tinkering with this too.

A $40 Adams 18* HB has opened my eyes lately.

Their just so easy to swing.

[BIG STU]

I agree 110% with PJ on that I have always said play what works for you. I guess I am the odd man out again. I do carry one hybrid at 22* but I still carry and hit a 3 &4 iron. I can hit a bunch of different shots with that hybrid but sometimes I need to hit a stinger and that is why I have the 3 and 4 irons. I also get a lot of roll out f the 3 iron in the fairway. In certain situations I will pull the 4 iron and put the 18* 5 wood in

[Sparksjr]

I did this about 2 years ago and never looked back.

 

 

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[Sluggo42]

I clanked a drive a few days ago, leaving me with a 190 severe uphill, guarded by frontal death traps shot. I pulled out my 20° 815 hybrid and nailed it pin high 2' off the green right side, for an easy up and down. It was just another great shot from the magical hybrid. That club has made the 200 yard shot much easier, so why not make the 180 shot easier too? The callaways are adjustable 2 up or one down, so I can adjust to a good mix with the bag.

But I've decided that I'm much more consistent with hybrids, than I am with the long irons, so why keep having my mini panic attacks every time I reach for that cursed 5?

I'm going on 62 now as well, and I just don't seem to be able to compress that club every time anymore, unless I'm really warmed up and feeling good.

[MDGolfHacker]

I don't know how old you are MD but generally speaking Sluggo's move would be best for many golfers.

 

Many LPGA players have 6 as their longest iron. I think it's a great move although generally 26 degrees is the 5 iron equivalent. So you may have to consider strengthening your 6 iron s couple of degrees and your 7 a degree to cover the gap.

 

Good luck and just remember it's not cheating, you still have to hit good shots and it's harder to flight the hybrid down. It's always a trade off.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

ah, no doubt about going to a hybrid VS long iron. I had this past year 2 hybrids that replaced the 3 and 4 irons, but they just weren't a fit for me as I hooked more shots OB or topped shots with them. Went back to the longer irons just because they didn't cost me as many strokes. I'm still in search for a hybrid that will fit my swing....

 

MDGolfHacker

[Rusty1885]

It's like apple vs pc. Do you want tools that do some thing for you or tools you learn how it use it.

[TBT]

I did the same thing about a year and a half ago....dropped my 5 iron for callaway XR hybrid and I've never been happier!

[Sluggo42]

ah, no doubt about going to a hybrid VS long iron. I had this past year 2 hybrids that replaced the 3 and 4 irons, but they just weren't a fit for me as I hooked more shots OB or topped shots with them. Went back to the longer irons just because they didn't cost me as many strokes. I'm still in search for a hybrid that will fit my swing....

MDGolfHacker

I had Ping i20 hybrids I couldn't hit worth a darn. Then I got the callaway 816 DBD, liked it so much I got the 3- wood. Liked that so much I got the hybrid. Love it.

Now the next one, another 815 hybrid.

I don't know it it would work for you, but to me, it's a dream...

[BIG STU]

ah, no doubt about going to a hybrid VS long iron. I had this past year 2 hybrids that replaced the 3 and 4 irons, but they just weren't a fit for me as I hooked more shots OB or topped shots with them. Went back to the longer irons just because they didn't cost me as many strokes. I'm still in search for a hybrid that will fit my swing....

 

MDGolfHacker

I had the same problem with hooking a hybrid off the planet. I have been experimenting with them for a few years but never put one in play because I did not have any confidence at all in them. I found the old Rescue on the pile at work. It was in good shape so I grabbed it. Threw it in the practice bag one day. Started hitting it on a whim on the range. Now I could hook it but I toned it down some with about 4 grams of lead tape in the toe. It ended up being the one. I have been messing with it quite a bit and have learned I can hit a variety of shots with it. Believe it or not it has sorta became a go to club for me. It sorta reminds me of a wooden 6 wood I carried back in the day and it is around the same loft @ 22*.  But I still carry the long irons because it tends to get windy down here and that hybrid will balloon on me in a minute. But then again that effect will come in handy at times. 

[JFitzroy]

Dana Quigley won the Chas. Schawb cup on the champions tour with his first iron being the 7 iron. .  3-6 were hybrids.  I'm 69 yrs old and have the same configuration and still beat the young guys every once in a while.  Actually had my USGA index down to 4.6 last summer.  So it's a matter of how you get it done....NOT WHAT YOU USE!!

 

Play well and enjoy the hybrids with their high flights and soft landings!!

 

Jim, the retired GC Superintendent

[Golfspy_CG2]

ah, no doubt about going to a hybrid VS long iron. I had this past year 2 hybrids that replaced the 3 and 4 irons, but they just weren't a fit for me as I hooked more shots OB or topped shots with them. Went back to the longer irons just because they didn't cost me as many strokes. I'm still in search for a hybrid that will fit my swing....

 

MDGolfHacker

Hooking is one thing.

 

But topping the shot isn't the hybrids fault 😋

 

You know I kid, because can. Ha. I know your game well enough to know that you will absolutely kill it when you get the right hybrid. And we both know which one that is. (He's had a 816 19 degree on order for over a month)

 

But I also know you love hitting long irons. Which you generally do very well.

 

 

 

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[Rickp]

I don't know how old you are MD but generally speaking Sluggo's move would be best for many golfers.

 

Many LPGA players have 6 as their longest iron. I think it's a great move although generally 26 degrees is the 5 iron equivalent. So you may have to consider strengthening your 6 iron s couple of degrees and your 7 a degree to cover the gap.

 

Good luck and just remember it's not cheating, you still have to hit good shots and it's harder to flight the hybrid down. It's always a trade off.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Revkev your right but no for me. I went back to the 5 & 4 irons. Cannot hit a hybrid no how no way. I have a 4 hybrid in the bag but I think it's there only to fill the empty hole in the bag. Also driver and no fareway woods, they r in the garage in time out.

 

 

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[Rusty1885]

Revkev your right but no for me. I went back to the 5 & 4 irons. Cannot hit a hybrid no how no way. I have a 4 hybrid in the bag but I think it's there only to fill the empty hole in the bag. Also driver and no fareway woods, they r in the garage in time out.

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Love it you put your club on time out. Lol.

[Rickp]

I don't know how old you are MD but generally speaking Sluggo's move would be best for many golfers.

 

Many LPGA players have 6 as their longest iron. I think it's a great move although generally 26 degrees is the 5 iron equivalent. So you may have to consider strengthening your 6 iron s couple of degrees and your 7 a degree to cover the gap.

 

Good luck and just remember it's not cheating, you still have to hit good shots and it's harder to flight the hybrid down. It's always a trade off.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Hybrids do seem the way to go. In getting a full bag fitting this fall. I know the Pro who I will be going to and he'll straighten but old a$$ out.

Looking at Mizuno, Titleist, Wilson and maybe TM.

 

 

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[Sluggo42]

I seriously recommend testing the callaway 815's- easy easy to hit. And they go where you aim them.

[Peaksy68]

I've been wrestling with my 5 iron for a couple of years. I've tried a couple of 5 hybrids I got cheaply, an Adams Tight Lies 2, and a Cobra Bio Cell. Both have regular shafts, while my 4 hybrid is an old TM with a stiff Grafalloy Epic. I hit a few good one switch the Cobra on the range, but struggle to control it on course.

I recently had the head on my 5 iron replaced by TM (face slot issues) and I think it's now standard lie angle rather than the 2 up it replaced. I seem to be hitting it better.

I keep looking for a 2nd hand 5 hybrid with a stiff shaft, but they are hard to find.

[Kenny B]

Every hybrid feels different to me.  If one doesn't work for you, try another model.  I think there is one out there for everyone; even pros play one or two.  

[revkev]

Every hybrid feels different to me. If one doesn't work for you, try another model. I think there is one out there for everyone; even pros play one or two.

I find this to be true as well. Everyone seems different and certainly plays different. Also all of our swings are different so even though it's generally better for us to hit hybrids or more lofted fairway woods than any iron longer than 5 or 6 there are going to be exceptions!

 

I o think being able to bag a fairway wood and at least one hybrid creates the greatest amount of flexibility. I find that a hybrid can be very handy around the green. It's far easier to hit bump and runs with a hybrid than a 4 iron IMO.

 

I have SLDR S (not c) in 26 and 22 degrees so roughly a 5 and a 4. I tried lots of hybrids and these flighted the ball best for me. I know that I spent under 60 for each of them on eBay. Prior to these I had a Callaway 23. I hit it well but had trouble ballooning it at times. However I was extremely handy around the green with it. I miss that function.

 

If your 4 and 5 iron are behaving - great - but if not the hybrid search can be fun and fruitful. Just remember to hit them like a 6 iron and not like a fairway wood (which my teacher has me hitting like a 6 iron too).

 

Great thread Sluggo

 

 

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[Zylem]

I think everyone should try replacing there 4 iron with a hybrid. 3 and 4 irons are difficult to hit consistently for most amatuers.

 

If you make the switch and like the results look at your 5 iron and if you are having issues with it swap it out. Priority for the top of you bag is being consistent. You can always grip down a little to shave off some distance. And this is what hybrids are able to offer.

 

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[dang3rtown]

I tried throwing a couple hybrids in for a bit but just felt too limited. Compared to my long irons, I just didn't have the control I wanted and my ball flight was always high and soft. My carry was similar but the ball would just come down with a thud. I want some roll out with those long guys!

[Rickp]

I find this to be true as well. Everyone seems different and certainly plays different. Also all of our swings are different so even though it's generally better for us to hit hybrids or more lofted fairway woods than any iron longer than 5 or 6 there are going to be exceptions!

 

I o think being able to bag a fairway wood and at least one hybrid creates the greatest amount of flexibility. I find that a hybrid can be very handy around the green. It's far easier to hit bump and runs with a hybrid than a 4 iron IMO.

 

I have SLDR S (not c) in 26 and 22 degrees so roughly a 5 and a 4. I tried lots of hybrids and these flighted the ball best for me. I know that I spent under 60 for each of them on eBay. Prior to these I had a Callaway 23. I hit it well but had trouble ballooning it at times. However I was extremely handy around the green with it. I miss that function.

 

If your 4 and 5 iron are behaving - great - but if not the hybrid search can be fun and fruitful. Just remember to hit them like a 6 iron and not like a fairway wood (which my teacher has me hitting like a 6 iron too).

 

Great thread Sluggo

 

 

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I'm giving my 4 hybrid a chance again. U guys and this thread have given me hope!!

 

 

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[Sluggo42]

Played my new (used) 24° (23+1) Callaway hybrid today. Playing from the tips allowed me a few more opportunities to hit it today.

 

All I can say is sweet.

Buhbye 5 iron...

[cksurfdude]

My 5-iron seems to be the goblin in my bag. Based on my incredible success in shelving my 3 and 4 irons in exchange for my now beloved 19° callaway 815 hybrid. So I've ordered a 23° same model.

 

Perhaps a sign of my advancing age, but it just seems a lot easier to hit these hybrids.

 

I feel like I'm cheating tho...

Sheesh. Thought I had my bag set for awhile .. but now you've got me re-thinking my own 5i.....

 

Don't really like high lofted hybrids but do have a Ping G Crossover 5/24° from last year sitting in the garage that I may bring back out into the sunshine.