Ditching the Hybrid

[deejaid]

I feel I have given hybrids enough of a chance but these things don't work for me. I'm at a loss as to why. Perhaps I just need a fitting but I've tried small head hybrids; larger, almost fairway wood sized hybrids; both stiff and regular flex shafts and I've not found one that I am consistent and fully confident in. I have full confidence in my 3-wood as well as my 4-Iron, but that spot in the bag between the two I'm lost.

 

 

How many of you have switched from a hybrid to one of the new driving/fli hi irons that seem to have become pretty popular in the last few seasons?

 

For now, I'm just shafting up the 3-Iron again and it's going back in the bag.

 

 

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[PlaidJacket]

deejaid, I'm in the same boat if I can call it that. I've played - tried several HB's (TM, Cobra, Nickent, Wishon) through the years with limited success. I was even fit for the Wishon 775 HB by my fitter and never really hit it well either. It must be a head case or visual thing I suppose. I carry a Wishon 929 4w and an old TM Burner 2.0 4i in my bag that work perfectly for me. I've been able to play any course (up to around 6500y) with this combo. I've never considered a Driving Iron and don't think I'd benefit from one.

[MaxEntropy]

I used to have a 4H I could not hit to save my life. Personally, I think appearance was part of the issue. It had a small-ish, awkward looking (to me, anyway) head. A friend had a 3H that looked more like a "traditional" fairway wood, just a bit smaller. We ended up trading and I love the 3H. Unfortunately, I now have a decent gap between the 3H and 5i that I need to address at some point soon, hopefully by re-learning how to hit my 4i.

[Kegger]

I always had a love hate relationship with my hybrid. I would hit it great some days, and terrible others. I ditched the hybrid and put a 3i in the bag, which was great for a while, but I still missed it short more often than I hit my number. Now, I have gone down the 5 wood path and have been happy with it so far (about 9 months or so now). If you're hitting your 3 wood great, why not try a 5 wood in the bag as well?

[Kenny B]

If I didn't have hybrids (I have 4H and 5H), I would probably not be playing golf.  These are my goto clubs from any lie; long par 4's and par 3's.  I have a 5W that's OK, but I have been seriously thinking about getting a 2H or 3H to replace it.

[cnosil]

People either live or hate hybrids and I think it is based on how they swing. I personally love them and they have replaced my 5w, 3i, and 4i. I think the driving irons are designed to be easier to hit irons for people that have a swing that doesn't fit a hybrid.

 

You have tried hybrids, give the driving iron a try. Worst thing that happens is they don't work for you.

[MattF]

I too used to hate my hybrids, until I got ones that looked like irons, now it's a love affair.

[AWLBMW]

I carry only one, a 19* that I use mainly for a 215-220yd par 3. Used carry 5 wood, then 21* 4 iron. Using hybrid is a acquired taste, but gradually it becomes your best buddy. I tried using a x-utility proto, but for my swing, it only worked off the tee. Hence me getting a g30 19*. Use what suits your swing and what you feel confident in.

Best of luck.

 

 

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[revkev]

I'm an hybrid fan. I don't know that I would go as far as Kenny but I would certainly be gaming some lofted woods without hybrids.

 

However I'm acutely aware that there are folks who don't do well with hybrids. That's why we've seen the release of drivers by irons. IMO

 

 

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[tony@CIC]

Love my hybrid!

 

 

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[Peaksy68]

A club builder friend of mine strongly recommends trying an appropriate iron shaft in your hybrid. Might be worth investigating, especially if you struggle with 3 iron.

My 4 hybrid shaft is reasonably heavy compared to most standard hybrid shafts. It hit it much better since changing over. Good luck

 

 

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[djahubes]

I feel I have given hybrids enough of a chance but these things don't work for me. I'm at a loss as to why. Perhaps I just need a fitting but I've tried small head hybrids; larger, almost fairway wood sized hybrids; both stiff and regular flex shafts and I've not found one that I am consistent and fully confident in. I have full confidence in my 3-wood as well as my 4-Iron, but that spot in the bag between the two I'm lost.

 

 

How many of you have switched from a hybrid to one of the new driving/fli hi irons that seem to have become pretty popular in the last few seasons?

 

For now, I'm just shafting up the 3-Iron again and it's going back in the bag.

 

 

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I carry both. Srixon U65 for off the tee. Rarely if ever hit it off the turf. 818 H2 20 degree for Approach shots. It took me a while to get the hybrid thing down. Always snap hooked. Of all the clubs, I think a fitting for the hybrid is a necessity. I would have never gotten to the proper settings/shafts etc without a lot of time and effort.

 

 

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[Mr_Theoo]

I hate them and don't carry one. Thankfully I'm never far enough out that I can't hit a iron instead. I hope when i get fitted that they'll have driving irons instead of hybrids

[cksurfdude]

There's the Mizuno Fli-Hi, of course, and MGS has done a favorable review of the Fourteen Golf version. You might also take a look at the Ping G400 Crossover, too, see if it interests you.

[DiscipleofPenick]

I carried a 7 wood for awhile, then I learned (got gud as the kids say) and bagged the 3 iron. But years passed and I struggled with it, so hybrid time. It took a couple tries but I found one that works. An Adams Idea Boxer Pro Gold with Aldila NV-Proto X shaft. Like everything else with this game, need to be patient and work at it.

 

Driver: Titleist 915 D3 w/ Diamana X 70g B4 setting

Irons: TaylorMade R7 TP 4-PW S300 shafts 1* upright

Titleist Vokey Wedges 50-54-58

Cobra Fly-z 16.5 FW

Adams Pro Boxer hybrid 18*

6.5 index, RH, Cleveland, OH

[deejaid]

Yeah, I think the Ping Crossover might be the way to go, the Mizuno looks good too, also the Titleist TMB. Lots of options, time to start investigating.

 

 

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[Shankster]

I gave up my 712u for a 2 hybrid. I get almost 3 wood distance out of it. It is a toss up for me. I prefer long irons, dislike fairway woods and hybrids off the deck.

 

If you can find one, the PING Rapture 2 iron is a frigging beast. Actually on the hunt for one.

[HardcoreLooper]

I feel I have given hybrids enough of a chance but these things don't work for me. I'm at a loss as to why. Perhaps I just need a fitting but I've tried small head hybrids; larger, almost fairway wood sized hybrids; both stiff and regular flex shafts and I've not found one that I am consistent and fully confident in. I have full confidence in my 3-wood as well as my 4-Iron, but that spot in the bag between the two I'm lost.

 

 

How many of you have switched from a hybrid to one of the new driving/fli hi irons that seem to have become pretty popular in the last few seasons?

 

For now, I'm just shafting up the 3-Iron again and it's going back in the bag.

 

 

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I pulled a Mizuno FliHi out of a discount barrel for a couple of bucks. I love how it looks, but I can't hit it for sh!t. So the hybrids stay in the bag.

 

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[GolfJunkie302]

Never used a hybrid until last summer. Honestly, if I took it out right now, it probably would not affect my score. I don't see what all the hype is about, with all the companies promoting them as "easy to hit" and "forgiving." I do just fine with my 4i.

 

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[deejaid]

One problem for me is cost for how little I would use it. I probably pull my hybrid out of the bag twice a round so spending $200+ for a seldom used club isn't very appealing.

 

 

I started a thread a little while back about chipping with a hybrid. I'm trying to convince myself to keep it in the bag by getting more use out of it.

 

I'm playing on Saturday and won't have the new shaft for my 3-Iron head so the hybrid will stay for at least one more round.

 

 

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[Kanoito]

Hate them, too! So I got myself a 5W to replace my 19* hybrid.

I did like the Callaway Apex UT I tried during a demo day though!

[JAGolfore]

It's a love / hate relationship for me. I personally have a naturally low ball flight. This is not ideal when you have a 3 iron into a green. So why not try hybrids. I have hit a lot of them and I just can't get any consistency. That said I picked up an Adams Pro 18* hybrid this winter in hopes I can hit it. We will see once spring comes around. It could be more if the same or maybe I do like it and I stays in the bag.

 

 

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[revkev]

While I totally agree that hybrid or not seems swing dependent I'm wondering how many guys who “hate” hybrid

 

A. tried one because they are unhappy with their long iron play.

 

B. Have taken a lesson on hitting them.

 

C. Then rejected them.

 

If you're already a great long iron player and/or don't need high approach shots into the green it's not that important. But if you do and still need some control into the wind it's hard to deny the importance of the hybrid. Even tons of guys on the regular tour buy in as does nearly everyone on the champion's tour and LPGA.

 

I'm going to guess they've all worked in the hybrids with their instructor.

 

 

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[Shankster]

Not everyone has the time, desire, or funds for an instructor. Or even near one.

 

I bought my 2 hybrid to fill a gap. I liked it at first, it is a Rocket Launcher. It's still in the bag, and probably will be for a long while.

[MDGolfHacker]

I have a love/hate relationship with hybrids.  I've gone through a few to replace the longer irons.  I think part of the problem for me is that I was never really fitted for those hybrids so I'm pretty sure the shafts aren't optimized for my swing (purchased them off the shelf with what I though would be the right shafts for me).  The other thing is, when my swing is working well, I can hit long irons without any problems (even the 2 iron MP-19 I have).  It's so bad that I've reverted back to a 3-PW setup instead of incorporating the 3H and 4H into my setup.  We'll see what this season brings if I try and make a switch back to hybrids in my bag since I'm planning to revamp the entire set anyway.

 

MDGolfHacker

[ddryan]

Currently game an old, almost first generation Cobra Baffler 19 degree hybrid.  Love it off the deck, great in thick rough, and even use it putting thru frog hair just off the fringe.  A couple of years ago I bought a Hogan VTK and it was WONDERFUL, but the finish came off the face with less than 3 full rounds on it.  I sent it back to get re-finished and they send me a different hybrid, and it never felt the same - just did not perform the same as before- so I sold that.  Am in the market for a driving iron, but have not found one that

A) I like, and

I am willing part with that much cash for!!!

[css34]

Currently game an old, almost first generation Cobra Baffler 19 degree hybrid. Love it off the deck, great in thick rough, and even use it putting thru frog hair just off the fringe. A couple of years ago I bought a Hogan VTK and it was WONDERFUL, but the finish came off the face with less than 3 full rounds on it. I sent it back to get re-finished and they send me a different hybrid, and it never felt the same - just did not perform the same as before- so I sold that. Am in the market for a driving iron, but have not found one that

A) I like, and

I am willing part with that much cash for!!!

Dynacraft driving iron from hirekogolf.com... 15 bucks for the head.

 

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[ole gray]

I love my hybrids! . I bag a 2, 3, & 4 hybrid. Old Callaway Razx X however they still bark like a young coon hound

 

 

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[revkev]

Not everyone has the time, desire, or funds for an instructor. Or even near one.

 

I bought my 2 hybrid to fill a gap. I liked it at first, it is a Rocket Launcher. It's still in the bag, and probably will be for a long while.

A lesson is far less expensive than a golf club. You can take a series of lessons for the price of a club.

 

Desire is the key word. I completely agree with you about that. We're guys - God forbid we go to an expert to ask for help!

 

We can do it ourselves.

 

I've been there, done that and guess what - I even fooled myself into thinking it worked. After all I was pretty good. Then I took some lessons and did what my teacher and I worked on. Guess what, I got better!

 

If you want to play the best golf possible you have to break out of the “normal.”

 

 

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[Shankster]

I would take a lesson. But not from anyone around here. And I only paid $27 for my hybrid.