Driving Iron or Hybrid?

[chisag]

I am not consistent with either of the two off the deck. Currently looking into a fairway wood in the 21* loft area for my distance gapping.

 

 

... I hear ya. I love to hit my DI off the deck on a par 5 when I am laying up or I can roll it on, like the conditions in Phoenix. Here in the lush Midwest it is more of a tee off or lay up into the wind club for me. Several of the courses I play regularly have 3 or 4 holes I use it off the tee and that makes it worth a slot in my bag right there. 

[chisag]

I was like you, my man. Then I found the Titleist h2 and gotta fitted for it. Now it's fighting to be my favorite club in the bag

 

... I have only hit the H1, and since we seem to like much of the same stuff I am gonna have to demo the H2 when I get the chance. I am assuming you hit it more like an iron than a wood? 

[null]

... I have only hit the H1, and since we seem to like much of the same stuff I am gonna have to demo the H2 when I get the chance. I am assuming you hit it more like an iron than a wood? 

 

Yup.  I hit both at a demo day with multiple shafts.  H1 is definitely closer to a 5W look and launch.  The biggest reason I went H2 was that I was able to hit little fades with it and I had no issues with hooks.  I hit both with the Evenflow Blue and the Atmos and the Atmos gave me better contact every time.  I think my transition is a bit too much for the Evenflow Blue - similar to what I found in the the driver shaft.  I'd guess the Evenflow Blue 85 would be a nice hybrid shaft for you.

 

I've been playing the 19* at 20 degrees, but I actually just ordered the 21*.  I was carrying the 19* around 232 and rolling out to 247.  Bumping that up to 20 gave me 228 carry with a steeper AoD and less roll out.  I think I am going to take the 21* head and put it in the shaft of the 19* (1/2 inch longer than the 21* shaft).  I didn't want to take the 19* head up to 21* because I know that closes the face a little and the last thing I want is a mental though of a hybrid going left.  Heck, I might end up just keeping the 21* head in the 21* shaft if that gives me the carry and stopping power I am looking for.

[GolfJunkie302]

I hit my irons and woods about the same in terms of how well I hit them. I have a hybrid that I like, but I picked up a TM 3/driving iron the other day. It is straighter and definitely lower. I normally hit my hybrid about 215. I hit the DI for the first time on the course a couple days ago and blasted it 280. Now, it was a links style course so the fairways were running fast, but still... Going to play with it today on a parkland style course. I'll report back my findings.

 

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Okay, hit several tee shots today with the 3 iron. Average was about 220-230. I hit one shot from the rough. Went about 230 or so. Overall, pretty impressed. Dispersion is tighter and I didn't hit any wayward shots.

 

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[deejaid]

I remember 25 years ago if you wanted a driving iron you went to KMart, grabbed an 18* Knight driving iron and that's pretty much all it was for, driving, you never really tried to use it from anywhere else. Now, these hollow iron head designs are everywhere and seem to be the direction most manufacturers are heading with their long irons, at least as an alternative to traditional long irons.

 

I've always been a pretty decent iron player but have never gotten along well with hybrids. The Hogan Ft. Worth Hi irons I just got are so easy to hit high and long, I think manufacturers are on the right path for players that like to hit irons instead of hybrids.

 

 

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[iopfer]

... The top of the list should include the King Utility that is adjustable and that can make a big difference in trajectory and one of the the reasons it is my favorite. Wilson FG Tour Utility, Mizuno MMC Fli Hi, Taylor Made original UDi and Srixon U45/65 are some that are on the more forgiving side of DI's.

I second this post. I picked up the King Utility and it is fantastic. When my driver isn't working I switch to this off the tee and I don't miss much.i also really liked the Mizzy Fli Hi as well. But the King Utility just beat it out.

 

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[djahubes]

I carry one of each. Love the DI if I absolutely need to hit the fairway or punch a low hook under some trees. My hybrid is basically a 5 wood sub. Get great distance and launch high.

 

 

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[djahubes]

Interesting topic, and one I've been mulling over for a while now.

Where I live way out west the wind is almost constantly an issue, with several holes facing upwind on my local course.

So while I'm quite happy with my bag, I'm thinking of ditching the 2-wood and adding either a 2hybrid or a Utility/Driving Iron in it's place.

I had settled on either the Cobra King Uitlity, Mizuno HiFli or the Srixon, and I really like the adjustability of the Cobra - but I'm also intrigued with the new Titleist hybrids.

 

I've been doing a bit of research for a few weeks now, and I'm still not convinced either way. ... But I will be following this thread, and interested in hearing comments both ways.

I have the Srixon U65 and titleist H2. Both are very good and highly recommended.

 

 

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[mooremikea]

... While I would not consider myself a high swing speed player, at 101-103 with a driver at age 65 I am certainly higher than average. And as stated earlier, iron swings are the strength of my game so a DI type club works well for me. While some play their DI's with iron shafts, I have a hybrid shaft in both of mine. I play 4-pw P790's with Recoil 95 stiff shafts and have a P790 3 iron with an Even Flow 85Hy shaft in R flex that I tipped to play halfway between R and S which gives me a higher flight than the Recoils would. 

 

... And I agree that most players are better off with hybrids, ether wood like or iron like. You could even make the argument that the 18.5* King Utility that I play with a Rogue Black 85Hy shaft is more iron like hybrid than DI, while the P790 19* 3 iron is definitely a pure DI. 

You swing speed is definitely higher than average.  I have always wanted to try a lower lofted driving iron and like the idea of the hybrid shaft.  I was not sure if my swing speed would support that.  On a good day I can come close to 100mph with a driver but most days it is closer to the 95mph range.  The P790s are a great looking, tour proven option.  

[StrokerAce]

Hopefully the stigma associated with hybrids/5w is long gone....

 

I recall when I first started playing that those type of clubs were for people that weren't very good and couldn't hit long irons;  seems like they were laughing all the way to the bank!  :0

[chisag]

Hopefully the stigma associated with hybrids/5w is long gone....

 

I recall when I first started playing that those type of clubs were for people that weren't very good and couldn't hit long irons;  seems like they were laughing all the way to the bank!  :0

 

... Looooooong gone. Love watching Michelle Wie, that hits it farther than many men, using high lofted fairway woods to hit low stingers as well as high launching shots on tour. Lydia Ko has a bag full of hybrids and she has done OK with them in her short but decorated career. Since most am's game much more resemble the LPGA Tour, what they play has relevance for many forum members. And of course hybrids have spawned this newer generation of hollow headed and very forgiving DI's that have a shorter shaft for more control. There is something for everyone at the top of the bag now. 

[Sluggo42]

... While I would not consider myself a high swing speed player, at 101-103 with a driver at age 65 I am certainly higher than average. And as stated earlier, iron swings are the strength of my game so a DI type club works well for me. While some play their DI's with iron shafts, I have a hybrid shaft in both of mine. I play 4-pw P790's with Recoil 95 stiff shafts and have a P790 3 iron with an Even Flow 85Hy shaft in R flex that I tipped to play halfway between R and S which gives me a higher flight than the Recoils would. 

... And I agree that most players are better off with hybrids, ether wood like or iron like. You could even make the argument that the 18.5* King Utility that I play with a Rogue Black 85Hy shaft is more iron like hybrid than DI, while the P790 19* 3 iron is definitely a pure DI.

 

Sounds like we have a similar SS and age.

Did you iron set not have the 3-iron originally, and you added later on, with the more specific shaft, to specifically be the DI?

How far do you hit that? It sounds like my 19° Callaway 815 Hybrid. I hit that around 200-210.

But it gets decent air, and if I get lucky and actually hit the green, it will usually stick, unless they're really hard.

Does the 790 3-iron get a similar result?

 

I liked the 790's a lot, but found a set of AP2's on steelfibers that I couldn't pass up.

Those 790's are serious bank...

[JTexGolfer]

 

... Looooooong gone. Love watching Michelle Wie, that hits it farther than many men, using high lofted fairway woods to hit low stingers as well as high launching shots on tour. Lydia Ko has a bag full of hybrids and she has done OK with them in her short but decorated career. Since most am's game much more resemble the LPGA Tour, what they play has relevance for many forum members. And of course hybrids have spawned this newer generation of hollow headed and very forgiving DI's that have a shorter shaft for more control. There is something for everyone at the top of the bag now.

It is awesome to have so many choices now to the point it can be confusing. I am still trying to sort out my bag makeup and I have several different options that I am looking at. Wish I had more time and constant Trackman access to speed up the process.

[chisag]

Sounds like we have a similar SS and age.

Did you iron set not have the 3-iron originally, and you added later on, with the more specific shaft, to specifically be the DI?

How far do you hit that? It sounds like my 19° Callaway 815 Hybrid. I hit that around 200-210.

But it gets decent air, and if I get lucky and actually hit the green, it will usually stick, unless they're really hard.

Does the 790 3-iron get a similar result?

 

I liked the 790's a lot, but found a set of AP2's on steelfibers that I couldn't pass up.

Those 790's are serious bank...

 

... I bought a set of P790 4-pw on eBay with C Taper's and re-shafted with Recoil 95's. Played over 50 rounds with them this winter in Orlando and Phoenix and absolutely loved them. So I found several more sets on eBay putting in lower bids and finally won a new set of 3-pw with DG105's and I am going to re-shaft the 4-pw with Recoil Prototype 95's in R Flex because the Proto's have less torque and a stiffer tip and play right between R and S. As an experiment I re-shafted the 3 iron with the Even Flow Blue 85hy but only have 1 round in with it. I hit it around 210-220 I think, as it was very windy and I hit it about 230 downwind and about 200 into the wind. Frankly it has an uphill battle to replace my King Utility. which I hit higher and longer but can also flight down, not as low as the P790 but low enough to play in the wind.  

 

 

[Chadlius88]

Personally I am much better with woods and hybrids than I am with long irons. Which is why I carry a “2” hybrid (17 deg.) and a “4” hybrid (23 deg.) and then a 5 iron on down.

 

A friend of mine has a hard time with woods and hates hybrids, so he plays with a 2 iron thru PW.

 

All comes down to the individual.

 

On a side note, I end up in the rough a lot more than he does, so the hybrids fit my game a bit better there as well.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Does anyone here rotate depending on the course or conditions their playing in?

I have an old hybrid and a 2 Iron and there are certain courses I'll change up what's in the bag for that round.

 

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[GolfJunkie302]

Does anyone here rotate depending on the course or conditions their playing in?

I have an old hybrid and a 2 Iron and there are certain courses I'll change up what's in the bag for that round.

 

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Yep, DI for firmer fairways and windy conditions. Hybrid for courses with small greens guarded with bunkers.

 

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[No3PuttLaLa]

I'm definitely a hybrid guy. I struggle badly with my long irons. I have a cobra F6 adjustable. I crank that about 200 yards easy

 

 

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[Zylem]

I can see how a driving iron can benefit a good player in certain situations. I can't see one having a home in my bag just because they don't fit my game. For shorter tighter course I'd be more inclined to swap in a 5 wood knowing that on windy days I am going to have to give up yards. I can't hit the low stinger well enough to try it on the course.

 

For the debate of DI v hybrid I have to side with the hybrid. Most of you know I am full team hybid and think that they offer more to the average golfer than a DI can. It I my understanding that the DI falls in between a long iron and hybrid in the ease of use and I am all about having the easiest to use clubs in the bag.

 

I can't say that I'll never use a driving iron though, it may be that I just haven't found one I like yet. It took me awhile to find a hybrid that I love.

 

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[chisag]

I can see how a driving iron can benefit a good player in certain situations. I can't see one having a home in my bag just because they don't fit my game. For shorter tighter course I'd be more inclined to swap in a 5 wood knowing that on windy days I am going to have to give up yards. I can't hit the low stinger well enough to try it on the course.

 

For the debate of DI v hybrid I have to side with the hybrid. Most of you know I am full team hybid and think that they offer more to the average golfer than a DI can. It I my understanding that the DI falls in between a long iron and hybrid in the ease of use and I am all about having the easiest to use clubs in the bag.

 

I can't say that I'll never use a driving iron though, it may be that I just haven't found one I like yet. It took me awhile to find a hybrid that I love.

 

 

... I don't think it is a debate, more of a discussion about which one fits your game best.