Hybrids - are they a wood or an iron?

[PSULions11]

I recently got fitted at a demo day for new irons and driver, but due to time restrictions, wasn't able to hit any hybrids. I'm wondering, do most people play hybrids with a shaft that is the hybrid/wood model of their driver or do you all play a differing version of your irons? For reference, my driver has a project x even flow black 6.5 75g shaft (114-116 CHS), and my irons have a C-taper X stiff (92-94 CHS). Looking for what others have had the most success with or thoughts.

[Shankster]

My hybrid is a TM Jet Speed. I play it like a 5 wood. It’s a graphite shaft at 41.75”, for comparison the M5 5 Wood is 42.25”.

I think the different brands have their own take on what a hybrid is/does.

[chisag]

... Hybrids are one of the truly remarkable clubs because they can be assembled to play any way you want or need. Although I have the same shaft in both my hybrids, the Matrix Altus 85, I shortened my 21.5* Tour 4 Hy 1/2" to play more like a 4 iron replacement and lengthened my 18.5* 3 Hy 1/2" to play more like a 5 wood replacement. 85gms is a nice tweener shaft that is heavy for a wood and lighter for an iron giving me the best of both worlds. I never considered matching my driver shaft as these are really 2 completely different clubs. 

... Many OEMs also make 2 different heads or one head that is designed to be hit down and thru like an iron or swept like a wood. So figuring out how you hit a hybrid is the first step to finding out what kind of shaft would work best for your swing. 

Edited June 3, 2019 by chisag

[revkev]

... Hybrids are one of the truly remarkable clubs because they can be assembled to play any way you want or need. Although I have the same shaft in both my hybrids, the Matrix Altus 85, I shortened my 21.5* Tour 4 Hy 1/2" to play more like a 4 iron replacement and lengthened my 18.5* 3 Hy to play more like a 5 wood replacement. 85gms is a nice tweener shaft that is heavy for a wood and lighter fr an iron giving me the best if both worlds. I never considered matching my driver shaft as these are really 2 completely different clubs. 

... Many OEMs also make 2 different heads or one head that is designed to be hit down and thru like an iron or swept like a wood. So figuring out how you hit a hybrid is the first step to finding out what kind of shaft would work best for your swing. 

Fully agree which is no surprise because it’s factual and this guy knows his facts.

The rule used to be to hit a hybrid like an iron but as they’ve evolved they have morphed into two types. The hybrids that I currently game are more “fairway metal” like - once I realized that I started to hit them much better. My last hybrids were far more iron like.

All of that stuff is about to change for me when I get my Ping gear for the long game fitting test.

Be sure to check that thread out once we get going because it speaks to this topic in a big way.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[TR1PTIK]

1 hour ago, PSULions11 said:

I recently got fitted at a demo day for new irons and driver, but due to time restrictions, wasn't able to hit any hybrids. I'm wondering, do most people play hybrids with a shaft that is the hybrid/wood model of their driver or do you all play a differing version of your irons? For reference, my driver has a project x even flow black 6.5 75g shaft (114-116 CHS), and my irons have a C-taper X stiff (92-94 CHS). Looking for what others have had the most success with or thoughts.

Hybrids were previously known by many as utility or rescue clubs. They were specialty clubs meant to help golfers escape from trouble where the head of a fairway wood would struggle to slice through thick rough and irons (at the time) weren't providing enough ball speed to advance the ball a safe distance. 

Since then hybrids have evolved into long-iron replacement clubs. Designs vary, but that is the general consensus among the industry as to how hybrids should be utilized. As to whether or not you should match the shaft of your driver and fairway wood(s) or that of your irons, it really just comes down to what works best - and it could be a different shaft altogether.. Most players are likely playing 80g or lighter graphite shaft in their hybrids, but there are always exceptions and a good fitting will be beneficial in helping you make this decision.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Like woods and irons the shaft should be what works best for the individual in the club. Many times the shaft in the driver is different from the shaft in the wood and the hybrid. 

 

[dbdors]

11 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Like woods and irons the shaft should be what works best for the individual in the club. Many times the shaft in the driver is different from the shaft in the wood and the hybrid. 

 

+1 My Hybrid shafts are what was fit for those clubs.

[russtopherb]

11 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Like woods and irons the shaft should be what works best for the individual in the club. Many times the shaft in the driver is different from the shaft in the wood and the hybrid. 

 

I'm going to +1 this one as well. Go with the shaft that works best for that particular head.