Hybrids

[MarkC13276]

Re: Hybrids

Swing thru the ball not at it.

This must be the worst piece of advice I have seen.

[hvnit2gd1975]

Re: Hybrids

ya see, you come here and get conflicting answers. If people really dont know or have trouble explaining things please dont just spout out answers. It could make things way more complicated.

I tried MarkC approach, and low and behold I hit the darn thing pretty well. The swing thru the ball method has not really fared very well when I try it.

Thanks MARKC

[brianspond]

Re: Hybrids

This must be the worst piece of advice I have seen.

I don't think so Mark, he has a point. The follow through is everthing. You stop your swing or come off the ball, you are going to top it. The only thing I don't understand is how you hit the ball so far if you are not going through it. Must be brute strength and not technique.

[rharris06]

Re: Hybrids

Mark, maybe that aint great advice for IRON SHOTS but for fairway woods and hybrids its perfectly fine!! That is basically what you need to do is swing through the ball and sweep it.

[Lumlum]

Re: Hybrids

I just got back from the course, and I only had 3 occasions to hit my hybrid, which is a 3/4 combination Wilson club that came with my cheapo set, but each time I did but it was dead straight at about 200+ yards.

That said, I can hit my 5 iron 200+ but I think I'm slightly more confident with the hybrid.

Generally I swing it exactly like I would my irons.

[LowPost42]

Re: Hybrids

I'm not a clubhead designer. I'm not 'in the industry'. I'm just one guy from Northern Ontario who has read everything he could get his paws on regarding club building - including books by Wishon and Maltby, articles by Jackson, and have picked up tips from guys like Hewitt, and a man I only know as Arnie.

Now, MarkC has stated the thing that seems to get lost in the 'how do I play a hybrid' question.

Hybrids are also called hybrid irons, or ironwoods. It seems rudimentary, but there's a clue there - even in the naming convention - on how to play them.

What got confusing is that some manufacturers made longer graphite shafted hybrids - so long, in fact, that they really did resemble fairway woods.

However, hybrids aren't meant to replace fairway woods. They're meant to replace irons. When I build hybrids, I build them in progression based off the iron set, not the fairway woods. And everything I've read from respected authoritative sources points to playing them like irons.

Now, this does NOT mean that if you have a sweepers swing, you should avoid hybrids. True, you may be further ahead with a 9 wood rather than a 3 hybrid, but if you want to try a hybrid, please do. Personally, I play a 1 iron hybrid over a 3 wood, but I also have a divot-taking swing.

So, the answer is:

Play your hybrid like you would if it was an iron. Hit down, play it a little more back in your stance (as opposed to a fairway wood), and swing. If you sweep or if you dig, play it like an iron.

[canadian_man_44]

Re: Hybrids

Have you tried a 3 or 4 iron? If not, give it a try. If you hit your other irons well, you just might get the distance out of a 3 or 4 that you are looking for with the hybrid. Personally, I hit my 3 and 5 woods pretty well but I can't seem to hit a hybrid far enough to be worth mentioning. I've never really used my 3 or 4 irons until the past couple weeks, but, being pretty accurate and having consistent distances with my other irons, I decided to give 3 and 4 a try. Over the last few rounds I've left my fairway woods in the bag and found that I get just as much distance with my long irons and I seem to be way more accurate then the woods. Get a friend to let you try their long irons on the range. You might find you like them so much that you would rather fill in the gaps with those instead of a hybrid.

[MarkC13276]

Re: Hybrids

Personally, I hit my 3 and 5 woods pretty well but I can't seem to hit a hybrid far enough to be worth mentioning. I've never really used my 3 or 4 irons until the past couple weeks, but, being pretty accurate and having consistent distances with my other irons, I decided to give 3 and 4 a try. Over the last few rounds I've left my fairway woods in the bag and found that I get just as much distance with my long irons and I seem to be way more accurate then the woods. Get a friend to let you try their long irons on the range. You might find you like them so much that you would rather fill in the gaps with those instead of a hybrid.

Hi Canadian man,

Have you tried using your hybrid now you have a more comfortable swing with your 3 & 4 irons?

Cheers
Mark

[MarkC13276]

Re: Hybrids

ya see, you come here and get conflicting answers. If people really dont know or have trouble explaining things please dont just spout out answers. It could make things way more complicated.

I tried MarkC approach, and low and behold I hit the darn thing pretty well. The swing thru the ball method has not really fared very well when I try it.

Thanks MARKC

I am glad this advice has worked for you mate and I am sure the more confidence you get in that hybrid you will have it with you everywhere you go. Also remeber if you ever do a fun comp where your only allowed 4 clubs this is a definite one to have in the bag as you can putt with it as well.

Cheers
Mark

[MarkC13276]

Re: Hybrids

I don't think so Mark, he has a point. The follow through is everthing. You stop your swing or come off the ball, you are going to top it. The only thing I don't understand is how you hit the ball so far if you are not going through it. Must be brute strength and not technique.

Hi Brainspond,

I understand what you are going on about but my thoughts on the advice he gave was very basic. It didnt really answer the question which he was asking for, as we all know that you should follow through with every shot.

Cheers
Mark

[MarkC13276]

Re: Hybrids

I'm not a clubhead designer. I'm not 'in the industry'. I'm just one guy from Northern Ontario who has read everything he could get his paws on regarding club building - including books by Wishon and Maltby, articles by Jackson, and have picked up tips from guys like Hewitt, and a man I only know as Arnie.

Now, MarkC has stated the thing that seems to get lost in the 'how do I play a hybrid' question.

Hybrids are also called hybrid irons, or ironwoods. It seems rudimentary, but there's a clue there - even in the naming convention - on how to play them.

What got confusing is that some manufacturers made longer graphite shafted hybrids - so long, in fact, that they really did resemble fairway woods.

However, hybrids aren't meant to replace fairway woods. They're meant to replace irons. When I build hybrids, I build them in progression based off the iron set, not the fairway woods. And everything I've read from respected authoritative sources points to playing them like irons.

Now, this does NOT mean that if you have a sweepers swing, you should avoid hybrids. True, you may be further ahead with a 9 wood rather than a 3 hybrid, but if you want to try a hybrid, please do. Personally, I play a 1 iron hybrid over a 3 wood, but I also have a divot-taking swing.

So, the answer is:

Play your hybrid like you would if it was an iron. Hit down, play it a little more back in your stance (as opposed to a fairway wood), and swing. If you sweep or if you dig, play it like an iron.

Great response matey

Cheers
Mark

[Laserman]

Re: Hybrids

Guys,

I have a cheap $40.00 Wall Mart Special John Daly 3 Hybrid that I hit just fanstatic. I do plan to replace it with a better club soon. I just picked it up while buying some tees. I get about 210-220 yards out of it in the fairways on par 5 holes I get very close to the green on using it. I don't even touch my 3 Iron anymore. I use it like and Iron and play the ball a bit back in my stance. Hybrids are meant to replace Irons for recreational weekend golfers, or used as a rescue Club for tour players. They are not meant to replace 3 or 5 woods.

Barry

[kbp]

Re: Hybrids

True, hybrids are not necessarily intended to replace fairway woods, but a lot of players gravitate away from using fairway woods after they start using hybrids. Many of them are getting near fairway wood distances with their hybrids, but more importantly, they’re getting many, many less mishits and duffs. They gladly give up a few yards in top end distance for increased reliability.

The other point is that a lot of recreational players hit fairway woods in situations where they should be hitting long irons, like long approaches into greens. (IMO, a hybrid checks up on the green much better than a fairway wood). But since they can’t hit traditional long irons worth a darn, they opt for the more reliable fairway wood. Switching these players to hybrids is not about undermining the role of the fairway wood. It’s about making the "right" club for the situation (a long iron) easier to hit.....even easier than the fairway wood. JMO.

I really have absolutely no use for a five wood now. I occasionally have a use for a 3 wood. A couple long iron hybrids cover the "fairway wood" distances adequately, but more importantly, with almost complete reliability.

[canadian_man_44]

Re: Hybrids

Hi Canadian man,

Have you tried using your hybrid now you have a more comfortable swing with your 3 & 4 irons?

Cheers
Mark

Yeah, but I still don't like it. It's not as accurate or as long as my long irons. I'm thinkin' why fix it if it isn't broke. Hybrids are supposed to replace the long irons that are harder to hit, right? I seem to be hitting my long irons very pure and much better then the hybrid, so, I'm not gonna change right now. This hybrid was a gift from someone who does a lot of Walmart shopping. It's a typical cheap hybrid made from cheap materials and when I hit it the ball doesn't go as far as it should. I suspect if I bought a good hybrid I would probably hit it how they're supposed to be hit, but, like I said, I'm hitting my irons pure so I'll just continue with them.

[joeyg565]

Re: Hybrids

Mark,

I was wondering if you have use the hybrid to tee off. What type of swing did you used? Swing thru or descending blow?

Thanks.

Joeyg