How do I choose a hybrid golf club?
What is a hybrid golf club?
How do you choose a hybrid golf club to improve your handicap?
When it comes to choosing a hybrid golf club, it's all a question of ego. Hybrid golf clubs have been one of the great success stories of golf club designers in recent years.
Since the invention of golf, players of all abilities have struggled to hit long irons consistently, and the creation of a club aimed solely at solving this problem has been hugely beneficial to golfers.
Which hybrid golf clubs should I have in my golf bag?
But while the invention of the hybrid golf iron has eased the pain of long iron shots, the fact that they now provide options for every iron, the inevitable question that follows for golfers is:
Amateur golfers should have 2 to 3 hybrid irons in their golf bag to replace clubs such as the 5-wood and 3- and 4-irons. The total number of hybrids a golfer needs is determined by club head speed measurement, distance differences between clubs, personal preference, playing objectives and budget.
In general, the answer to the question of how many hybrids to take is that it depends on the player's personal preferences and knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. Which is true, but not particularly useful
How to choose a hybrid golf club
The debate on irons and hybrids is over
After appearing on the golf scene in the early 2000s, hybrid irons have become a staple in the golf bag of the vast majority of amateur golfers.
There should be no doubt in your mind about the need to have hybrids in your golf bag, but just in case there still is, here's a list of reasons why you should use them.
Why are hybrid clubs more forgiving than long irons?
The larger head of a hybrid allows for greater perimeter weighting, which means a lower centre of gravity further away from the clubface than a standard iron.
These characteristics, combined with a lighter shaft, result in a club that is much more forgiving than a long iron, which requires a more accurate shot on a smaller hitting surface.
Choosing a hybrid golf club allows all golfers to hit the ball higher.
With their low opening degrees, it is logical that many golfers find it difficult to generate height with long irons. Here again, the hybrid design helps.
The increased thickness and centre of gravity further away from the clubface not only help with impact and control, but also send the ball into the air on a higher trajectory than a standard long iron of the same loft.
And why do we care about hitting it higher? For the simple reason that it helps us avoid obstacles and gives us a better chance of staying on the green when we hit it.
Hybrids perform better for golfers with low clubhead speeds.
The higher a golfer's handicap, the lower the clubhead speed in general. Unfortunately, a slow clubhead speed is the enemy of a long, consistent iron game, as it results in a much lower ball flight.
And a low ball flight almost always means less distance and difficulty stopping the ball on the greens.
However, tests show that golfers with slower clubhead speeds who use hybrids launch the ball faster and higher with hybrids.
And because, as we've already seen, hybrids are easier to hit than long irons, it also means they'll generally give you a bit more distance.
Why do different hybrid golf clubs allow you to hit more greens from greater distances?
With the extra height and spin that hybrids offer more golfers, a softer landing angle is also produced, preventing the ball from running too much when it lands on the green.
As a result, hybrids offer more accuracy and hit more greens than long irons. And this increased accuracy is confirmed by the statistics.
Pourquoi devrais-je choisir un hybride plutôt qu'un fer long ?
The decision to wear a hybrid or a long iron depends on how you like to look at address and whether you play fade or draw. If you can't get a long iron off the ground, then a hybrid is for you.
Here are the pros and cons of a hybridThe hybrid is suitable for medium and high handicaps and can certainly help you get the ball off the ground.
Benefits
- Easier to hit in the air than long irons.
- Easier to play with rough than irons
- Can be easier to hit off the fairway
- Designed to get the golf ball off the ground easily, even with slower swings.
- Versatile, it can be used as a club for hitting and running around the greens.
- Generally higher ball flight than long irons
Disadvantages
- The wide sole makes it less usable on the left and right.
- It's harder to keep the ball low, because it's designed to raise it.
Usually bought individually, it is not part of your set of irons.
What loft for a hybrid club?
The loft of the club depends on the iron you want to replace or the distance you want to cover after your longest iron. If your longest iron is a 6-iron, you'll need to find a 4-iron hybrid, which is usually 21 or 23 degrees.
But if you want to hit a bit longer and gain distance off the tee, and your priority is to have an ideal tee club, then a 19 or 20 degree hybrid 3 will suit you perfectly.
Make sure you test them several times to see which one you prefer. Hybrids come in many shapes and sizes, and there are many with adjustable lofts.
You can transform your hybrid 4 into a hybrid 5 or 3 by adjusting the neck and hosel.
Should I choose a hybrid golf club or a fairway wood?
Both have their place in golf bags and many golfers will find a use for both in their bag at the same time. Fairway woods tend to hit the ball longer distances with less spin, they are clubs designed primarily for distance. Hybrids are clubs designed to be an easier-to-hit version of long irons, so they spin the ball more.
Hybrids tend to have a higher ball flight and can therefore stop the ball on the green more quickly.
Fairway woods can be slightly harder to hit but can be a great club to play from the tee. Try both and see how they can help your game.
The easiest hybrid to hit, especially for high handicaps or beginners, is one over 21 degrees. You can hit 19 degrees, but as with all golf clubs, the easiest hybrid to hit will be the one with the most loft.
More loft is always easier to hit. Keep this in mind when looking for hybrids, as getting one with too little loft can be very frustrating, as it will be harder to cast and less forgiving on off-centre shots.
Improve your game with hybrid golf clubs for women
For all the women who like to spend their time on the course, there are relatively new hybrid golf clubs for women. They are very forgiving and easy to hit, replacing traditional clubs such as irons and woods.
Hybrid ladies' golf clubs have been introduced along with a number of other hybrid golf clubs to provide golfers with an alternative for a number of specific shot types. Also known as rescue clubs, this new style of club is a cross between a wood and an iron.
How did they revolutionise golf?
As soon as they arrived on the market, they became very popular, particularly with amateur golfers. A hybrid ladies' golf club combines the ease of hitting a wood with the consistency and accuracy of an iron. All these qualities in one hybrid club - no wonder they're so popular.
Woods are used by many golfers because they are easier to make good contact with. This is due to the shape of the clubhead and the flatter lie angle.
However, it would be impractical to use only a set of fairway woods, as they are not known for their accuracy.
A particularly important quality for a club used when the ball is close to the hole. We needed something that was the best of both worlds.
That's why women's golf clubs have added a new addition to the bag - the hybrid golf club for women.
Hybrids are a game-changing alternative for many golfers who struggle with long irons. You don't have to struggle with long irons and lose balls. They are so easy to hit from the fairway and rough and are lovely around the green.
Forget the manoeuvrability of a hybrid. If you need to work the ball, your handicap is probably too low for a hybrid. Hybrids are used to hit straight shots to make everyone's job easier and more fun!
All medium and high handicap players should start with a hybrid and even include a few fairway woods.
Because golf for us is synonymous with meeting and sharing, at The Belvédère Annecy Golf Club, you won't just find a beautiful training facility,you'll also find a soul, an atmosphere...
In other words, an ever-smiling welcome that will make you want to extend your sporting experience with a moment of relaxation.
At The Belvédère Golf Course, just outside d'Annecy, you can enjoy a meal with a breathtaking view of the Aravis massif.
You will also find at your disposal some very nice infrastructures such as :
- A 230-metre multi-storey driving range
- A putting green
- An approach area
- The Annecy Golf Academy with two instructors
- Adapted golf clinics In summer and weekend
- Adapted golf courses for children during school holidays
- A 9-hole golf course to put your training into practice.
- A Proshop to find all the material required
