hybrids explained

source: Thomas Golf Newsletter

What They Are:

A Hybrid is an Iron or Wedge that has been totally redesigned to have some of the specific positive characteristics of a Wood, such as wide sole, spin correction, larger head, etc. This results in an Iron which is much easier to hit and more forgiving.

Most Hybrid Irons have the same loft and weight as a standard iron, and are therefore direct number replacements to their traditional iron counterparts. For example, a #7 Hybrid Iron will replace a #7 traditional iron.

While some golfers like the added confidence of the larger heads found on high-lofted Woods, others appreciate the middle-ground size of the Hybrids for an easier time coming out of the rough, and their offset hosel similar to traditional irons.

Besides head size, another Wood characteristic you’ll notice right away with Hybrid Irons 1 through 9 is their curved faces, known as “Roll & Bulge”. Just like you find on drivers and fairway woods, this curvature gives you the "shot correction gear effect". This helps correct shots hit near the toe by adding counter spin to draw the ball back onto the target line, and correct shots hit near the heel by adding spin to fade the ball back onto the target line.


How They’re Used:

Although Hybrids have added design advantages of Woods, they should still be played using the same ball position as a traditional irons. Your Hybrids should also be built to the same length, flex, and swing-weight as your traditional irons. Many golfers have found great success by replacing their irons with Hybrid Irons, especially those who prefer to sweep the ball off the ground rather then hit down hard and take divot.

Besides use of a sweeping style swing, the main difference seen when using Hybrids is some golfers get higher trajectory (and less distance) than they’re accustomed to for that particular numbered club. This can happen because when they used traditional irons, they were unknowingly closing and de-loft the face of the club. (For example, if you de-loft a standard 7 iron 3 degrees, it turns it into a 6 iron). But with the wider sole of hybrids, most golfers do not de-loft, and therefore get the proper height and distance for that club; even if it’s not the distance they’re used to. The important thing in golf is to have consistent reliable distance from club to club, and this is easier when each club is used with its proper loft. When you want more or less distance, simply move up or down one club.

This de-lofting affect can be removed when placing a Hybrid on a testing machine. When shots were struck in the center of the face, the distance performance was measured equal to that of a traditional iron. When shots were struck off-center, the Hybrid showed more forgiveness, so the average distance for a Hybrid is greater. The bottom line of the tests; if you hit a traditional iron and a Hybrid Iron dead center, with equal specifications, the ball will go the same distance. If you hit it off-center, the special characteristics of Hybrids will help correct the shot.


Hybrid Wedges:

Hybrid Wedges are better out of grass than traditional wedges because they tend to glide through the grass and are less likely to get hung up. The Hybrid Sand Wedge is much simpler than a traditional SW. It doesn’t require special set up or face opening, simply set up and swing like you would for a normal iron shot, hitting about 1.5 inches behind the ball. Using a Hybrid from the sand takes out a lot of the variables, so all you need to think about is how hard to swing.