Does anyone actually like hitting hybrids

[Herbie]

Hamilton deserved to win because he came in with the best score, thats what golf is about. The day it comes down to only allowing those who look good or those people are in love with is the day it becomes X-Factor and not golf . I for one think the X-factor is a load of B*****!
Maybe the golfers people rave about should play better.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its all about getting the ball in the hole in the fewest shots not who played the most artistic shot. Hamilton felt it was the right shot to lay and pulled it off. As for laying up, thats good course management. If van de velde had managed his way down 18 better his name would be on the trophy. He couldn't produce enough quality shots and lost. Simple as.

As for the argument that golf will cease to be a challenge that is a very negative, stereotypical view from a low handicapper judging those less talented. To those that play off more than low single figures regularly there is always the challenge to improve and get the handicap down. For those off low single figures and have a decent repeatable swing the challenge is to go out and try and prove yourself against your peer. County matches, internationals, open events. How much more of a challenge do you want

 

[Herbie]

You are right about the swing Homer, its always more about the player than the tools, though we would all like to buy what takes our fancy. Myself my challenge is as much about challenging my situation as anything else, every so often it all comes togeather again and I would give anyone a run for their money with wittled piece of 4x2 and a decent ball when it happens.

 

[TonyN]

Wow I think it has taken almost 45 minutes to get through this post.

So, back to the O.P.

I am looking to put a Hybrid of some sort into the bag, I need a gap filler between 3 wood and 4 iron. I am a good striker of the ball but I do struggle with the 4 iron occasionally, so there is no way I would buy a 3.

Plus, Hybrids are alot more versatlie so it would allow a wider range of shots to be played with it.

I play this game not to make money or win competitions, tropheys or popularity contests etc, I play it to get my handicap as low as possible. If this means I have to use a hybrid to do so, then I will. Why? Because I will enjoy the lower scores when I hit it well.

And that is the primary reason everyone takes up the game, to enjoy it. It is a hobby and a hobby is meant to be fun. Topping, hooking, slicing 3 irons is not fun.

Hitting hybrids well is.

 

[Canfordhacker]

Did Hamilton deserve to win - I don't think so Els lost it Hamilton didn't risk anything he even played the last as a par 5 and layed up why should that sort of thng be encouraged the big girl

Yeah, it would be impossible to win a tournament like the Masters by laying up at every par 5 for the whole 4 days, wouldn't it.

I think I see a flaw to your argument, unless you'd prefer not to be considered a girl and miss out on having a green jacket.

 

[SammmeBee]

Did Hamilton deserve to win - I don't think so Els lost it Hamilton didn't risk anything he even played the last as a par 5 and layed up why should that sort of thng be encouraged the big girl

Yeah, it would be impossible to win a tournament like the Masters by laying up at every par 5 for the whole 4 days, wouldn't it.

I think I see a flaw to your argument, unless you'd prefer not to be considered a girl and miss out on having a green jacket.

I don't get what you mean about Augusta - the par 5's are key and if you can reach the green you 'have' to go for them on 13 and 15...unfortunately with the changes to the course the decision of 'do I or don't I' is made for you by where your tee shot ends up, whereas in the 'old days' their was a bit more room for options.....the other 2 par 5's - 2 is a given on in 2 and 8 is a given can't reach (99%) of the time...

back to The Open, Hamilton did play the previous 71 holes pretty well to be in that position to be able to 'coast' to victory....

 

[andiritchie]

When Zach Johnson won the Masters he layed up on every par 5,also when Trevor Imm won he decided that into every par 5 anything more than a 5 iron and he would lay up

Back to the OP post i enjoy hitting Hybrids but also have a spare 3 iron a bit more forgiving if the course needs it,i know what you saying about a pure struck long iron but its does not feel any better than a pure 6/7 hunting the pin

Iam quite sure players with a below average clubhead speed cannot hit there 3 iron any further than there 4 nothing noticable anyway so the hybrid will give them the nice 10-15 extra

I spoke to quite a few people when playing 'Why are you carrying a 3 iron when it goes no further than your 4'hybrids defo help

 

[Cernunnos]

Some courses & Tournaments a level parr finish is all that is needed to win. I think a lot of us forget this these days. Keep the score clean think your way around & sometimes the scores can be made with saved putts to create an underparr score after laying up for safety.

 

[theeaglehunter]

Wow I have just read every post and it makes great reading!

Firstly credit to Freddie for continuing to defend his cause despite having the masses, and now myself, feeling very much against his argument. I can actually see what he is getting at, even if I whole heartedly disagree with it!

One question I would like to ask Freddie is... you are playing off of +3 right (if I read correctly) so are at a very high standard, possibly entering numerous prestigious amateur events throughout the year. Do you feel so strongly about the hybrid issue that if you were to be able to take 5 shots off of your handicap (I think that is the number of shots you quoted as hybrids being able to save golfers instantly) and as such would be at a standard to make a good go of it out on tour as a professional would you still stick with the bladed long irons in the amateur world? Rather than using a hybrid to propel yourself into the upper echelons of the game you love?

I think we all know what the answer should be to that one don't we...

Anyway credit to you for sticking with your argument on an issue you obviously feel very strongly about! I think some people were needlessly critical of you as a person, even if your argument is completely farfetched

 

[Imurg]

I doubt whether Todd Hamilton or Ben Curtis lie awake at night pondering over their status as a great champion or not. And to say they devalued the Open is ludicrous. So a big name didn't win, so they used slightly non-traditional methods - who cares? How did this devalue it? The guy who takes the fewest shots wins - regardless of how they do it.

Just suppose for a moment that Mickleson has a tricky shot this year at the Open. He decides that the best shot for him is to chip with his hybrid. It goes in and he wins the Open by 2. Does that make it as devalued as the others? No - the player has looked at the shot, looked at his clubs and decided that this shot gives him the best chance to shoot low.

Imagine you are playing your Club Championship. Its a playoff between you and one other. On the 1st he carves one into the trees from where a double-bogey 6 is the best he can get unless he is very lucky. Do you still go for the birdie or do you suddenly play it as a par 5?

Course management is vital. Play the shot that gives you the best chance to get the ball in the hole using the most appropriate club. If you can hit long irons - fine use them but don't critisise those who choose to do things differently.

 

[Herbie]

A big part of the golf game is management, I have won many a matchplay shooting way over h/c but making the right decisions at the right time. Likewise my winning streaks in the past in stroke play were accomplished as much by tactics as a good run swinging the sticks.I once hit a 7 iron off a par 5 tee to give me a second shot that took away the risk of going into water or other hazard, I played it as a par 5 even though I could easily reach with two decent shots and got away with 5 and I won that comp.

A player with exceptional skill is a player who will have degrees of success, A player with the same skill but better management will have more success..........I just wish I had the exceptional skill bit.

 

[Gustavo]

Have you tried a Cobra Baffler yet ? I tried hybrids from Ping, Callaway, Nike, Mizuno and Taylormade, none impressed me as much as the TWS Baffler 23' that's now in my bag. Good deal at £109 too.

 

[fastmover2]

Freddie you do have a point about the game being made easier and loosing something but at the end of the day we play for enjoyment and no doubt hybrids have made parts of the game more enjoyable for many. However, WRT enjoying hitting a hybrid yes I do, do I find it as satisfying as nailing a 2 iron, no I do not.

I actually despised the first hybrids I tried, no control at all and they just did not stay in my bag long. I now play an Adams Tour Prototype and that suits me fine the trajectory and consistency is much better.

When conditions merit I still take the 2 iron out as I just love to hit it.

 

[haplesshacker]

Has this one finished at last.

 

[Canfordhacker]

No.....

 

[Herbie]

not yet!

 

[freddielong]

Wow I have just read every post and it makes great reading!

Firstly credit to Freddie for continuing to defend his cause despite having the masses, and now myself, feeling very much against his argument. I can actually see what he is getting at, even if I whole heartedly disagree with it!

One question I would like to ask Freddie is... you are playing off of +3 right (if I read correctly) so are at a very high standard, possibly entering numerous prestigious amateur events throughout the year. Do you feel so strongly about the hybrid issue that if you were to be able to take 5 shots off of your handicap (I think that is the number of shots you quoted as hybrids being able to save golfers instantly) and as such would be at a standard to make a good go of it out on tour as a professional would you still stick with the bladed long irons in the amateur world? Rather than using a hybrid to propel yourself into the upper echelons of the game you love?

I think we all know what the answer should be to that one don't we...

Anyway credit to you for sticking with your argument on an issue you obviously feel very strongly about! I think some people were needlessly critical of you as a person, even if your argument is completely farfetched

The point regarding golf being 5 shots easier was aimed at technology not just hybrids for which I am already receiving the benefit using big driver, pro V1x etc - for instance on Sunday I played with a 4 handicap golfer that could not play bunker shots he had to play out sideways and then chip onto the green - that is just pathetic 15 years ago you had to be a good golfer with an all round game to play of four now its a case of being a good putter and not making any mistakes and no I will never ever use a hybrid

 

[KeefG]

And here we go again..........