Fairway = Iron, Rough = Hybrid?

[tsped83]

Morning comrades!

As the 32ft snow covering has put the kibosh on golf this weekend, I'm fannying about on the 'net looking and reading all sorts of guff about hybrids. I've a gap in the bag from 18' 5W to 23' 4i and at some point before the season really starts I'd like to fill the gap with a hybrid...I think.

I'm looking to make an informed decision, budget of course permitting, but in the past I've struggled with any kind of consistency with hybrid clubs.

My course isn't super long so I can hit shorter irons into most greens, provided I hit a good drive, and on the longer holes, if I'm on the fairway I'd always lean to my 4 or 5 iron rather than a hybrid as I feel more comfortable hitting them. HOWEVER, in the rough from distance the long irons don't work too well, so would like to canvass opinion on hybrids that are high launching, and particularly excel in light/medium rough???

Any suggestions?
Cheers

 

[Imurg]

It's what Hybrids were built to do - any Hybrid from almost all the Name Manufacturers will do the job.
Some launch higher, some lower and it won't be the same for all.
You seem to be a Ping Man - you could do a lot worsr than the G20 Hybrid or the new G25 if you can't take the "sore thumb" look of the G20.
You can get one at 20 degrees, I think, it shouldn't go as far as your 5 wood - but again it all depends on how you hit it.

Vital to try a few options against your fairway wood though..

 

[Rooter]

not biased, but my taylormade 11 #4 hybrid 21degree (can go to 20 or 22) finishes on ebay this afternoon!

in seriousness, its fantastic from light and medium rough, so much so, i dont carry a fairway wood any more! 2 hybrids for me now. On its higher loft setting its about the same distance as my 4 iron, on 21 degree, slightly longer, but really much much higher ball flight. its set me up for an eagle on quite a few occasions!

in short, get a #4 hybrid in the bag! it was my "go to" club and a nice option off the tee too!

 

[duncan mackie]

it sounds to me like you would benefit more from a 7 wood......

don't get me wrong, I have a 7 wood in the shed and a Rescue11TP/21 in the bag - but the former is far easier to play from med rough. the latter is more versitile, and even stays in the bag for 4 club+putter comps, but such versitility means it's slightly compromised over simply digging out functionality

I'm not convinced you have much of a gap between 5 wood and 4 iron either - you could get the rescue 11 to replace both IMO!

 

[Rooter]

I'm not convinced you have much of a gap between 5 wood and 4 iron either - you could get the rescue 11 to replace both IMO!

while you may get similar distance with say a 5 wood, 4 iron and a 4 hybrid, you would get 3 very different ways of getting this from a variety of lies. i think the hybrid is most versatile though, as you dont need 3 clubs that hit the ball say 200yrds... personal choice at the end of the day.. i am gaming a 4 iron and a 4 hybrid, but i have space in the bag as i have no fairways.. all down to your own game i suppose..

 

[Five&One]

21 degree hybrid is the answer.

 

[Foxholer]

Raises some interesting queries.

If you haven't really got on with hybrids, why are you looking to use one for a tough shot?
If you can't keep the Driver on the short stuff, do you really expect to be able to hit the green from the sort of rough you are talking about?
Do you actually have a gap to fill?

I get on with hybrids, generally, so use them in reasonably deep rough - though I use my 3-wood pretty well from stuff others wouldn't consider using one from too. However, I'm much more likely to 'take the punishment' and get to a practical distance than playing for the miracle shot - that is indeed a miracle if it comes off!

Duncan's suggestion of a 7-wood could well suit you better - not a club for me though! And I agree that a single hybrid might be able to replace both the 5-wood and 4-iron, at least if you have a 3-wood that you can 'throttle back' with. I actually use 2 for that range, but that was mainly for specific holes.

My suggestion is to sort your Driving out and practice your short game!

 

[MashieNiblick]

For the purpose you describe I'd go with Duncan's recommendation for a 7 wood.

7 woods seem to be out of fashion at the moment with the popularity of hybrids but I carried one for a while and it was great for shots out of the second cut. Club head goes nicely through the grass and the loft gets it up quickly. If your course isn't too long you will have a shot to the green from lies that you might otherwise have to lay up from.

I reckon you could pick up a decent s/h club from a major manufacturer for under £50 so nothing to lose really.

 

[Fish]

Interesting to follow this as I'm very similar. Struggled with hybrids or should I say very inconsistent with them and now I have a big gap between my 13* 3w which I use off the tee and my 4 iron. Ideally I think I need a 5w to bridge the 10 degree gap to use off the fairways and longer par 3's or, would a 7w be more universal, or both as I have room for 2 more clubs?

Not wishing to high-jack but in a very similar position

 

[tsped83]

It's what Hybrids were built to do - any Hybrid from almost all the Name Manufacturers will do the job.
Some launch higher, some lower and it won't be the same for all.
You seem to be a Ping Man - you could do a lot worsr than the G20 Hybrid or the new G25 if you can't take the "sore thumb" look of the G20.
You can get one at 20 degrees, I think, it shouldn't go as far as your 5 wood - but again it all depends on how you hit it.

Vital to try a few options against your fairway wood though..

Cheers Imurg, I had the G20 hybrid but sold it on here a week or so! Wasn't a fan of the looks and didn't get on with it at all. Obviously technique will come in to it but I think I'd be more comfortable with a wood style hybrid. I like the G25 looks wise, however my bank does not!

 

[tsped83]

Raises some interesting queries.

If you haven't really got on with hybrids, why are you looking to use one for a tough shot?
If you can't keep the Driver on the short stuff, do you really expect to be able to hit the green from the sort of rough you are talking about?
Do you actually have a gap to fill?

I get on with hybrids, generally, so use them in reasonably deep rough - though I use my 3-wood pretty well from stuff others wouldn't consider using one from too. However, I'm much more likely to 'take the punishment' and get to a practical distance than playing for the miracle shot - that is indeed a miracle if it comes off!

Duncan's suggestion of a 7-wood could well suit you better - not a club for me though! And I agree that a single hybrid might be able to replace both the 5-wood and 4-iron, at least if you have a 3-wood that you can 'throttle back' with. I actually use 2 for that range, but that was mainly for specific holes.

My suggestion is to sort your Driving out and practice your short game!

Not expecting to hit the green from the rough - no. But I would like an option that gets me closer to it. As for Driving, who hits every fairway?? My driving of late has been good, doesn't mean to say I'll get a good lie or perhaps I'll roll into the first cut/divot.

I'd never even considered a 7 wood though so that may be worth a look, cheers.

 

[DannyOT]

I'm a big fan of the driver - 3w - 19° hybrid set up. I don't get enough consistency in my distances to bother with 2 woods and 2 hybrids. I hit a good 3w about 230 and a good 19° hybrid about 210. That 20 yd gap is not something I worry about as each club can vary by 20 yds depending on the contact I make

 

[Roops]

If you like pings don't bother with the latest gxx. Get yourself a G10 21 degree on golfbidder. Looks like a proper golf club and works beautifully.

 

[garyinderry]

I'm a big fan of the driver - 3w - 19° hybrid set up. I don't get enough consistency in my distances to bother with 2 woods and 2 hybrids. I hit a good 3w about 230 and a good 19° hybrid about 210. That 20 yd gap is not something I worry about as each club can vary by 20 yds depending on the contact I make

good post here.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Why do you struggle with your hybrid. Do you try and help it up and not trust the loft or try and hit down on it like and iron instead of more of a sweeping action? If you still have an old hybrid I'd get a lesson and learn how to use it (or borrow one) and then go out and try before you buy. It has a lot of uses and isn't just for the rough.