Hybrid buying advice please.

[mactronix]

Hello,
After going around in circles on the net for a couple of days I have decided to come and ask some people who may have first hand experience or knowledge to help me decide on a hybrid club to start with.

So I guess a little background would help.
I class myself as a very amateur golfer, as with most I don't get out as often as I would like and don't even have an official handicap as of yet.
My game is slowly improving with experience and after talking with others it was suggested that a hybrid/rescue club would be good for me. Anything below a 5 iron has an increased drop of in accuracy. I tend to fade when things go astray.

I am looking for a cheap (for a start) hybrid club from what I gather something of around 21 degrees will fit in around a 3 iron and I want it, if anything weighted to the heel of the club because of my fade tendency ?

I'm not at all sure of how the different makes stack up though. Are there makes to avoid are some better than others ? I see some clubs are adjustable in terms of bias and weight. Not sure I need to have that complication at my level.

I'm looking to spend around £40 and don't mind if its second hand from an auction site or new.
Any advice or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mactronix.

 

[RollinThunder]

I picked up a Mizuno Fli-Hi 20* for £20 on eBay, and that was brilliant. I have a PING G20 now, and I definitely think that's better, but there's a lot of cheap Mizuno hybrids floating around on eBay at the moment, they're worth a look.

 

[mactronix]

Thanks for the quick reply.
Could I ask your opinion on shaft stiffness with Hybrid clubs, my swing is not that fast, never tested it for speed. I have a stiff driver and regular irons. Should I try to match the feel of the irons and go with a regular shaft or stiff like my driver ?

Mactronix

 

[tsped83]

From experience, I would suggest the Callaway X Hot Hybrid. It goes a mile, massive amount of offset so should in theory help square the club face. You may be able to pick one up second hand for around £50 if you can increase your budget a little.

Based on nothing more than your two posts, I would suggest leaning towards regular flex shafts.

Good luck

 

[Foxholer]

Tough to actually specify from the little info you provide, as some players suit different style hybrids - there are 'iron style' and 'wood style' ones as well as some that are simply nice solid lumps of metal on the end of a stick - like the Rescue Mid I have.

3-iron replacement is normally 18 or 19*. 21* is pretty much 4-iron replacement btw.

Best advice is to go try some and find out the style you like first.

Second hand is a great way to optimise funds if you either know what you want or can actually the club - and like it.

Does seem, though it's a bit of a guess, that a 'Regular' shaft is appropriate.

 

[mactronix]

Thanks for the replies so far,
@ foxholer, Yes I do intend to go to the local golf range and speak to them there and hopefully try a couple of different clubs. Also thanks for the correction on the loft conversion.

Based on just what I have picked up on-line the NZ9 hybrid looks like a good club as does the Ben sayers M8 and the Ram FX recovery hybrid. Pretty old clubs now though.
Does anyone know of a good resource for comparing some reviews of golf clubs ? so far I have found Today's Golfer to be helpful in this regard.
As has been mentioned it would be good to have half an idea what clubs I am looking for.
That's the idea of this post really to get some idea's of which clubs others have found to be good, any that should be avoided so I can work out a short list.
I have seen clubs from £12 obviously not much more than the head on a stick variety. Its the age old search for the best value for money.

Mactronix

 

[GeneralStore]

At that budget I would suggest ebay.
As you get to know your swing better and what you like and dont like you will know for yourself how to select the right club, that does take time though. You almost need to accept that your first hybrid is somewhat of an experiment so you are right not to spend too much money on it. Get to the range and hit a few different hybrids from different manufacturers. You will get a feel for the shaft flex (probably best to start with regular) and the manufacturer that suits your eye and how it feels. Manufacturers dont change much from model to model, so if you like the Callaway hybrid now, you most likely will get on with the 2 model older version.

Stay away from exotic shafts, specs etc... From my personal experience I think the Ping Hybrids (G model) are quite forgiving, but tend to be expensive. The Adams are highly rated and I think Mizunos are very easy to hit and get the ball in the air.

Good luck