Iron Vs Hybrid ?

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ColinR

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Would people agree that one would be able to hit a 3 Hybrid further than a 3 Iron. Given that the angles are the same, but the extra weight of the hybrid will be enough to give an extra 10-15 yards ??

This is def the case for me, so when I was looking for a replacement for my 3 Iron I tried a 4 Hybrid and hit it the same distance as the 3I.

I quite often see people on here doing a direct replacement ( a thread from today for example ).

What is the general thinking and practice on this one ?
 
It depends what specification you go for. If you replace a 21° 3 iron with a stiff steel shaft for a 21° hybrid, with a regular graphite, then it will, yes.

Lot's of people use the opportunity to switch to a graphite shaft, and hit it more like a wood.

I have replaced my 3i with a 21° hybrid, but have the same shaft spec as my irons. Amazingly, it goes the same distance as a 3i. That said, the Titleist hybrid is not as 'game improving' as some others, and as such does not provide the high launch and massive carry that some hybrids do.

I think when buying a hybrid, you need to get it fitted, to see if it will fill the percieved gap in your yardage, not just buy one on spec.

Ignore the number on the bottom of it too. Numbers are meaningless. Just because it says 3, doesn't make it a 3 iron. The loft could be different, the length of shaft could be different, and if you go graphite, who knows what you are getting.
 
If the degrees are the same I would have thought the 3i has a lower trajectory and so go further as the extra weight in the Hybrid gives it more height? (just a guess)

I use a 19* Hybrid & carry a 18* 5 wood and yet to understand why I wont drop one or the other as the next club is a 4i
 
Yes I'll go with that ColinR

Though a 3 iron hit pure & well can be made to travel exactly as a smooth swung hybrid, but only on a good day.

I think the problem actually lies with the golf shops selling direct replacememnts & recommending direct replacememnts. Hence 3 iron hybrids rated at anything between 18' & 21'. Funnily enough my new 18' goes about as far as my old 21', but I hit my new 18' better.

Its all about confidence & consistency really Some days we feel more relaxed & comfortable with irons, other days its hybrids.

What I really want is a 10.5' or 9.5' hybrid to replace my driver... (rofl) I love the small head of my fairway woods over the large headed driver, same goes for my new Ping hybrid.
 
Would people agree that one would be able to hit a 3 hybrid further than a 3 Iron. Given that the angles are the same, but the extra weight of the hybrid will be enough to give an extra 10-15 yards ??
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Not for me. But then again, I suspect I use the "wrong" technique for my 20* rescue, as for me the worrying distance difference is between 3h and 5w, which are only 1 degree different????
Actually, I think that although the lofts are similar, it's safe to generalise what you say. The shafts are longer (are they not?) and the whole design does tend to lead to a more wood-type trajectory and landing than an iron one????

Like most "utility" (in the real sense) clubs.....it's "if and how" one could make it fit in the bag. If you hit your 4 iron like a dream say 195 yards, and a 5 wood only 210, then it's not a gap that needs to be filled. Some folk might well play a 3i and 3 h, finding that a 3h goes as well as a 2 iron.
 
I'm certain my 3 hybrid goes further than my 3 iron because quite simply I hit it better. I'm not a long hitter and a well struck 3 iron was 175 average and maybe 180 flat out but I can easily hit 185 with my hybrid. I think a lot of it is to do with the confidence of seeing a hybrid behind the ball and taking a more smooth swing rather than the feeling of having to "attack" with a long iron. Certainly the case with my game
 
3 iron - great into the wind, off the tee and a nice lie on the fairway

hybrid - great out of rough, bad lies and round the green too but if they go too high to be of any use in the wind (even downwind as they tend to go 'too far'

FWIW - I have both in the bag........
 
FWIW - I have both in the bag........
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No fwiw needed Sammybee....I expected someone to say this sooner or later. Good for you for saying this, I'm sure there are a few folks embarrased to include both.
 
FWIW - I have both in the bag........
Click to expand...

No fwiw needed Sammybee....I expected someone to say this sooner or later. Good for you for saying this, I'm sure there are a few folks embarrased to include both.
Click to expand...

I used to carry a 21* hybrid & a 4 iron just because the 4i is better for me around the greens and the hydrid gives me confidence at address.
 
I don't get the hybrid thing. Just don't like the look of them when I stare down the shaft and therefore can't seem to hit them. A lot of my playing partners use them and they get on well. Each to their own I guess.
 
I think its mainly to do with the length of the shaft and the extra weight low down to get bigger carries. A longer shaft will obviously increase distance and the bigger the carry the higher the ball the quicker it stops. A 3 iron has to be hit so precisely to get it to stop as quickly as a similarly lofted hybrid.

I was told recently that hybrids of 18 degree and lower are really the domain of better players and that a mid-handicapper should play the corresponding loft in a wood. Discuss.......
 
Sammmebee can hit an incredibly good 3 iron, but he can also play a bit of golf. I leave mine at home for the opposite reason.

I have a 21 degree hybrid, occasionally it behaves, but mostly not. But I wouldn't dream of taking the 3 iron out on the course.

Do whatever works for you.
 
Depends on the person.
alternatives to 3 or 4 iron shots are many and varied but a lot of them offer more forgiveness to error.

If you hit a 3 iron really well I wouldnt change it.

My long irons have never had very much use for donkeys years as I hit far enough (when playing well)and accurate enough off the tee not to need them very often ,if at all,so the swop for me is no big deal.

If you are a certain distance hitter where long irons are used regularily in your game and you hit them well why change them?
 
I was told recently that hybrids of 18 degree and lower are really the domain of better players and that a mid-handicapper should play the corresponding loft in a wood. Discuss.......
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The only anecdote I can rely on is this.

I know a junior that was sold a 16 degree rescue, I watched him fail to use successfully it 10 (?) times in a round and recommended he tried a 16 degree 3 wood instead.
He's been borrowing an old Cally BB for months now and is a legend with it. He lent me his rescue (as it was now redundant) and I couldn't use it either!!!
 
I have a complete golf bag, irons, woods, driver, balls, tees etc ready to go, plus all the spare wedges, putters, drivers, utilities etc.

There are a few clothes too, honest.
 
I don't get the hybrid thing. Just don't like the look of them when I stare down the shaft and therefore can't seem to hit them. A lot of my playing partners use them and they get on well. Each to their own I guess.
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For each person there is a hybrid that will be right for them. Took me a while to find one that was right for me.

Still will keep the 3 iron in the bag whilst I hit it well enough & is useful to keep it there.
 
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