"Long" club advise please

[BRISTOL86]

Hi All

I'm a relative newbie to golf and up until this point I've only used irons (the longest club in my bag is a 5 iron)

I want to add a longer club (or two) to my bag, and of course the temptation is to get a driver, but would getting a hybrid be a better idea? It would get me used to the different set up and feel of a longer club, and give me an option on longer holes (I've only played par 3 courses up until now) but looking to add a longer club or two to the bag, just out of curiosity as much as anything!

I'm not really sure about the differences between hybrids and woods, and what the best options are? Would some kind soul offer me some advice please?

I was looking at this, seems to be a good price and I want to buy TaylorMade just because my bag is TM and it would match nicely (I know, I know...not a good reason for equipment choice)

http://clubhousegolf.co.uk/acatalog/TaylorMade-RBZ-Stage-2-Hybrid.html

What loft would be a good choice? I guess ideally I will eventually have a driver and at least one hybrid/wood between the driver and longest iron. I think the loft on my longest iron is 25 so perhaps the 22 is a sensible purchase?

Also a little confused on stiff/regular shafts. Any pointers for an uneducated newbie?

All tips gratefully appreciated!

 

[duncan mackie]

A 3 hybrid is a very useful all round club and is capable of significant distance quiet easily. Good all round club. The one you have linked too is highly recommended and, at that price, a great starting point.

After you have got comfortable with that you can look to a 3 wood

after that you will know so much about what you really need that making further decisions will become easy

 

[Alex1975]

I wouldn't go to a 2 hybrid on the basis of what you have posted.

A 3 hybrid is a very useful all round club and is capable of significant distance quiet easily. Good all round club.

After you have got comfortable with that you can look to a 3 wood

after that you will know so much about what you really need that making further decisions will become easy

All round great advice.

The club you are looking at I have no experience of but thats a great price and the club has a good rep.

 

[BRISTOL86]

Thanks guys! Think I will crack on and grab the 3 hybrid then!

Could someone clarify whether the stiff or regular shaft is the best option? Is it just a case of personal preference? I'm guessing regular is the sensible choice unless you know you need something different?

Also what's the main difference between hybrids and woods in terms of when you would use them etc? Would you use woods/hybrids both off the tee and the grass?

 

[duncan mackie]

I'm guessing regular is the sensible choice unless you know you need something different?

Also what's the main difference between hybrids and woods in terms of when you would use them etc? Would you use woods/hybrids both off the tee and the grass?

yes; in the absence of knowing better! in the real world it's what manufacturers produce for normal golfers. On forums most hit the ball 330 yds with a 2 iron and require ultra stiff, top spec shafts to support this habit

definitely - a 3 hybrid or 5 wood are probably my most used teeing off clubs, and are used for a variety of other shots . the simple answer is that it really comes down to what you get on with - distance (from tee and fairway) combined with accuracy/consistency is the holy grail of golf. Manufacturers produce choice - golfers keep believing there's something out there that will resolve their fundamental flaws and failings........

the longer less relevant answer is that woods have longer shafts, launch higher for any given loft, and may have larger club faces (and some don't). this is all achieved with weighting and club head shape.

worry about it when you have a little experience behind you to base your understanding of you and your preferences!

 

[BRISTOL86]

Sound advice Duncan, thank you!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Why not have a chat with a PGA pro and maybe get your swing on a launch monitor which will confirm whether you want a regular or stiff shaft. He'll be able to make the recommendation without a monitor or if there's a charge involved. I would definitely go with a hybrid and then a 3 wood as others have said

 

[apj0524]

I use this 3 hybrid Regular Shaft and I can send it as far as my RBX St 2 3W HL, the only difference is, for me, the Hybrid is a lower fight. If you usually play par 3 I would imagine your swing would suit a regular shaft, but the advise about checking it out with a Pro using a Launch Monitor is good advise. Tickenham is close to you in Bristol and they have Flight Scope and sell Taylormade so you could try a later model for the type of shaft, but knowing Tickenham it will cost the price of a fitting and you will have to pay for a a bucket of balls!