andiritchie
Journeyman Pro
I understand the idea of hybrids with getting the ball i just never found one i can not with a consistant flight
Long irons - why so unpopular ?
- Thread starter Macster
- Start date
ademac
Q-School Graduate
Maybe it's because you're a naturally brilliant ball striker!
CarpeDiem
Challenge Tour Pro
I like that one.
ademac
Q-School Graduate
Bit of friendly sarcasm
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
I likey my 4 iron!! More so than the rescue most of the time. Especially from the tee.
Seriously, I can hit the 4 iron 200 yards reasonably accurately, and is a far better bet than the driver which does anything from 20 to 250 yards in almost any direction.
Seriously, I can hit the 4 iron 200 yards reasonably accurately, and is a far better bet than the driver which does anything from 20 to 250 yards in almost any direction.
ademac
Q-School Graduate
.... and you've only just broke 100?
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
When I hit a 3 or a 4 well it's normally a blinder but it doesn't happen often enough to warrant having them in the bag.
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
.... and you've only just broke 100?
Yep.
I have a number of (how do I put it?), not very good shots. I sometimes will take 5 shots to get from 40 yards in to getting it in the hole!! And that's with 1 putting!!
Other times it's 7 shots to get to the 40 yard mark and then up and down for 2!!
Yep - inconsistent!!
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
I think the simple answer to the original question is that the majority of sets now sld especially from AG etc are only 4-PW or 4-SW. That leaves the choice of purchasing a matching 3 iron separately or a hybrid. As hybrids are there in the shop to try immediately the majority I would guess give some a go and make a choice without even considereing the option of ordering the 3 iron.
I have always used a 3 iron until I got my set of X20's which I got C/F and were a 4-PW (I had wedges of my choice at home). I had been struggling with the longer irons and it seemed the right time to get a 3H into my bag. I have to say it is a reliable club especially on longer par 3's but I would much rather have the 3 iron in my hand of a fairway and so might look into ordering the tour burner 3 iron and ditching the hybrid. Swings and roundabouts really
I have always used a 3 iron until I got my set of X20's which I got C/F and were a 4-PW (I had wedges of my choice at home). I had been struggling with the longer irons and it seemed the right time to get a 3H into my bag. I have to say it is a reliable club especially on longer par 3's but I would much rather have the 3 iron in my hand of a fairway and so might look into ordering the tour burner 3 iron and ditching the hybrid. Swings and roundabouts really
ademac
Q-School Graduate
.... and you've only just broke 100?
Yep.
I have a number of (how do I put it?), not very good shots. I sometimes will take 5 shots to get from 40 yards in to getting it in the hole!! And that's with 1 putting!!
It's a crazy game this isn't it! I know what you're saying about lots of shots from close in, I do it fairly often! Next round I have I'm going to really make an effort in my course management and not leave 40 yds, but try and leave enough for a controlled 3/4 9 iron or pitching wedge. Hopefully this will leave me without a lot of the difficult chip shots needed to score well.
RGuk
Tour Winner
My irons came 4-pw. Many a moon ago, I had a 2 iron which I used off decent lies.
A 3i isn't THAT hard to hit well but it can't compete with a modern rescue off all but the best lies.
I like the mini-wood look of my hybrids, gives me confidence......
A 3i isn't THAT hard to hit well but it can't compete with a modern rescue off all but the best lies.
I like the mini-wood look of my hybrids, gives me confidence......
theeaglehunter
Tour Winner
I like hitting long irons and really enjoyed using a Ping G10 2 iron I borrowed off my pro for a round but I decided not to buy it in the end. I must say I am getting fed up with my hybrid ballooning on me due to its completely unsuitable shaft (i bought it 2nd hand when I first started playing and it has regular flex and a really light shaft which I hate!) but I am going to replace it with another hybrid even though I can hit more forgiving long irons, purely due to versatility.
ademac
Q-School Graduate
If it's the slingshot I'd be interested in taking it off your hands
kingshankly
Medal Winner
i have to say i prefer to hit my hybrids of the fairway and the rough instead of my 4 iron which i prefer to use of the tee. i remember harrington saying that all amateurs should carry a hybrid as the are far easier to use than long irons. as for my 3 iron only use that when there is lightning cause imo god couldnt hit a 3 iron
PeterPumpkinEater
Head Pro
I use both. A 3iron Utility and a normal 4 iron.
The only reason for having the utility is that it is very good out of the rough. Otherwise i would carry the normal 3 iron with no hesitation.
The only reason for having the utility is that it is very good out of the rough. Otherwise i would carry the normal 3 iron with no hesitation.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
I think that is the justification I kepp telling myself that a half decent hybrid out of the rough would still be better than a poorly hit 3 or 4 iron and so it is more versatile. That said I'm thinking about getting the 3 iron anyway as I think I could swap it for the hybrid on windy days or links sourses for a lower ball flight and use the 5 wood from the rough. Decisions, decisions
Macster
Journeyman Pro
Lots of replies, seems a very split subject.
As I said, Ive always liked using mine, and have never found a need for the Hybrids.
If I am ever in the rough off the tee, I'll either use my trusty Callaway War Brd 5 Wood if I'm needing distance, or if the lie is too bad anyway, anything from a 5i to a 9i to get me back in play.
Interesting tho, but I do think they are a good indicator of how you are striking the ball and more practise with them, even at the range, could pay dividends on the course.
As I said, Ive always liked using mine, and have never found a need for the Hybrids.
If I am ever in the rough off the tee, I'll either use my trusty Callaway War Brd 5 Wood if I'm needing distance, or if the lie is too bad anyway, anything from a 5i to a 9i to get me back in play.
Interesting tho, but I do think they are a good indicator of how you are striking the ball and more practise with them, even at the range, could pay dividends on the course.
medwayjon
Tour Winner
Irons for me.
Tried hybrids and although they were a doddle to hit, they flew far too high for my liking, not good at all in windy conditions.
Even though I dont always get the 3/4 iron off the deck right I am going to stick with them as if I accept defeat, how am I to improve?
Tried hybrids and although they were a doddle to hit, they flew far too high for my liking, not good at all in windy conditions.
Even though I dont always get the 3/4 iron off the deck right I am going to stick with them as if I accept defeat, how am I to improve?
Herbie
Tour Winner
The development of golf clubs has moved on, long irons are less important to the masses when hybrids offer an easier way to get the same,or better, shots.
The problem with long irons has always been limited use and a psychological miss use when they are needed. Most golfers Ive seen talk or think themselves out of a long iron shot.
I dont use long irons simply because on the majority of golf courses, I dont need them. My second shot on par 4s is a 7 iron or less, my second shot on par 5s is 3w or recovery, on short par 5s its sometimes no more than a 6 iron. The frequency that I find I need a long iron is almost non existant and my recovery or 3or4 hybrids are much more forgiving and go further when I need the occasional shot of this distance. To give you an example, the last half dozen courses I have played, I have used a hybrid 4 times or so and only needed a 5 iron for one par 3.
With that frequency of use a long iron being a thing of 'beauty to behold' is meaningless to me.
The problem with long irons has always been limited use and a psychological miss use when they are needed. Most golfers Ive seen talk or think themselves out of a long iron shot.
I dont use long irons simply because on the majority of golf courses, I dont need them. My second shot on par 4s is a 7 iron or less, my second shot on par 5s is 3w or recovery, on short par 5s its sometimes no more than a 6 iron. The frequency that I find I need a long iron is almost non existant and my recovery or 3or4 hybrids are much more forgiving and go further when I need the occasional shot of this distance. To give you an example, the last half dozen courses I have played, I have used a hybrid 4 times or so and only needed a 5 iron for one par 3.
With that frequency of use a long iron being a thing of 'beauty to behold' is meaningless to me.
hellbunker
Assistant Pro
would countenance using a hybrid...its lazy golf to me. You should learn how to use the 3 or 4 iron instead of "papering" over your poor swing!
