Swapping Hybrids for Long Irons

[Deleted Member 1156]

Sadly they went our of business....

Can that be blamed on the rise in popularity of driving irons? :mmm:

 

[DCB]

I have, lurking in the garage, an old Ping Eye 2 iron. This was the dogs danglies way back in the mid 80s when I first got it. Great off the tee or off the deck.

It's lurking in the garage as it just doesn't get anywhere near a modern hybrid in playability. Good for closing tins of paint though

 

[Alex1975]

Can that be blamed on the rise in popularity of driving irons? :mmm:

There is not a lot I like more than my 2 iron but sexy lingerie probably trumps it!

 

[Oddsocks]

What shaft does it have Baz?

C taper 110 lite - stiff flex from memory.

Purchased last week off here but I prefer my Adams 17* hybrid

 

[Vardon11LDN]

C taper 110 lite - stiff flex from memory.

Purchased last week off here but I prefer my Adams 17* hybrid

Thanks, Wouldn't be the right shaft for me though.

 

[apj0524]

In my opinion the Hybrid ball flight, and whether it is better to use a hybrid or not is a down to swing speed. Being more senior in years and new to the game my swing speed is not very high, therefore when I measured my gapping on LM my 4i was not much longer than my 5i because my low swing speed meant I could not launch it high enough off the deck, which is why I use hybrids.

However the dispersion could be better so have been trying a Ping 5 crossover which is easier than my 4i but not as easier as 4h

 

[fundy]

Lets be honest here, we are not comparing apples with apples.

The so called 2 Iron that Alex is ripping is not your old fashioned butter knife 2 iron, it is pretty much a hybrid style that looks like an iron not a wood. Heavily weighted to the sole, pretty fat top line, launches high but penetrating and lands pretty softly. Nope doesnt sound much like a 2 iron to me

For me I would call the club more a hybrid than an iron especially in its playing characteristics, all thats happened is in the styling some of the hybrids are being made to look more like irons than woods

(No offense meant to Alex here, I know he loves the ugly thing and is striping it for fun!)

 

[Alex1975]

Lets be honest here, we are not comparing apples with apples.

The so called 2 Iron that Alex is ripping is not your old fashioned butter knife 2 iron, it is pretty much a hybrid style that looks like an iron not a wood. Heavily weighted to the sole, pretty fat top line, launches high but penetrating and lands pretty softly. Nope doesnt sound much like a 2 iron to me

For me I would call the club more a hybrid than an iron especially in its playing characteristics, all thats happened is in the styling some of the hybrids are being made to look more like irons than woods

(No offense meant to Alex here, I know he loves the ugly thing and is striping it for fun!)

Yep, they are a "hybrid" in the true sense of the word. Its a hollow iron or a hybrid of an iron.

 

[duncan mackie]

Yep, they are a "hybrid" in the true sense of the word. Its a hollow iron or a hybrid of an iron.

So, the old hybrid is dead - long live the new hybrid....

People should play what they find works for them, in their world. More people suffer through playing with clubs (of any nature) who's selection was based on ego over reality than benefit from playing true Tour, or tough to hit, gear.

I'm always a little apprehensive when faced with a new opponent carrying a bag full of forged, bladed, irons plus a driver and putter - until I find I'm giving shots!

 

[Alex1975]

So, the old hybrid is dead - long live the new hybrid....

People should play what they find works for them, in their world.

Yep! Be honest with yourself! Also customer fitting is not always about just head, shaft, grip, angles. Some of it is about the make up of your 14 clubs. It can make a big difference.

 

[mcbroon]

I have, lurking in the garage, an old Ping Eye 2 iron. This was the dogs danglies way back in the mid 80s when I first got it. Great off the tee or off the deck.

It's lurking in the garage as it just doesn't get anywhere near a modern hybrid in playability. Good for closing tins of paint though

I have one in my bag. Great off the tee but struggling a little bit off the deck just now.

I prefer irons to hybrids because, quite honestly, I think it's easier to hit a hybrid and so you have to be a decent player to hit a long iron. Ridiculous, really, because all you need is to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible, so doing something the hard way is, to Snelly's point above, a bit daft.

Still like the feeling when I get it right out the middle

 

[Crocodile JD]

I think anyone who prefers long irons to hybrids is either; a much better ball striker than me, going through a delusional phase or a bit daft.

If you find the right hybrid, it is far easier to hit, more consistent, better from rough and more confidence inspiring than any long iron. Anyone saying otherwise is just wrong as long irons are the hardest club in golf to hit well, often.

That said, it is absolutely crucial that you find the right one for your swing. Most balloon for me and I have used Callaway ones that are all but useless into a headwind. However, the Ping i25 hybrid is not like that and is a terrific club. It flies just like a 3 iron with a penetrating flight and has a small head so frames the ball beautifully at address. Worth a look.

This......

I have a 19 degree with a low penetrating flight (Titliest 913h with RIP Phenom shaft) that I can hit about 220 off the deck but 240 off the tee
and I have a 24 degree in the same but with the stock Dianama shaft that goes quit high which I hit about 180 all carry and the ball sits down lovely and soft so is great for going into the green

 

[Matty6]

I haven't been playing long either, and I was also told to avoid to avoid 2-4 irons. I bought a hybrid with a similar loft to a 4 iron. At first I hit the hybrid really well and it was my go to club for a lot of shots. Just before Christmas I tried out a playing partners Ping 4 iron. If felt so comfortable and seemed a good fit for me. Went out and bought one and love it! It's now probably my favourite club in the bag. My 4 iron flies roughly the same distance as my hybrid, but I've now got options regarding ball flight over the same distance.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I absolutely 100% prefer long irons, they are great fun to hit and when you get it right there are few sweeter things.

I carry one and want more hybrids though as they are going to help me lower my scores, unlike long irons.

I choose better scores over aesthetics any day.

 

[Karl102]

I hit my 3 iron ok. I just have a ping g20 ugly hybrid that I just find great to hit. It has been the only club that has never been out of the bag in 4 years..... I would love to leave it out cos it looks like Gail tyldsley on steroids.... Just can't bring myself to do it...

 

[Lump]

Ping Crossover....massive cheat sticks
I dislike hybrids massively. Just no control over flight or shape, but having recently put a crossover into play I can do all I need with it. Hits exactly like my 3 iron but goes so much easier.
Thinking about dropping the 5 wood and sliding in a 3 crossover as these things are bloody long! (Circa 230yrds with the 4 crossover)

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Golf is a funny game, I just don't get along with any iron above a 7 iron. When I swing a 6 iron or above, my swing speed is no faster than a 7 iron and my strike becomes terrible and suffer from fats and thins, don't know why but just is! Even tried again recently.

I ended up going to 9 wood, 7wood, which I love and would not be without, they are great (probably not that good for a links based player tho).

Use what works for you and you are comfortable with

 

[Smiffy]

Try as I might, I just cannot get on with hybrids. I had purchased some Ping hybrids years ago, persevered with them for a couple of years but ended up selling them.
When I bought my TaylorMade irons, I went 5-SW rather than 4-PW.
I then purchased an Adams 4 Hybrid to cover the perceived gap in my bag.
I used it for 4 or 5 rounds but just could not hit it. My attempts either resulting in a thinned or fatted shot.
I removed it from the bag, and purchased the matching 4 iron for my RS1's.
I love it. I can hit it from the tee on longer par 3's or when I want to "play safe" and can also flush it from the fairway if need be.
I won't be buying any more hybrids.

 

[chrisd]

I was at the range the other day when one of our members pitched up, a 6 handicapper. He was looking for a fairway wood, may be a 5 wood, I offered him my 19* Callaway X2Hot hybrid to try - I know it's not a direct alternative but just suggested a hybrid, he pushed me to sell it to him which I wouldn't and immediately went online to Golfbidder to try and find one - that's how easy they are to hit!

 

[Capella]

One of the few real advantages a lady golfer has is that she can hit hybrids, 7 or even 9 woods and a chipper, all with nice soft graphite shafts, without taking flak for it. Seriously, guys, hit whatever club suits you best and stop making a masculinity contest out of it. Your balls won't shrink if you hit a hybrid, I promise you