Hybrid Swing: Like an Iron or Like a Wood

[hendog]

I have only recently started using Hybrids and I have been surprised how difficult they were to hit. I've tried two different approaches. First is to set up and swing like a long iron. Second is to set up and swing like a fairway wood. I have found that the Fairway wood approach produces a much more consistent ball flight.

There are many articles I have seen saying to swing like an iron but that is just not what I am finding.

BTW my Hybrids are 4 and 5 R11 Rescues.

[David in FL]

Just like a long iron.

[Fourputt]

I had TW rescue first and now Bridgestone, and played both like an iron.  To be honest, I tend to hit down a bit with my FW woods too, so there isn't a lot of difference between them.  I don't take a big divot with any of the long clubs, and just an average one with my short irons.

[cooke119]

I've read and heard that you should hit them like an iron but I too have found that if I hit them more like a FW I have more success. I don't take much of a divot with any of my clubs so maybe that has something to do with it.

[tmf9]

For me personally I HAVE to swing it like a wood, If i swing it like an iron I duck hook the hell out of it, no idea why, might just have something to do with the way my particular hybrid is made

[MS256]

I have enough different swings accidentally as it is. The last thing I would want is to double them by having different swings for irons and woods.

I don't carry any hybrids but if I did I'm pretty sure I would swing them just like all of my other clubs.

[Ernest Jones]

I swing it like an iron, but not like a short iron, like a long iron. I think the distinction is important and may be the cause of some peoples hybrid woes.

[boogielicious]

I swing it like an iron.  I get better results that way.

[Mr. Desmond]

I don't think about it.

[Shortylook]

I try to hit mine like a iron, but it won't always come off, but with my handicap, I'm not too sure I should be dishing out advice, but listening to it

[RetroJFrancisco]

slightly with an out to in swing path (likewise with fw woods off the deck) find the flight much easier to control and alot easier to hoist the ball up high.

[GaijinGolfer]

Irons.  Your setup and swing should be just like what you would use with a 7-iron.  A lot of people seem to think that they should sweep the ball with a hybrid and thats when they get themselves into trouble.

[Golfingdad]

I didn't answer the poll because I really have no clue.  I have gotten to the point where I'm thinking about replacing my hybrid with a 5 wood because I have no confidence in it.  I don't think I've even attempted to use it in at least 3 rounds.

The rare occasions when I do hit it well though, it's a lot more like an iron swing (descending blow, little divot) instead of a sweeping hit like a wood.

[RRLavigne]

I'm new to the game, been playing less than a year, but my bag of entry level clubs has two hybrids. (3 and 4) I don't have an answer to the question but I will say I am fairly decent with my irons, fairly consistant and controlled. But i have NO control over my hybirds or my driver (I slice every time, outside in and open according to my Optishot) so I assume I'm hitting my hybrids the way i hit my driver ... very poorly. I intend to sign up for some lessons within the next month.

[TourSpoon]

I hit it like a 5 iron, it just goes further.

Make sure not to put the ball too far forward as you still want a descending blow especially from a poor lie. Experiment with ball position and you will soon see how you can play a lot of cool shots with it that would be extremely hard to hit with a long iron.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by RRLavigne

I'm new to the game, been playing less than a year, but my bag of entry level clubs has two hybrids. (3 and 4) I don't have an answer to the question but I will say I am fairly decent with my irons, fairly consistant and controlled. But i have NO control over my hybirds or my driver (I slice every time, outside in and open according to my Optishot) so I assume I'm hitting my hybrids the way i hit my driver ... very poorly. I intend to sign up for some lessons within the next month.

Change your ball position and path. Hands slightly ahead of club head at address.

See if it helps.

[cipher]

I just have a 2h.  I find it easiest to sweep it just like a 5W.

[Tom Allison]

3 Hdcp. I hit my irons with my sternum just ahead of the ball, I hit my driver/3 wood with sternum right behind ball. I seldom hit good hybrids with an iron swing. I have hit good hybrids with a wood swing, but I find the most success with my sternum right on the ball.