How to hit hybrids and/or long irons

[srjorion]

I just bought an entire set of new clubs and added 2 and 3 hybrids to the mix. I had never hit hybrids before I started the search for new clubs, but I have always had trouble with the 3 iron. I demoed a hybrid and really liked it and they were also recommended by my pro.

I went to the range the past couple of days and I'm still trying to figure these things out. I have been told to hit them with a sweeping blow, no divot. I've also been told to hit them like a long iron, hitting down on the ball. Maybe since I have always had trouble with the longer irons I have been hitting them incorrectly to begin with and doing the same with the hybrids will not help.

Any advice on how to hit these hybrids, or even long irons in general? If anyone out there had problems with hybrids initially I would love to hear what you did to hit them properly.

SRJ

[Leek]

Just like every other club. Swing them like they are a wedge

[despereaux]

Well, you shouldn't swing a teed up driver or 3-metal like a wedge, as you actually want somewhat of an ascending blow, or very close to the bottom of your pendulum I would think. Launch angle and all that stuff. That is why the ball is teed up off of your front foot.

However, whenever a ball is on terra firma (or teed very low) you should always hit the small ball (Earth being the big ball) first!

[bigwilly319]

I would try to move the ball location a little more towards your leading foot to help with launching the ball... thats what i do.

[Dent]

Exaclty like youve heard, a sweeping blow and a steeper swing is necesary, alot of people do it different ways but thats the basic method. Also maybe try standing a little further from the ball or choke up a little bit on the grip.

[lamebums]

I hit a long iron almost the exact same way I would hit a wedge. Ball slightly back in my stance, hit down on it with a pretty steep swing. As the club gets longer, your swing isn't quite as steep, but the same principle applies.

I think not being able to hit long irons is just a mental issue - the only thing that might make a long iron more difficult is lower loft requiring more clubhead speed to get the ball in the air.

As to a hybrid, hit it like a fairway wood. I think.

[bwinger79]

Hit your hybrids just as you would any other iron. Descending blow is key, unless you have the ball teed up and you are trying to hit it really high. Think 8 iron swing next time you are on the range with a hybrid in your hand.

As for hitting down with your driver and woods, it is necessary in some conditions. I take divots with my fairways all the time off the tee. Keeps the ball on a much lower trajectory which is key for me in windy conditions, although when there is no wind, tee it high and let it fly.

[Norm66]

I was having trouble hitting my 3hybrid so I asked my instructor about it last week. His advice was to put the ball up farther in my stance and hit down on it like an iron, not to sweep it like a fairway wood. I'd been closing the face down by putting it too far back and having all kinds of trouble with topping shots with that club. To help hit down on the ball he told me to focus on the front of the ball rather than the back or top since that's where you really want the club to contact the ground. Hope that helps.

[jnickrand]

This is just my opinion, but the longer the club the less hitting down on it you need to do. For example, with a wedge I have the ball back of center in my stance and hit down on it pretty steeply. With a 3iron or hybrid club the ball is inside of my left heel and the angle of attack is much shallower, but still a slightly descending blow. Drivers off the tee should be slightly ascending blows.

[doublesuited77]

also, don't be afraid to take a divot.

[shortgame85]

I absolutely love my 3 hybrids. I generally hit them better and more consistently than any other club in my bag. However, when I bought my first hybrid, I tended to hook it. I couldn't seem to gain control of the direction or flight of the ball. After some trial and error, I learned that my swing should be somewhere in between one I used with an iron and one I used with a fairway wood; that is, I now use more of a descending blow than with a fairway wood, but not as steep as with an iron. I place the ball for the 26 degree ( 5 iron replacement ) club in the middle of my stance, the ball for the 23 degree a little more forward and the ball for the 16 degree more forward still, but not as far forward as I would place it were I hitting a 3 wood. I have also started chipping with my hybrids, rather than with my irons. These clubs are so very versatile. I hope these suggestions help. Good luck.

[shortgame85]

also, don't be afraid to take a divot.

I also agree that you will sometimes take a small divot.

[CG031]

I also agree that you will sometimes take a small divot.

I agree. Everyone talks about sweeping them, but even Tiger takes a hefty diviot and I've heard a couple announcers on T.V. say it's good to take a small diviot with a fairway wood, so ever since I've been doing that my play with a 3/4/5 irons have improved greatly, as well as my Ping G5 hybrid and Bobby Jones 3 wood.

[mgolfer]

I hit my hybrid with a flat swing and this helps me sweep the ball off of the ground. I rarely make a divot...i'm not a player that hits into the ground much, i brush the grass with my clubs.

[joey1234]

i was wondering the same thing when i bought my hybrid - some said hit it like a wood - others said hit it like an iron - so after experimenting - i found for my 19° I get the best rseults when i put the ball in the center of my stance smack down on it like an iron. When I was sweeping it like a fairway wood, i would hook it consistently - know hitting it like an iron makes it fly straight and far..

I love my hybrid, its my favorite club in the bag took a while to get used to but once you get used to yours - im sure you ar egoing tgo love it...