Opinions on lofted Hybrids? How lofted is too lofted.

[onthehunt526]

Hello Universe,

This isn't a Shane needs a lofted hybrid question... It's more of a gather some opinions on lofted Hybrids.

First a story about this, I was playing with a friend of mine a couple months ago. We were messing around on the range and he was hitting this hybrid... And it was only going about 160 yards. I asked if he was struggling with distance, and he replied "No" this thing is my magic club, I looked in his bag, and he had FIVE HYBRIDS! everything from a 3-hybrid down to a 7-hybrid. 

Most of you know I'm not super old (I'll be 29 in February), my friend is a couple years older than I, of course I asked the question of why he would need that many Hybrids. He went on to tell me how much better he hits them than irons, and though he hits the 6 and 7-iron well he's more consistent with the Hybrids... I hit his 7-hybrid on the range (31°) and it is a magic club. The one knock I would have had to have is, they seemed long (he had his custom made to be only a smidge longer than than the numbered iron).

So here's a few questions for the universe:

1] Anyone actually playing a high lofted hybrid or two (28° or higher)

2) Is there a limit on this? I mean I've seen Tour Edge have entire sets be iron-woods, and some whole sets be Hybrids on eBay.

3) if you have issues with them, What are they?

I will answer later after the universe responds... It's a good topic, one we really haven't touched upon yet.

[boogielicious]

5 hours ago, onthehunt526 said:

Hello Universe,

This isn't a Shane needs a lofted hybrid question... It's more of a gather some opinions on lofted Hybrids.

First a story about this, I was playing with a friend of mine a couple months ago. We were messing around on the range and he was hitting this hybrid... And it was only going about 160 yards. I asked if he was struggling with distance, and he replied "No" this thing is my magic club, I looked in his bag, and he had FIVE HYBRIDS! everything from a 3-hybrid down to a 7-hybrid. 

Most of you know I'm not super old (I'll be 29 in February), my friend is a couple years older than I, of course I asked the question of why he would need that many Hybrids. He went on to tell me how much better he hits them than irons, and though he hits the 6 and 7-iron well he's more consistent with the Hybrids... I hit his 7-hybrid on the range (31°) and it is a magic club. The one knock I would have had to have is, they seemed long (he had his custom made to be only a smidge longer than than the numbered iron).

So here's a few questions for the universe:

1] Anyone actually playing a high lofted hybrid or two (28° or higher)

2) Is there a limit on this? I mean I've seen Tour Edge have entire sets be iron-woods, and some whole sets be Hybrids on eBay.

3) if you have issues with them, What are they?

I will answer later after the universe responds... It's a good topic, one we really haven't touched upon yet.

I always have the 3H in the bag. For the 4, I've used either a hybrid or hybrid iron like the Mizuno Fli Hi. I can hit a 4 iron, but get more height with the 4H, which helps me stick shots on the green. 

I picked up a 5H (Titleist 915) used to see what it would feel like. There is a hole on my league course that it a smidge too long for my 5 iron and the 4H will hit the green, but go off the back. The 5H was the right distance. 

That being said, it wasn't perfect. From the fairway, I was getting better results with my 5 iron, so I switched back. 

[pganapathy]

The basic problem with a hybrid as opposed to a blade type iron is workability.  That being said, you could probably play hybrids till about a 9 iron provided your goal is to play well and smart and not have a need to work the ball like the pro's do.  The wedges obviously cannot be hybrids

[dkolo]

8 hours ago, onthehunt526 said:

Hello Universe,

This isn't a Shane needs a lofted hybrid question... It's more of a gather some opinions on lofted Hybrids.

First a story about this, I was playing with a friend of mine a couple months ago. We were messing around on the range and he was hitting this hybrid... And it was only going about 160 yards. I asked if he was struggling with distance, and he replied "No" this thing is my magic club, I looked in his bag, and he had FIVE HYBRIDS! everything from a 3-hybrid down to a 7-hybrid. 

Most of you know I'm not super old (I'll be 29 in February), my friend is a couple years older than I, of course I asked the question of why he would need that many Hybrids. He went on to tell me how much better he hits them than irons, and though he hits the 6 and 7-iron well he's more consistent with the Hybrids... I hit his 7-hybrid on the range (31°) and it is a magic club. The one knock I would have had to have is, they seemed long (he had his custom made to be only a smidge longer than than the numbered iron).

So here's a few questions for the universe:

1] Anyone actually playing a high lofted hybrid or two (28° or higher)

2) Is there a limit on this? I mean I've seen Tour Edge have entire sets be iron-woods, and some whole sets be Hybrids on eBay.

3) if you have issues with them, What are they?

I will answer later after the universe responds... It's a good topic, one we really haven't touched upon yet.

I hit my 5 iron about 185-190, but it's stressful and is probably the hardest club in my bag to hit. I swing plenty hard and should have no issues with being able to hit a 5i on paper, but if you gave me a free 5H, it's going in my bag and I'm swallowing my pride. Hybrids are so much easier to hit and elevate. Do they go too high sometimes? Totally. Worthwhile trade off? Yah. 

[chspeed]

I can hit my 5 iron 175-180, but that's only when I get it high in the air. On average I hit it about 165-170, not much more than my 6 iron. I like having it my bag though for all those punch shots out of the trees, which unfortunately, happen at least 4 or 5 times a round.

When I want to hit 175-180 to the green, I choke up on my 4-hybrid  an inch so, which means I don't have to worry about it going too high if there's a lot of wind.

 

[Mr. Desmond]

 I am playing a 28 H and have played a 30 H previously. The 28 is my most dependable fun club in the bag - in the summer, it is 160-172, depending on where I grip it. High, drop, stop except on baked greens, where you might see 4-5 yards or so of roll. I find the higher lofted hybrids have a lighter, livelier feel. Once you get to 22 and below, I have found difference in feel/sound - a heavier feel and not as pleasing.

I carry a 3 and 5 wood, sometimes a 7 wood, maybe a 9 wood (new).  When I do not carry the 7 and 9 wds, I go 22, 25, 28 in hybrids although I think going with 22 and 28 may be sufficient.

Do not fear the 28. When you find the right one, it's accurate and dependable - just watch the shaft length. I usually go shorter than standard length for more control and closer to iron length.

I am using the Recoil 460 in the current set - but may eventually tinker with the shaft in the 22 - more play is required.

Edited December 9, 2015 by Mr. Desmond

[Gator Hazard]

10 minutes ago, chspeed said:

I can hit my 5 iron 175-180, but that's only when I get it high in the air. On average I hit it about 165-170, not much more than my 6 iron. I like having it my bag though for all those punch shots out of the trees, which unfortunately, happen at least 4 or 5 times a round.

When I want to hit 175-180 to the green, I choke up on my 4-hybrid  an inch so, which means I don't have to worry about it going too high if there's a lot of wind.

 

I have two hybrids, both Adams.  One is the 19 degree 3H that has more of a fairway wood head, great from the fairway or if ball is sitting up in the tall stuff.  I also have an Adams Speedline 5H which came with my set that has more of the classic hybrid head shape (little smaller and more abbreviated like half of a fairway wood head).  I absolutely love that club, it is my club to swing when all else is failing on higher end of the bag.  It does good in all situations and especially like you said, for those punch shots, I have gotten very good at using it in that fashion.  I usually hit it about 160 yards but have on occassion really gotten hold of it.  One shot at Tarpon Springs I swear I hit it almost 200 yards when it was sitting up nicely in the rough.

[Lihu]

11 hours ago, onthehunt526 said:

Hello Universe,

This isn't a Shane needs a lofted hybrid question... It's more of a gather some opinions on lofted Hybrids.

First a story about this, I was playing with a friend of mine a couple months ago. We were messing around on the range and he was hitting this hybrid... And it was only going about 160 yards. I asked if he was struggling with distance, and he replied "No" this thing is my magic club, I looked in his bag, and he had FIVE HYBRIDS! everything from a 3-hybrid down to a 7-hybrid. 

Most of you know I'm not super old (I'll be 29 in February), my friend is a couple years older than I, of course I asked the question of why he would need that many Hybrids. He went on to tell me how much better he hits them than irons, and though he hits the 6 and 7-iron well he's more consistent with the Hybrids... I hit his 7-hybrid on the range (31°) and it is a magic club. The one knock I would have had to have is, they seemed long (he had his custom made to be only a smidge longer than than the numbered iron).

So here's a few questions for the universe:

1] Anyone actually playing a high lofted hybrid or two (28° or higher)

2) Is there a limit on this? I mean I've seen Tour Edge have entire sets be iron-woods, and some whole sets be Hybrids on eBay.

3) if you have issues with them, What are they?

I will answer later after the universe responds... It's a good topic, one we really haven't touched upon yet.

Not even what I consider "old", actually even 40 is considered very young in my world!

In answer to your question, 5 hybrids sounds a little bit much for a 31-ish year old. Most of the people I know who carry that many hybrids are old enough that we would need to combine our ages together and still potentially be younger!

No issues, as I've seen younger people than me carrying that many hybrids when they are starting out, or if they're my age and still want that same distance they had when they were 29 years old again. . .

[jsgolfer]

12 hours ago, onthehunt526 said:

Hello Universe,

This isn't a Shane needs a lofted hybrid question... It's more of a gather some opinions on lofted Hybrids.

First a story about this, I was playing with a friend of mine a couple months ago. We were messing around on the range and he was hitting this hybrid... And it was only going about 160 yards. I asked if he was struggling with distance, and he replied "No" this thing is my magic club, I looked in his bag, and he had FIVE HYBRIDS! everything from a 3-hybrid down to a 7-hybrid. 

Most of you know I'm not super old (I'll be 29 in February), my friend is a couple years older than I, of course I asked the question of why he would need that many Hybrids. He went on to tell me how much better he hits them than irons, and though he hits the 6 and 7-iron well he's more consistent with the Hybrids... I hit his 7-hybrid on the range (31°) and it is a magic club. The one knock I would have had to have is, they seemed long (he had his custom made to be only a smidge longer than than the numbered iron).

So here's a few questions for the universe:

1] Anyone actually playing a high lofted hybrid or two (28° or higher)

2) Is there a limit on this? I mean I've seen Tour Edge have entire sets be iron-woods, and some whole sets be Hybrids on eBay.

3) if you have issues with them, What are they?

I will answer later after the universe responds... It's a good topic, one we really haven't touched upon yet.

I'm probably one of the lower handicappers (5.0) you will see using high lofted hybrids.  I have 5 hybrids (Callaway X2-Hot through the 6 and a Callaway Big Bertha for the 7)); 2 (16 degree), 4 (23 degree), 5 (25 degree), 6 (28 degree), & 7 (32 degree) hybrids.  I'd have an 8 hybrid if they made one that I liked (They don't), however I read somewhere that the benefit past the seven is supposedly not that much.  I just hit them more consistent then irons.  I think many players believe they need to shape their shots more than they really do.  I hit the hybrids higher than my irons and thus don't have to worry that much about fading them or drawing them (which I can do just like my irons) but the added height gets them to stop on a dime.  And the object is to get the ball on the green, you'd like to be as close as possible, but GIR's are King and nGIR's are Queen. So I love them, the only issue I have is that the lofts between the clubs is not consistent, as you can see with my set.   I may get rid of the 4 and go with a three just to get more separation.  

[Mr. Desmond]

And FWIW, Bobby Jones (Jesse Ortiz Design) has a 35H - and they ran out of them when his new clubs were intro'd in 2014. I wanted to try one. I can hit a 5 and 6i but the Hybrid has more consistency. 

What's interesting is what will happen now that I am getting my arms unstuck, and picking up more speed and consistency. Think I will stick with the 28, and my 6i is 30, so it may hit the gap to go 6-PW and eliminate a lower hybrid. Interesting game.

[onthehunt526]

I said I would respond after the universe did, So here it goes.

I do not play a lofted hybrid the most lofted hybrid I own is 23°, I do not believe that there is a limit to how far you can go, except maybe to stay out of the wedges.

My issue is for me, they are too long for the Club they are trying to replace. My friend was smart and had his trimmed down to ¾” longer than a standard 7-iron, because he plays ¾” longer than standard clubs. That being said the standard length of the 7-hybrid (Wilson D100) is the same length as the D100 4-iron. So if he didn't have his Hybrids/irons custom fit, he'd have a 2" length difference between his 7h and 8i... That's my issue.

But what ever gets the ball in the hole.

[vangator]

I picked up a Lovett Gap Wedge at the local thrift store for $3.  I don't play it.  I just couldn't pass it up.

Looks to be about 60* or so.

http://www.golftheunitedstates.com/images/stories/full/ea151a58c611db30b50990b1f1464ef2.jpg

Edited December 11, 2015 by vangator

[dkolo]

1 minute ago, vangator said:

I picked up a Lovett Gap Wedge at the local thrift store for $3.  I don't play it.  I just couldn't pass it up.

Looks to be about 60* or so.

http://www.golftheunitedstates.com/images/stories/full/ea151a58c611db30b50990b1f1464ef2.jpg

I've specifically gone to thrift stores to look for golf clubs after all you guys talk about finding deals there. Never found so much as a headcover in any of these stores, much less clubs. You guys have better thrift stores haha

[MPM1960]

The past few years I've played Cleveland Hibores (hybrid iron set) and Adams A12OS (3H thru 7H), and really enjoyed the idea of playing hybrids in the mid-iron lengths ... today, I have Cobra Baffler XL hybrids (4H thru 7H) in my set, and feel these best perform for me and my game.  BTW, I'm a 55-year old lefty who needs all the help I can get equipment-wise ...

Mike   

[9wood]

On 12/9/2015 at 1:03 AM, onthehunt526 said:

Hello Universe,

Most of you know I'm not super old (I'll be 29 in February),

Now that's funny to this 67 year old duffer

[vangator]

On ‎12‎/‎11‎/‎2015 at 2:12 PM, dkolo said:

I've specifically gone to thrift stores to look for golf clubs after all you guys talk about finding deals there. Never found so much as a headcover in any of these stores, much less clubs. You guys have better thrift stores haha

This Christmas break I'll be making the rounds to the local shops.  My wife knows where they all are.

[arturo28mx]

I love my 31 degree hybrid. Carries like a 5 iron but much easier to hit. I use it 4 or 5 times per round.