Long Irons vs Hybrids ...

Sorry, this may be my most noobish question yet, but I've always wondered this ... for example, is a 4 hybrid intended to be interchangeable for a 4 iron in terms of performance, or would you expect to get alot more length out of a 4H vs a 4I  ?      Just seems with all that head weight behind it, a hybrid of the same number would have to hit longer than a comparable iron, although I could certainly be wrong on that.     Unfortunately, I don't hit either with enough consistency to really get a feel for the distances each is capable of.     Thanks !

For me atleast the hybrids are waaay longer than the iron.For my 3 hyrid im at about 230-235 and my 3 iron is about 210-215 and no im not boasting for those of you that are gonna come along and try to rip me ,im just stating my thoughts.

Thanks for the info - kind of what I suspected.    Hey, I see your handle - do you own a Bass Cat ?      I ran a Skeeter for many years back in the day - most fun you can have going 70 mph without brakes.

For me definitely. I had originally replaced my 3 iron with a 3 hiybrid but the distance gap was too great between my 4 iron and the new 3 hybrid. So, now a I carry both a 4 iron and a 4 hybrid to fill the gap. I hit the 4 hybrid about 10 yards longer the the iron.

You need to find out if the new club is a traditional hybrid, or an iron replacement hybrid.

It varies from model to model. Mizuno offers the MP FliHi iron hybrids, which are basically iron replacement clubs. The FH3 has the same shaft length and loft as most of the traditional 3 irons in other Mizuno sets; and the head looks like a deep-soled iron.

The MX100 has 4 and 5 hybrid irons which look more like a wood head, but have the same loft and shaft length as traditional Mz 4 and 5 irons.

Then we get into traditional (I guess we can say this) hybrids. These clubs generally have shafts longer than an iron and shorter than a fairway wood; hybrid heads generally are smaller than those on FWs.

To determine whether you're getting an iron replacement hybrid, or a traditional hybrid:

• Compare the shaft length of the Hybrid to the comparative iron
• Compare the loft of the Hybrid to the comparative iron

About 18 months ago, I played a 3-hybrid for several rounds. It had the same loft as my 3 iron, but the hybrid shaft was longer. Ended up replacing this H with a 5W. (got more distance, better direction)

Edit: also, what he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.

My experience is that a hybrid is longer on average than its corresponding iron. On pure hits, or even just fairly solid contact, the distances should be comparable. This is assuming you're comparing irons and hybrids that are meant to work together. There's no implication that a Callaway or PING 3-hybrid is meant to replace a Titleist CB 3-iron and vise versa.

In general, people switch to hybrids due to fewer mishits, which makes it appear that the hybrid is always longer. Personally, when I make solid contact with a 2-iron, it's about as long as my 2-hybrid (19.5 degree WS Fybrid which is a 5-wood/2-hybrid/2-iron replacement). When I hit each club pure they're pretty close too, but my percentage of pure(ish) shots is lower with the iron so it stays home now.

Thanks for the clarification - I was talking about traditional hybrids, not the newest generation iron replacement hybrids.      Funny, how you replaced the 3H with a 5W ... I'm exactly the opposite - have a nice 5W, but can't hit it as reliably off the deck which always leads me back to the hybrids for longer shots (I have trouble with the longer shaft of the 5W which is more likely a mental thing & I just need to put in the practice time to work it out)...

The biggest problem people have with hybrids is that they try to hit them like woods. You have to swing it like an iron.

Same situation for me.  I carry both a 4 hybrid and a 4 iron and his the hybrid about 10 yards farther than the 4 iron.

As sean_miller pointed out, average distance with a hybrid will probably be slightly longer than a long iron.  And that's with a hybrid and long iron with equivalent shaft lengths-which is very uncommon.  The vast majority of hybrids have longer shafts than the equivalent long iron-I had my Callaway Heavenwood 3H shaft cut down an inch to accommodate an xstiff steel shaft, and it's still 1/4 inch longer than most 3 irons.  Add in the fact that the 2H, 3H, or 4H is often 1* or 2* stronger than than the equivalent iron (not always).

For the average golfer, the hybrid is probably (but not always) longer than the long iron it replaces.  Mine are about the same as the long irons used to be when I could hit them.  However, for most amateurs, the hybrids are much easier to hit than the long irons, and even more so when you are facing a less than perfect lie.  Hitting from medium rough, or from tight lies, it's easier to get the hybrid airborne, so the results are usually better.

Some players use them to replace fairway woods, but for me they are strictly a long iron replacement.  I'm perfectly happy with my 3W.  My hybrids are 22° and 25° and they replace my 3I and 4I respectively.

I don't agree in general ......

Some hybrids are built as iron replacement while others are built as fairway wood replacement, the nice thing of most hybrids is that you can use them in both ways, whith different results...... playing from the about middle of the stance and iron like swing for a higher more backspin shot or more forward for a longer less backspin lower ball.........

you let me know when you wanna play this spring/summer...we'll fix that 5W of yours ;)

Quote:

I eventually found some hybrids I liked last spring: Diablo Edge Tour, and Adams Pro Black; never did buy them, however. This fall, I ended up swapping out the 5W for a TaylorMade 19* Raylor. Golf experts are undecided if Raylor is a hybrid or a FW. Who cares, it works great.

"Hit it like an iron" still didn't save the brand X 3H, but it did work on the Edge and Adams. And the Raylor, for that matter. Good point to bring up!

absolutely !    Can't wait  ... just heard on the radio that Cherry Valley is advertising that they're opening up March 15th, weather permitting !  Hopefully, spring will come early ...  ttyl

just so you know, the club at morgan hill down in easton opens on the 1st of march :) that's where i'll be in two weekends ;)

WOW - I like it ... glad to hear there may be some golf opportunities up here soon !

A 4 iron isn't even a 4 iron in different sets. You have to hit any new club to find out how long it is. There are also different degrees of loft on different clubs. A 4 hybrid is not necessarily 23º. A 4 iron is for sure not always the same loft.