When I used to play, it was 1W, 3W, 2i, 3i, ....PW, SW.

[Used2PlayALot]

When I used to play, it was 1W, 3W, 2i, 3i, ....PW, SW.

What is the new normal ?  Should I ditch the 2,3,4 irons?

Can someone explain modern rescue woods?

Edited June 19, 2020 by Used2PlayALot

[Shindig]

Keep the longest iron you can hit well.  Some tour players carry a 2-iron.  Some start their irons at 5.  I'm unaware of any offhand who start at 6, but I haven't followed bag contents closely for a while.  It wouldn't surprise me to see a tour pro show up with a 5-hybrid some week.

Back in the day, you might get laughed at for a 5-Wood -- and they laughed at Ray Floyd for carrying one for a few days, but putting on that green jacket where the 5W was instrumental in at least one shot shut them up quick.   Nowadays, we recognize the number on the scorecard matters a lot more.  A hybrid (rescue wood, utility metal) is a nice way to get the best of both worlds of a long iron and fairway wood.  A 3-hybrid, ideally, replaces your 3-iron (as a general statement;  not every 3-iron and every 3-hybrid are interchangeable).   You can think of the 3H as comparable to a 7-wood if you want.  It isn't a perfect comparison, but it's there. 

Should you ditch the 2-3-4-irons?  I don't know, how well do you hit them?  A friend of mine hits his 2-iron well enough to satisfy him and still carries it.  I saw him hit a green with it a few days ago.  Then again the newest club in his bag is ten years old.  Another friend of mine carries hybrids for 3-4-5.  I use a 3 and 4 hybrid but I like my 5-iron well enough.  

The new normal is that lofts changed a bit for reasons we can get into if you want, and there's another wedge between the PW and SW.  That's the gap (or utility, or approach) wedge.  

Pick the combination of clubs that best suits you.  

[Used2PlayALot]

PW = 100

6i = 150

3i = 180 

3W = 180-190?

Driver  = 200

What distances can I expect from a 3,4,and 5 hybrid?

I am not sure if I am replacing my 3W or just my 2/3/4 irons.

Is a 3-hybrid a replacement for a 3W ?

[Vinsk]

22 minutes ago, Used2PlayALot said:

PW = 100

6i = 150

3i = 180 

3W = 180-190?

Driver  = 200

What distances can I expect from a 3,4,and 5 hybrid?

I am not sure if I am replacing my 3W or just my 2/3/4 irons.

Is a 3-hybrid a replacement for a 3W ?

3H technically replaces a 3i. However many people hit a hybrid better than the corresponding iron so you have to experiment to get your yardages. For example your 3i is 180yds. But you may find you hit a 3H (18* for example) 190-200yds. Driver-3W-3H-4i is a pretty common set up. But you need to see what your gaps are among your longest clubs. 

[Shindig]

32 minutes ago, Used2PlayALot said:

What distances can I expect from a 3,4,and 5 hybrid?

I am not sure if I am replacing my 3W or just my 2/3/4 irons.

Is a 3-hybrid a replacement for a 3W ?

For the third question:

10 hours ago, Shindig said:

A 3-hybrid, ideally, replaces your 3-iron (as a general statement;  not every 3-iron and every 3-hybrid are interchangeable).   You can think of the 3H as comparable to a 7-wood if you want.  It isn't a perfect comparison, but it's there. 

As to the first few:  not all 3H will hit the same distance;  shafts and lofts play a big role.  Hit a few on a launch monitor, see if you like the feeling.  Given your distances, I'd estimate that you want a regular flex shaft, not sure flex point.  You can probably find one that you'll hit about 175-180 -- it might replace your 3W.  Also, given your swing speed, it's possible that 3W is a poor choice of club:  you might find you hit a 4W further because of the loft differences[1].  

Similarly, your 4H might get you 165-170. 

Remember, you don't need a bunch of consecutive numbers on your clubs.  You need to have various distances covered.  If that means the top of your set makeup ends up as Driver, 3H, 4H, 6-iron... then so it is.  Remember, 14 is a maximum, not a requirement -- you can always play 12 clubs and figure out what the other ones will be later. 

 

[1]  A lot of low swing speeds hit their 3W too low to make good use of it;  I denied it for a while until I checked in a launch monitor during a fitting.  I went to get fit for a 3W and a 5W from Titleist;  during the fitting, they discovered I'd hit a 4W further than the 3W, and I wouldn't get much out of the 5W.  They basically talked themselves out of a club sale (I did buy the 4W and I love it) and improved my set makeup in the process.  Strong respect for Titleist and their rep for doing that.  My swing speed has improved since then, but I'm happy with my set makeup. 

[pganapathy]

12 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

When I used to play, it was 1W, 3W, 2i, 3i, ....PW, SW.

What is the new normal ?  Should I ditch the 2,3,4 irons?

Can someone explain modern rescue woods?

Ditching the longer irons is more a function of clubhead speed.  The slower your swing, the harder it is to get them airborne.

A hybrid is a combination of a wood and a long iron.  A hybrid will tend to be a wood shaped head with an iron length or slightly longer shaft.  It will tend to be longer than the corresponding iron it is replacing thanks to being able to launch the ball better.

I would suggest you get fit for your clubs.  But overall recommendation would be a 1 W(driver), 3/4/5 W(depending on how you hit it), and then 3 and 4 hybrid and irons from 5 onwards till PW.  Wedges will probably be gap, sand and lob.

Good luck with getting back into the game

[Used2PlayALot]

My swing speed is about 90 mph.  Regular flex shaft.

When I played a lot more, I could hit my 3i straight, but it never lofted the same as my single digit handicap friends.

So, loft has always been an issue, but part of that was also incorrectly using stiff shaft clubs.

If the standard setup used to be, 1W, 3W, 3i, 4i, 5i.... What is today's standard setup?  

I would like to start with one used rescue club.  

I will hit the driving range and try to get some updated distances, and see where my yardage gap is.   I like the idea of a hybrid with a shorter shaft.   Often, at 200 yards, the lie is uneven, and the 3W is just not the right club.  I need a level lie to hit it clean for 200 yards.

Edited June 19, 2020 by Used2PlayALot

[dennyjones]

My setup will probably be different but:

1W, 4W, 4H, 5H, 6-PW, AW,SW, LW

[ajwk1967]

It is about speed and loft my current 5 iron is 24 degrees my four iron 21. I can hit my 5 iron reasonably well but I have to be on it to hit my 4 iron it is a part time club for me always summer only and windy conditions usually, my 20 degree hybrid is always in the bag. I swing around 100mlph with my driver so a 21 degree 4 iron is on the limit for getting it properly airborne.

[Shindig]

7 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

If the standard setup used to be, 1W, 3W, 3i, 4i, 5i.... What is today's standard setup?  

There isn't a standard setup for just about anyone.  

[Double Mocha Man]

36 minutes ago, Shindig said:

There isn't a standard setup for just about anyone.  

Why does your Mom think Jim Furyk's phone is never charged?  Where'd that come from??

[Double Mocha Man]

21 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

When I used to play, it was 1W, 3W, 2i, 3i, ....PW, SW.

What is the new normal ?  Should I ditch the 2,3,4 irons?

Can someone explain modern rescue woods?

Times have changed.  Now it's a hybrid or two, maybe an extra wedge and irons starting at 5 or 6.  Unless your first name is Bryson...

[Used2PlayALot]

What is the most common hybrid club to start with if I am to replace my 3W or 3i ?

[bwdial]

43 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Times have changed.  Now it's a hybrid or two, maybe an extra wedge and irons starting at 5 or 6.  Unless your first name is Bryson...

I thought I saw that even Bryson carries a 4 hybrid.

There really is no standard set-up.  Mine is Driver, 3 wood (though I'm considering a 4 wood), 3 and 4 hybrid, 5 iron through 50° gap wedge in the set (Titleist AP-1), 54° and 58° wedges.  A lot of sets start at 4 iron (mine does, but I carry a 4 hybrid instead) and go through gap wedge, and others begin at 5 iron and go through a pair of wedges beyond the pitching wedge in the set.  You'll also find that there are a different set of lofts for every manufacturer, and even within lines of single manufacturers. 

Basically, the world of golf has been turned upside down.  Enjoy!

[Shindig]

1 hour ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Why does your Mom think Jim Furyk's phone is never charged?  Where'd that come from??

A little off topic for this thread, but the quote in my signature happened shortly after this: 

Cell phone alarm clock leads to disqualification of Jim Furyk

---

 

 

[Hncjc]

10 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

My swing speed is about 90 mph.  Regular flex shaft.

When I played a lot more, I could hit my 3i straight, but it never lofted the same as my single digit handicap friends.

So, loft has always been an issue, but part of that was also incorrectly using stiff shaft clubs.

If the standard setup used to be, 1W, 3W, 3i, 4i, 5i.... What is today's standard setup?  

I would like to start with one used rescue club.  

I will hit the driving range and try to get some updated distances, and see where my yardage gap is.   I like the idea of a hybrid with a shorter shaft.   Often, at 200 yards, the lie is uneven, and the 3W is just not the right club.  I need a level lie to hit it clean for 200 yards.

My distances are not that far off of yours. I hit a 6 iron 155, but I hit my driver longer - about 220-230.  I play a driver, 5 wood, 21 degree hybrid, 25 degree hybrid, 6-gap wedge, a couple more wedges and a putter.  I have a 3 wood, but it stays in my basement because I am much more consistent with my 5 wood. 
 

play what you can hit well, not what is “standard.”

Edited June 20, 2020 by Hncjc

[boogielicious]

10 hours ago, Used2PlayALot said:

What is the most common hybrid club to start with if I am to replace my 3W or 3i ?

Replace the 3 iron with a hybrid. It can be a very versatile club. It is good off varying lies and you can use it to punch out of trouble with low trajectory. I also use it for a 150-160 yard club with a 3/4 swing. Try 19 to 21 degrees versions from different manufacturers and see what works best for you.

[Used2PlayALot]

Perfect.  I will shop for a used 19/21/25 loft hybrid to get me in that 180-200 range

Edited June 20, 2020 by Used2PlayALot