What am I doing wrong? Hybrids - vs drivers/woods

[metroplex]

I went to the driving range to try out my new Pinemeadow ZR-1 16* hybrid and compare it with the long irons and my driver/woods. I found that the 16* hybrid offered VERY good consistency (easy to aim) with 150-200 yd distances. As a sub-beginner, I could easily maintain 150 yd but I occasionally got the 200+ yd drive using the hybrid.

With the 3W, 5W, and driver, I wasn't getting such consistency and I wasn't able to get the same distances even using the driver. My guess is the driving range's rubber tee (attached to a dispensing machine) wasn't raising the ball enough for the driver.

Am I doing anything wrong? It seems like the hybrid is just so much easier to use that I could leave the driver and woods at home. I'd rather have consistency than an extra 30 yd of distance, but I'm still below the skill level of a beginner. Any recommendations?

[joshtpa]

Hybrids can be easier hence the reason that so many people have switched to them. Without seeing your swing, there is no way to see what this situation is. I recommend speaking with a PGA professional to have him check some things out.

[Snake]

It could be any number of things, but I'm sure the hybrid's shorter shaft increases your consistancy. Try choking up a little bit on the woods and see if that helps. And don't over swing. Good tempo is much more important than swinging hard.
Pinemeadow makes some pretty good stuff, don't they.

[titaniummd]

I went to the driving range to try out my new Pinemeadow ZR-1 16* hybrid and compare it with the long irons and my driver/woods. I found that the 16* hybrid offered VERY good consistency (easy to aim) with 150-200 yd distances. As a sub-beginner, I could easily maintain 150 yd but I occasionally got the 200+ yd drive using the hybrid.

If you can tee it up and get 180-200 yards consistent and straight (versus the woods), then use it for now. You WILL improve. I was using my 3 hybrid 19* off of the tee, in my slump, and it was going well over 200 yards. I have only added the woods in my game in the past couple of months (I still use the driver sparingly).

[pittpanther]

Am I doing anything wrong? It seems like the hybrid is just so much easier to use that I could leave the driver and woods at home. I'd rather have consistency than an extra 30 yd of distance, but I'm still below the skill level of a beginner. Any recommendations?

You're not doing anything wrong. The hybrid has a shorter shaft than the 3- and 5-woods, so you are going to be more consistent with it.

I always wondered, if I had a Driver head on a 9I shaft, what kind of distance would I get? I would be 80-90% consistent with my contact!

[GaijinGolfer]

Like the others said, the shorter shaft makes it easier to hit the hybrid consistently.
You could try gripping down on your driver, 3-wood and 5-wood and see if that helps.
I struggle with my woods too and recently I started gripping down on them and it seems to help.

[tjy355]

... the driving range's rubber tee (attached to a dispensing machine) ... Any recommendations? ...

Yech!

I recommend a real grass driving range!

[whip_it_out]

Hybrids can be easier hence the reason that so many people have switched to them. Without seeing your swing, there is no way to see what this situation is. I recommend speaking with a PGA professional to have him check some things out.

I think that the thread should be closed right there. What you said is Perfect.