New hybrids are ruining me...

[lollavid]

I am rather new here. I've been golfing casually for many years, but am recently trying to really develop a consistent game. I have a set of Ben Hogan Apex Forged irons with the #3 (regular flex) shafts and they work great. However my low irons were always inconsistent at best so I decided to get a couple hybrids to cover the 3 and 4 irons. I ended up getting:

Adams Idea Tech OS 3 hybrid with the YS+ regular flex graphite shaft

Adams A2 OS 4 hybrid also with a regular flex shaft (can't remember the exact kind)

I have been to the range 4 times just hitting these and I think I've done some damage to my swing. I find myself either shanking these with a terrible slice right or, when I do hit them, I get a draw/hook 40 yards left. I've tried slowing it down a bit to accomodate the shafts, but this doesn't work either.

I went in to have my swing tested beforehand (using impact tape and a speed stick) and, with a 95mph swing, was told to go with the regular shaft (also they showed a better impact spot on the tape).

Now I am trying everything with my swing to accomodate the clubs. It is starting to impact my game. I went from a 82 on a par 68 before getting the clubs, to a 99 on a par 72 after this debacle.

Any help or advice in troubleshooting?

thanks.

[joshtpa]

95 mph is really on teh bubble. With a 3 iron and a 95 mpg swing speed, I would have tried a stiff shaft.

[pirettigolf]

It's just a matter of spending some time at the range. Slow your backswing down a ton. That usually helps me when I am struggling.

[HXCarib56]

95 mph is really on teh bubble. With a 3 iron and a 95 mpg swing speed, I would have tried a stiff shaft.

I'm with you. 95mph, go with the graphite stiff. Particularly in the shaft that's in those Adams clubs... you're probably all over the place. Stiffer shaft, and position the ball in your stance like a mid-iron. Too far up (like a driver) does not work well for hybrids.

[dave s]

The key to getting the hybrids (Taylormade Burner 3 & 5; reg flex graphite) work well for me was to place the ball just ahead of center of stance, slow down the swing down simply swing through the shot. The ball literally jumps off the clubface even from the rough.

So far so good. Enjoying much more success with the hybrids than with fairway woods. And not sacrificing that much distance from an R7 5-wood to the Burner #3.

Oh, and make sure NOT to treat the hybrids as fairway woods ... that doesn't seem to work for anybody.

dave

[ks8829]

practice your swing with the wedges and test your swing with the longer clubs, hybrids, fairway and driver.

you need to practice your golf swing fundamentals.

[lollavid]

Wow- thanks for the responses guys. So does the impact tape not really tell the tale? Because I often found the impact towards the heel on the stiff shafts. Also, I felt like I was swinging a little hard with the stick which is why I thought that maybe 95mph was on the high side for me.

ks8829- that is great advice and I will remember it. I agree that my fundamentals are pretty flawed right now. I have a golf course with 150 yard practice area near me. I will go tomorrow with a 9-iron and just get into the groove again. That's how I learned my swing before overly-focusing on the new hybrids.

dave and HX- I'll work on ball position. I may have been too far forward for this club (between center and inside of left foot).

Oh and I'll try slowing it down. If none of this works, I'll put them up for sale and ask for advice on my next hybrids (particularly the shafts).

You guys rule!

[HXCarib56]

Wow- thanks for the responses guys. So does the impact tape not really tell the tale? Because I often found the impact towards the heel on the stiff shafts. Also, I felt like I was swinging a little hard with the stick which is why I thought that maybe 95mph was on the high side for me.

Alot of good advice here, for sure. As far as the ball position goes... if the middle of your stance is 50%, the front foot is 100%, and the back foot is 0%.... have that ball somewhere around 60%.

Hope that makes sense. A sweeping, fairway-wood or driver swing and the accompanying ball position can hurt the hybrid. This is ESPECIALLY true, out of the rough. I also forget to mention- those Adams clubs are wonderful hybrids. Make sure you give them a fair chance, before ditching them. Good luck bud! Fairways and greens.

[dragonflyin]

There are good points made here already. But I just like to add that I had the exact same problems when I got my hybrid. I realized that a lot of the hybrids have a draw bias, which was hard to get used to for me. What helped was that addressed the ball more like an iron, and swung like a fairway wood. Stand closer to the ball, but keep that pronounced smooth take-away slowly. Now it's one of my favorite clubs to hit. Good luck and don't give up just yet!

[bm303]

Problem is probably related to you trying to lift the ball up versus hitting down on the ball like an iron. Play your hybrid like a 6 iron, not a 3 wood. Good luck!

[ks8829]

wedge practice for swing fundamentals:

1) proper grip with loose grip pressure
2) one piece take away
3) shaft down the target line
4) break wrist and take the club up
5) full shoulder and hip turn
6) focus on solid contact
7) nice follow through
8) club head position at impact and passed impact position

[golf rules]

I just try to play the ball like a five iron, just a little foward of center, and i hit down on the ball as well.

[chrt396]

Wow- thanks for the responses guys. So does the impact tape not really tell the tale? Because I often found the impact towards the heel on the stiff shafts. Also, I felt like I was swinging a little hard with the stick which is why I thought that maybe 95mph was on the high side for me.

Don't forget that you swing the hybrids the same way that you would an iron. I know when I first picked up a hybrid, I wanted to swing it like a wood. You don't sweep with a hybrid. Once I got that down, the hybrid is my go to club for the long fairway shots.

[lollavid]

Well, I went out yesterday for a round of 18 and courageously pulled out the hybrids. I followed the advice I was given and indeed, I was trying to sweep the ball like a wood. They worked very well when I hit them like an iron and helped me score an 83 (par 68), so not shabby considering I was pretty poor off the tee.
Thanks all!

[joshtpa]

So glad everyone could help. Keep it up and you will fall in love with them

[golf rules]

Remember to swing easy, keep the same tempo as a wedge.

[Jamboboy]

I had exactly the same problem and have only recently got over it. Now my hybrid is by far my favourite club. It feels so good to hit a 200+ yard shot from the rough. I'm so glad I perservered.

[Fat Slice]

The key to getting the hybrids (Taylormade Burner 3 & 5; reg flex graphite) work well for me was to place the ball just ahead of center of stance, slow down the swing down simply swing through the shot. The ball literally jumps off the clubface even from the rough.

That worked for me. I have an A3OS 5-Hybrid and it has a stiff factory graphite shaft. I am not sure of my swing speed but it's not that high. I end up hooking that club when the ball is setup too close to me. I stick it out a little further now and all is well. I did learn how to hit a draw around trees from that error, though...and it SOMEtimes works!