Hybrid or Wood?

[SasQuatch<3]

What would be a smarter descision to purchase next- a new 5-wood, because i already got a 3-wood, or maybe a hybrid?
Im not really to shure on how a hybrid works or how they are different from a wood, but i do know that they hit better from the rough.
Do you purchase one specific loft with a hybrid, or do you buy a set?
What ones are nice to look at?

[denver_nuggs_15]

A 2 hybrid is comparable to a 5 wood in terms of loft and distance (depends on model). I would go to a pro shop and try a 5W and 2 or 3h and see which i hit better. Some players (like myself) are better iron players than wood players, and prefer hybrids over woods.

I would get custom fit (length and shaft) if I were you. I hit a high ball, and consequently hit lower launch shafts. If you hit a low ball, you may want to try a high launch shaft. All major brands make hybrids today. You could probably get a good deal on older (2007-2008) models because 2009 models are being released.

[bogeyhitter25]

It really depends on what kind of swing you have. If you have more of a "driver-like" swing, then I'd suggest a fairway wood. If you have more of an "iron-like" swing, than I'd suggest a hybrid.

And nice ones to look at are Adams Golf Ideas. #1 hybrids on tour.

[SasQuatch<3]

what do you mean by driver-like swing compared to iron-like swing?
sorry about this!

[tonyy]

Bogeyhitter pretty much nailed it. What he means is that a driver swing is slightly different from an iron swing (for me it is at least). A driver swing has more of a sweeping away kind of motion and is less steep during the takeaway. An iron is more of a steeper angle. Since a hybrid basically replaces an iron, a steeper swing is needed as well.

I on the other hand have a driver type swing usually. I couldn't hit a hybrid for the life of me and I then I used a wood. That thing is probably my favorite club in my bag.

[Jonny Cab]

I'd agree that it depends if you're a flat swinger or a steep swinger, as well as which club slot you're looking to fill and conditions on the course/wind. If you have a 3 wood that you can hit off the deck, then maybe you'd probably play a 5 wood OK. If not, and you hit, say, your 5 iron pretty well, then maybe a 19-22 degree hybrid would work for you (depends on your distance gaps, courses you play).

For instance, I have a 23 degree hybrid to replace my 4 iron, but if I'm playing where there's a lot of tree trouble, I can hit my 4 iron well, so I may leave it in the bag and have a club I can hit below branches.

Also, I play my 5 wood pretty well, but depending on course conditions/wind, I go back and forth between my 5 wood and a 20 degree hybrid. If it's windy, then I go hybrid and hit it pretty low using a controlled swing; if not, then I usually go 5 wood and hit it higher/longer.

YMMV...

[Stacey_E]

One more thing I'd add to the attack angle theory (which is quite sound BTW) is your clubhead speed and to a lesser extent, ball striking ability. All things being equal a slower swing will often benefit more from a fairway wood. The deeper center of gravity vs. a hybrid helps launch the ball on a higher trajectory. But a fast swinger might need a hybrid where a fairway wood in the same loft might baloon on them.

Mizuno has a fitting tool that measures your attack angle. Then they compare that on a chart with your clubhead speed to make recomendations on set makeup. Ultimately the decision is best made by trying both. But if your ball striking is still on the improving side of solid, the shorter shaft in a hyrid (sometimes 2 inches on the same loft) can add a lot of confidence both at address and during the swing.

Good Luck!

[hamletsdead]

I find my 2-hybrid to be about the easiest club to hit in my bag. On pretty much every par-5 or long par-4 I pull it out for 210-220 yard approach shots. On Tuesday I had 230 to the green and smacked it good off a side-hill lie and got it up to the fringe.

I much prefer my 2-hybrid to my 5-wood, which I have a tendency to top from the fairway. In fact, I'm thinking of getting a 1-hybrid to replace my 3-wood, which I also tend to top unless I'm really concentrating on contact. Don't know why it is exactly, but hitting down with a hybrid is not a problem, while hitting down with a wood is consistently difficult for me.

[LottaBalata]

I'm not going to go into HOW to hit a hybrid. I think the posts above have clearly explained that.

I will add that my TaylorMade R7 rescue hybrid 3i (draw) is horribly easy to hit. And I just picked up a Nike Slingshot 4i hybrid this week. Also a very easy club to hit--good feeling club.

I can hit my 6 thru irons very well. When I get down to the 5 iron, I get very inconsistent. If you find your long irons harder to hit, grab up a hybrid or two.

I like fairway woods also, but usually go with a hybrid instead.

[PiKapp23]

Unfortunately, there is no 'stock' answer to this question. A hybrid is typically easier to hit for most people than a long iron (because of low center of gravity and higher MOI)or a wood (because of shorter shaft and smaller head, which also makes it more versatile). I currently carry 3 hybrids (2, 4 and 5). I also have a 5 wood that I will occasionally put in the bad in place of 2H, but usually only when I am hitting really well. A fairway wood will usually be a higher trajectory and longer than hybrid, but can be more difficult to hit consistently well. The best thing to do is try both (on course if possible - some stores that carry second hand clubs will allow you to buy and then return the used clubs within a period of time for full in-store credit refund). In doing the on course 'evaluation' you would have a chance to see which 'type' club better fits your swing and the shots you want to hit.