keeping irons after hybrids

[I KyotE I]

I keep hearing that if you buy hybrids keep the other irons for windy days. I get that but I don't want to deal with switching clubs. Is wind really that big a factor in hybrids compaired to iron counterparts? If that is the case I wont worry about hybrids and just work with long irons. I would like to know if hybrids are still useable in some wind because I notice that the rare time I use 4 and the more rare times I use 3 I get a good amount of negative feedback. I post in hopes that people can offer advice on not hybrids over irons in consistancy, as that has been stated over and over, but hybrids vs. irons in breezy to windy day. nothing to flagstick bending though because I don't bother playing those days. I play a Prarie dunes style course, unique to the pikes peak region, so there is no trees and rarely is there no breeze if anything. I hope that someone has maybe used or continues to use irons no matter the wind and has used irons in wind and has something of a story to tell. Maybe a number difference in hybrids and irons wit different varibles of wind.

[PiKapp23]

I now carry 3 hybrids (2, 4 and 5) and have kept my irons in the car, though. The only one I ever switch out is the 5 iron and then only on really windy days occasionally. If the course is really long I might switch my 2H for my 5W as well. Most of the time I wouldn't switch the clubs out, even for windy days. Hybrids are a higher trajectory for sure (in most cases), but they are also longer than the irons of which they replace, so it kind of makes up the difference anyway. The only time I usually wish I had a long iron in my bag is when I need to punch out from under trees or something since the ball does have a tendency to jump off the hybrids at times. If you are happy with the clubs you carry, do not bother switching out since in most cases you would only end up using the long iron instead of hybrid once or twice anyway in high winds. When you need to hit the knockdown shot just choke up on longer hybrid and/or make a shorter backswing.

[onthehunt526]

I'm almost 22 years old... and have been playing this game for darn near 18 years... I have never carried a hybrid and probably never will... I will be caught with an amazingly easy to hit 11 wood in the bag over a hybrid...

I just don't like the two club difference I get between a hybrid and its iron counter part... I tried some hybrids... namely the Taylor Made Burners and R7s mostly in the 2 and 3 iron range and I found it is almost impossible to work the ball with them... On windy days I'd rather have the iron because in crosswinds I can hit a fade or draw up against the wind and it'll hold its line....

[I KyotE I]

So what would "high winds" be. I am guessing it would be more benifical* to learn my long irons than to get hybrids? or seeing as I don't play in flag stick bending winds would it be better for my game just to get hybrids? as of right now I don't hit long irons well at all.

[PiKapp23]

So what would "high winds" be. I am guessing it would be more benifical* to learn my long irons than to get hybrids? or seeing as I don't play in flag stick bending winds would it be better for my game just to get hybrids? as of right now I don't hit long irons well at all.

Hybrids are definitely the right way to go. If you are not typically playing in 'high winds' (which I woudl consider 20+ MPH sustained winds high), then a hybrid is great. I even went so far as to ditch the 5 iron in favor or hybrid earlier this year (and I'm only 39 and not a short hitter). They are easier to hit well in almost all conditions. As has been stated, the only difficult shot for most hybrids is the 'knock-down' shot for winds or for punching out of trouble. For low punch-shots I will often use my driver or 3 woods (or sometimes 2H). The only 'gotcha' about hybrids is you have to be aware of yardage gaps. For example a 4 hybrid will often have distance more equivalent to 3 iron (or at best in between the 3 and 4), so if you pull your 4 iron out for 4H you may have a large gap between 4H and 5I, but that's something you have to test for yourself because that's not the case 100% of the time. I know my 5H is about 1/2 club longer than my old 5I and gap between 5H and 6I is about 20 yards. I just choke up on the 5H when I need that in between distance.

Basically, for most golfers the benefits of hybrid far out number the benefits of long irons. Hybrids are easier to hit, fly higher and are more versatile than long irons.

[Elvisliveson]

Hybrids are definitely the right way to go. If you are not typically playing in 'high winds' (which I woudl consider 20+ MPH sustained winds high), then a hybrid is great. I even went so far as to ditch the 5 iron in favor or hybrid earlier this year (and I'm only 39 and not a short hitter). They are easier to hit well in almost all conditions. As has been stated, the only difficult shot for most hybrids is the 'knock-down' shot for winds or for punching out of trouble. For low punch-shots I will often use my driver or 3 woods (or sometimes 2H). The only 'gotcha' about hybrids is you have to be aware of yardage gaps. For example a 4 hybrid will often have distance more equivalent to 3 iron (or at best in between the 3 and 4), so if you pull your 4 iron out for 4H you may have a large gap between 4H and 5I, but that's something you have to test for yourself because that's not the case 100% of the time. I know my 5H is about 1/2 club longer than my old 5I and gap between 5H and 6I is about 20 yards. I just choke up on the 5H when I need that in between distance.

I couldn't agree more. I currently carry only one hybrid, replacing my 3 iron, but it's invaluable. It's not only about "learning to hit the long irons", it's about versatility. I can hit this club in so many more different situations and lies than I could hit my 3 iron, which I hit well.

[I KyotE I]

much thanks for all the help