Hybrid Set Up: Help!

[barrettbonden]

Hi everyone:

I am an "intermitent" golf player, depending on the time my work lets me play... and now I am back in golf, and it seems my equipment requires some invesment.

I am starting to improve, and I need to fill the gap between my driver and my 4/5 iron, which (shame), is the next longest club I play on the fairways . Last time I was golfing regulary I bought a Titleist 983K driver (illegal now, I guess), but left the game before I felt the need for some playable 2nd shot equipment (I have some clubs, but I don't use them).

I went to demo station to try Titleist hybrids (I love my Titleist driver), but I had to admit the Clevelands Hi-Bore were the ones who fitted my game. I fell in love with them. I have allways struggled with fairway woods and these easy hybrids felt like heaven for me from the first shot.

Now, the question is, what is the set up you would suggest for me? And: what do you think of a 1H (16º) for me or is it going to be too difficult to play?.

My options:

1.- I am thinking buying 1H, 3H, 5H and thus going: 1W, 1H, 3H(22º) and 5H(28º) .
2.- Another option would be buying the most popular hybrid 2H (19º) instead of a 5W and 4H (25º) or 3H (22º) instead of my long irons, and maybe later trying a W3 when If I improve.
3.- The guy of the store even suggested to go 5W (XLS Hi Bore as well)+ 3H, but I would prefer to avoid the 5W ( I admit the material now is much easier and I hitted it well)

My target for the next moths is to leave my handicap in something around 18-20, which is a realistic target

Any kind of opinion very wellcomed, as you can see I am still very open!

Thank you very much!

[Gioguy21]

Perhaps instead of a 1Hybrid try a 2i hybrid?...i have mine that is a 18* and i abosutely love it. it's a cleveland launcher, and since you said you liked the hibore, you might like it.

[PiKapp23]

Like everything else in golf, questions about hybrids are going to get a lot of completely different responses.

As I was first getting into hybrids a few years back I bought a 1H (13*) and 3H (20*) to replace my 3W and 3I. I always hit the 1H well, but came to realize that I was giving up some yardage compared to a 3 wood, not to mention the balls often came in hotter than a 3w which meant I wasn't sticking the green on even good shots. I think it was also more difficult to hit off fairway. I now game a 2H, a 4H and a 5H as well as a 3W. The 2H replaces my 5W, and 2/3 irons (it's steel shafted so it's shorter than a graphite shafted 2H would be but it's easier to control). The 4H is about the same length as a normal 3I and the 5H about the length of a 4I. Different manufacturer's clubs may vary for length, but this is pretty normal.

Not knowing anything about your swing or your style of play, I would think hybrids are probably a good choice. I would think it might be better to look at a 3 or 4 wood, then complement that with either a 3H/4H setup or even add a 2H or 5H. It's all about what you feel most comfortable with. I use my 2H off the tee a lot, but seldom use it off the fairway. The 5H is one of my more used clubs when playing longer courses because it hits so high and lands so soft - definitely much easier than a 4I.

As for brands, like everything else, find the ones you like the look, feel and sound of best. I play Mizuno's and love them (after trying a bunch of different models over last 6-8 years or so). I have also been impressed with the Adams models, but that's just me. Good luck and welcome back.

[Elvisliveson]

I carry a 15* 3W, and 18* and 20* hybrids (Adams Pro Gold). My 4 iron is 23*

[elvis14]

I am an "intermitent" golfer with a high handicap as well. I'll play a bunch of times around this time of year but often I'll go months without getting out to play. What I finally discovered is that I just didn't hit my 3 wood well enough to carry it. I carry a driver, a 3h (19*), a 4h (22*), a 5h (25*) and a 5 iron. I'm not a big hitter so the 3h is about a 200 yard club for me. When I hit a 3 wood well, it would go about 220....when it when somewhat straight. For me more often than not, the 3 wood just got me in trouble. So I stopped carrying it (at least until I find the time to practice). If I'm 200+ out, I'm laying up. That was hard for me to accept at first but at my level of play, it's the smart thing to do and my scores have dropped as a result. YMMV

[barrettbonden]

Thank you for your advice.

I think I will forget 1H for a while, I liked the 2H- 4H 5H idea.

Today I had a look on mizunos (I plan to get mizuno irons) and definitely confirmed I will go for Clevelands Hi-Bore.

So, this decision taken, I had no reason not to adquire a lovely 4H to hit and help me decide the final set up . and So I did this afternoon

I also confirmed that my Titleist Driver is illegal now (983K), so I have to add the driver to the line-up... I will buy all Cleveland so everything feels the same from 1W to 5H. I will go for the Hi Bore XLS or the monster, I don't know.

I have been in the range hitting te 4H and I am so happy with the purchase. I think my next move will be to buy the 2H and the 5H but the guy in the store insists in me to try 5W. If after a round or two on the course I haven't changed my mind I will copy the 2h - 4h - 5h line-up. It is just 3º of difference between 4H and 5H but one of the answers say it's your most used club and I believe you. I consistently passed the 150 meters sign in the range (165 m. or so) with so much ease, and I think it would be no waste to have a higher fliying shot for the typical 150 meters shot.

So when I have worked my swing out I will see if I can hit a 3W.

Thanks and I'll keep you informed Suggestions still welcomed...

[hamletsdead]

I only carry a 2H. Tried using a 2H/3H setup but found great benefits adding an extra wedge. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with dumping your woods for hybrids. I've though several times about using a 1H instead of a driver (I hit my 2H about 210), but modified my strong 3-wood instead (by cutting down the shaft to 42.25").