Hybrid Loft Question

[NativeTxn]

Is it an accurate statement (in general) to say that if you are replacing an iron with a hybrid, that the hybrid loft should be the same (or within a degree or so) of the iron loft?

For example, I just bought a new set of Callaway X-22s. The 3i loft is 21* and the 4i loft is 24*. I currently have two hybrids - a 19* and a 22*. However, the 19* hybrid is listed as the 3h and the 22* hybrid is listed as the 4h.

Should I either throw my 4-iron back in the bag, or add a 25* hybrid? Or is that setup likely fine?

[alf174]

I replaced the long irons in my bag strictly on how far I hit the hybrids and ignored the lofts; I noticed my hybrids were slightly shorter that the iron equivalents so I didn't believe I could just start replacing based on lofts alone.

[billysandy]

That set up is fine, it's not important that the loft matches because hybrids are a completely different club in terms of ball flight and probably distance too. I believe hybrids are longer that their iron loft equivalent but don't quote me on that. I think hybrids can go further because they have more distance from the rough, they have a longer shaft which is most likely graphite (enables faster club speed) and they have faces that propel the ball more (thinner).
I suggest that you go to the range, look at all your yardages, and see if there is a significant gap between your 5 iron and your 22*. Most likely their will be, but i think at your level, you should just keep the 4 iron out the bag till you become more confident/a better ball striker. I can't hit a 4 iron very consistantly, and it's most likely the same story with other high handicappers.

[PiKapp23]

I have always found that hybrids are usually 'labeled' with the same number as the iron of the same loft (or close), but typically they play about 1/2 to 1 club longer distance wise (i.e. 3 hybrid might play more like a 2 iron). However, they tend to be much high trajectory than even the iron of same loft due to lower CG and longer shaft (often with a softer tip as well). Of course, like most things in golf, there really is little standardization so this is not always true - different brands (and even models within a brand) are going to play differently

My current hybrid setup includes a 17* (2H, but with steel shaft that replaces my 5W and 2 iron), 23* (4H that replaces my 3 iron) and 26* (5H that replaces my 4 iron). I had originally taken my 5 iron out of the bag when I added the 26* but found the gap too large between the 5H and 6 iron so I now carry a 5H and 5 iron. The best thing to do is go to the range and try to see how much gap you have between your 5 iron and 4H. If the gap is more than 10-12 yards or so you might want to fill that with either an additonal hybrid (5H) or put the 4 iron back in.