The 14th Club

[jfhasson]

I've been playing with 13 clubs for a while now and am looking to add a 14th soon. Right now I have:
Taylormade Burner Driver & 3 Wood
Mizuno MP-57 3-PW
Mizuno MP T-10 52* & 58*
Odyssey White Ice #9

I'm thinking about adding a hybrid to bridge the gap between my 3 iron and 3 wood.
Any suggestions on a good hybrid? I have never hit one and don't really know much about them. Or would I be better off getting a 5 wood instead?

[golfro]

I'd say a 5wood or a 18-19* hybrid will be beneficial. How well do you hit your 3 wood? If you don't have a hard time hitting your 3 wood, you should be fine with your 5 wood. If you're not confident with your woods at all, the hybrid is a good option.

On the other hand, how often do you hit your 3 iron? For me, I rarely hit my 3 iron so I actually ended up taking it out of the bag for awhile. I stuck a 21* hybrid in for awhile but didn't like it too much so took that out and put a 52* wedge in...which got stolen...so I just carry a 3 iron and use it once in awhile.

Anyway, options are open...first thing is 5wood or hybrid in my opinion.

[etlreams]

I would suggest going with your inclination to get a hybrid or 5 wood. Which one is up to you. That topic has been debated many times. Might want to search for it. There will be a few threads to brows through opinions.

Seems like most people prefer the hybrid over the 5 wood. Hybrids seem to be a little more versitile (mostly better at hitting out of the rough). But....it's all up to you. I carry a 5 wood and a 4 hybrid.

[jfhasson]

I think I've decided to try out a hybrid at Dick's in the next few days. If it feels right I'll probably get it due to the fact that they are supposedly a bit better out of the rough. I figure an 18* hybrid should bridge the gap between my 3 wood and 3 iron pretty well. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Zeph]

A 5 wood usually goes farther than a hybrid, so you should bring your 3 wood and 3 iron when looking for a new club. Hit all of them on a simulator and see how far they go, then you know what distance you could want from a hybrid or wood.

A wood will not be as easy to hit from the rough though, and it will have a lower trajectory. More of a distance club than accurate one. Trajectory can of course to some point be altered with the type of shaft.

[design]

I had the exact same setup / situation. I went with at 19* hybrid.

[DasTanK]

what degree hybrid should I get if I have a 4 wood?

[FenderStrat62]

Assuming your PW is 48*, you could stick with the 52*, swap the 58* for a 56*, and add a 60*. Or maybe just add a 64*!

I like wedges. :D

[wrx_junki]

Adams Idea Black Super Hybrid 19° will bridge that gap nicely.

[max power]

Wilson Staff FYbrid 19.5*-perfect combination of 5 wood and hybrid.

[ks8829]

what part of the game is your weakness? getting up and down? greens on regulations? I would considering a wedge or hybrid and maybe taking the 3 iron out of your bag.

[jfhasson]

what part of the game is your weakness? getting up and down? greens on regulations? I would considering a wedge or hybrid and maybe taking the 3 iron out of your bag.

I would mostly like to improve my G.I.R. The 52* and 58* wedges I have are just right for me so I cant see adding a wedge.

I actually use the 3 iron at least a couple times a round at my home course and am comfortable with it. After seeing some of the recommendations here and knowing what would be the most useful for my game, I think I've decided to pick up a hybrid in the next few days. I'll do what was suggested earlier and take my 3 wood and 3 iron and find something that splits the difference. Thanks for all the help.

[ks8829]

As a 13 handicap golfer you must be a decent ball striker. Do you keep these stats when you play each round?

putts per round
up and down to one putt, scrambling %
Greens in regulations
Fairways hit

When I lowered my putting and scrambling stats I broke 80's consistently and was able to lower my handicap. In my case the short game actually improved my ball striking and my greens in regulations.

[jfhasson]

As a 13 handicap golfer you must be a decent ball striker. Do you keep these stats when you play each round?

"decent ball striker" is about right. I do keep most of these stats on a regular basis. Usually around 34-36 putts, 7 or so fairways, around 5 G.I.R., and I usually get up and down around 3 times. Most of my one putts are when I get up and down. My biggest stepping stone right now is the sand.

[Heroe123]

This topic started to make me think. Most new sets these days don't even have a 2i in the set. And with most PW being around 47 degrees, I currenlty have a 56 and 60 wedges in my bag. So, now that I'm thinking about it I rarely hit my 2i, rarely... So, A 52 degree almost seems like a way better investment than a 2i for that 14th club.

[newtogolf]

This topic started to make me think. Most new sets these days don't even have a 2i in the set.

Alot don't have the 3i either, especially for high handicappers which you are obviously not.

[Rochester]

Got rid of my 3 wood, which I hit about 220 yards off the deck (when I was lucky), and replaced it with a Ping G15 4-wood, which I hit about 230-240 off the deck (and much more consistently). Replaced my 5-wood with a Ping G15 20° Hybrid which I hit about 210-215. Like it so well, I got a 23° hybrid to go along with it! Didn't hit the Ping G-15 17° much further than the 20°.

[Leftygolfer]

I am a wedge fan myself. I have 6 (I don't carry them all) and have always carried 4 or 5.

But I really don't care for any hybrids I have hit. I had a callaway x hybrid 21 with a steel shaft and I just didn't care for it. I hooked the heck out of it and just couldn't hit it as high as I needed to fly it 200-205. I felt more consistant with a 3 iron. I just recently picked up my 5 and 7 wood (getting them in the mail tomorrow) b/c I love the g5 3 wood I have and needed something I can hit 200 and not be long. I bought them together on the bay for a steal. I have a 5 wood I like/liked but it was hard to take enough off to not be long on 195-205 par 3s and I don't have the confidence in my irons right now to hit a 3 or 4 iron that far. I expect to be able to fly the 7 wood 195 to 205 with a normal swing. I really didn't need the 5 wood but I had to buy it together. g5 7 woods with a stiff shaft aren't easy to find and I know I like my 3 wood so I went with it.