Golf Digest: Nov. Issue Dana Quigley

[ColinMB]

In this month's issue of Golf Digest, there's an interesting Q&A; with Dana Quigley. But something he said grabbed my attention and I thought I'd see what the Sand Trap members thought. I'll paraphrase so there's no copyright issue:

- The most amazing thing about hybrid clubs is that not everyone uses one. I have a 3 and 4 hybrid like everyone else but I'm also using a hybrid 5, 6 and possibly 7. Every shot is like hitting off the tee. I made 13 million $$$ and I'm hitting hybrids, why aren't you?

This kinda reminds me of the Adams A2/OS set. When it came out I think a lot of people just thought it was for old farts (I didn't think this to be true). Is this idea of replacing half your irons going to be the way of the future? Or do traditional irons just need a new twist (ala Nickent's newest 'hybrid' iron set)? Thoughts?

[muskegman]

Great topic. It is becoming way more common for players to replace their 3- and 4-irons with hybrids. I do think that integrated hybrid sets like we're seeing from Adam's Golf are going to become way more common in the next few years as players realize they can score better with these sets.

I don't believe that they can replace traditional iron sets for lower handicappers because the shot shaping ability is lost with hybrids. I'll probably be keeping a traditional 4-iron down in the bag for a long time. As it is I still have a 3-iron in the bag.

Quigley is a bit of an anomaly in the professional ranks but replacing irons with hybrids is a great idea for amateurs.

[tartanjack]

We just did a Bag Drop on Adams Golf further promoting the mixed hybrid set to better golfers. It's here... and it contains a link to a video of Quigley explaining his set to Judy Rankin:

http://thesandtrap.com/archives/bag_...set_makeup.php

[iacas]

This kinda reminds me of the Adams A2/OS set. When it came out I think a lot of people just thought it was for old farts (I didn't think this to be true). Is this idea of replacing half your irons going to be the way of the future? Or do traditional irons just need a new twist (ala Nickent's newest 'hybrid' iron set)? Thoughts?

I agree with what Jeff said: hybrids have been great for me... in replacing my 2-iron. I still try to work clubs as low as my 3-iron, and to steal words from Tiger, I find it a lot tougher to "flight" (ugh) the ball different heights with hybrids. Much easier with irons.

Quigley is weird. Can you see Tiger playing a hybrid 7-iron? Champions Tour golf ain't PGA Tour golf, and neither of them are regular guy golf. I think a lot of people should take hybrids right up to their 6-iron... but those are people who never hit the 3-iron they carry around because they know it won't go anywhere. I don't have that same problem.

[ColinMB]

Quigley is weird. Can you see Tiger playing a hybrid 7-iron?

Could you imagine if he did though? If he pulled out a 7 hybrid and started winning with it, hybrid sales would fly through the roof (in the amateur ranks). I could see it now.. Nike Sasquatch Hybrid, Nike Bigfoot Hybrid, Nike Yeti Hybrid....

To answer my own question, I think it will happen one day. The technology has already improved a lot, now the average player's thinking will have to change. It probably won't happen with my generation: generation X. But I have to wonder if the day will come where a 9, and 8 iron just become -long wedges-.

[allin]

I think that it is more than just hybrids. I believe the day will come when hardly anyone plays muscle back clubs above 7iron. Hybrids for 2-3, cavity back, 4-5 for the pros, hybrid 3-4, cavity back 5-6 good amatuers, hybrid 3-6, cavity back 7-lw, high handicappers. seniors and short hitters will substiute 7w-9w for hybrids possibly. I think these kinds of options will become the norm for golf sets, the idea that your irons all look alike is being dashed by hybrids and that will lead to greater acceptance for ordering sets in these kinds of combinations. Manufacturers will continue to sell clubs the current way until people refuse to do it, the simplicity for them and bonus hybrid sales beneft them. I suspect many people order the three iron and maybe four iron just for resale value now.

[boodaboy16]

I don't consider myself a traditionalist on many things, but it's weird to think about having more hybrids than irons in one's golf bag. I play golf more for trying to hit some great shots rather than to shoot the lowest score. If I hit two great shots and three putt for a bogey, I'm often more satisfied than hitting two mediocre shots and getting a par. That aside, nothing captures the essence of the game more than a crisply struck iron shot and sticking it within 10 feet of the pin. I'm talking 3,4,5,6 iron. IMO, the sound, feel and connection with a great mid-long iron shot is better than any other part of the game. Tee shots are easy nowadays with 460cc drivers. Long to mid iron shots are tougher, but worth the reward if you practice them and get to hit at least one great shot per round. Hybrids are certainly more forgiving and may help the average player, or even Dana Quigley shoot lower scores. But, one may be missing out on the best part of golf. Anybody with me on this one?

[tartanjack]

Boo...

You make a great point about the esthetics of golf. Erik, our editor, would spell that aesthetics, but he uses a much older dictionary. The point is that, as you have aptly described, there is a magical feeling to hitting well struck shots. However, the game and its equipment have changed.

My memories of perfect shots harken back to when I was able to play muscle backed forged irons. But now, to play with any competence, I have to be content with the feel of cast stainless steel and big-headed drivers.

In my time, the ball has made unbelievable changes. Hitting a balata ball with a persimmon head has nothing to do with the game today in terms of feel.

I think the point I'm trying to make (badly at that) is that no matter the instrument you're using, you, your senses and your psyche know when the strike is pure. Believe me, a well struck hybrid feels just as good as a 3 iron when you've nutted it.

As my career winds down and having played with so many permutations of equipment, it occurs to me that the tools really don't matter. Yes, it's a ball, a hole and a club. But it's the motion and the notion that make the game.

Hit a hybrid till you feel it. Then you'll know what I'm saying.

[boodaboy16]

THanks for your perspective, Jack. I agree with you on the equipment changes. I started playing as a teenager (I'm 30 now) with a hand-me-down set of PowerBilt Citation blades and a potpurri of persimmon woods. When I was on the high school golf team, other kids were playing Ping or some other cavity back, investment casted irons. They actually made fun of my clubs. I played with the blades until my senior year, I got new Mizuno Grads and my stroke average actually increased by a couple. I didin't really hit the Grads any better. I still have the PowerBilts and hit them once in a while, because when I nut it if feels like I didn't even hit the ball. That is pure golf. I agree that hitting any club pure is awesome. My 5-wood is so much fun to hit. And, I've nutted 16, 19 and 21 degree hybrids. But, there's something about hitting an iron and that gives me an extra special tingle inside. Even when I get old and need to rely on hybrids to get the ball in the air, I'll still miss that feeling.