Iron and Hybrid different in Direction

[very handicap]

I have some question regarding iron/hybrid combination and could not find the answer as most of the threads i found were about iron/hybrid distance gap.

My question is more pertaining to the direction of iron/hybrid. I'm currently using a set of Ping G15 4i-SW and I have bought a cleveland DST 3-hybrid. The problem is that i feel that i'm very accurate in the direction of the iron, but when i use the 3-hybrid the direction is consistently to the right.

I would like to hear your opinion whether your hybrid is consistent in direction with your irons. In my case, my ping are steel shaft and heavier than my Cleveland 3-hybrid with a graphite shaft which is lighter. Are we expected to hit any iron and hybrid in the same direction as soon as we buy them from the store?

If the test were done by a robot or a pro, will the direction be the same for any type of club with different model/made of shaft assumption the flex matches the swing speed?

Does it make sense to have different alignment setup for irons and hybrid? (e.g. align more to the right for iron swing, and align more left for hybrid swing?)

Since i'm pretty good with long iron, should i opt for a ping G-15 3-iron to go with my iron set to get a much better "direction" control compare to the hybrid?

[Deryck Griffith]

With my 20 and 23 degree hybrids, I don't have any issues with direction. I would suggest researching the specs that are in the cleveland hybrid and maybe considering changing it to one that fits you better. Personally, I threw steel shafts into my hybrids as I like them to feel like irons.

[596]

If you are still opting to use the 3 iron, why did you purchase the 3h? Most people use the 3h because it is easier to hit then a 3 iron. If you hit the 3i as well as the 3h then use the 3i since you hit it as well and with proper direction.

When you say you hit it right, is it a straight push or a slight fade? I had the same problem when I got my 3 and 4 hybrids to replace my 3 and 4 iron. All my shots headed right. I found that I was aligning the face at address slightly open. All the shots were either a push or a fade. Once I aligned the face at address correctly, the shots are now the same as my irons. Its was the way the club face appeared from above at address. As soon as I adjusted to the visual setup, I was fine.

On the other hand, and I don't know alot about shaft specifics, but it may be caused by the shaft type? I play regular shafts, steel shafts in the irons and graphite in D, 3W and 3-4 hybrids.

[596]

Did you notice any distance difference when you changed to the steel. I may consider doing that, too. I use steel in the irons and like them alot. The graphite is OK, but changing to steel may be better.

[very handicap]

If you are still opting to use the 3 iron, why did you purchase the 3h? Most people use the 3h because it is easier to hit then a 3 iron. If you hit the 3i as well as the 3h then use the 3i since you hit it as well and with proper direction.

I'm not suggesting that a 3i is easier to hit than a 3 hybrid. However, if i can hit the 3i cleanly, the direction will be straight at the flag. However, with 3 hybrid, i can always launch it, but the next shot will most likely be a sand wedge. that's why i'm asking if anyone has similar problem like me.

I know there are hybrid irons set out there that have the 3 and 4 hybrid tuned to fit the rest of the shorter irons. For the people who use "non-hybrid set", do you find that your off-the-shelf 3 or 4 hybrid behave differently from the rest of your irons in term of direction and dispersion?

[WUTiger]

...

Whenever I break in a new clubs, one of the biggest problems is getting my eyes

trained so I know what square alighment looks like.

[04v8s4]

I was thinking the same things as above. Maybe they have a more closed look to them...but the club may still be a touch open?

[very handicap]

I was thinking the same things as above. Maybe they have a more closed look to them...but the club may still be a touch open?

As i grip my iron in a neutral position, are you suggesting that i should grip my hybrid differently (may be stronger) in order to compensate? In that case i would have to worry about how i grip my iron, my hybrid, my wood, driver, etc?

[dbuck]

Whenever I break in a new clubs, one of the biggest problems is getting my eyes

This is a good point.

Someone mentioned on here to learn what square looks like. To the OP, you might try some alignment sticks and compare what square looks like with your irons as compared to your hybrid. Another variable might be the offset in your hybrid as compared to your irons. I have no problem with people owning both a 3i and 3h and using what works best for the course you are playing or how you are swinging at that time.

[Robato]

If you're good with your long irons, then hybrid irons might be up your alley, but the conventional hybrids work really good as rescue clubs from the rough as well. I also installed steel shafts in my hybrids, and I think they are more consistent feeling with my regular irons. The graphite shaft might be a better option for more distance. As far as direction, the hybrid should be as consistent. Your Cleveland DST has a nice flat sole that should help you keep the face square, so I think its the graphite shaft. Maybe you need to experiment and find the best position to align the ball in order to get that shaft flexing just right. Thats what I would do with a graphite shaft. Be patient and find the right spot to nail that ball a mile.

[596]

As i grip my iron in a neutral position, are you suggesting that i should grip my hybrid differently (may be stronger) in order to compensate? In that case i would have to worry about how i grip my iron, my hybrid, my wood, driver, etc?

No, you "grip" the same as you would any other club. I found that my hybrids "looked" as though they are square to the target, yet they were hitting as a push to the right. I had to learn that when the club "looks square" it is actually slightly "open". I had to learn that when the club "appears" slightly "closed" it is actually "square". My shots were then headed straight to the target line.

All you need to do is square the club to what appears a tad closed. To do this just......... setup regular with both grip and stance, and since your club is pushing, rotate the club grip in your finger tips until it then looks as though the face is SLIGHTLY closed, all the while maintaining your correct grip. This will actually make the face square. Then swing away. POOF.....straight shot!!