Switched from all hybrid clubs to steel shaft X-20's, now hitting everything open faced...

[PrisonShank]

I've been playing Bang hybrid irons for the last year. Going to the range 4 - 5 times per week and playing probably 4 - 5 rounds per month. About two weeks ago the graphite shaft on my "9" iron equivalent broke. I'd been wanting to get some more traditional looking irons anyways and that was my excuse.  My friend has a set of Callaway X-20's, steel shafts, essentially new that he's letting me try out.  The new clubs are probably nearly twice as heavy as the hybrids I was using.

With the new clubs, I'm striking the ball with an open face on >70% of my shots.  Ball is mostly going right and low, but also sometimes going right with a decent trajectory.  When I hit them good, they feel amazing.  But obviously I can't continue with these clubs doing what I'm doing.  This is 5 trips to the range into this thing.

I don't think these are hozzle shots.  I think I'm open face blading the majority of these swings.  Any ideas?

[Ctp722]

what were the lengths of the hybrids? similar to irons?

[PrisonShank]

I don't have exact measurements on them, and I thought they were close.  But I just compared the 8 iron from both sets, and the hybrid looks about 2" longer.

[uttexas]

One possible explanation: If you hit somewhat behind the ball: With hybrids, the flat sole will glide along the turf allowing the clubface to naturally close along the bottom the swing arc. If you hit slightly behind the ball with an iron, the sole will dig in and the clubface will remain open longer, thus the shots to the right.. If you hit the ball with an iron and the bottom of the swing arc is behind the ball, the iron will strike the ball on an ascending path (bottom of iron above the bottom of the ball), thus the low shots. Best way to figure this out would be to post a swing video, especially face on view (caddy view).

[newtogolf]

X-20's are likely less forgiving than the hybrids you're used to.  Also as you noted the clubs are heavier due to the steel shafts which may be throwing off your swing.    Along with the added weight the steel shafts are probably uniflex and your hybrids were likely regular flex so the X-20's are stiffer.  You might have had some whipping action with the old clubs that you adjusted for with your swing, but aren't getting now with the stiffer shafts and that's leaving the face open on impact.  I had a similar problem going from my X-12 graphite shafts to the Diablo Edge steel shafts.

As for  the best way to fix it, I'll leave that to someone who knows better.

[Ctp722]

Originally Posted by uttexas

One possible explanation:

If you hit somewhat behind the ball: With hybrids, the flat sole will glide along the turf allowing the clubface to naturally close along the bottom the swing arc. If you hit slightly behind the ball with an iron, the sole will dig in and the clubface will remain open longer, thus the shots to the right.. If you hit the ball with an iron and the bottom of the swing arc is behind the ball, the iron will strike the ball on an ascending path (bottom of iron above the bottom of the ball), thus the low shots.

Best way to figure this out would be to post a swing video, especially face on view (caddy view).

I did not think of this, but i think uttexas probably found the problem

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