Having trouble hitting with hybrids

[lostmyballs]

I started golfing only this past spring. I bought a used set of Adams Idea a3 irons that came with a 3h, 4h, and 5h. I thought that buying them would temporarily spare me (and my budget) from having to buy a fairway club, but I realize now that that's my first item on the 2012 agenda. Anyway, I'd been relying on these hybrids for my long smacks, and I think I've hit them square about twice. They're longer than the regular irons in the set, and that changes my swing because I can't hit down on them. I've thought about swinging them like a driver, but I can't even make solid contact most of the time. Obviously, I need to practice more (and better). But going forward, how should I approach hitting my hybrids? Any tips in general?

Thanks for any help.

Still looking,

lostmyballs

[newtogolf]

Hybrids were a tricky club for me to hit as well.  I also had a tough time finding hybrids I was comfortable hitting.  I'd suggest you work on hitting your hybrids like you do your irons as I've found that to work best for me.

[sk golf]

Originally Posted by lostmyballs

I started golfing only this past spring. I bought a used set of Adams Idea a3 irons that came with a 3h, 4h, and 5h. I thought that buying them would temporarily spare me (and my budget) from having to buy a fairway club, but I realize now that that's my first item on the 2012 agenda. Anyway, I'd been relying on these hybrids for my long smacks, and I think I've hit them square about twice. They're longer than the regular irons in the set, and that changes my swing because I can't hit down on them. I've thought about swinging them like a driver, but I can't even make solid contact most of the time. Obviously, I need to practice more (and better). But going forward, how should I approach hitting my hybrids? Any tips in general?

Thanks for any help.

Still looking,

lostmyballs

When you say "swinging them like a driver" I assume you mean you mean to swing less descent (to feel like your swinging up, picking the ball with no divot).  You should still feel like your "hitting down" with your hybrids.  I posted some trackman tour averages about and tour average attack angle for hybrids is -3.5 degrees.  Hope this helps

[sportsnut]

Well IMHO Hybrids can be tricky, I still have to work on them and I started early summer at golf. As others have said you do need to hit down like an iron, some recommend to hit them like an 8 iron. what does that mean exactly I dont know, but I work on my mid irons and then pick up my hybrid and swing away at the ball, It has gotten easier and I make some really good shots with them at times, but answer is to keep working with them till you get the hits and sound you like, my adams makes a nice tink when I hit them right.

[TourSpoon]

Swing them like you are trying to hit a shallow divot with the ball just forward of center. Most people I see try to play them too far forward. I am so in love with my Adams 2H, and go back and forth with the 3H/3i.

[mvmac]

Good stuff SK golf, yes basically swing a hybrid the same way you would a 5 iron.  Best advice I can give is to make sure the hands are forward at set-up

[sk golf]

Notice how Martin is still getting a divot with a hybrid

[sk golf]

Remember low point is opposite your left shoulder because that is the center of club head orbit (arc). So just like mvmac said, keep weight forward and handle forward.

[Kobey]

Seems like a lot of people have trouble with hybrids.  I am one of them.  Yet I see a lot of people and manufacturers recommend them because they are supposed to be easier to hit than irons.  I gave up on mine before I joined this forum and learned about things like hands forward and hitting down on the ball.  I was always trying to hit them like a driver and don't think I ever hit a good shot with one. Now it is too late.  I have been scared away from them and won't even try one now even though it was my fault I couldn't hit them and not the clubs.

[Goodfella]

I also have been struggling the my 3&4 hybrid. It got to the point where I just went back to hitting my 5 iron because I was getting more consistent shots. Then I started to play the hybrid more like my iron and it helped but not enough to were I was comfortable using them when needed. So I really need to hit the range and get more consistent with them. I will try putting my hands more forward as well.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by sk golf

Remember low point is opposite your left shoulder because that is the center of club head orbit (arc). So just like mvmac said, keep weight forward and handle forward.

Well said.  Hands forward and not having the weight back helps so much.  I see too many players with the shaft 90*.  Golf clubs are designed to be hit with the handle leaning forward.  Think about it, we know ALL pros have the handle forward at impact, they hit it the highest, farthest and create the most shallow divots.  If if the hands are back, or neutral, have to get them forward by impact, can be done but few can do it.

[boogielicious]

I would add a more simple tip, swing easy with the hybrid.  Let the club to the work.  the Adams hybrids are usually a lighter swing weight than the irons in the same set.  They feel lighter and I tended to speed up a bit with the hybrid (I had the A4 set).  I got better with them by consciously swinging easy, thinking "75%" or "nice and easy and smooth".  You then hit it pure and the ball flies true.  At the range, try starting with half swings at 50%.  You will notice a difference right away.

[inthehole]

A few  things that have helped me tremendously with hybrids:

1. Choke up about an inch - my ball striking improved considerably when I started doing this.

2. At one point I was carrying 3 hybrids - I dropped all of them except for the 19° (3h) - focused on learning to hit that one club for 180-190 yd shots.

3. Most important (for me) ... SWING EASY.     Nothing good comes from swinging a hybrid hard - this takes conscious effort, as it just seems natural to want to swing them hard (again, speaking only for me) ... the ball jumps off the face & you don't have to hit them hard to get surprisingly good distance.

[newtogolf]

This is a great tip and what helped get my hybrids back in the bag.  Even though I was trying to hit them like an iron the lighter weight and larger head subconsciously made me swing them harder which would cause very inconsistent results.  A nice smooth swing at 75% works very well for me.

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I would add a more simple tip, swing easy with the hybrid.  Let the club to the work.  the Adams hybrids are usually a lighter swing weight than the irons in the same set.  They feel lighter and I tended to speed up a bit with the hybrid (I had the A4 set).  I got better with them by consciously swinging easy, thinking "75%" or "nice and easy and smooth".  You then hit it pure and the ball flies true.  At the range, try starting with half swings at 50%.  You will notice a difference right away.

[cheffdiddy_45]

Kaymer has such a beautiful swing.  I my swing could look like that.

I have had troubles hitting my hybrids as well and some of the info in this thread I hope will help me too.

[DocParty]

Hitting the hybrid was simple for me since I hit them just like my 7 iron. Right or wrong, that's what I do and they are the best feeling club to hit that I have. I quit the driver and went to a 3 wood to avoid the slices or hard pulls I got from my driver. My fault completely I understand that. I'm just not very good with the big stick. I get more than enough total carry with a 3 wood for my age and physical limitations so I don't miss being able to use the driver. I hit the 3 wood off the grass even on the tee since I hit more shots off the grass with my irons and hybrids, it just came easy.

I have to say that those that say hit down on the ball are correct, for me. I have to remember also to hit completely through the ball. I only use a 3/4 swing due to back restrictions but it doesn't seem to affect my distance and I land in the fairway (somewhere) most of the time. The few times I end up in the rough is my fault, not the club.

Hit down and through with a fairway wood or a hybrid and you'll really enjoy the clubs.

My best to all of you.

Doc

[DocParty]

I'm old, 62, and disabled. I will never hit the ball like most of these guys here do. That's alright.

If I can get 200 to 220 off the tee and those second shots on par fives, I'm happy.

Yes I know this is very short for you bombers, but again, I'm old and disabled.

I have been using hybrids for just about a full year, 7 through 2 irons and nothing else. No driver, no fairway woods.

I also have for 2 months using the split grip or hockey grip to get a better feel for the pronation or rolling of the hands at impact.

Just this past 2 times out on the course I moved back to the interlocking grip and was able to keep the pronation in tact.

I'm hitting the ball very straight, in the fairway 90% of the time but still lack a traditional tee shot distance since I don't have a driver.

I'm now looking for a 3 wood for this task and possibly my second shot from the fairway on par fives.

I have traditional irons from 8 through my 3 pw's.

Haven't played this well for the past 6 months and really enjoy it.

Hybrids are a personal issue. If they help your game, then why would you not use them? If they do not help your game, then why would you?

They are easier to hit, straighter, fly high and stick the greens very well. I won't go back to blades and if I can find the 8 and 9 in the callaway diablo egde (even if its a woman's club head) I'll buy them and re-shaft them with the mature graphite and a slightly over-sized grip. According to callaway, there is no difference in the heads (mens or womens) as far as manufacturing goes.

[c peterich]

Doc Hybrids were one of the biggest as advancements in the game.. By all means use them. I have a 3/4/5 in my bag...love them on par 3's and long 2nd shots and narrow tee shots. Be foolish not to use these clubs for some of us.. Love them to death