Does this justify a hybrid?

[Chris Stewart]

I'm not a long hitter. I've noticed that on a par 4, I'm hitting a 3w/5w on my second shot. On a par 5, I'm hitting a 3w/5w for my second and even third shots in most cases. I feel like I hit both fairway woods fairly well and really want better distance control since I'm often approaching with one of them, and would love to find something I can hit further. I did get to hit a 4h last weekend at Dick's but the distance/stat machine was off, so I wasn't able to get much more than the feel of the club. It was a little different than what I'm used to but I certainly felt better with it than a 3i. Here's my current distance chart for reference: 1w 210 3w 170 5w 150 3i 150 5i 150 6i 130 7i 110 9i 100 PW 90 (yes, the 4i/8i are missing. I don't own those.) I'm thinking a 3h would yield better distance than my 3i, I'd be more inclined to use it on the course since I feel comfortable with fairway woods, and I'd be able to get less roll on those shots than I do my 3w/5w approach shots. Thoughts? I'm looking at (http://www.globalgolf.com/product/golfclub/-/sku--1019757-aeh/hybrid-utility/taylor-made/burner-superfast-20-rescue.aspx?gd=3&cdt;=3) as it matches up with my driver.

[Zeph]

Carrying a 3 iron at your level is not something I would recommend. IIRC most PGA pros don't even carry a 3 iron. The hybrid is easier to hit, which is the main advantage for a high handicapper. They also fly higher and stops quicker. You'll get more distance once you improve your swing in time. At this point, you are short with all clubs. You might be able to hit a hybrid that fits you farther than the longer irons, and I'm sure you would hit it better than the long irons. I would recommend hybrids for any beginner. If they hit the long irons fairly well I won't take them away, but for most, a hybrid will be easier to hit. Find a store and go hit various hybrids to see which one works best for you.

[meenman]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

I'm not a long hitter. I've noticed that on a par 4, I'm hitting a 3w/5w on my second shot. On a par 5, I'm hitting a 3w/5w for my second and even third shots in most cases. I feel like I hit both fairway woods fairly well and really want better distance control since I'm often approaching with one of them, and would love to find something I can hit further. I did get to hit a 4h last weekend at Dick's but the distance/stat machine was off, so I wasn't able to get much more than the feel of the club. It was a little different than what I'm used to but I certainly felt better with it than a 3i. Here's my current distance chart for reference:

1w 210

3w 170

5w 150

3i 150

5i 150

6i 130

7i 110

9i 100

PW 90

(yes, the 4i/8i are missing. I don't own those.)

I'm thinking a 3h would yield better distance than my 3i, I'd be more inclined to use it on the course since I feel comfortable with fairway woods, and I'd be able to get less roll on those shots than I do my 3w/5w approach shots.

Thoughts? I'm looking at (http://www.globalgolf.com/product/golfclub/-/sku--1019757-aeh/hybrid-utility/taylor-made/burner-superfast-20-rescue.aspx?gd=3&cdt;=3) as it matches up with my driver.

Not trying to be rude, but if you are hitting a 3 wood on your 2nd + 3rd shot on a par 5 there are bigger issues. A 3 iron should only be used as a door stop in your situation.

You may have better luck hitting a relaxed 7 iron in these situations - it has to go further than any drivers or woods for you.

[Mr. Desmond]

TM has the RBZ 7 and 9 woods - I'd suggest you start there and then consider the RBZ 25 and 28 in hybrids.

[Chris Stewart]

Not trying to be rude, but if you are hitting a 3 wood on your 2nd + 3rd shot on a par 5 there are bigger issues. A 3 iron should only be used as a door stop in your situation. You may have better luck hitting a relaxed 7 iron in these situations - it has to go further than any drivers or woods for you.

I'm not hitting a 3w on the 3rd shot, read it again. Say it's a 530 yard par 5, like I saw this past Thursday, I'd hit my 1w (210 yards, leaving 320 yards), then my 3w (170 yards, leaving 150 yards), and a 5w over the 5i as I feel more confident in it. Not sure what my bigger issue could be there? I don't hit it a mile, as I expressed up front. I also like hitting the 3w/5w, so I defer to those when possible. I don't hit the 3i on the course. As you can probably gather from my chart, there would be no point as I obviously don't hit it very well and would be better served by an easier 5w or 5i. I don't understand your 7i comment. A 7i won't carry 150 yards (using the above example) for me, and I certainly hit my driver farther than the 7i and straight enough that it's not a concern. I assume you mean I'm putting the drive or second shot in the nasty stuff. Also, my handicap is 36.4 because I haven't played 5 rounds yet while keeping track of it. Given my first three rounds, if my next two are the same, I'll be in the mid 20s, for reference.

[Chris Stewart]

Carrying a 3 iron at your level is not something I would recommend. IIRC most PGA pros don't even carry a 3 iron. The hybrid is easier to hit, which is the main advantage for a high handicapper. They also fly higher and stops quicker. You'll get more distance once you improve your swing in time. At this point, you are short with all clubs. You might be able to hit a hybrid that fits you farther than the longer irons, and I'm sure you would hit it better than the long irons. I would recommend hybrids for any beginner. If they hit the long irons fairly well I won't take them away, but for most, a hybrid will be easier to hit. Find a store and go hit various hybrids to see which one works best for you.

Thanks for the info, I'll see if I can get to Dick's and try a 3h. I'm sure I'll have more luck with it than I've had with the 3i on the range. I just wonder where it will fall between my 3w/5w. I assume the distance will be close to my 3w but won't roll as much, giving me a benefit when I'm 170ish away from the hole. I'd be able to hit a full 3h and not a lesser 3w, trying to factor in the roll.

[Chris Stewart]

TM has the RBZ 7 and 9 woods - I'd suggest you start there and then consider the RBZ 25 and 28 in hybrids.

Interesting, I hadn't considered higher woods. I definitely want to keep working on my mid/low irons, so I wonder if I'd be hurting myself long term by going with 7w/9w.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

Interesting, I hadn't considered higher woods. I definitely want to keep working on my mid/low irons, so I wonder if I'd be hurting myself long term by going with 7w/9w.

A mid iron is not a 3i or 4i -- that is a long iron. Mid irons are 5--7i.

Fairways are longer in shaft length than the comparable hybrid but are generally more forgiving. It all depends on what you need and what fits your eye.

[Chris Stewart]

A mid iron is not a 3i or 4i -- that is a long iron. Mid irons are 5--7i.

Fairways are longer in shaft length than the comparable hybrid but are generally more forgiving. It all depends on what you need and what fits your eye.

Yes, I understand the difference. My assumption was that a 7w or 9w would be replacing more than a 3i or 4i, but perhaps a 5i or 6i.

[dmnoland]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

Interesting, I hadn't considered higher woods. I definitely want to keep working on my mid/low irons, so I wonder if I'd be hurting myself long term by going with 7w/9w.

Since you said you liked hitting your fairway woods and you hit them well, how would you be hurting yourself?

Two years ago (after giving up on hybrids) I bought a used 7 wood (in sig) and while chatting with the guy he mentioned that he also had the matching 9 wood. I figured why not, $15 per club was not gonna break me. Wow, I immediately fell in love with both and have forgotten all about hybrids.

If your set on going new I recommend the new TM RBZ's, awesome clubs.

[Chris Stewart]

Since you said you liked hitting your fairway woods and you hit them well, how would you be hurting yourself? Two years ago (after giving up on hybrids) I bought a used 7 wood (in sig) and while chatting with the guy he mentioned that he also had the matching 9 wood. I figured why not, $15 per club was not gonna break me. Wow, I immediately fell in love with both and have forgotten all about hybrids. If your set on going new I recommend the new TM RBZ's, awesome clubs.

I only felt that way because I originally thought (incorrectly I'm now learning) that a 7w and 9w would be replacing clubs like the 5i and 6i, which I'd like to continue working on to get better at. I don't know the lofts on my existing fairway woods/irons because they're so old and crummy, I've never known them. I guess based on the responses that those higher woods would be similar to 3i/4i/3h/4h? I need to look up the lofts and figure that out.

[Bullitt5339]

My 7 Wood replaced my 3 hybrid.  I am assuming from looking at your distance gaps that you don't get the ball very high in the air, especially with the mid-longer irons.  You simply don't have the swing speed to launch a 3 iron at this point.  Don't feel bad, most of us here don't.

My Swing Speed is 93mph with my driver, fairly low by modern standards.

My driver is 240ish (going through a difficult time right now with it, hence the "ish")

My 4 Wood is 220 yards

My 7 Wood is 200 yards

My 4 hybrid is 190 yards

The 3 hybrid also went around 200 yards for me, but I struggled with hooking it, so I hit my friend's 7 Wood.  I bought one the next day.  While most people have too much ego to game a 7 Wood, it's generally known as an Old Man's Club, but I wouldn't take mine out of the bag ever.  It launches the ball high and straight and was much more consistent than my 3 hybrid.  I would venture to say that most mid-high handicappers would shoot quite a few strokes better if they left their ego at home and bought clubs they hit well regardless of the stigma associated with them.  I play 4 and 5 hybrids simply because I hit them better than a 4 or 5 iron.  I am even debating on replacing my 4 hybrid with a 9 Wood.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

Yes, I understand the difference. My assumption was that a 7w or 9w would be replacing more than a 3i or 4i, but perhaps a 5i or 6i.

Okay.

Replacing the 5i and 6i would be the RBZ Rescue in 25 and 28. Maybe -- because of their length, I am getting a 25 RBZ hybrid with a custom shaft  and slightly shorter length shaft to replace a 4i.

Most guys I see on the course are not hitting a 3i or 4i any longer - they go hybrids. Hybrids are no miracle. They're just easier than long irons. For me, Hybrids are miracles in the 25 and 38-30 range. I found them much more consistent than a 5i or 6i -- but as I go to a more center-pivot swing, I find that my mid-irons are gaining consistency. But I will still end up with the 25 and 28 hybrids -- we have  drought conditions much of the year and a hybrid is a heckuva lot more forgiving off hardpan.

[dmnoland]

If your clubs are really old they probably have weaker lofts then todays.

Here are the lofts of my G-10s and the G-15/20s have been strengthened by .5 to 1 degree.

Club	Length	Loft	Lie	Offset	Bounce	Swgt.
	2	39.25"	18.5°	58.50°	.34"	-3.0°	D0
	3	38.75"	21.0°	59.25°	.32"	-2.0°	D0
	4	38.25"	24.0°	60.00°	.30"	0.0°	D0
	5	37.75"	27.0°	60.75°	.28"	2.0°	D0
	6	37.25"	30.5°	61.50°	.26"	4.0°	D0
	7	36.75"	34.0°	62.25°	.24"	6.0°	D0
	8	36.25"	38.0°	63.00°	.22"	8.0°	D0
	9	35.75"	42.0°	63.75°	.20"	9.0°	D0
	PW	35.50"	46.0°	64.00°	.18"	10.0°	D2
	UW	35.50"	50.0°	64.00°	.15"	11.0°	D2
	SW	35.25"	54.0°	64.25°	.13"	12.0°	D4
	LW	35.00"	58.0°	64.50°	.10"	12.0°	D6

My 7 fw replaces the 3 iron and 9 fw replaces the 4 iron. An 11 wood would replace the 5 iron.

[meenman]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

I'm not a long hitter. I've noticed that on a par 4, I'm hitting a 3w/5w on my second shot. On a par 5, I'm hitting a 3w/5w for my second and even third shots in most cases.

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

I'm not hitting a 3w on the 3rd shot, read it again.

I apologize for not being a mind reader, but maybe you should read what you typed again,

And I stand by my statement that you would be better served hitting a 7 iron 3 times on a par 5 over hitting driver/woods.

[Chris Stewart]

My 7 Wood replaced my 3 hybrid.  I am assuming from looking at your distance gaps that you don't get the ball very high in the air, especially with the mid-longer irons.  You simply don't have the swing speed to launch a 3 iron at this point.  Don't feel bad, most of us here don't.

You're exactly right about swing speed. Last time I was on the meter, I was swinging high 70s, low 80s. I don't swing it with everything I have since I'm still working on my swing mechanics, tempo, and ball striking. I figured getting those more correct, more consistent, was most important and that eventually I'll work full speed swings into it. I know distance will eventually come for me and my clubs, but today I play the game so I still want to enjoy it now, hence the reason I'm looking into new options. I'm really glad to hear about your 7w experience. It's cool to see more people that really like fairway woods as much as I do. It seems (seemed?) like not that many people like to hit them.

[Chris Stewart]

And I stand by my statement that you would be better served hitting a 7 iron 3 times on a par 5 over hitting driver/woods.

If it would only take 3 7 irons, then I might agree with you.

[Bullitt5339]

My home course is around 6500 yards from the middle tees, and I have 2 guys that are both in their mid-60's that I pair up with quite a bit.  They can't hit the ball very far, around the same distance off the tee that you are, and they're both under 8 handicaps.  But both have amazing short games.  They don't hit the greens in regulation, but they pitch and one putt and score very well.

One made me a bet on a par 5 once when I was struggling with my driver.  He bet that he could outscore me by only using a 7 iron, wedges and putter to prove to me that it's all about being in the short grass and playable.  I hit a driver 240 behind some trees, he hit a 7 iron 140 yards 4 times and then pitched and one putted.  He scored bogey, I ended up with a double bogey because I had to punch out from the trees, missed the green and then 2 putted.