Trouble hitting 4 Hybrid

[Sai-Jin]

Lately I've been having trouble hitting my hybrids...

I top them or I hit it fat.

I used to have the ball in the middle of the stance and it works, but lately I put it a little more forward,

since that's what I do with 4-5 irons and I hit them fine.

[Jon Robert]

Pay attention to your swing with the irons and then with the hybrids.  Has the Hybrids produced a different feel that has then changed the swing?

[Maverick]

Originally Posted by Sai-Jin

Lately I've been having trouble hitting my hybrids...

I top them or I hit it fat.

I used to have the ball in the middle of the stance and it works, but lately I put it a little more forward,

since that's what I do with 4-5 irons and I hit them fine.

Common theory says to place them in the center or just left of center (righty) and hit it like an iron, BUT for me too, I pay it more forward sweep it..it might not be "correct" but I get much more control and distance this way..at least for me.

[onesome]

A very common cause of topped or thinned shots is up and down movement during the backswing and coming down, concentrate on keeping your body/head steady at one heighth.

[Sai-Jin]

You are so right...

How can I forget such basic thing.

[mplsgolfer]

Also strange about hitting hybrids is that you have to remember to hit down into the ball like you would an iron. I know my tendency when I miss with a hybrid is to hit it too squarely instead of hitting down on it. Perhaps focus on your downward swing path and you may find you'll be producing a better ball flight with the hybrid.

[Sai-Jin]

Yes, I actually went to the range yesterday and put the ball bak to almost center and kept my head level And I hit some powerful shots again. Funny thing is I actually recently sweep a little more with my 4 and 5i.

[Jimdangles]

Originally Posted by onesome

A very common cause of topped or thinned shots is up and down movement during the backswing and coming down, concentrate on keeping your body/head steady at one heighth.

Bingo. I was having trouble hitting my hybrids then I concentrated on staying as still as possible while still making the obvious hip and arm movements. I know it sounds basic but this is pretty much the only club that I really have to concentrate on this with.

Side note. I put it the ball on my front foot and just make my natural feeling swing(fairly straight) or I try and hit it like a high draw and do it pretty well.

[tiger187126]

Originally Posted by Sai-Jin

Yes, I actually went to the range yesterday and put the ball bak to almost center and kept my head level

And I hit some powerful shots again.

Funny thing is I actually recently sweep a little more with my 4 and 5i.

i'm a sweeper so i play all my clubs a little further out from my body than a normal person probably does, but the head still thing is money.

i was having a really hard time recently hitting my long irons (hybrid, 4, and 5) and it was because i was rushing my head up early instead of keeping it still.

[GaijinGolfer]

Hybrids are designed to hit down on the ball.  Play them like a 7-iron and you will be fine.  A lot of people look at that wood-like head and think they need to sweep it like its a wood but that is wrong.  You need to play them like a 7-iron because thats how they were designed to work.

[inthehole]

slow the tempo of the backswing & hit down on your hybrid, almost like hitting a wedge shot.     Amazing how hybrids respond to hitting down on them...

[iceman777]

You need to go to the range, preferably grass , not a mat , and experiment . Try  a few balls in the middle of your stance and then a few farther up . I also noticed I need to hit my 5 hybrid with the clubface open at address and my 6 hybrid with a closed face . So , if you try changing ball position , open , closed , or straight on club at address and also look at hand position : slightly forward vs hands straight on at address, you'll find a combination that works for your swing . Don't give up , they are clubs that can really help the average or older player . Good luck .

[Sai-Jin]

Originally Posted by GaijinGolfer

Hybrids are designed to hit down on the ball.  Play them like a 7-iron and you will be fine.  A lot of people look at that wood-like head and think they need to sweep it like its a wood but that is wrong.  You need to play them like a 7-iron because thats how they were designed to work.

even though I put the ball slightly forward for my 4 and 5 irons?

4 Hybird play like 7i ? (I used to do this and it worked until someone told me I should play it forward)

[DocParty]

Hey if moving the ball forward helps, then by all means do it. Each of us have a slightly different perfect place that we each can hit the ball at the apex of our swing. No two swings are exactly alike. So, if moving the ball helps your ball contact and thereby your accuracy and distance, do it. Why would you not? Not every club hits the very same every time. I hit a 4h 150 usually and accurately. Today it hit it 180 accurately but unfortunately over shot the green. I didn't get ticked off about it. I just realized that I had hit my 4h (for me) perfectly. I may do it again but until then I'm counting on 150 from my 4h. I'm old, 61, disabled, so I'm not trying out for the tour! lol

doc

[DocParty]

Believe it or not, every iron in your bag, even hybrids should be swung like your 7 iron. It's the one club that for some reason hardly anyone has any problem hitting so they trust the club and it pays them back with a good hit almost every time. Swing your hybrids just like this guy says, just like your full swing 7 iron. Swing down and through the ball and have a complete finish. They do all the work, you're just there swinging the club.

Doc

[DocParty]

Very good advice 'inthehole' has given. try it, it works.

Doc

[DocParty]

Originally Posted by Jimdangles

Bingo. I was having trouble hitting my hybrids then I concentrated on staying as still as possible while still making the obvious hip and arm movements. I know it sounds basic but this is pretty much the only club that I really have to concentrate on this with.

Side note. I put it the ball on my front foot and just make my natural feeling swing(fairly straight) or I try and hit it like a high draw and do it pretty well.

It's because you have been trying too hard with the hybrid and it is the club you need to try with the least amount of energy/effort. Just swing it like a 7 iron and make a complete follow through. Buckle pointing at the target, back sole of your foot facing 180 degrees away from the target. Works every time. Can't fail, only you can in your efforts. Take it easy, they do all the work.

Doc

[jd924]

Most likely your swing (no shit eh). I'd suggest getting yourself on video and making sure your head is steady on the back swing AND the downswing. Remember the hips push forward to create secondary axis tilt, that does not mean your whole body goes forward and at the last second you drop your head back. Keep the head steady with proper axis tilt and you'll strike it better.