Adjustable loft hybrid for mid-high handicap

[danL]

I used to be pretty good at golf when I was younger but after a 15 year break im getting back into it. Last season I went from a 22 to a 15 handicap and I do expect to go lower this season too. But, I admit, I'm not ready to hit those tour level clubs again just yet. I scored a good deal on a Mizuno mph4 3-pw iron set and now I need a hybrid to finish the set. I've been looking at Nike VR-S Covert 2.0 Tour Hybrid but understand its for a lower handicap, like a 5-6 handicap. I love the idea of adjustable lofts so I can use it in multiple situations, but I don't want loft adjustment to necessitate club face change (open or closed) because I've got my natural fade under control lately. Anyone know of a club similar to the Nike VR-S Covert 2.0 Tour Hybrid that would better suit my game? Is this club really that hard to hit considering it's a cavity? The closest golf shop is about 45min so I'm hoping to get a bit of guidance before I walk in and start demoing clubs. Thanks guys.

[Jakester23]

I wouldn't concern yourself with what handicap a club is built for. My advice is make the 45 min drive and hit every hybrid they have. I went in with every intention of buying a i25 hybrid. Then I hit it and let's just say it was off the table in about 5 swings. I hit every hybrid golfsmith had at that time when I bought mine. Pick the one that you have the most confidence in at address and sounds (feels) the best to you. The covert 2.0 was my 2nd choice when I picked mine out. I liked the standard version better then the tour but they were both very nice. I wouldn't get to caught up in changing lofts around it's not like I treat a 18-22 degree club as a scoring club so a few yards either way doesn't mean all that much. How well you hit it shot to shot will vary more than 1 or 2 degrees of loft most likely.

[danL]

Thanks for the guidance. I just figured that being able to adjust the loft would make the club more versatile. I like irons more than hybrids so this would be taking the spot of a 5 wood if that helps. I don't want to have to buy 2-3 different hybrids knowing I'll only have one in my bag at any given time. Is that a legitimate concern or would a fixed loft 19* solve my needs?

[Jakester23]

Thanks for the guidance. I just figured that being able to adjust the loft would make the club more versatile. I like irons more than hybrids so this would be taking the spot of a 5 wood if that helps. I don't want to have to buy 2-3 different hybrids knowing I'll only have one in my bag at any given time. Is that a legitimate concern or would a fixed loft 19* solve my needs?

Hybrids are typically shorter than woods in both shaft length and actually distance. Let's say you hit your 5w 210 you would want to find a hybrid that replaces ( or close to) that 210 club. If I was you I'd take your 5w in with you and hit that and establish your distance on your golf stores Sim then hit hybrids until you come close to matching that distance. The reason you should take it is your Sim distance and real world distance are most likely different. If you have the 5w with you your comparing the 2 clubs on the same Sim and on the same day. You will probably hit the hybrids higher than the fairway wood as well at least that what I've noticed. I love my hybrids. I took my 4i out to add a 2nd hybrid. I never wanted to own a hybrid (macho thinking of course). Now that I have them I love them. They are so easy to launch its almost like cheating.

[TimS65]

Depends on your gaps. But I'd suggest that once you have a gap you like you'll never adjust it again. So it doesn't really matter if it is adjustable or not. Just select one based on the yardage you need.

[dkolo]

I used to be pretty good at golf when I was younger but after a 15 year break im getting back into it. Last season I went from a 22 to a 15 handicap and I do expect to go lower this season too. But, I admit, I'm not ready to hit those tour level clubs again just yet.

I scored a good deal on a Mizuno mph4 3-pw iron set and now I need a hybrid to finish the set. I've been looking at Nike VR-S Covert 2.0 Tour Hybrid but understand its for a lower handicap, like a 5-6 handicap.

I love the idea of adjustable lofts so I can use it in multiple situations, but I don't want loft adjustment to necessitate club face change (open or closed) because I've got my natural fade under control lately.

Anyone know of a club similar to the Nike VR-S Covert 2.0 Tour Hybrid that would better suit my game? Is this club really that hard to hit considering it's a cavity? The closest golf shop is about 45min so I'm hoping to get a bit of guidance before I walk in and start demoing clubs.

Thanks guys.

I play the Tour version of the Covert 3-wood just because it's adjustable to 13°. And I think the black face looks sweet. I don't consider it harder to hit than the regular 3 wood when set at standard loft. If anything, I think it's easier because it looks bigger and I think has a higher CC head. Don't be too hung up on the Tour / regular labels, especially for Nike.

[mvmac]

Check out the Callaway BB 815 hybrid. Adjustable and pretty easy to hit.

[danL]

I went to the golf galaxy yesterday and of course they didn't have either the Nike or that Callaway that you suggested. What to do, what to do. :( I did pick me up a pair of footjoy dryjoy tours though!

[Jakester23]

I went to the golf galaxy yesterday and of course they didn't have either the Nike or that Callaway that you suggested. What to do, what to do. :( I did pick me up a pair of footjoy dryjoy tours though!

Did you hit any hybrids at all?

[danL]

Yes I hit an Adams but don't remember the model, didn't like it very much, i can hit my 3i higher than it. Also tried a Taylormade but again didn't really like it. I've always had issues hitting hybrids which is why I'm hoping to find a forgiving one that I can swing like an iron instead of a wood.

[tristanhilton85]

I'm a fan of the Cobra hybrids. I have one from a few years back, the AMP Cell that I really like. I've heard even better things about last year's BIO Cell and this years version, the FlyZ, looks intriguing as well.

[Jakester23]

Yes I hit an Adams but don't remember the model, didn't like it very much, i can hit my 3i higher than it. Also tried a Taylormade but again didn't really like it. I've always had issues hitting hybrids which is why I'm hoping to find a forgiving one that I can swing like an iron instead of a wood.

All of the Callaway s I hit were very easy to launch and forgiving on off center hits. I have the X2 Hot which would be pretty cheap now.

[turtleback]

Yes I hit an Adams but don't remember the model, didn't like it very much, i can hit my 3i higher than it. Also tried a Taylormade but again didn't really like it.

I've always had issues hitting hybrids which is why I'm hoping to find a forgiving one that I can swing like an iron instead of a wood.

Maybe it is a silly question, but if you have always had problems with hybrids why would you want to replace you 5-wood with one?

Also I think it is more typical for players (at least amateurs) to replace long irons with hybrids, not replace fairway woods with them, since it is long irons that many amateurs find difficult to hit.

[danL]

Well I'm not replacing a 5 wood, I'm debating between a hybrid and a 5 wood because I'm putting together a new set. I'm not very good with a 3 wood off the deck so I'm hesitant to get a 5 wood. I've always heard hybrids are easier to hit but for me they don't seem to be. I can hit my 3i more consistently than my brothers 4h. Maybe they just aren't for me but I figured I'd just been hitting the wrong ones.

[WUTiger]

... I wouldn't get to caught up in changing lofts around it's not like I treat a 18-22 degree club as a scoring club so a few yards either way doesn't mean all that much. How well you hit it shot to shot will vary more than 1 or 2 degrees of loft most likely.

For loft adjustments for hybrids and FWs, one competitive amateur I know says he makes seasonal tweaks. In late fall through early spring, when the grass is sparse and dry, he will increase loft a couple of degrees to make sure he gets the ball up. Once the grass comes back and cushions the ball better, he returns to stronger lofts.

But, this depends on how much hassle you want in early-season play.

Note that one advantage of the adjustable D, FW and H clubs comes in supply chain management . If an OEM produces a driver that can be tweaked to three or four different lofts, plus a couple of different lies and/or face angles, that cuts down on the amount of inventory a golf shop must carry. Also, you can swap out shafts using a wrench rather than a heatgun and epoxy.

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Also, your 3W remark is telling. Golf Digest reported a couple of years back that the average golfer hits a 4W more reliably - and sometimes farther - than a 3W. A couple of extra degrees loft make a slot of difference in launch.

I've been using a 4W + 7W for three years now, and it really makes a difference. I also have a 4H which replaced a long iron.

With the Golf Expos and demo days coming up, why not compare the 3W vs. 4W? Also, find out whether you like hybrids. Some golfers hit high-lofted FWs better than hybrids. (Note that the high lofted FWs have really rebounded the last couple of years.) Find out what works for you.

[DrvFrShow]

I have two of last year's Cobra BioCell Hybrids (set at 19.5 and 22.5). I can say they are hot. They hit where you aim, and are quite forgiving. I have blue. You might want black. Black is very common and easy to find. The stock shaft is a Project X mid-launch graphite.

Cobra still has new 3-4 available online (19-22) for $99 free shipping no tax in R - X shafts in black. The 2-3 is available in S-X only in black, but in all flexes in blue.

Try them in the stores.

Or maybe you want to try a 4-5H. I hit a 5 iron carry 170 off the tee. I hit this 22.5H (4-5) about 185 carry off the tee.

If you were to get the 3-4 you could adjust it to 22 and try that.

[turtleback]

Well I'm not replacing a 5 wood, I'm debating between a hybrid and a 5 wood because I'm putting together a new set. I'm not very good with a 3 wood off the deck so I'm hesitant to get a 5 wood. I've always heard hybrids are easier to hit but for me they don't seem to be. I can hit my 3i more consistently than my brothers 4h.

Maybe they just aren't for me but I figured I'd just been hitting the wrong ones.

You do not hit fairway woods or hybrids well but you can ht a 3-iron?  That is unusual.  Maybe you should be looking at getting a 2-iron?

[danL]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I was apprehensive to get a 2 iron because I want something with more loft for tee shots on those longer par 3s and maybe use it to go for a par 5 green in 2 when I have a straight shot. Other than that it will stay in my bag. I just tried my new bombtech 3 wood yesterday though and I take back my previous statement. I can't hit most 3 woods, but this one is crazy easy to get down range! Maybe I could go with a bombtech 5 wood, but I will try several hybrids first before I put the order in.