4-hybrid or 4-iron (Not an easy decision at all, Help!)

[onthehunt526]

As some of you may know I've been working on upgrading my clubs over the winter... (Updated bag info is in the WITB! Photo Edition Thread) My Exotics CU 4-iron is 23° loft. I hit it pretty well from the tee and fairway (200-210 carry from tee, 195-200 fairway), I block it from time to time sometimes down right flipping slice it... my 5-PW My miss is slightly right less and less as the clubs get shorter... my problem is from the rough and the block to the right with the 4I, so is it time for me to break down and get a more versatile 4-hybrid? Or keep the four-iron and see why I'm blocking it, by taking a couple lessons?

[SavvySwede]

24/38 rule says you would be better off without the 4 iron. I personally prefer a lofted wood because I feel it is nearly as versatile as a hybrid from tough lies and better from a good fairway lie or tee box.

[Jmdmbike]

I have the same dilemma - tough decision. Hybrid is versatile, but my miss with that club is usually a hook when rhythm is poor, which creates lots of problems. 4 iron isn't as long or as versatile, but usually pretty reliable and misses are not as bad as with the hybrid. I switch around between the 2 clubs, but play the hybrid more often - just try and put a smooth swing on it. Overall, more versatile and better distance with a decent swing.

[onkey]

My 4-iron is far too useful for escaping from jail (trees) and slicing/hooking a punch under the branches.  I just don't find that I can pull it off as well with a hybrid.

[Hammer 4]

My 4-iron is far too useful for escaping from jail (trees) and slicing/hooking a punch under the branches.  I just don't find that I can pull it off as well with a hybrid.

Had the same problem. I started working on " punch" type shots with my 22 degree 4H at the range. Chock down, make a shorter back swing, and slow my tempo down some, and viola..So for full shots, I go with the hybrid for better consistency, I still have my 4i in the bag for some reason..?

To the OP, I would try some 4h's and see how they work for You, and go from there.

[Jakester23]

My 4-iron is far too useful for escaping from jail (trees) and slicing/hooking a punch under the branches.  I just don't find that I can pull it off as well with a hybrid.

I agree you can't hit as many recovery shots with a 4h but you can with a 5i. Typically when your punching hooking slicing ect.. your not going to be much worse off with a 3 or 4 degree difference in club selection. A recovery shot should be a smart and also safe shot. You won't lose that by going to a 5i for those types of shots. You could also go with a 7w instead of a 4h.

[onthehunt526]

My 5I is my punch shot club... so that isn't the issue... I just think I might be better off with the hybrid I did have one at one point... I was thinking of the X-Rail hybrid(s) because I'm going to get the 3h and either 3 or 4w probably the former on the wood... but I don't know, I'd probably need to hear from someone who carries the iron in a similar skill level, and someone who carries the hybrid, 7w was also a thought but my experience with the 7w is I would have a 25-30 yard gap between 7w and 5I, which would still leave me at 13 clubs.

[Jakester23]

Im no the same skill level as you but I have a 4w, 3h, 4h,& 5i. My gap aren't to big. From 6i up isn't a scoring club anyway (for me) so a perfect 15-20 yard gap all the way up to my driver isn't important. Make sure you get clubs you are confident in. Unless your playing a really long course you won't be using this club all that often. So having something you like the look and feel of is probably as important as getting the "perfect" club if there is such a thing.

[onthehunt526]

Im no the same skill level as you but I have a 4w, 3h, 4h,& 5i. My gap aren't to big. From 6i up isn't a scoring club anyway (for me) so a perfect 15-20 yard gap all the way up to my driver isn't important. Make sure you get clubs you are confident in. Unless your playing a really long course you won't be using this club all that often. So having something you like the look and feel of is probably as important as getting the "perfect" club if there is such a thing.

My home course is 6400 yards, with a par-3 that plays 200-215 usually into the wind... mostly need a hybrid for my second shot on the 450-yard 18th, especially if I miss the fairway... I loathe that hole...

[WUTiger]

It's me again, and unfortunately, I'm below your skill level. But, here's what I've noticed:

As you know, I carry the 4W + 7W. And, I'm conflicted on whether to carry 4i or 4H.

If I'm playing my reshafted X20 Tour irons, I'll most likely carry a 4H instead of the 4i. 4H goes farther.

With my SLDR irons, it's a toss-up. The 4i through 7i has the ThruSlot polymer-filled sole, which really helps with the launch of the 4i and 5i. Off a tee, the 4i is scary straight. BUT, the 4H is overall more reliable off the fairway, and out of the rough.

My pro has recommended I use the 4i on tight courses, and the 4H on more open courses.

in your 13th Club thread, you said you hit your drive about 260 yds. You've got good clubhead speed. What you might do is go 4W, 3H and 4H. Then, for certain courses, you might swap the 4H for 4i.

[treebound]

My game is as rusty as an unpainted steel boat in the Pacific ocean, but along the lines of what was just suggested I will bring both a 4H and 4i to the course, then leave one of them in the trunk depending upon the course and how I'm feeling that day. Since it appears the OP doesn't yet have a 4H then maybe go ahead and get one and start working with it. Until you actually get your hands on one and see how it works for you, at best all you'll have is assumptions and conjecture salted with other people's experiences.

[onthehunt526]

It's me again, and unfortunately, I'm below your skill level. But, here's what I've noticed: As you know, I carry the 4W + 7W. And, I'm conflicted on whether to carry 4i or 4H. If I'm playing my reshafted X20 Tour irons, I'll most likely carry a 4H instead of the 4i. 4H goes farther. With my SLDR irons, it's a toss-up. The 4i through 7i has the ThruSlot polymer-filled sole, which really helps with the launch of the 4i and 5i. Off a tee, the 4i is scary straight. BUT, the 4H is overall more reliable off the fairway, and out of the rough. My pro has recommended I use the 4i on tight courses, and the 4H on more open courses. in your 13th Club thread, you said you hit your drive about 260 yds. You've got good clubhead speed. What you might do is go 4W, 3H and 4H. Then, for certain courses, you might swap the 4H for 4i.

So on my 6400 yard home course, which with the exception of the 1st and 3rd (it's a nine hole course with two sets of tees so 10 and 12 would also be tight)... hybrid would probably be better...at my home course, if I play Soaring Eagles which is 6700 yards and tight... the 4-iron might be better? I can hit long irons, I have good enough speed to hit them Just inconsistent and a big block, maybe by summer I can get it figured out... but I think the hybrid might be more consistent...

[WUTiger]

I can hit long irons, I have good enough speed to hit them Just inconsistent and a big block, maybe by summer I can get it figured out... but I think the hybrid might be more consistent...

This is your caddie speaking: suggested plan..... go with 4H, and continue to practice with 4i. You'll probably have courses where the 4i will go in the bag.

[boogielicious]

As some of you may know I've been working on upgrading my clubs over the winter...

(Updated bag info is in the WITB! Photo Edition Thread)

My Exotics CU 4-iron is 23° loft. I hit it pretty well from the tee and fairway (200-210 carry from tee, 195-200 fairway), I block it from time to time sometimes down right flipping slice it... my 5-PW My miss is slightly right less and less as the clubs get shorter... my problem is from the rough and the block to the right with the 4I, so is it time for me to break down and get a more versatile 4-hybrid? Or keep the four-iron and see why I'm blocking it, by taking a couple lessons?

I've used the Mizuno MP Fli Hi 4 iron for a couple of years.  I really like it.  It is great off the turf and in the rough.  I have it with the same shaft as my irons.  You can find these on e-bay for short money, $30 - $50.

I do use a 3 hybrid, Titleist 910H, but wanted more of a cross over for the 4 iron.

[trickyputt]

I have been having success with the 20 degree taylormade #3 ultimate driving iron (udi). I replaced my 4h with it. I ordered a 16° number #1, intending to deloft it to 17 and add 1° bounce depending on the gapping I find with it.

[rehmwa]

I dropped my 4i for the 4h quite a while ago.  The best use of my 4i was to take it to the range whenever I was having issues getting clean contact with my 5i.  But on the course, I rarely had a shot where I said "I really wish I had my 4i".

My new iron set, I didn't even get the 4i at all.

My biggest dilemma was 5w vs 2h actually......really tough call.  I remain very conflicted.

[trickyputt]

I dropped my 4i for the 4h quite a while ago.  The best use of my 4i was to take it to the range whenever I was having issues getting clean contact with my 5i.  But on the course, I rarely had a shot where I said "I really wish I had my 4i". My new iron set, I didn't even get the 4i at all. My biggest dilemma was 5w vs 2h actually......really tough call.  I remain very conflicted.

I am interested to know the distance handled by that call. 220?

[rehmwa]

I am interested to know the distance handled by that call. 220?

the 5w vs 2h?

yes - for shots between 220 and 240

straight from the range and trackman:

4i - 205

4h - 210

2h - 225

5w - 235

the 4s are close enough for my meager skills to not matter

the 2h and 5w...ditto

So I have both hybrids in the bag - that, and I don't like having 1 of anything in the bag, so 2 woods, 2 hybrids, multiple irons.  Not sure why that matters, but three woods and a single hybrid is annoying.  strangely enough, one putter doesn't bug me   ; )

so I end up going with what I believe to be easier to get good contact.  As much as I like my 5w, the 2h is nearly always in the bag

(I'm more comfy with the visual of the 5w when on the tee box, but I don't think I hit it any better, I'm just more comfy about it, FWIW

if I were to reach a point where I start using the driver a lot less on tee shots, I'd likely put the 5w back in again)