Help me fill out my bag: 2 Hybrid?

[HarlDane]

So this is my current setup.

Putter
SW, GW, PW
9-4 Irons
21* 3 Hybrid
17* 4 Wood
13* Driver

I am a fairly new to golf, playing somewhat seriously for about 6 months. I generally shoot just over 100 and on a good day in the mid to high 90's. I've thought about either a 5 Wood or a 2 Hybrid. I'm also open to other suggestions.

[Quinn07]

I have been playing for about 14 years now and I was rather skeptical about the whole introduction of the hybrid clubs. I purchased one of the nickent models and it is now one of my go to clubs off the tee for shorter par 4's. However, as you are a newer golfer, I would have to suggest going to the 5 wood. I think you will find that it will be easier to hit. The hybrids are easier to hit than irons, however if you are looking at a 2 hybrid (pretty much a two iron) you would be better off with the 5 wood, as it will be easier to hit.

[Jaybone]

How well do you hit your current hybrid compared to you 4 wood? Since you have a 4 wood I would go with the hybrid. It would come in handier out of the rough.

[WhiteSoxFan]

What's your gap in yardage between your 4W and your 3Hybrid? Do you need another club in there? I hit my 3 iron about 205-210 and my 3W 220-225, so I don't really have a gap there. The only other difference in your bag and mine is that I have a LW. If you don't need another club in there I say go for a LW, otherwise I probably vote for a 5W over a 2Hybrid.

[HarlDane]

I rarely if ever use the 4 wood off of the fairway, I generally hit my 4 wood in the 205-210 yard range off the tee and my 3 hybrid about 185 off the deck and 190ish off the tee, so it's about a 15-20 yard gap. I've also thought of adding a LW, but my short game is my big downfall right now and I think I should try to improve my play with the GW/SW before adding a LW.

I hit my current hybrid pretty good, for some reason the bigger head of the fairway wood intimidates me off of the fairway or in the rough, which is why I was leaning towards another hybrid. I was trying to fit in a club that will give me +/- 200 yards off the fairway.

[crankyoldguy]

I just got a 2, 3 and 5 in the Tour Edge Bazooka QL Iron-Wood line. I LOVE them. I almost never use my 3 wood, except for tee shots, anymore.

What I have found, is that the loft these clubs give me, witht he control of an iron, is the perfect combination for the second shot on long par 5s and par 4s. I can hit the 2 around 220 yards with good accuracy...the 3 around 200, and the five in the 165 range.

I have simply stopped using my woods off of the deck completely.

[hurley9192]

you probably don't need another club right now unless you feel something missing in your game. In reality, most 30 handicaps could do well to take out half of their clubs and just focus on learning the game and then add what they feel is missing. If they have gaps, then fill them in where needed. You don't have to have 14 clubs, it's just the limit. I can't imagine you hit you 3 hybrid that much different from your 4 wood to need another club in between. I would imagine both go about the same on average with the 4 wood going about 10-15 yards further when comparing the good shots.

[TourSpoon]

If you go with the 2H then I would dump the 4 wood for a 3 wood so that you have better gaps, or you could just get more comfortable with the 4 wood and learn to hit it from the deck as it is a versatile wood. At this point I agree with hurley that once you learn the game you will have a better idea of what you need. Good luck.

[KGC]

I know you have just started and you are a high handicapper but how about a lob wedge? Not knowing your yardage gaps at the long end of your game this seems like an option as you have a four wood and three hybrid I would have thought the distance gaps would be covered.

A lob may help from greenside bunkers and across hazards close in to the green without resorting to the dreaded flop shot. Also it would provide another full shot closer in. Some say a 58* or maybe a 60* but make sure it has at least 8* of bounce.

Just another option I guess.

[Shindig]

So this is my current setup.

What are your yardages on your clubs? If your 3-Hybrid and 4-Wood are reasonably close together in distance, there's no sense in putting something in the gap.

What is the distance between the 4-Iron and the 3-Hybrid? Finally, realize that there is no obligation to fill out your bag. You're allowed to carry 14 clubs. You are not obligated to carry 14 clubs. For instance, I've dropped down to 12 clubs for my last few rounds. My gap between 5-Iron and 4-Iron was small, and I already had a 4-Hybrid, so I dropped the 4-Iron. While I'm better with my LW than most folks with my handicap, I've taken it out of the bag to force me to get better with my GW. I plan on replacing GW + LW with a stronger GW and a SW, bringing me 'back' to 13 clubs. I've done this for about 3 rounds, and I haven't once wished I had my 4-Iron or LW with me during the round. My scores haven't suffered. The other benefit to having fewer than 14 clubs in your bag is that if you determine that you need another club at some point, you don't have to get rid of a club you've gotten used to using. If I want to try a new putter, and it feels OK on the practice green, I can put it in my bag and try it during a round. If I determine it's not better than my current one, I can switch back, still within the 14 club limit. In short, my suggestion is this: if you don't have a distance gap to close, stick with the 13 clubs you have now. If you find yourself wishing for a particular club during the round, make a note of it. If it happens a few times for the same club, that's the club you need.

[shortgame85]

What are your yardages on your clubs? If your 3-Hybrid and 4-Wood are reasonably close together in distance, there's no sense in putting something in the gap.

I agree. Also, the best thing you can do for your game at this point is to work on shots from 100 yards in. Learn to hit your long clubs straight and concentrate on learning how to score. Many people, including yours truly, get too wrapped up in getting the long clubs JUST right, often to the detriment of spending time working on their short game. All that being said, hybrids are easier to hit than just about any other club. Even a number 2 hybrid ( @ 18 degrees ) is easy to hit. If you need a club that's easier to hit than your 4 wood, by all means consider a hybrid; otherwise, concentrate on your shortgame. You'll lower your scores faster with a keen shortgame.

[fusioncal]

So this is my current setup.

I have been playing for about 14 years now and I was rather skeptical about the whole introduction of the hybrid clubs. I purchased one of the nickent models and it is now one of my go to clubs off the tee for shorter par 4's. However, as you are a newer golfer, I would have to suggest going to the 5 wood. I think you will find that it will be easier to hit. The hybrids are easier to hit than irons, however if you are looking at a 2 hybrid (pretty much a two iron) you would be better off with the 5 wood, as it will be easier to hit.

I definitely agree. Get 5-wood NOT 2-hybrid. I have 2-hybrid and it slices like crazy although when in good days it does reward so well (straight, far and at mid trajectory), but it's just too risky to use on the course.