Hybrid fitting process

[RFKFREAK]

So, the 4 hybrid I currently use came with a box set of irons I bought 8 or 9 years ago from Sports Authority for like $150 or $250. I get a very low ball flight from it and at the range the other day I tried my friends 4 hybrid and was able to get a nice ball flight. I'm looking to buy a hybrid to replace my current one and am curious about the fitting process and how extensive it should be since I've never really been fit before. I'm thinking of buying a new hybrid but if they don't really do hybrid fittings then I'll consider going the used route. So, what should I expect? Is there a fitting process or is it mostly hit a few hybrids and pick the one that seems best? Thanks.

[Mr. Desmond]

I would round up the usual Ping, Callaway, TM, Cobra, Titleist, et al suspects, select the clubs that look good to your eye, within the limitations of your game (GI, Super GI, Player's, etc) and jump on a simulator or Trackman, and see what results you obtain.

I like the ones that launch easy for me, are not too long in shaft length, not too much spin, and don't have a lot of dispersion.

I'd also look at the sole - I like it slightly rounded and not too long heel to toe - I like the ones, where you look at the face, and the shape resembles a fairway wood. I think those are more playable from various lies.

See what the numbers say and your comfort level, and see if you can take the 3 leading candidates outside. If not, see if the store has a playability guarantee, try it, return it if you do not like it, and get the other one...

Or go to a professional fitter with the same process...

[dkolo]

So, the 4 hybrid I currently use came with a box set of irons I bought 8 or 9 years ago from Sports Authority for like $150 or $250. I get a very low ball flight from it and at the range the other day I tried my friends 4 hybrid and was able to get a nice ball flight. I'm looking to buy a hybrid to replace my current one and am curious about the fitting process and how extensive it should be since I've never really been fit before. I'm thinking of buying a new hybrid but if they don't really do hybrid fittings then I'll consider going the used route. So, what should I expect? Is there a fitting process or is it mostly hit a few hybrids and pick the one that seems best? Thanks.

I'm sort of in the same boat; I went to golfsmith yesterday and tried out the XR hybrid 3 and loved it. Was just screwing around while I was figuring out how to spend my birthday reward certificate. Then I went to play and put my brother's Nike Covert Tour hybrid into the bag and managed to actually use it a bunch of times effectively (I game a 5W but hate using it off the deck and only hit it on dog leg holes off the tee). Anyway, now I'm kinda hot on getting a 3H and the Labor Day sales just ended so the X2 Hots are $50 more than they were last night, which means I have some time to plan this. I tried a couple of hybrids at the store and I have to say, I really dislike the Pro heads callaway puts out. They're so narrow, I have no confidence and it feels like I'm swinging a longer version of Phil Mickelson's #9 putter. There's a sweet spot with hybrids around the size of the regular X2 Hot / XR model, whereas the more fairway-y hybrids seem too big to feel I can get after a ball in a worse lie. Anyway, the XR is a joke how easy it is to hit. I've never picked up a club and hit it so easily without a warmup at a golf store. I wasn't wild about the Taylormade R15. The aeroburner was nice but I hate the white paint job, which you don't have as much of an issue with. The Jetspeeds are plentiful and cheap. As for fitting, yeah, just hit a bunch and get a feel. I don't think a hybrid is the toughest thing to get into your bag. As long as you get the right loft to fit your gap, it's mostly just getting your other preferences met.

[RFKFREAK]

I'm sort of in the same boat; I went to golfsmith yesterday and tried out the XR hybrid 3 and loved it. Was just screwing around while I was figuring out how to spend my birthday reward certificate. Then I went to play and put my brother's Nike Covert Tour hybrid into the bag and managed to actually use it a bunch of times effectively (I game a 5W but hate using it off the deck and only hit it on dog leg holes off the tee). Anyway, now I'm kinda hot on getting a 3H and the Labor Day sales just ended so the X2 Hots are $50 more than they were last night, which means I have some time to plan this. I tried a couple of hybrids at the store and I have to say, I really dislike the Pro heads callaway puts out. They're so narrow, I have no confidence and it feels like I'm swinging a longer version of Phil Mickelson's #9 putter. There's a sweet spot with hybrids around the size of the regular X2 Hot / XR model, whereas the more fairway-y hybrids seem too big to feel I can get after a ball in a worse lie.

Anyway, the XR is a joke how easy it is to hit. I've never picked up a club and hit it so easily without a warmup at a golf store. I wasn't wild about the Taylormade R15. The aeroburner was nice but I hate the white paint job, which you don't have as much of an issue with. The Jetspeeds are plentiful and cheap.

As for fitting, yeah, just hit a bunch and get a feel. I don't think a hybrid is the toughest thing to get into your bag. As long as you get the right loft to fit your gap, it's mostly just getting your other preferences met.

Haha, well, I have no idea what the right loft to fit my gap is because I'm going to look into buying the AP1's (presuming I hit them well) when they come out later this year so not sure what the specs will be on those.  I just have no idea how extensive the fitting process is and wanted to see if anyone has bought a hybrid separately and if they did something besides grabbing some clubs and hitting them.

That, plus, I've never thought of my hybrid as fitting my gap.  I just know my distances have increased since last year and that, right now, if I have to hit around 200 yards, I grab the 4H.

[dkolo]

Haha, well, I have no idea what the right loft to fit my gap is because I'm going to look into buying the AP1's (presuming I hit them well) when they come out later this year so not sure what the specs will be on those.  I just have no idea how extensive the fitting process is and wanted to see if anyone has bought a hybrid separately and if they did something besides grabbing some clubs and hitting them.

That, plus, I've never thought of my hybrid as fitting my gap.  I just know my distances have increased since last year and that, right now, if I have to hit around 200 yards, I grab the 4H.

Depending on how cranked the lofts on the 5i are, you might have overlap or a gap between that club and your hybrid. I'm looking at a 3H because my 4H maxes out consistency-wise at 200 and I've been having a bunch of 210 - 220 approaches lately that I don't want to hit with my 5W

[Mr. Desmond]

As to the above, and Callaway XR Hybrids, Agreed.

They are soooo easy to hit well. I have the 4,5, and then bought a 6 Hy because it's effortless carry with forgiveness. Less effort than a 5 or 6i and more consistent - more yardage, higher flight. Bought the last one, the 6h with the Recoil as my irons are Recoil 95. The other two are not stock shafts but I've heard good things about the stock shaft -- the LZ.

[dkolo]

As to the above, and Callaway XR Hybrids, Agreed.

They are soooo easy to hit well. I have the 4,5, and then bought a 6 Hy because it's effortless carry with forgiveness. Less effort than a 5 or 6i and more consistent - more yardage, higher flight. Bought the last one, the 6h with the Recoil as my irons are Recoil 95. The other two are not stock shafts but I've heard good things about the stock shaft -- the LZ.

Do you have any insight into whether there's a noticeable difference between the XR and the X2 Hot? I'm operating off of the assumption that they're mostly the same club, with marginal improvements from the X2 to XR.

[RFKFREAK]

Depending on how cranked the lofts on the 5i are, you might have overlap or a gap between that club and your hybrid. I'm looking at a 3H because my 4H maxes out consistency-wise at 200 and I've been having a bunch of 210 - 220 approaches lately that I don't want to hit with my 5W

Man, now you're making me think that I should wait to buy the hybrid when I get the new irons.

, but check your text messages.

[dkolo]

Man, now you're making me think that I should wait to buy the hybrid when I get the new irons.

, but check your text messages.

My philosophy of building a set is that you buy a driver and an iron set, and then you base decisions on what comes in between off of those two brackets. I'd personally hold off getting a club that's a progression club like a 4H without being sure what it's going to be progressing from. I think I recall hearing someone saying on the forum that Titleist will be doing some stuff with lofts in their new models, so that'd make me at least a bit circumspect in a buying decision.

Also, I got your text, but I can't send a response until I get outside because your damn non-iPhone requires me to have cell phone reception, haha.

[RFKFREAK]

My philosophy of building a set is that you buy a driver and an iron set, and then you base decisions on what comes in between off of those two brackets. I'd personally hold off getting a club that's a progression club like a 4H without being sure what it's going to be progressing from. I think I recall hearing someone saying on the forum that Titleist will be doing some stuff with lofts in their new models, so that'd make me at least a bit circumspect in a buying decision.

Also, I got your text, but I can't send a response until I get outside because your damn non-iPhone requires me to have cell phone reception, haha.

So, go outside, LDO.

But back on topic - that suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks, haha, since it's my understanding that it won't be until later in the fall that those clubs will be available to the public.

[Mr. Desmond]

Do you have any insight into whether there's a noticeable difference between the XR and the X2 Hot? I'm operating off of the assumption that they're mostly the same club, with marginal improvements from the X2 to XR.

According to Doc Hoc, they tore up the X2, made major design changes to the body, inside the face cup standing wave, face thin-ness, and on average it is of course 13 yards longer... 13 ... lucky number.

I typically have issues with hybrids and have played Bobby Jones Hybrids since 2005 because they were easy even if they were spinny -- at least until the 2014 Black. The Cally XR changed my mind.

[dkolo]

According to Doc Hoc, they tore up the X2, made major design changes to the body, inside the face cup standing wave, face thin-ness, and on average it is of course 13 yards longer... 13 ... lucky number.

I typically have issues with hybrids and have played Bobby Jones Hybrids since 2005 because they were easy even if they were spinny -- at least until the 2014 Black. The Cally XR changed my mind.

Good to know. I might wait for Black Friday sales then. The XR was at $109 new on their Preowned site this weekend; I'm sure it'll fall a few bucks more as the months go on. I don't recall hitting the X2s but, like you said, the XR was an absolute revelation when I tried it. It's also far more patriotically painted than the X2 Hot, haha.

[WUTiger]

I would round up the usual Ping, Callaway, TM, Cobra, Titleist, et al suspects, select the clubs that look good to your eye, within the limitations of your game (GI, Super GI, Player's, etc) and jump on a simulator or Trackman, and see what results you obtain. ...

Mr. D has a sound game plan for you. I would add, try to find a 4H that splits the yardage gap between your 5W and 5i.

[dkolo]

Oh hot damn, Callaway is selling a like new X2 Hot 3H in stiff for $81 and I have a free shipping code. I'm super tempted to jump on this deal right now.

[RFKFREAK]

Oh hot damn, Callaway is selling a like new X2 Hot 3H in stiff for $81 and I have a free shipping code. I'm super tempted to jump on this deal right now.

Doooooooooooooooooo it!