Hybrid VS Driving Iron

[Tommy_Boy14]

What is the difference between a standard hybrid and a driving iron. I understand that a hybrid is more forgiving than a driving iron like Titleist’s TMB or Taylormades P790 UDI but there has to be a reason so many pros are going to the driving iron and staying away from the hybrid. It’s my understanding that they travel about the same for me I would probably go with a driving iron over a hybrid just because I feel more confident having an iron in my hand as opposed to a “wood” club since I do not typically hit them well but I’m just curious as to maybe the pros and cons to having a driving iron vs a traditional hybrid

Edited November 8, 2018 by Tommy_Boy14

[iacas]

Driving irons tend to look a lot more like an iron. Hybrids tend to be deeper from face to the back (or "wider" if you prefer). Driving irons also tend to be about 16-19° or so in loft, maybe up to 21, while I've seen hybrids north of 25.

[phillyk]

Ive gone back and forth between 18 degree hybrids and driving irons. I recently went back to the Srixon U85 2 iron because I simply like irons more. I don’t like the slight curvature of the face on hybrids and I hook them too much it seems like. So far, I feel like I can control trajectory and shot shape the ball better with the iron. Hybrids will obviously be better out of the rough than the driving irons but my main use for it will be off the tee I think. 

[Typhoon92]

Lie angle, accuracy, ball flight and spin would be reasons.

Lie angles with hybrids turn them into hook machines for better players.  I know tour pro's can have them tweaked, we can't.  

Irons you feel more accurate plus better control being able to flight the ball down.  Easier to control the spin with an iron.

 

Hybrids will be popular with older golfers or those with low clubhead speed.  UDI's will be popular with the opposite.

 

 

[Osnola]

Seems it is personal preference for many...but wouldn't carrying a hybrid be more versatile than carrying a driving iron.  Is the only place you are gonna use the iron is off the tee, while you can use the hybrid off the tee, off the fairway, out of the rough, and in some instances around the green?

[phillyk]

32 minutes ago, Osnola said:

Seems it is personal preference for many...but wouldn't carrying a hybrid be more versatile than carrying a driving iron.  Is the only place you are gonna use the iron is off the tee, while you can use the hybrid off the tee, off the fairway, out of the rough, and in some instances around the green?

You can use the driving iron from the fairway and in the rough, given a good enough lie.  Most driving irons have enough weight on the bottom of the club to get them airborne.  

[gbogey]

The pro are going away from hybrids because the ball balloons too much with their swing speed.  You will see some pros who use hybrids actually have a steel shaft to slow their swings down.  Then you have the draw bias which pros wouldn't want.

So hybrids are really made for amateurs (at least those who aren't low handicaps) who don't have the swing speed for long irons (or driving irons) and often tend to slice rather than draw.  They are also better out of the rough, unless of course, you have high swing speed.  I was told once you should be using hybrids instead of long irons unless you hit a 7i 170 yards.  I assume the same would be true for a driving iron.

[NM Golf]

I carry a driving iron because I have never found a hybrid that didn't have a big left miss in it. Basically, for me, hybrids are hook city. My driving iron has a better trajectory as well, and I can hit it off the deck as well if I need to.