Hybrid Golf Club Buying Guide

Do you have trouble hitting your low to mid irons consistently, whether from the fairway or out of the rough?  Take in to consideration the information below before making your next purchase.

How do hybrids differ from the irons they replace?    The hybrid golf club is a cross between a iron and a fairway wood.  The weighting has been lowered and moved to the back with a larger sweet spot.  This allows you to more easily to get the ball airborne while making solid contact.  The sole of the hybrid club also makes it much more effective in going through rough and bad lies to rescue you from trouble.  Low profile with larger sweet spot equals easy to hit.

How do I choose which # hybrid to choose?    There's good news and not so good news.  The manufacturers have made it easy by numbering the hybrid golf clubs with the iron number that they are replacing.  But, as with most clubs there are variations between manufacturers in terms of degree of loft and length of club.  This is not a major problem but something you need to keep in mind when comparing between brands.

Do I need to be custom fitted for my club?   Preferably.  The good news is you have 3 options to choose from. 

1.  Get fitted from your local pro.  They may or may not charge you.  This may be determined by whether you purchase the hybrid golf club from them.

2.  Get a free fitting from a custom golf club maker online.  Your custom fitting can be determined by a few questions about your swing and some simple measurements.  Custom club makers such as Pinemeadow Golf and Thomas Golf offer this service in addition to some outstanding values.

3.  The last option is to buy the hybrid golf club "off the shelf".  The golf club manufacturers have determined a standard fitting for the "average" golfer.  Are you average?  This is the option that most people will take.  This is the option I used to take, until I took option 2 above.  My free online fitting revealed a lie angle that deviated from standard.  The change in lie angle has resulted in more solid shot making.

Steel or graphite shaft?    Steel shafts weigh more than graphite shafts.  Low handicappers may tend to favor the steel shaft because they feel they have more control of their swing with the heavier shaft.  Mid to high handicappers will tend to favor the graphite shaft because they can produce greater club head speed with the lighter shaft.  If you decide on graphite, read more on how to determine your proper shaft flex.

What are hybrid club sets?  Golf manufacturers have caught on and are now offering both partial and entire sets of hybrids.  If you prefer a hybrid club then it makes sense to purchase a set with the hybrids instead of your hard to hit irons.  Three companies offering varying options are Adams Golf, Hippo Golf, and Thomas Golf.

How do I hit a hybrid golf club?    Since you are replacing an iron you need to hit it like an iron.  You need to hit down on the ball like you would with an iron.  There may be an adjustment period but it will be worth it.

Do I buy the regular or the TP version?    TP stands for Tour Preferred.  The manufacturer will typically make enhancements to the club head and the shaft.  You will notice a sizeable difference in the price, sometimes double.  The enhancements will typically favor the low handicapper.