Buy the best hybrid for you
If an iron and a fairway wood were melded together you’d get a hybrid. Many golfers nowadays use hybrids as alternatives to long irons because they’re looking for a club that makes it easier to hit the ball higher. Hybrids are known to be the “rescue club” because their design features are more forgiving for off-center hits.
Want a quick overview of some basic (and important) golf club definitions before you get a handle on hybrids? Head over to our general Golf Clubs 101 Buying Guide and we’ll meet you back here when you’re ready.
Loft
The majority of hybrids have lofts between 18-31 degrees. Although a hybrid’s loft may match one of the irons or fairway woods in your bag, it may not produce the same results.
A hybrid will typically launch higher and carry farther than the iron it tends to replace. Some hybrids also feature adjustable lofts to better fit a golfer’s distance needs.
Length
Hybrids are shorter than fairway woods, but are usually a tad bit longer than irons. Hybrid length varies from about 38”-41”. Hybrids become shorter and more lofted as their number increases.
Clubhead
A hybrid has a lower face height and wider soles than traditional irons. The head design allows golfers to hit a variety of shots from different lies — giving higher launch and more forgiveness versus long irons.
Lie here refers to the angled formed by the bottom of the shaft and the ground. The greater the lie, the more upright the club is. The lesser the lie, the more flat the clubface will be.
Hybrids typically have a smaller, narrower clubhead, which prevents the club from getting caught on longer grass — helping you spend less time filling divots.
When a hybrid comes in handy
Though hybrids can be considered the newest clubs on the block, they’re versatile. Find out if a hybrid is worth trying by considering these scenarios:
You're a higher-handicap player
- Long irons are often a difficult club to play for many golfers, so they use a hybrid to help them send the ball higher, with more spin, so it sits on the green sooner.
Your clubhead is losing speed
- If you find that you’re losing swing speed, a hybrid is a great choice. It adds height to your shots, which translates to more distance.
You're not getting solid strikes with irons
- With the wider sole, and more curve or roll to the top of the clubface, hybrids are designed to give players more impact and control.
