Equipment Notes from David Dugally

On Choosing a Hybrid Golf Club

Hi All,

I thought that we’d take a few minutes today to share some of my observations and insights on hybrids.

If you’ve spent any time considering hybrids then you are no doubt aware that there are countless options available to the consumer, both in the form of pre-assembled clubs from both major and lesser-known manufacturers; as well as hybrid heads from OEM component manufacturers that are available to be Custom Fit in hybrid specific shafts (yes, there are specific shafts manufactured for hybrids, as well as woods and irons), and built to your specific needs.

But what’s right for you?

I’m going address two specific types of players here: the mid-handicap, fairly strong player who is struggling with the long irons; and the higher handicap player who is in need of a strong high soaring shot but can never seem to get enough loft on the ball (ladies, this may be you).

Both types of players need to first consider this: What yardage am I trying to consistently hit that I am not now hitting with my current clubs?

Let’s start with the dreaded 3-iron.  Typically this is the club that most of us first seek to replace with a hybrid, before filling in our sets from there.

What most hybrid manufacturers are guilty of is designing a 3-hybrid to exceed rather than replace the 3-iron.  What you end up with, in almost every 3-hybrid, is a club with a distance somewhere between a perfectly flushed 3-iron and 3-wood.  But common sense tells you that this isn’t what you need; for this shot you hopefully have a 5- or 7- or 9-wood.

What you do need is a club that can consistently land the ball 10+ yards longer than your 4 iron (or, if you aren’t strong with your 4-, then your 5-iron, or 6-iron, etc.).  So the number one thing that golfers of all skill level need to look for in any hybrid club is that it fits neatly into their greater club schematic, proving a tool that is useful where it’s needed.

The next thing to consider—and this is true with all of your clubs, in one way or another—is the shaft.

Hybrid shafts are available in two different tip widths: ‘the skinny,’ .335 inch diameter; and ‘the fat,’ .370 diameter tip.  It is in this difference that the greatest effect for different player levels can be achieved. 

Because the .335—or skinny tip—will fly much higher and tends to be more flexible, the higher handicap player benefits in two ways.  First, by shafting in the .335, you will find that you are getting the ball up in the air in a long soaring arc more consistently, while the kick of these whippier shafts can mean extra distance.  This small change in hybrid shafts can yield game-changing results.  We have players who are now playing their whole set, 2-SW, in .335-shafted hybrids.  They fear no golf course and are having much more fun because they know that they can hit high soaring shots with any club in their bag.

If you are a stronger player wanting the playability of an hybrid without giving up your scoring ability with an iron then you will probably want to stick to the .370 shaft.  For you, the design of the hybrid head should naturally give you enough loft, while the lower torque thicker shaft is going to give you more accuracy.

The last thing that I want to address on hybrids is length.  One of the most frequent questions I’m asked by Club Builders all over the world is “How long should I make them?”

The answer can get a little technical, but what it comes down to is that any clubs ‘natural’ length is a function of its gram weight and its lie angle.  These two parameters will dictate whether the club sets up well and has a proper swing weight, or feeling of heft.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a driver, wedge, or hybrid.  If the club needs to be shortened to accommodate the golfer, then the weight needs to be adjusted accordingly.

One of the reasons we are so partial to Custom Fitting is that on the pre-built, off-the-rack hybrids we see not only the same common issues we encounter in all pre-assembled clubs—like inconsistencies within a stated shaft flex built by the same manufacturer, never mind what R or S or X means between different companies—but that length can vary so much from Brand to Brand.  Company A may build their 3-Hybrid at 40 and ¾ inches, while Company B is building theirs at a standard 39 inches.  The question becomes, of course, which length is right for you.  Custom Fitting your hybrid eliminates that variable by allowing a professional to put the right club into your hands.

And this brings us nicely to how The Golf Coast Fitting Centers can help you with your hybrids.  Not only do we offer many Hybrid heads that we can Custom Fit you for, we also have a wide selection of the best hybrid shafts available for all budgets to custom fit the hybrids you already have to make them play the best for your game.

Until next time,

David Dugally
The Golf Coast Fitting Centers

800-465-3767