| Some clubs make your jaw drop when you see | | | | 5-wood skids easily through the grass--even |
| what they cost. Others get that result when you | | | | easier than a middle iron. But in thicker rough, the |
| see what they do. It was the later that happened | | | | heavier club head mass and smaller, more |
| to me. I was playing with my friend Tom. He was | | | | compact head of the hybrid helps keep the club |
| about 190 yards from the green. He pulled out his | | | | head stable as it plows through the deeper grass. |
| new hybrid and made a smooth, effortless swing. | | | | Most hybrids also have more loft than fairway |
| The ball launched beautifully, sailed true and landed | | | | woods. This helps get the ball up and away from |
| softly in the middle of the green. And Tom stinks! | | | | the deeper grass. |
| He looked at me and my wobbly jaw, then at his | | | | Hybrids are suited for everyone, from touring |
| club, and said, "These things shouldn't be legal; you | | | | pros and scratch golfers to the out-and-out |
| can't miss." | | | | duffer. Look in the bag of most pros on tour, and |
| Next week there was a hybrid in my bag. But | | | | you'll see a hybrid. But these clubs can actually |
| contrary to Tom, you can miss. The clubber will | | | | help the higher handicapped golfer the most, |
| always determine what the club does. But if ever | | | | especially players who have lost swing speed due |
| there was a club to give you more of that feeling | | | | to age, injury or other conditions that have |
| of, "Yes, I can play this game.", then the hybrid is | | | | prevented them from making a full shoulder turn |
| it. | | | | on the backswing. |
| The golf magazines and equipment gurus definitely | | | | Hybrids allow for a shorter back swing while |
| recommend them. All the golf club makers | | | | launching the ball the same distance typically |
| produce them, and for good reason: they work. | | | | experienced with a wood. The long narrow face |
| Hybrid utility clubs are a cross between a fairway | | | | and wide sole of hybrid clubs use a low center of |
| wood and a long iron, with similarities to both. | | | | gravity, which helps players with slower swing |
| They are designed to launch the ball up in the air | | | | speeds launch the ball with less effort. This makes |
| from long distances and tough lies. | | | | a hybrid club similar to playing a wood in that it |
| Hybrids move the center of gravity back and to | | | | lends itself to the sweeping style of swing. With a |
| the bottom of the club, which is nearly impossible | | | | long iron, a player often has to try and pick the |
| with a standard iron. What this does is help to | | | | ball off the turf, usually with much greater effort. |
| launch the ball into the air. Hybrids also have a | | | | Hybrids are extremely versatile. They can be |
| flatter face than a wood and a higher launch angle. | | | | used from the fairway, rough or tee. They are |
| This gives the ball a higher spin rate, which allows | | | | really easy to hit, even off tight lies. They are |
| it to stop faster with more accuracy. | | | | designed for distance control and accuracy, but |
| Shaft length on a hybrid is closer to an iron than a | | | | you can work them any way you like. Not only |
| wood. The bottoms often have runners or rails, | | | | will you see longer distances from the hybrid, you |
| which helps improve turf interaction, whether it is | | | | should see more accuracy because the hybrid |
| long rough, short fairway or sand. Hybrids also get | | | | allows for a greater margin for error. They are |
| the leading edge of the face closer to the ground | | | | definitely more forgiving on miss-hits. The days of |
| so players can get the ball up fast, even from | | | | buying the typical set of clubs, 3 woods and 8 |
| heavy lies. | | | | irons, are over. Today, golf bags everywhere are |
| Their lofts vary from 16 to the mid 20 degrees | | | | filled with hybrids. |
| like the longer irons. The 3 iron is often the first | | | | So, if you want distance, high trajectory plus ease |
| club replaced with a hybrid. The faithfully | | | | of use, go for the hybrids. They come in all |
| converted then often replace their 4 and 5 irons | | | | prices, and it's money well spent. They are a |
| with higher lofted hybrids. | | | | great stroke saver. Plus, it's a lot of fun to watch |
| To get the best result from the rough, it helps to | | | | you playing partner's jaw drop when you hit a |
| understand how woods and hybrids are different. | | | | good one. |
| From short rough, the flat bottom on the 3- or | | | | |