We have all heard fellow golfers singing the praises of the hybrid clubs. We have all seen someone hit a great looking shot and then find out they were using a hybrid. Gossip about the latest hybrid golf club permeates through the clubhouse. But just what is a hybrid golf club, and more importantly, are hybrids right for you and your game?
Golf has been around a long time. Since the 12th century the sport has seen fads come and go, and has seen golf clubs, balls, and putters all evolve and go through many different phases. Golf courses and golfers themselves have changed as well, but the biggest changes have come with equipment in the last 20 years.
Golf is also a very individual game. Courses usually require you to have your own clubs, or at the very least rent them. Most golfers would never go to the course with a set of borrowed clubs. Even when it comes to golf balls, most golfers have specific brands and types of balls they are more comfortable with than others.
Hybrid golf clubs are becoming more and more popular, and were introduced to enhance your golf game. Most players who use hybrids will tell you they have seen improvement in various arts of their game due to the switch to hybrid clubs. Most professional golfers now carry at least a hybrid or two in their bag. Some carry several and from that we can know for certain that hybrids can help your game. A professional golfer is not going to carry a club type just because a sponser asks him to. If the club is not going to help his game, it will not be in the bag!
So, what is the conclusion so far? Well, considering all the above it seems like a no-brainer that you should add hybrids to your bag.
But just what is a hybrid? Simply put, it is a cross between an iron and a wood. Hybrid golf clubs are normally used when you want long ball flight and an accurate landing yardage. Sounds like the same as when you hit an iron, right? Well, it is. Except the hybrid is a much easier and more forgiving club to hit. The reason is the hybrid has a lower center of gravity, but does not have the blade that an iron does. With an iron, there is not much room for error. Hit the ground before the ball and you dig a big divot and hit a ground ball that does not go very far. If you hit the ground first, or hit it fat, with a hybrid, the club will not stick into the ground. Instead it will skip into the ball. The result is you will get more yardage out of a bad swing.
Let’s not kid ourselves about something. A poor golf shot will result in a poor result. The difference is the poor shot will go farther and straighter with a hybrid than with an iron. Just switching to hybrid golf clubs will likely lower your score. But if you are a 90’s golfer, you will not suddenly be shooting par. Combine a good swing with the creative use of hybrids from tee to green and you could see a major change in your handicap.