The most recent development in golf is the use of hybrids. This club looks more like a fairway wood than an iron; hence, the term hybrid. Developed in the early 2000s, this club has become a staple in most golf bags. As an amateur who struggles hitting long irons, I am elated with the expansion of hybrids. These unique clubs added a new dimension to my game once I accepted that they were better for lowering my golf scores. After embracing this new innovation, the task on how to hit them consistently became the next step in the evolution of my golf game. Well, after 15 years or so, I think I know what I am doing….but, do I really?
Currently, I carry a 3 an 4 hybrid in my bag. I am thinking about adding a 5 hybrid, but that decision is still up in the air. Additionally, professionals are start to use a 5 and 7 wood more instead of hybrids. This change adds a new dimension to my decision making, but that is an article for another day. For now, hitting hybrids is the key to lowering my golf scores.
After watching many different videos and reading some articles, I found that all the pundits and gurus offer the same advice to hitting hybrids well. It is really no secret, however it is important to note that like the clubs name, how to use hybrids is also a bit of mix bag between long irons and fairway woods. I decided on Mark Crossfield’s video to share today:
Fortunately, I developed the confidence of hitting hybrids when they first came out. After developing the technique described in the Mark’s video, I found that they are very versatile for my game. As an example, the last Men’s night I used my 4 hybrid in two different instances with great results. The first was shot from the fairway from 187 yards (used my range finder for distance). This is a natural distance for this club and I hit it as expected. My ball zeroed in on the pin and never left that line. Being the second shot into a par 5, we were putting for a rare eagle. After leaving our ball on the lip, we walked off with a tap in birdie.
The second shot out of the rough to the green on the first hole. We were 225 yards out and the rough was sticky. I decided on using my 4 hybrid again with the intent of leaving the ball 35 yards from the green. This distance is perfect as the green elevates eight feet from the fairway. This short distance to the green offers the best chance of chipping the ball close. Well, my ball jumped out the rough and my ball came to rest in the bunker beside the green. I had a flyer lie and my hybrid showed why this type of club works well in difficult positions. We did not end up using my ball, but the shot was a good one.
Hybrids have changed the direction of golf. They have opened many doors for amateurs who, like me, struggled hitting long irons. Now, I would never play golf without them. Hybrids helped elevate my game to the next level as soon as I realized how to properly hit these game changing clubs.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Mark never fails to bring us good advice. Once I learned to hit down with my hybrids they’ve become a lot easier to hit with good results than the long irons they’ve replaced in my bag.
I don’t use a 3 hybrid. For that I choose a 5 wood. But I have a 4, 5 and a 6 hybrid in my bag right now.
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Many players are heading in that direction. More hybrids for the longer irons. I see the the tour players are even using a 7 wood. It seems we are reverting back to the early 90s. We shall see what the trends will hold.
Cheers Jim
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Lorne
After our conversation tonight, I went to your blog and thought I would contribute.
I adopted hybrids almost 25 years ago starting with the TM Rescue Dual. I started with 2 (3 and 4) and eventually added a 2 hybrid as I only carried 2 woods up until recent years. They were good long iron replacements and I could hit them effectively from the rough, the fairway and the tee. As discussed in your article, I hit down on them and play them like an iron. I could still hit long irons off the tee or off a good lie but their performance out of the rough made the change an easy one.
A few years later, I attended a demo day and tried the original Adams Idea Pro hybrid. They were good that I bought the 3 (20*) and 4 (23*) and they are still in my modern bag today. Three of my five hole in ones have been achieved with them and they continue to be money especially for shots out of the rough.
You mentioned that they were a recent invention in your article and I thought the same thing until I got involved in vintage golf. The first time I encountered a transitional baffing spoon (~1890), I realized that the modern hybrid is not a new idea. The Bulldog, used in the 1920’s is also a predecessor. I have them in my hickory sets and utilize them in the same way as I use hybrids in modern play.
I also find my 4 hybrid useful when putting from the rough or collar adjacent to a green.
If you think a picture would be helpful, I would be glad to provide one.
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Lorne,
Yes, the modern day hybrid is rooted in clubs from long ago. I guess the popularity makes them seem like a new innovation not an invention. Regardless, they have changed the face of golf. Please, if you have some pictures, please email and I will use in a follow up email.
Cheers Jim
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Really appriciate your efforts in making the game eaisier to play. I turn to your grateful golfer every week, and like this piece, helps immensely. I have a 5 and 4 hybrid that I use quite a bit and recently bought a #3 to round out my set. I now know why I have not been able to get them to work like I thought they should.. Now out tothe range to see if I can ingrain all of this into my swing!! Thanks so much for all you do for us amatures!!
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Thanks, I am glad you are enjoying my musings.
Cheers Jim
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