Choosing the right golf club is a matter of finding one that fits your physical strength, skill level and style of play. One of the latest innovations in golf club technology comes in the form of a hybrid club. Hybrid clubs are more than just a trend; they're suited to any player who's looking to elevate their game and isn't afraid to try something new.
Function
A hybrid club allows you to achieve the same or greater distance and launch on the drive as you would with a long iron while still maintaining some of the workability and flexibility offered by a fairway wood. Hybrid clubs offer you increased versatility and they can be played from the fairway, the rough or straight off the tee. Hybrids are suitable whether you are a tour-caliber player or only play recreationally.
Types
Hybrid clubs can be classified in one of two ways, and are typically categorized according to the loft angle or the iron or wood which they are used to replace. A utility club can be used in lieu of a long iron or fairway wood and generally have a loft angle of 16 to 25 degrees. Iron-woods may be substituted for iron lofts or wedges and hybrid irons may be substituted for the long irons.
Features
Hybrid clubs tend to feature a lower center of gravity and the wide sole of a fairway wood. Both utility clubs and iron-woods feature a hollow club head and utility clubs feature a smaller clubhead size and lower club face profile than fairway woods. The shaft and club face typically are made of stainless steel. The shaft tends to be longer than an iron but shorter than a wood.
Benefits
You may find using a hybrid club beneficial if you have trouble with your long iron shots. Hybrids are designed to help players with a slower swing speed make better contact with the ball and achieve maximum loft. Hybrid clubs can also potentially increase your shot distance from 3 to 8 yards without the same force required by a long iron. Because they're usually made with stainless steel, hybrid clubs often are more durable than clubs made from titanium or graphite.
Considerations
While hybrid clubs can benefit golfers with a slower swing speed, those players who hit at a higher speed may not see much increase in terms of distance. Shots hit with a hybrid club also tend to roll less once they land due to the increased loft. Depending on your skill level and style of play, this may not be beneficial to your game.
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