Hybrids have become a common sight in full sets of golf clubs. With a hybrid, the club's sole width falls in between the width of a fairway wood and an iron. The profile of the hybrid's club face is normally shallower, making it easier to get the ball aloft than it is with regular 2-, 3- and 4-irons. A hybrid's smaller head (when compared with fairway woods) makes it a good choice for some shots out of the rough.
Identification
Golf manufacturers don't have the same standards when it comes to equipment, so don't assume that any hybrid off the rack works for you. Adams Golf starts with a 42.25-inch shaft on its 16-degree hybrid, and then subtracts an inch of shaft length for each club through its 19-, 22-, 25-, 29- and 33-degree hybrids. Ping's 17-degree hybrid shaft is 40.75 inches, and it steps down its hybrid shaft lengths a half-inch through its 20-, 23-, 27- and 31-degree hybrids. Titleist also builds a half-inch of difference in between its hybrid shaft lengths. The shaft of Titleist's 17-degree model is 41 inches, and they make hybrids with 15, 17, 19, 21 and 24 degrees of loft.
Effects
The different hybrids generate different shot distances, but not just because of the loft of the club face. It's also because the shafts get longer in the clubs that hit the ball the longest distance. The longer shaft means that the clubhead travels in a bigger arc, which results in faster clubhead speeds at impact and more distance.
Material
The choice of shaft material has an influence on the length of the hybrid club. For players who use hybrids to attack greens, steel shafts work better. Steel's extra weight means a shorter shaft is needed to keep the club's swing weight like an iron, which results in better control. Using the lighter graphite material means that the club will be cut longer; it will have a swing weight similar to a fairway club.
Fitting
Club fitters adjust hybrid club lengths to help players hit the ball on the center of the club face consistently. Golf swings vary by the player's height, body type and normal swing path. A club fitter will take measurements, run impact tests and observe your ball flight using different shaft lengths to determine the right clubs for you.
Distance
Just as with your irons, make sure your hybrid clubs cover a progression of distances. For example, if you're replacing your 3- and 4-irons, make sure you know about how far you hit those irons. Then, find the combination of loft and shaft length that helps you match those iron distances.
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