Hybrid fairway woods are replacing long irons at an increasing rate as more golfers see the benefit of their design, notes the golf instruction website LearnAboutGolf.com. It is not uncommon to find a new set of golf clubs with the 3-, 4- and 5-irons replaced by the easy-to-hit hybrids. Even some of the best golfers in the world on the PGA and LPGA tours carry these utility woods. When positioned and swung correctly, hybrids can help lower your score.
Hybrids
Hybrid fairway woods blend features of a long iron and a classic fairway wood, says GolfSpyder.com. These clubs contain a low-profile club head and a low center of gravity, making them easy to use from just about any lie. Lofts range from about 16 degrees to 25 degrees and combine the workability of a long iron with the light weight and large hitting area of a wood.
Address Position
When addressing a shot with a hybrid, you should position the club so that you will strike the ball with a sweeping motion at the flattest point in your swing. This is in contrast to a driver, with which the ball is struck on the upswing, or an iron, with which the ball is struck on the downswing. To position the club at address, legendary golfer Ben Hogan, in his book "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf," suggests lining the ball and club head even with your left breast pocket and just inside your left heel.
Swing Plane
The aim of the hybrid swing is to sweep the ball off the turf without producing a divot. Therefore, your swing plane must be slightly flatter than that of a long iron. To promote a proper swing plane position, Hogan suggests tucking your right elbow in during the backswing so that the elbow makes contact with the right side of your body. This promotes a full upper body turn and keeps the hybrid in the correct position at the top of the swing.
Impact Position
At impact, your hands and the grip of the hybrid should be slightly ahead of the ball. This position promotes increased compression and solid contact on the golf ball. Create this forward hand position by focusing on cocking the wrists during the backswing, explains teaching professional Mitchell Spearman in his book "A.I.M. of Golf." At the top of the backswing, cock the wrists by allowing them to flex slightly. This will promote club head lag and lead to the desired hand position during impact.
Hybrid Tempo
It's important to remember not to over-swing a hybrid club, notes GolfSpyder.com. The lightweight, low-profile design is best used when swung easily, allowing the club to do the work. Swinging too hard can be detrimental to your tempo. You can practice both your tempo and swing plane by swinging a large broom. This will force you to slow down your swing and will produce the pendulum-like arc needed for an effective hybrid shot.
References
- LearnAboutGolf.com: General Info About Hybrid Golf Clubs
- GolfSpyder.com: Hybrid Golf Clubs
- "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf"; Ben Hogan; 1985
- "A.I.M. of Golf"; Mitchell Spearman; 2004
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