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Helpful Tips for Fitting Golfers with Hybrid Clubs Here are five things that clubmakers should keep in mind when it comes time to fit golfers with this popular clubhead design. 1. Why a Hybrid? Hybrids normally get the ball up in the air easier and will go the same distance or longer than a harder-to-hit iron with the same loft. Keep in mind that it's important to maintain the correct yardage gaps throughout the set when replacing an iron with a hybrid club. Equal loft does not always mean equal distance. The average 3-iron may have 20 degrees of loft but most golfers hit a 20-degree hybrid club longer due to the higher flight and slightly longer length than the 3-iron. A player may need a hybrid that has one to two degrees more loft that the iron it is replacing to maintain the same distance. 2. Select the Right Amount of Offset Hybrids come in a variety of offset options. Players who tend to push or slice the ball are better off with more offset hosel, while players who hook the ball need less offset. 3. Select the Right Shaft A steel shaft is a better fit for a stronger player who wants shots with better trajectory without comprising accuracy. This player typically has steel shafts in his irons. For players seeking both increased trajectory over traditional long irons and a boost in distance, graphite is a better choice. The second thing to consider is tip diameter. Most hybrid shafts have either a .335" tip diameter or .370" tip diameter, so make sure the shaft matches the hosel's inner diameter. 4. Get the Correct Length If the player is replacing a long iron, consider making a hybrid closer in length to the long iron to maintain control and better match the distance the player is trying to obtain. If the hybrid is a replacement of a fairway wood, the length might need to be longer than the replacement for a long iron. The recommended standard length for hybrids are between what the standard length for the loft would be for an iron and a fairway wood with the same loft. For instance, most 3-irons (20 degrees) are 38.75-39.25 inches long and the average length of 7-woods (20-23 degrees) is around 41-41.5 inches. The average length for a 21 degree hybrid is 40-41 inches. Decisions regarding shaft choice (graphite or steel) and final club length impact the feel (swingweight) of the club. Having test clubs on hand with different shafts and lengths helps dial in the right length for the player. 5. Are Two or Three Hybrids Better than One? The majority of players with mid to high handicaps (15+) are better off choosing a hybrid club over a 3-iron, 4-iron and many times even a 5-iron. Extensive testing reveals that these players hit a better performing shot with higher trajectory and more distance with the hybrid than they do with a traditional iron. If the 5-iron is the longest iron a player hits consistently, it's time to replace the longer irons in the set with hybrids or high-lofted fairway woods. **The preceding article appears in the May 2006 issue of "Golfsmith Clubmaker Technical Magazine".** |