Hybrids To The Rescue

If you're a weekend golfer, you should be taking advantage of hybrids or "rescue" clubs. They can shave strokes off your scores and your golf handicap. Hybrids can replace your 3-, 4-, and 5-irons or your 5-wood. Hybrids make long par 3s easy and give the distance and accuracy you need to hit par 5s in two. You can also use hybrids on lies in fairway divots, from just off the green, and in fairway bunkers. The hybrid is, as I've said in my golf tips newsletter, the most versatile club in your bag.

But not every body switched to hybrids hits them well. If you're not hitting a hybrid well, there's a perfectly logical reason. You may have the wrong swing shape. Few players hit both the hybrid and the 3-wood equally well. Players who tend to have sweeping swings seem to hit the 3-wood better than the hybrid, while players with narrow, more descending blows tend to hit the hybrid better the 3-wood.

New Designs Impact Swing Shape

Another reason why you may not be hitting your hybrids well is their new designs. I see this in my golf lessons all the time. Developed to replace long irons, the original hybrids were highly playable. Newer models, however, are even more playable. If you look at them again, you'll see they feature bigger clubheads than older models. Bigger gives you better stability and more height. But the clubhead is too big you may need to swing it like a fairway wood.

If you're hitting hybrids well, on other hand, you should be taking full advantage of their capabilities. Some golfers use their hybrids for one or two situations, and that's it. But after realizing the club's versatility, they see more opportunities to use it. For example, a hybrid works well on punch shots from trouble spots and approach shots in windy conditions. But there are three other situations where hybrids rule—from fairway divots, fairway bunkers, and power draws.

We've talked about hitting from a fairway divot in my golf tips newsletter. They're ideal for that. The club's large cambered sole stops the heel or toe from catching the edge of a divot, as an iron would through impact, giving you a good chance of making clean contact. But remember to set up with 60 percent of your weight over your front leg and position the ball two ball-widths back from the inside of your left heel for this shot.

Hitting The Power Draw

Hybrids are also ideal for hitting power draws. A power draw is a great shot to have in your bag, as I've often said in golf instruction sessions. The hybrid's shorter shaft and extra head weight make it easy to hit draws. Aim your body down the right side of the fairway (left side for lefties), position the ball about one ball-width back of where you normally do, close the clubface until it points down the middle, and use your every day swing. Also, make sure you use a full shoulder turn. It sets you up to approach the shot from inside the target line. Strive for ball first contact.

In addition, hybrids are ideal for escaping fairway bunkers. Since the hybrids have soft leading edges and low centers of gravity, they let you skim across the surface of the bunker and get the ball airborne without having to help the ball up or take too much sand. Make sure you grip down an inch on the club. This offsets the fact that your feet are dug into sand and that you are standing taller. Also, line up the leading edge with the ball's equator and strive for ball first contact.

Some golfers swear by their hybrids. Others dislike them because they can't hit them. If you're having trouble hitting one, your swing shape could be the problem. Try changing to a steeper, sharper swing shape. The hybrid is one of the most forgiving, most versatile clubs in your bag. Make it a go-to-club and you'll clip a couple of strokes from your golf handicap.


Copyright (c) 2010 Jack Moorehouse