It's no secret that technology has changed the game of golf. Clubs like 2 irons and 3 irons have since been replaced with hybrids. Most golfers today have at least one hybrid club in their bag, even professional golfers. But, what's the best way to hit a hybrid? This was the question Dan sent in as he's been told many different methods on how to effectively use his hybrids.
I have been getting conflicting answers as to the proper way to hit hybrids. In your opinion, is it best to sweep the ball or hit down on the ball, similar to striking the ball like an iron?
Well Dan, that one's easy. You definitely want to sweep the ball. When using the PPGS, the goal is to nip it off the ground. By hitting down on the ball, you're body tends to move forward and this can lead to you hitting behind the ball and taking big divots. Even the great Moe Norman once stated that we should take bacon strips as divots, not pork chops.
I usually have one hybrid in my bag because I can't hit a 3 iron high enough anymore so I get better results with my 18.5 degree hybrid. It's also good to have a hybrid in play in case you are in the rough. I don't find myself in the rough very often but when I do, this club makes it a lot easier to get out and have a good end result.
If you really want to get the feeling of nipping the ball and shaving the grass, do what I'm doing and hit balls off a mat. Make a normal swing in the mitt and up the tree with the ball placed just at or slightly behind your front heel.
Shorter clubs are easier to swing so we typically hit hybrids better than 3 woods and drivers because they are much longer. So, if you haven't yet made the switch to hybrids, you might want to give them a try. You just may see an improvement in your game.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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hybrids
Don,
hybrids are great clubs and can improve a players game. A couple of key things though that golfers need to know before purchasing hybrids.
As best as possible, when you replace your irons for hybrids make sure the loft of the hybrid is either identical or within 1-2 degrees of the club being replaced.
check the total length of the hybrid. too many club makers are making the hybrid shaft 1-2" longer than the club being replaced. They claim it is for swing-weight purposes. I believe it really is because a longer shaft will result in some extra distance, however, the golfer is now having to change setup and swing for the longer club. From my own experience, I have found that making sure the hybrid replacement is a "clone" of the club being replaced, results in more consistency, more distance distance, and better ball flight. (I have been using hybrids for at least 5 years, and have tried a lot of hybrids). With good practice, a player can actually rely more upon their hybrids for consistency and distance than a wood.
John
hybrids
Maybe Doc can weigh in on this one. I have seen hybrids that look like fat irons and ones that Doc built for me that look like smaller fairway woods. Are they both hybrids and would you play them from the same ball position? Thank you.
Tom
Hybrids
A great video Surge. I was chuckling when you got to the 24deg hybrid.That is the only one I possess. When it was re-shafted after I tried to lift a golf trolleyn with it : - ( I noticed that the shaft was longer than the original. Funny but I love it! The one club I would refuse to take out of my bag. I could quite happily use it off the tees and fairways instead of all the other woods/drivers I have! Out of the rough it is usually brilliant.
To the course today for a little practice. Took only a handful of clubs. PW & SW, 4 putters, Driver, and 2 x 3Woods. The putters and 3W's to compare.
On the practice hole I stood 80yds back from the green and hit a couple of shots. Then in increments of 10yds until I was landing the balls on the centre of the green where the flag was situated. In this way I worked on how far I can hit it using full, 3/4 and half swings. Accuracy was not a problem. I then repeated the process with the PW. Happy until dodging an off line shot I thought from someone playing a round, I pulled a muscle in my lower back. It turned out it was someone who just decided to hit balls to the same green from my right!!! That was with me in full view on that green collecting my balls! Then I went to the driving nets rather than.....! Not a word from the person of uncertain parentage as he drove up in his cart!Sometimes no words are probably better.
Had a few hits at the nets. Decided to curtail that due to the back pain. Then we went to the practice green and spent a good period of time checking out and comparing the 4putters. Will definitely stick to old faithful. A mention by Surge some time ago on irons and the sweetspot, had me trying putting with my usual putter nearer the toe than the heel, which I normally favoured. Happy results, accurate and better distance control. So it was worth spending that time practicing.
Home, "cupped" and a hot shower and by the time the weather is fine again, I will be too.
Thanks again for the hybrid update Surge. Would not be without it ; - ) DH
hybrids
Hope that back comes right soon . Lots of golf weather ahead though. I have 2 hybrids. One is a 17* #2 with a steel shaft, and a 21* #3. I always take the #2 on windy days. Usually good for 180 mtrs.Played 18 holes yesterday for the first time in a while and shot 83. My best ever, in stroppy conditions too. Hope I can keep it up, as I have a tournament coming up. I know one thing for sure, you need to have a good short game to do well. I think Dicks favourite club for chipping is a hybrid
hybrids
Back a lot better this morning. "Cupping" and a wheat hull 'hot pack' seemed to have done the trick. No golf due to the wet stuff arriving again.
Maybe nature's way of saying take it easy a wee while longer ; - )
Good to see that you had a good round. That breeds confidence. Don't hope that you can keep it up, convince yourself you can.Remember if you think you can or you think you can't, you are likely to be right on both.So go for the positive one : - ) Good luck in the upcoming tournament. DH
Rescue, hybrid, hybrid irons
A hybrid was formerly known as a rescue club back in the day and still often called that by Brits and those down under. Any how todays hybrid is really between an iron and a fairway wood with qualities of each. Many like the one Surge likes from Taylor Made have railing designed into the sole that help golfers 'dig it out' with less effort out of the rough and poor lies. Some have a relatively square shape and others more rounded as Surge demoed. We need to try various types to determine which we like best. And of course many have found them very useful from good lies too.
Yes there are others that seem to be a combination of hybrid and iron design. Again they are designed with a lower center of gravity and for some (normally higher handicapers or those who have a hard time hitting irons) it may help them get the ball up and add distance. My 4-6 iron are considered hybrid irons though less 'fat' than most in that category. They are the Adams Redline. love them. My scoring clubs are Vega forged 7-pw. They actually have the look of a blade but have a small cavity back. Oh and BTW I carry one 22* Adams hybrid then the 3, 5 wood and driver. I change it up and sometimes only carry one of the woods to make room for an additional wedge.
http://www.adamsgolf.com/products/irons/redline.ph
http://www.adamsgolf.com/products/hybrids/a4.php
Would you play the ball in the same position? Experimentation would help you know. It would depend on a lot of factors like loft and length and what clubs they are replacing and what shot you are attempting during use. Following Surges advice you would still likely play them just past the middle of the stance a ball or two but not as forward as the 3/5 woods.
MUST SEE VIDEO below;
This is a cool putting clip that Surgite Dick Higgins sent me today. I know he'd like me to post it for all.
http://digital.globalgolfpost.com/globalgolfpost/20121105#pg46
Rescue, hybrid, hybrid irons
Enjoyed your comment Robert. Many years ago here in NZ I traded my Ping eye clubs in for a set of Spalding Executive XE clubs. All the irons bore a remarkable resemblance to the hybrids of today. I reretted trading the Pings in, but have to admit, I played very well with them.Now that was 23 years ago roughly. How time flies when you are having fun. BTW thanks for the info on the BOT I experienced.
Yesterday's putter trial, decided me to stick with my trusty [no longer made] Ping Zero 3 putter. I tried something else before finishing and may have found a solution to my distance problems,ie, with it accuracy is not a problem, just distance control. Will concentrate a little more on that.
Had seen the putting one in it's original and still enjoyed watching it again. Hit them longer and straighter consistently DH
moe norman
since Don mentions Moe Norman. it would be interesting to know what he thinks of his swing. i have recently had a few emails from the people advocating the swing. i had a look and thought the basic premise seemed to make sense. but then of course the obvious question is ( similar to the PPGS) why do so few pros ( if any) use it ?
Moe Norman
He already did a video about his views on Moe Norman's swing.
https://swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/natural-golf-similar-peak-performance-golf-swing
IMHO. I happen to disagree with most people about Moe Norman's swing being vertical in any way on either side of the ball. The fake out he does at the end makes it appear vertical. He would tear the entire wall down in a "Butt on a wall drill". Not similar to Surge's swing even though most people seem determined to make it so. Either can work just fine but they are not very similar and trying to use a combo of the two is not going to work very well.
cheers steve . missed that
cheers steve . missed that one.
moe norman
I played in a skins game years back and there was one guy that used the moe norman system he was a pretty decent player he did not last very long because of the better players in the game were always making fun of him because of the setup he should have told them to shove off I would have.
I think the problem in the past has always been that people trying to teach the method really did not under stand it and tried to make tweaks to it and never really under stood it.
They main guys teaching it now personally knew Moe not sure but have not heard that much about. Their was a couple guys teaching it hear in Cincy 10-15 years ago but it never took hold for what ever reason.
Don's system IMO is very easy to learn but you at least have to have the manual and basic swing videos and or take online lesson.
Moe Norman
If you go to YOU Tube and type in "Moe Norman Private Clinic Ball Striking Exhibition 2001... and watch it you will hear him say that his way (which is seen in most of the older videos of his swing) was all wrong. He explains why and how he changed his swing. It is not the PPGS swing but it was based upon straight back and straight through. He made the change late in his life after learning the teachings of Manuel De Latore. A lot of the things he says are exactly what Don teaches.
Internet problem
Edit
Flat Swing
Actually his swing in that video, and all other videos, shows a very flat single plane swing around his body.
Flat swing
Thanks for your reply Steve. I never meant to imply that Moe was using the vertical PPGS swing. It was the things he talked about that I was referring to ... swing the club with the arms not the hands ... sweeping the ball not hitting down on it, etc. His short iron shots are much more vertical than they used to be in his younger years. Yes he still reached, but that was what worked for him. No one can deny his ability to hit straight shots.
Tom
Ball striking
Amazing in the video when he was hitting ball after ball and almost every time the tee was still standing right where it was before the shot.
No doubt he could hit a golf ball. Like many players he just wasn't that accurate about what he was feeling in his swing and explaining it. Of course it's much easier now with all kinds of super slow motion videos and ability to break the swing down inch by inch.
It's sort of like singing. None of us sound like we think we sound. LOL
hybrids
Lynn should be the final authority. Hybrids usually are not the exact same length or loft as the clubs they replace. You will notice with Don's example is is using a 18.5* #3 hybrid to replace a 21* loft 3 iron. The length is probably the same as his 3 iron but the loft is different. A 5 wood is about 19* but is longer than the 3 hybrid. The 5 wood goes a longer distance and the 3 hybid goes about the distance of a 3 iron. I carry both a 6 iron and a 6 hybid. The hybrid has a longer shaft and less loft than my 6 iron. Therefore the 6 hybid goes much further than the 6 iron, Hope this helps. If I have made an error, let Lynn weigh in.
Iron replacement
I have a 3 hybrid that I very rarely carry but have hit it back to back and side by side with my 3 iron enough to know that are almost identical in distance and trajectory. I have no idea what the actual lofts are of either but the listed lofts are 19* for the 3 iron and 22* for the 3 hybrid. The hybrid is 1/2 inch longer than the 3 iron.
I wouldn't want to replace an iron with a hybrid unless the hybrid went the same distance as the iron. Otherwise there would be a distance gap in my clubs.
Iron Replacement
When I had my 3 and 4 hybrids made they were made to straight up replace the 3 and 4 iron. We / he even put steel hybrid shafts in them cut to 3 and 4 iron length. They play easier then than the irons.
Hybrids
I use a 4 year old Bobby Jones 21 degree hybrid which I had spined. Head is very small but works great!
Head being smaller just rockets off the turf,like Surge says less is more when it comes to head size. Thanks Surge for all your input to us Surgites.
Bobby Jones clubs
Jesse Ortiz seems to make a great product and trying out one or more of his clubs is on my golfing "bucket list". May start with something used from e-bay first though. You give a strong recommendation.
I am happy with my Adams Idea a4 22*. Admittedly I go back and forth between it in the bag and my Redline 4 iron which I often hit as well if not better around 195 yards.
In the video on this page Ortiz gives an interesting and convincing argument for his design (accept when he mentions flat/upright results I think he had his thoughts flipped).
http://www.bobbyjones.com/golf-equipment/
http://www.adamsgolf.com/products/irons/redline.php
Iron Man of Golf
Yesterday I was privilaged again to play a round of golf with my friend and golf buddy, Jay. What is so remarkable about Jay is that he is able to shoot lower than his age over 80% of the time. Last year our group named him the Iron Man. Now I know shooting lower than ones age is remarkable but to do it more than 80% of the time is awesome. Yesterday, Jay's round of golf on a course rated 71 was 77 actual score without his handicap. What makes this so remarkable is Jay is 87 years young. Yes, I did say he is 87 years young. I can only hope others out there in golf land know a Jay they can play with from time to time. To shoot 10 strokes lower than ones age is simply awesome! Surge, I thought your readers might get some inspiration from this true story.
Ray in Kentucky
well i for one certainly do !
well i for one certainly do ! recently turned 60 and feeling a bit old lol. well done Jay!
New test?
Edit.
picking of left foot
I have a problem of picking up or moving my left foot on the down swing.
Can you help?
Thanks Bob
Pressure and weight
If you're maintaining slight outward pressure on the left (forward, as I presume you're playing right handed) knee, are properly preloaded right to start with, and begin the FUS from the ground up by feeling the weight shift from the back foot to the forward foot, that cannot happen. I'm guessing that you're actually experiencing a reverse weight shift at your transition, pushing the weight off your left leg to get back behind the ball into impact, and then trying to get forward again as you swing through. Get video of your swing and pay extra close attention to your right knee and leg. I'll bet you see them straightening as you take the club up in the BUS. The cure is to just practice, over and over, settling the weight on that flexed right leg as you take the club up.
sweeping the ball and the vetrical swing
i;m confused again. Don says its best to sweep the ball. how does this tie in with having a vertical swing. if you look the picture of don at the top of his backswing i fail to see how its possible to sweep the ball from that position. its straight up and straight down isnt it? i;m obviously missing something.
cheeer richard in the uk
Vertical Sweeping
Well there are really two issues in your comment.
First, there is no reason whatsoever that something (a club head in this instance) can't sweep the ground no matter how vertical or not vertical the arc is. A Ferris wheel (that is completely vertical) could sweep the ground with every basket. Or a tilted Ferris wheel could also sweep the ground with every basket....As opposed to being set so low that every basket dug into the ground.
Secondly the club head certainly does NOT go straight up and straight down. There are a couple of relatively "straight up and straight downs" in the swing. The left arm goes relatively straight up and straight down from address to impact. Even that is not truly straight up and down because as we turn the axis changes but calling it that is a fairly decent description, and that's the feeling we have anyway. After impact the right arm takes over on that same plane of up. Of course it is also not entirely accurate because, like on the back swing, as we come up facing the target the axis changes.
The other "straight up and straight down" happens once the left arm, shaft, and club head reach the toe line. From there the shaft would ideally be pointing straight up and straight down as the left arm continues up. From the top the left arm, and the shaft, butt end first falls straight down until the right elbow approaches the body. At some point, how far depends on our skill, we will more than likely have to start directing the left arm toward the ball, at least somewhat. Very good players like DJ can pretty much let the left arm fall the entire way to impact and his left arm is very close to vertical at impact. Most of us are going to have the left arm angled out toward the ball at impact to some degree.
When the left arm, and the shaft butt end first, are falling and the right elbow starts coming down the club will naturally lay off and will no longer be vertical. If we let that happen too much the club will get too much behind and come too much from the inside or we could possibly get stuck where our right elbow can't get past the body. However, if the club didn't lay off at all we would stick the club right into the ground, except on the shortest clubs.
Wow! That was a lot of explaining. I hope I am not the only one that understands what I just said. Ha ha!
yeh wow indeed! thanks for
yeh wow indeed! thanks for taking the trouble. i think i may be misinterpreting what was meant by sweeping. i think maybe a better way of saying it would be 'lightly brushing the turf'. thanks again.