The short answer is any one as they are all the same thing. They are all a cross between a wood and an iron utilizing the best features of both. I shall use any name as I go depending on where my fingers are on the keyboard.

A 3 or 4-Iron will give you a decent penetrating shot with a fairly low flight trajectory and a corresponding roll. However this can be difficult to control with any great accuracy especially on a dry firm fairway. The reduced top spin produced by the average player with a long iron also gives a greater margin for side spin off the more upright face leading to a pronounced curve to the ball flight.

A hybrid/utility/rescue golf club with its lower center of gravity helps launch the ball higher with more top spin, giving a straighter shot and a more “drop and stop” characteristic. This makes it ideal for those shots into the green where a long iron will bounce or roll off.

So, how does it work?

The design of the hybrid club generally follows two formats: Some look like a conventional iron (Titleist’s for example), and some, like the Callaway, have the appearance of a small fairway wood. This are just the two ways to skin the same proverbial cat.

An iron look will have a lump-like bulge at the back of the head; this allows the weight — i.e., center of gravity — to be further back, and it is this that affects the angle of trajectory making the ball take off at a much steeper angle, thus giving a longer flight and the drop and stop capability.

The fairway wood design is just another way of achieving the same effect. Some golfers like the look of the iron type over the ball, and some prefer the wood look. It’s a personal thing.

One other reason for making the head deeper is that it allows the hybrid club designer to bring in another characteristic: perimeter weighting. What’s that, I hear you ask. Well, it means that the forces from the club head are channeled to the outer edges, or perimeter, of the club head. The benefit is a much larger sweet spot, thereby cancelling out some of those less than perfect contacts.

Why would I buy one?

Playing from the rough is where these clubs really come into their own as the sheer mass behind the club helps drive it through the grass without twisting; some even have a rudder on the sole which further helps get the clubface square, so you can hit straight almost all the time.

A further use for the hybrid golf club is shots from just off the green where you need just a little loft to get over the fringe, or where you are against the fringe and need the club to get to the back of the ball. The hybrid is almost made for this.

The shorter shaft also makes for greater controllability, as it is often said it’s easier to make the shot when you are closer to the ball.

Hybrid golf clubs are made in a variety of styles, lofts and designs, and their sheer flexibility has earned them the other title of rescue club; a more fitting title couldn’t be nearer the truth. Pick a hybrid golf club and you will soon wonder how you got along without it.

Norman Stanley, “Big Norm,” is a weekend hacker, gives private tuition and never pays full price. He runs golfamateur.co.uk.

Visit GigaGolf, Hireko Golf or Pinemeadow Golf for low-cost hybrids custom-built to your needs and abilities!

By Ken Lopez 

Hybrid clubs keep growing in popularity. And the lofts on hybrids keep getting lower. This gives you more options but blurs the distinction between hybrid clubs and fairway woods.

Some hybrids come in lofts as low as 14°. That’s lower than many 3-Woods. When deciding on fairway woods or hybrids, how do you know you’re making the right choice?

Hybrids come in two flavors:

Before comparing hybrid clubs and fairway woods, you need to look at the two types of hybrids and decide which suits your game. They’re a little different and affect set makeup differently too.

Knowing how to make distinctions between these clubs can help you develop a short list of hybrids and fairway woods to field-test the next time out.

Hybrid irons. These hybrids replace irons, have the same lofts and weights as the irons they replace and come in the same finished lengths and swingweights. That means they’ll feel the same as the irons in your current set.

The advantages: That’s simple. Hybrid irons simplify the replacement of corresponding long irons. It also keeps your set’s progression consistent. This maintains a predictable 10 yard gap between clubs throughout your set. That makes club selection easier.

Another benefit: Higher long iron trajectories. The lower center of gravity (CG) in hybrid irons produces a higher trajectory with the same effort. Players with lower swing speeds can take advantage of hybrids to get back the long iron yardages for longer approaches to the green.

If you never thought you’d be able to hit a 2-Iron, hybrid irons deliver the out-and-out perfect solution.

Hybrid fairways. These mimic fairway woods to some extent. They’re longer in length than hybrid irons and use different shafts. Hybrid fairways use wood shafts with a .335 tip diameter instead of the .370 tip found in irons.

Hybrid fairways are not as deep from front to back as fairway woods and that affects how they play. Hybrid fairways have the center of gravity (CG) closer to the clubface than traditional fairway woods. This tends to lower trajectory a bit.

How this works:

Fairway woods are a little larger in volume than hybrids, and are wider from front to back. This places the CG farther away from the clubface. During the swing, centrifugal force and gravity push the back of the clubhead down raising the dynamic loft of the club and elevating trajectory. The further away from the clubface you position the CG the higher the dynamic loft.

Who benefits from hybrid fairways?

My theory is that high swing speed players looking to flatten trajectory do well with hybrid fairways in place of fairway woods. Most fairway woods tend to drift a little higher. Anyone looking to keep the ball under the wind can do that easier with a hybrid.

There are exceptions. An example: The KZG U-Series utility comes to mind. Its very low profile quickly gets the ball up in the air. Make sure you know the design characteristics of a utility wood before diving in.

Another advantage: A hybrid fairway’s smaller size makes it a better club from difficult or fluffy lies. They simply won’t get hung up in the grass as easily as a fairway wood.

Fairway woods have their place too:

Traditional fairway woods are good choices when you want a club that works well from either the tee or fairway. Their slightly larger appearance instills confidence at address.

If your swing speed is about 90 mph or less, a good fairway wood with a low center of gravity helps keep your trajectory a little higher. The lower center of gravity also means you can use stronger lofts for a slight increase in distance.

Putting it all together:

If you struggle with long irons take a look at hybrid iron replacements. They work better for slower swing speeds and integrate easily into your current iron set. Stay with traditional fairway woods with a low center of gravity for an elevated trajectory, better hang time and more stopping power on the green.

Manufacturers are now creating iron sets that progress from traditional short irons to hybrid mid and long irons. The seamless progression from blade-like short irons to hybrid long irons makes more sense for players that have difficulty with long iron distances.

Faster swings and players with naturally high trajectories do well with hybrid fairways. Their higher center of gravity keeps trajectories in check.

Match the right hybrids, fairway woods, or a combination of the two to your swing and you’ll have more options when facing long approach shots on par fives, long par fours or tee shots on tight driving holes.

Ken Lopez writes articles for Pure Impact Custom Golf.

By John Bolt

Are you thinking about clone hybrid golf clubs? Having the right golf clubs and accessories can turn a good golfer into an even better golfer. But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get the equipment you need to perform well out on the golf course. Clone hybrid golf clubs can be just as good as brand name clubs — and they can cost you as little as 50% of the cost of their name brand counterparts! Purchasing the right kind of golf equipment does not have to be an expensive activity. There are many manufacturers of knock off hybrid clubs that sell their hybrid clones cheap to discount warehouses or even run their own online stores.

As any golfer knows, hybrid golf clubs are the hottest clubs on the market. The fact that they are a big name brand’s or a manufactured clone makes no difference. These clubs are still in really high demand. They actually make hitting the ball a lot easier from longer distances. These will help you get the ball up into the air faster and allow it to land softer. If you don’t have one yet you’re missing out. Value-wise the clone hybrids are the best bang for your buck.

It is important to know that when it comes to clone hybrid golf clubs there is nothing wrong with the equipment, it is just that they are manufactured and sold for less cost than the name brand clubs.

Clone hybrid golf clubs and any kind of hybrid clones whether they be putters, woods or irons are not actually cheap clubs. In fact, you will be surprised at just how attractive knock off hybrid clones really are. But what about performance I hear you asking? Well with clone hybrid golf clubs the results you will get from them will boost your game confidence — you will truly be surprised. These days clone hybrids are equal to and if not better than their name brand cousins.

If you love golf, are mindful of saving money but still want to work on your game then clone hybrid golf clubs are the best place to start. Investing in a set of hybrid clones offer you the very best in club designs while taking advantage of the best technology without the expensive price tag. This is why they are so immensely popular. When you know your game will get better but it won’t cost you the earth, why would you make any other choice? Do yourself a favor and consider a set of hybrid clones.

John Bolt writes for Golf Equipment Source where you get the answers you need about golf equipment, apparel, tips and more.

RECOMMENDED SOURCES OF CLONE HYBRIDS

• GigaGolf
• Hireko Golf
• Pinemeadow Golf

The KC2 hits balls higher and more consistently than the traditional hard-to-hit long irons they replace (2-5 Iron replacements are available). Its thin face maximizes ball velocity, and its adjustable weights, as you likely already know, offer ball flight customization. Moving weight to the heel, for instance, will reduce slicing or promote a draw.

The KC2 comes with two (2) 4g weights and one (1) 2g. Additional weights (from 2g to 8g) are also available for more customization and flight pattern control.

The club is built standard with the UST HDS 80 Graphite shaft, but you can select from a variety of available shafts, including a number of lower cost steel shaft options to more expensive graphite choices. Remember, GigaGolf custom-builds each club to your specs and needs through its free online eFit System.

Click here to take a closer look at the Power Max KC2 Hybrid. Don’t miss its growing number of positive and glowing reviews and feedback. Here are a couple:

“Goodbye 3-Iron – hello good shots with my new hybrid. Love it!” — A. Vazzano

“The Power Max Hybrid is great out of the rough and even better on the fairway. The other guys in the foursome were also impressed with the club’s performance. I give it the thumbs up.” — T. Andre