Hybrids - saviors from adversity

The series of articles about the usual cutlery in the golf bag is coming to an end. But certainly not without introducing the most valuable invention especially for golfers with higher handicap: the hybrid clubs.

In the previous article, I referred to fairway woods, positioned them between drivers and irons, and also described them as a substitute for long irons.

All this has its justification. Nevertheless, there is still a gap in the bag, which should now finally be closed with the hybrids.

Because it is the case that long irons are difficult to play, it is also the case that fairway woods can help with this, as they are easier to play.

But: especially for beginners, the hybrids should now be the means to an end: To propel balls forward, while playing reasonably clean and hitting successfully without much spread to the left or right.

If fairway woods are easier to play than long irons, then hybrids, rightly called rescues, are now the help in need for beginners, high-handicappers and golfers with a steeper swing angle.

Originally only for rank beginners

Until a few years ago, hybrids were reserved for rank beginners. That has changed. Even tour pros now include these clubs in their bags. The advantage lies in the trajectory, which is higher than fairway woods and thus comes close to irons, replacing them.

In general, there is a clear distinction between the way fairway woods and rescues want to be hit: Woods, like the driver, which is of course also a wood, want to be pushed through the ball, as it were, comparable to a broom. Hybrids want to be handled more like irons. So they may be used with the learned swing and without much rethinking.

The look clearly describes the position of the rescues in the club hierarchy: the driver has the largest head and the longest shaft, fairway woods follow its design, but in both cases somewhat reduced.

The hybrid or rescue club has - similar to the woods - a voluminous head. However, this is designed much shorter, so it already goes in the direction of the irons, which also makes it easier to play. The lofts, i.e. the inclination of the clubface compared to the vertical, is also more adapted to the irons.

In short: The Rescue helps in all situations of life or play, because it has a short sole, but still a large head. It is easy to hit, forgives hitting and swinging errors much better than woods can, and can still be used for good distances.

The latter is not least due to the length of the shaft, which is located between woods and irons. So hybrids are pulled out of the bag when there is still a greater distance to cover to the green.

"Rescue" - the name says it all

A very big advantage, which also explains the term "Rescue", lies in the shape of the club head. It makes the Rescue the perfect helper for shots from the rough: while irons tend to get caught in the grass and jam due to their narrow and rather angular design, the hybrid club glides more smoothly through the grass. It doesn't get stuck and thus helps to transfer the swing force to the ball more easily and, of course, to play more accurately.

Of course, like other clubs, the hybrid is available in different versions. They can be identified by the different lofts and are thus used for different stroke distances with the same swing. In short: the hybrid club offers advantages for every golfer and (almost) every terrain.

So if you've only ever had irons in your bag alongside your driver, or if you've always had trouble with your fairway woods and rarely hit a successful shot, you should take a look at the hybrids. With them, your game can reach new dimensions.

Previous article in the series: The fairway wood - not a gap filler

Next article in the series: Which club to use? - Part 1