Many golfers get confused about which club to hit from the fairway. They are thinking to themselves, “my 7 wood, 3 iron and 3 hybrid are all 21 degrees loft, which is the right one?”
What they forget, or were not aware of in the first place, is that loft is only part of the distance equation. The three major variables for club distance are loft, length and weight. In the case cited above, the 7 wood is the longest club, and the 3 hybrid and 3 iron are normally the same length. Weight-wise, the 7 wood is the heaviest, 3 hybrid in the middle, and the 3 iron is the lightest.
Golf Digest reported that hybrids averaged about 8 yards longer than same numbered iron. I am sure this information was based on many OEM hybrids that are built ½” – 1” longer than an iron as well as lofts that are often 1-2 degrees stronger than the corresponding iron. Remember that hybrids more often than not are assembled with graphite shafts.
You’ll also need to be aware that these clubs may produce varying trajectories. For instance the typical hybrid shaft is less flexible in the tip than a corresponding iron shaft, thus producing a lower trajectory.
The Bottom Line
Concentrate on replacing a club that you are not hitting well or fill any yardage gaps you might have, but don’t necessarily go by the number engraved on the sole. Think about the loft, length and weight. A lower (stronger) loft will hit the ball farther, but a shorter assembly length will reduce speed and distance. It is possible to carry two clubs with the same or similar lofts, that fly different distances, and at different maximum heights.
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