'manageable' haha. Just started and those longer irons are certainly harder to it. It's the inconsistency that's frustrating. Can cream one and it goes well over 220 yards or fluff one and only hit it a few yards to the women's tees in front. hahaha.
I'm too old and infirm (back problems) to play golf any more, and hybrids weren't around when I could play - but despite a whole bunch of lessons, I used to find that I played around 3-4 shots a round better by ditching the woods completely and carrying a full set of irons (by which I mean starting from a 1 iron). 1 iron off the tee, 2 iron off the fairway unless it was a good lie. Give me a driver and I needed a special course - rough up the middle and fairway down both sides!
Great content again Matt...I chose fairway woods 3,5,7,11 because at 70 my swing speed isn't that great but still achieve 200yds plus with 3 wood and fairway woods offer a better experience for me. Still off 11 so they keep me in the running and promote enjoyment. I also think the correct choice of shaft matters so much. Keep them coming Matt, well done chum
All good points. Knowing your game and the distances of your clubs is key for selection. You don't want big gaps in distances, though you can manipulate every club to cover gaps. Also, how they play off tees (and rough, yes). A 7-wood is another good choice for that 200+/- range and even higher launch. I find more feel with irons but easier distance with mallet headed clubs. My hybrid can cover anything from 180 to 210. 3-wood can do anything from 200-250. Also, working the ball is key and different with each. Some will be easier to draw/hook, some easier to fade/slice especially around trees or corners/doglegs. Confidence/trust is key with all of golf. If you feel good about the club you're swinging, you'll get better results overall.
I just tried a driving iron. I *LOVE* it. It's replaced my 20 year-old 5 wood. It feels so much cleaner on the strike to me, but I do have a pretty quick swing speed too, and I want something that I can keep low when it gets windy here in West Michigan (not quite Scottish links course windy, but still)
I carry a 3 wood, 5 wood and 4 hybrid. My 5 wood is my favorite club, it's a Golfsmith 5-wood I built myself back in 1997. I never miss with it and it absolutely kills the ball!
Weather answers my WITB on competition day. I Northern Irish links we get wind! mainly from the North West driving Iron for any thing above 20 MPH winds, moderate winds hybrid, clam weather 5 wood. These days the 7 wood 21 degree makes the same distance as my 5 wood. Inland park courses fairway wood is the first choice. Love the accuracy of the 7 wood ( 215-230 yards) and 5 hybrid (195-215 yards) ,
I am 70 years old just started golf at 65 years old, my experience with hybred is not good in fact when my ball is in thick rough I prefer 3 iron it gets me out and carries almost as much as people who use hybred and more often than I can be further than them, so I like to play with irons and please encourage your students to do so too. Mansoor
Since the 5 wood has by far the longest shaft that's the hardest to hit in the middle (but most forgiving)... much easier to make center contact on a shorter club... no easy answers, just tradeoffs.
Great content and excellent topic! Really enjoyed this video. I had to make this decision a few months back and went with a hybrid! Every point you mentioned is true and applied to my game. I wanted to go the Iron route but my game couldn’t back it up. Hybrid was the right choice. Lots of golfers will benefit from this video!!!
Thank you, Matt! Great video. I have a 3i (U-500) that I sometimes change for a 7w (F9), but I tend to use the 3i off the tee a lot at my home course because the fairways are very tree lined and with a lot of short par fours -- I tend to use driver sparingly unless I am really hitting it well. Good points about rough as I do put the 7w in the bag when I play different courses where I know I will not be hitting 3i off the tee (can always go 4i with a little loss of distance) and I might need a longer club out of the rough (the 7w with the rails is awesome there) or for longer shots into par fives. I am lucky to be young enough where swing speed is not an issue, but I hope to be a senior golfer with many fairway woods in the bag one day!
I usually switch between the 5 wood and 2 hybrid depending on which one I am swinging better that day on the range. (I do the same for my 4 iron vs 4 hybrid)
I carry a 3w, and 5w. I also carry a 1 iron which nicely fills the yardage gap between my 2 woods. It’s also great for a low flighted fairway finder off the tee. My irons go from 3i to my wedges. I’m scratch, so I hit my long irons pretty decent. Hybrids, or even a 7w might be better options for some players. The main thing is to have the correct yardage gaps between your clubs, and to find clubs that you hit consistently.
Great points Matt. I recently tried a few different driving irons at the shop having watched the Open. I left severely humbled, and rqn to my local pro for lessons. I'll stick to 3 wood for the foreseeable future.
Thanks Matt. This video is exactly what I needed and I’m very glad you were hitting srixon woods and hybrid. This video helped my purchase in the 18-20 degree Srixon club.
You are spot on Matt. I carry a Cobra 2i utility that at first went OK, now I hardly use it as it's too inconsistent for my 67 year old 17 handicap game. This has made me think I really should consider trading it in for, maybe a 5 wood. I do carry a three hybrid already which serves me well too. Hmmm.... food for thought....
Awesome. I currently play 3 wood and 18 degree iron. Both plate predominantly off the tee as my driver ball speed is around 175-180. I have been thinking of replacing the driving iron with 7w simply for control. Hybrid might now be an option but sounds like I need to pay for a fitting.
I got rid of my fairway woods and replace them with a 2 and 4 hybrd. Lost a little distance off the tee from the 2 hybrid and 3 wood but not enough to make up for the versitility of the 2 hybrid.
I play the hybrid. I feel like you can flight it not as good as an iron but somewhat close. I tried to replace my 4 iron with a driving iron and I found I hit my 4iron better. I felt like even if I smoked the driving iron it still didn't go as far and I didn't have as much control. The long 4 iron felt easier to hit.
As always, great stuff Matt! As a new golfer I have so many clubs (just because it’s what everyone has) and my skill isn’t at a level I feel it helps! I might strip my bag down and play with less till I feel I need to add the extra woods or hybrids back!
I find my sweet spot is something like my adams proto or a more modern gapr mid. Whenever i try a bigger headed hybrid i lose consistency of strike and can get a bit left.
I could be crazy. But I have more confidence when I step up to the ball with my 5 hybrid then any other club in my bag. And I would say I'm an average golfer at best
When I’m on the range my hybrids are absolutely phenomenal for me on the course though I absolutely hate them 🤦🏻♂️ i sold my woods too so thinking of going back to woods or a di
I have a 5W [18 deg] and 3H hybrid [20.5 deg] that I swap depending on wind conditions and whether or not I am using only a half set. I doubt I could use a driving iron ever; my 5 iron rarely sees the light of day.
I bought all 3 because I have problems keeping money and I like shiny new things. 😅😅😅 In all seriousness though I love them all. The 3 wood is permanent but I rotate between the 3 iron and 3 hybrid depending on where my game is at the moment and what the course I'm playing that day calls for.
By dog starts barking every time matt says ruff😂 Great video! I have been thinking of getting a driving iron and now i know it is the right choice. I have a 3i but if i hit it litle bit bad, the distance drops so much.
This is helpful. I currently am carrying only 13 clubs, so I have space for one more. My gap is right in this zone. For a high handicapper, is it worth having two clubs in this space and swapping out depending on the course? Of course I'm not competing, so there's nothing stopping me from jamming 20 clubs in the bag except my willingness to sort through them.
My irons start at a 6 iron, it then goes to a 5 hybrid, followed by a 7 wood, then a 5 wood and lastly a driver. Being a 65 year young woman, I don’t have a great swing speed, and it appears that my set gaps nicely.
I find I'm usually in the rough and needing a shot to stay under the branches of a tree. At there moment I play a half-swing low punch with my 4 iron - but it's the only shot I use the 4 iron for. Can I shape that low flight with all of these clubs, would some be better than others, or should I stick with an iron for that purpose?
Yes! More Science! Personally, I like a 2-iron and the Hybrid. I own a 3-hybrid but I’m looking at maybe a used 2-iron. Or possibly a good price on a new one. What can I say, I love hitting a 2-iron Stinger. Let me check the internets for a good price on a Mizuno 2-iron. 🥂
Is the ball flight difference really due to the face height (top to bottom) or the MOI and CG being back farther in the deeper (front to back) of the hybrid/fairway wood?
I love a fairway wood!! I am looking for a cheaper 3 wood, any suggestions? I am also looking for a set of forged irons because mine arent forged, any suggestions?
I currently carry a 3 wood that I hit well off the fairway and tee, 3 hybrid, and 4 hybrid. I was considering replacing my 3 hybrid with a 5 wood. At my age, injuries that reduce my range of motion, I still can carry my 3 wood over 200 yards in the fairway, so not long but not short. I like that the video gave me a little more information to think about. Thanks!
I don’t use any irons 😮😮😮 My own logic, to simplify the choice even more : - if on the fairway, I use a FAIRWAY wood (it’s all in the name, isn’t it ? 😄) - if in the rough, it’s a hybrid for me (It *used* to be all in the name, if I’m not mistaken. Weren’t they originally called RESCUE clubs ?)
Really helpful video, thanks Matt. I have a 3 hybrid and then a 5 iron so I'm looking for something to fill the gap. As a high handicapper, I', thinking a 4 hybrid is the way to go.
My concern is trajectory control. I carry a 2 driving iron as I prefer to hit lower trajectory shots over high, but miss being able to hit it high when needed. The hybrids I've tried had the exact opposite problem, hit it high all day long but was impossible to knock it down. Thinking of trying a 5 wood next. Are 5 woods easier to control the trajectory? Have hybrids improved with this issue?
Can't hit a long iron to save my life (or game) trying to get the proper technique for a 3 and 5 wood..I must be one of the few that takes a divot with a wood.. and I mean a divot 🙄 oh to ping the ball off the ground!!
I'm a fairway wood user. I have the older Nicklaus AirMax woods in 7, 5, and 3. Even though they're older, I love them. 7-wood goes super high, and about 190, 5-wood for me is about 215, and my 3-wood is about 235. Those three clubs just give me so much confidence.
If you struggle with your woods but smoke your long irons then try a driving iron. If you struggle with your long irons then try a hybrid. If you are ace off the tee and off the grass with your 5 wood then I hate you.
I use a 3 driving iron so I can take large chunks out of the ground and have my ball go a very manageable 30 yards. Works really well!
Haha
😂
😂😂,, now that’s funny, know the feeling!
'manageable' haha. Just started and those longer irons are certainly harder to it. It's the inconsistency that's frustrating. Can cream one and it goes well over 220 yards or fluff one and only hit it a few yards to the women's tees in front. hahaha.
I'm too old and infirm (back problems) to play golf any more, and hybrids weren't around when I could play - but despite a whole bunch of lessons, I used to find that I played around 3-4 shots a round better by ditching the woods completely and carrying a full set of irons (by which I mean starting from a 1 iron). 1 iron off the tee, 2 iron off the fairway unless it was a good lie. Give me a driver and I needed a special course - rough up the middle and fairway down both sides!
You need the swingless golf club !
This is the best video actually explaining the differences between a iron, hybrid, and wood that i've found so far! Thank you!
Great content again Matt...I chose fairway woods 3,5,7,11 because at 70 my swing speed isn't that great but still achieve 200yds plus with 3 wood and fairway woods offer a better experience for me. Still off 11 so they keep me in the running and promote enjoyment. I also think the correct choice of shaft matters so much. Keep them coming Matt, well done chum
All good points. Knowing your game and the distances of your clubs is key for selection. You don't want big gaps in distances, though you can manipulate every club to cover gaps. Also, how they play off tees (and rough, yes). A 7-wood is another good choice for that 200+/- range and even higher launch. I find more feel with irons but easier distance with mallet headed clubs. My hybrid can cover anything from 180 to 210. 3-wood can do anything from 200-250. Also, working the ball is key and different with each. Some will be easier to draw/hook, some easier to fade/slice especially around trees or corners/doglegs. Confidence/trust is key with all of golf. If you feel good about the club you're swinging, you'll get better results overall.
Perfect timing! I’ve been going through this process in searching for a new club and this video has helped me decide. Thanks Coach Fryer!
With what you went? I did with 5wood from TaylorMade but finding it hard to take good shots...but when you do its very, very nice
I just tried a driving iron. I *LOVE* it. It's replaced my 20 year-old 5 wood. It feels so much cleaner on the strike to me, but I do have a pretty quick swing speed too, and I want something that I can keep low when it gets windy here in West Michigan (not quite Scottish links course windy, but still)
I carry a 3 wood, 5 wood and 4 hybrid. My 5 wood is my favorite club, it's a Golfsmith 5-wood I built myself back in 1997. I never miss with it and it absolutely kills the ball!
Weather answers my WITB on competition day. I Northern Irish links we get wind! mainly from the North West driving Iron for any thing above 20 MPH winds, moderate winds hybrid, clam weather 5 wood. These days the 7 wood 21 degree makes the same distance as my 5 wood. Inland park courses fairway wood is the first choice.
Love the accuracy of the 7 wood ( 215-230 yards) and 5 hybrid (195-215 yards) ,
I am 70 years old just started golf at 65 years old, my experience with hybred is not good in fact when my ball is in thick rough I prefer 3 iron it gets me out and carries almost as much as people who use hybred and more often than I can be further than them, so I like to play with irons and please encourage your students to do so too. Mansoor
Since the 5 wood has by far the longest shaft that's the hardest to hit in the middle (but most forgiving)... much easier to make center contact on a shorter club... no easy answers, just tradeoffs.
Great content and excellent topic! Really enjoyed this video. I had to make this decision a few months back and went with a hybrid! Every point you mentioned is true and applied to my game. I wanted to go the Iron route but my game couldn’t back it up. Hybrid was the right choice. Lots of golfers will benefit from this video!!!
Perfect timing for this: I have a fitting for the clubs between driver and iron this afternoon!
Thank you, Matt! Great video. I have a 3i (U-500) that I sometimes change for a 7w (F9), but I tend to use the 3i off the tee a lot at my home course because the fairways are very tree lined and with a lot of short par fours -- I tend to use driver sparingly unless I am really hitting it well. Good points about rough as I do put the 7w in the bag when I play different courses where I know I will not be hitting 3i off the tee (can always go 4i with a little loss of distance) and I might need a longer club out of the rough (the 7w with the rails is awesome there) or for longer shots into par fives. I am lucky to be young enough where swing speed is not an issue, but I hope to be a senior golfer with many fairway woods in the bag one day!
I usually switch between the 5 wood and 2 hybrid depending on which one I am swinging better that day on the range. (I do the same for my 4 iron vs 4 hybrid)
I carry a 3w, and 5w. I also carry a 1 iron which nicely fills the yardage gap between my 2 woods. It’s also great for a low flighted fairway finder off the tee. My irons go from 3i to my wedges. I’m scratch, so I hit my long irons pretty decent. Hybrids, or even a 7w might be better options for some players. The main thing is to have the correct yardage gaps between your clubs, and to find clubs that you hit consistently.
For me, the hybrid is a Semi rough or light rough club. The driving iron and 5 , tee or fairway and occasional rough.
Agree the iron require more skill. Hybrid is the easiest to play but boy woods flying high and further
Great points Matt. I recently tried a few different driving irons at the shop having watched the Open. I left severely humbled, and rqn to my local pro for lessons. I'll stick to 3 wood for the foreseeable future.
Thanks Matt. This video is exactly what I needed and I’m very glad you were hitting srixon woods and hybrid. This video helped my purchase in the 18-20 degree Srixon club.
You are spot on Matt. I carry a Cobra 2i utility that at first went OK, now I hardly use it as it's too inconsistent for my 67 year old 17 handicap game. This has made me think I really should consider trading it in for, maybe a 5 wood. I do carry a three hybrid already which serves me well too. Hmmm.... food for thought....
Great video matt I was bit stuck in a rut at the moment about this situation
Awesome. I currently play 3 wood and 18 degree iron. Both plate predominantly off the tee as my driver ball speed is around 175-180. I have been thinking of replacing the driving iron with 7w simply for control. Hybrid might now be an option but sounds like I need to pay for a fitting.
My favorite club in my bag is a very old 5wood. I just always hit it so good. Can't give it up. It's my 190-210 club.
I got rid of my fairway woods and replace them with a 2 and 4 hybrd. Lost a little distance off the tee from the 2 hybrid and 3 wood but not enough to make up for the versitility of the 2 hybrid.
Great information, I was just trying to figure this out last weekend out on the course. Thank you again!!
Such a great video. Helped me make that decision! Thanks Matt.
Thanks for this, Coach Fryer. I have been debating what two clubs to put in my bag to replace 5w, 3i, 4i. I'm leaning toward 3H and 4i.
I play the hybrid. I feel like you can flight it not as good as an iron but somewhat close. I tried to replace my 4 iron with a driving iron and I found I hit my 4iron better. I felt like even if I smoked the driving iron it still didn't go as far and I didn't have as much control. The long 4 iron felt easier to hit.
As always, great stuff Matt! As a new golfer I have so many clubs (just because it’s what everyone has) and my skill isn’t at a level I feel it helps!
I might strip my bag down and play with less till I feel I need to add the extra woods or hybrids back!
I’m in a similar situation. 56, 46, 36, 26 then a hybrid around 19/20 and a driver
I find my sweet spot is something like my adams proto or a more modern gapr mid. Whenever i try a bigger headed hybrid i lose consistency of strike and can get a bit left.
Great video Matt. I use hybrids rather than long irons. What about doing the same thing with different wedges!
I could be crazy. But I have more confidence when I step up to the ball with my 5 hybrid then any other club in my bag. And I would say I'm an average golfer at best
When I’m on the range my hybrids are absolutely phenomenal for me on the course though I absolutely hate them 🤦🏻♂️ i sold my woods too so thinking of going back to woods or a di
I have one of each and which one goes in my bag depends on the course I’m playing.
Same here. I have them all- fairways, hybrids, and driving irons. I keep changing every week so soon I’ll know which combo works best.
I have a 5W [18 deg] and 3H hybrid [20.5 deg] that I swap depending on wind conditions and whether or not I am using only a half set. I doubt I could use a driving iron ever; my 5 iron rarely sees the light of day.
I bought all 3 because I have problems keeping money and I like shiny new things. 😅😅😅
In all seriousness though I love them all. The 3 wood is permanent but I rotate between the 3 iron and 3 hybrid depending on where my game is at the moment and what the course I'm playing that day calls for.
By dog starts barking every time matt says ruff😂 Great video! I have been thinking of getting a driving iron and now i know it is the right choice. I have a 3i but if i hit it litle bit bad, the distance drops so much.
This is helpful. I currently am carrying only 13 clubs, so I have space for one more. My gap is right in this zone. For a high handicapper, is it worth having two clubs in this space and swapping out depending on the course? Of course I'm not competing, so there's nothing stopping me from jamming 20 clubs in the bag except my willingness to sort through them.
Own all and decide by conditions and weather that day. .. and range experience.
@Matt Fryer Golf what is the typical swing weight of the driving irons?
Thanks Matt, really good information
Really interesting video, thanks Matt!
My irons start at a 6 iron, it then goes to a 5 hybrid, followed by a 7 wood, then a 5 wood and lastly a driver. Being a 65 year young woman, I don’t have a great swing speed, and it appears that my set gaps nicely.
Highest iron I carry is a 4 but I have a 19 degree hybrid and a 5 wood so I can pick one suited for the course I play.
Do you also carry a 3 wood
I’ve got a 5i at 23.5* , 4Hybrid at 20* and then a 5w at 17.5* - I find the hybrid fills the gaps between 5i and 5w nicely
Top vid Matt. Makes a lot of sense
which club is easier to hit for a slower swing, a 7 wood or a 4 hybrid?
I find I'm usually in the rough and needing a shot to stay under the branches of a tree. At there moment I play a half-swing low punch with my 4 iron - but it's the only shot I use the 4 iron for. Can I shape that low flight with all of these clubs, would some be better than others, or should I stick with an iron for that purpose?
Good question, like to hear Matt's comment on this. I also use my 4 iron for low hooks out from under trees
Yes! More Science! Personally, I like a 2-iron and the Hybrid. I own a 3-hybrid but I’m looking at maybe a used 2-iron. Or possibly a good price on a new one. What can I say, I love hitting a 2-iron Stinger. Let me check the internets for a good price on a Mizuno 2-iron. 🥂
Is the ball flight difference really due to the face height (top to bottom) or the MOI and CG being back farther in the deeper (front to back) of the hybrid/fairway wood?
I love a fairway wood!! I am looking for a cheaper 3 wood, any suggestions? I am also looking for a set of forged irons because mine arent forged, any suggestions?
Oh no. I must be doing something wrong😥
I enjoy using my driving iron to get myself out of pickle from the rough.
I would go driver, 4 wood and then a 3 iron with normal or traditional lofts.
Loving the videos, Matt. I do tell everyone Matt Fryer, is my golf ⛳coach 😉.
Great video Matt
Keep up the good videos👍
I've got a 2 iron bent to a 20 degree 3 iron. And I average about 230 235. With my 3 iron. And my 5 wood average distance is 240 245.
No better feeling than a perfectly stuck 2 iron!
You know it
Never had that feeling 😢 I know what badly struck 2 iron feels like
I currently carry a 3 wood that I hit well off the fairway and tee, 3 hybrid, and 4 hybrid. I was considering replacing my 3 hybrid with a 5 wood. At my age, injuries that reduce my range of motion, I still can carry my 3 wood over 200 yards in the fairway, so not long but not short. I like that the video gave me a little more information to think about. Thanks!
I personally go 3 wood 3 then 5 hybrid
Makes life easy
Also ask...which club do I strike the most consistently?
My favorite club is my $3 1 iron that I bought from Goodwill
2-p irons 3wedges 1putter 1driver，those my current bag，verry cool looking and verry hard playing😅
I don’t use any irons 😮😮😮
My own logic, to simplify the choice even more :
- if on the fairway, I use a FAIRWAY wood (it’s all in the name, isn’t it ? 😄)
- if in the rough, it’s a hybrid for me (It *used* to be all in the name, if I’m not mistaken. Weren’t they originally called RESCUE clubs ?)
Well done matt 👏 👍
Really helpful video, thanks Matt. I have a 3 hybrid and then a 5 iron so I'm looking for something to fill the gap. As a high handicapper, I', thinking a 4 hybrid is the way to go.
My concern is trajectory control. I carry a 2 driving iron as I prefer to hit lower trajectory shots over high, but miss being able to hit it high when needed. The hybrids I've tried had the exact opposite problem, hit it high all day long but was impossible to knock it down. Thinking of trying a 5 wood next. Are 5 woods easier to control the trajectory? Have hybrids improved with this issue?
I'd like to see how a game improvement 3 iron would also hold up against these clubs.
7-wood is closer in distance to the 3-iron replacement
Can't hit a long iron to save my life (or game) trying to get the proper technique for a 3 and 5 wood..I must be one of the few that takes a divot with a wood.. and I mean a divot 🙄 oh to ping the ball off the ground!!
I'm a fairway wood user. I have the older Nicklaus AirMax woods in 7, 5, and 3. Even though they're older, I love them. 7-wood goes super high, and about 190, 5-wood for me is about 215, and my 3-wood is about 235. Those three clubs just give me so much confidence.
Whatever happened to the four wood we don't see them now?
Used to love my old titleist 4 wood!
Matt, you’ve just answered the question: why can’t we have 16 clubs in the bag? 😀
If you struggle with your woods but smoke your long irons then try a driving iron.
If you struggle with your long irons then try a hybrid.
If you are ace off the tee and off the grass with your 5 wood then I hate you.
Get a 7 wood, never look back.
1 minute in and.... im cynical but,........im guessing between srixon or Mizuno the Mizuno wins. Co's its all over your shirt, hat, and ???
I'm toooooo cynical. Good explanation of the differences. Well done young man.
The hybrid is also the ugliest club. U always feel unclean addressing a hybrid.
Good review and helped me decide….CHEERS 💥🏌🏻