Hybrids can be a weapon in your bag – if you know how to hit them, that is.
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Golfers tend to have a love-hate relationship with their hybrids. They’re great for replacing the long irons in your bag, but if you can’t hit them effectively, they’re not much use.
Fortunately, with correct technique, you can learn to flush them over and over again – and with ease. Below I have outlined 10 tips that can help you land better shots your hybrids.
10 tips to hit better hybrids
1. Focus on posture
Proper stance is a must for hitting hard hybrids—and all clubs, for that matter. Make sure you are bent at the hips so that your arms can hang freely. When you take a swing, try to get your arms back into the putting position to hit the center of the clubface.
2. Get a stable configuration
While a hybrid may look like a fairway wood, you should approach it more like an iron. Keep the ball position relatively in the center of your stance; if anything, put it a touch ahead of center. When you make your setup, place the clubhead behind the ball and then line up your feet. This will help ensure a consistent ball position every time you go for the ball.
3. Trust the face
Many players will struggle to get the club square on target because the loft can make the face look open at address. Don’t fall into the same trap. Make sure the sole of the club is level with the ground and trust that the face is square. The top line may look open, but it’s really square.
Zephyr Melton
4. Remember – it’s light!
A hybrid will feel lighter in your hands than a long iron. Use this to your advantage. With less weight on your hands, you can generate more head speed and hit longer shots. But be weary: the lighter club can make it easier to hit thin and high. Make sure you don’t fall victim to this mistake.
5. Get a divot
A hirb may look like a wood, but it functions more like an iron. That means you also have to swing it like an iron. Don’t be afraid to take a split when you make your swing.
6. They are not for everyone
Hybrids are primarily designed for players who need help getting their longer clubs in the air. However, if you have enough blade speed, you may not have that problem. If that sounds like you, a hybrid might not be the club for you.
7. You can carry more than one
If you’re a player who isn’t used to hybrids, don’t be afraid to carry more than one. Many players will replace their 3, 4 and 5 irons with hybrids, but you can keep as many as you like.
GOLF editors
8. Break the tee
A great drill to learn how to hit a hybrid properly is by putting a ball in a fairway and taking a swing. Make it your goal to not only remove the ball from the top, but also to break it. If you’re doing that, you’re doing a proper split and hitting it hard enough.
9. Don’t forget practice swings
As you learn to hit hybrids, don’t forget to take some practice swings. Pick a spot on the ground and try to get the club head to hit it on each swing. If you can hit it consistently, you’ll be well on your way to perfecting your swing.
10. Choose the right hybrid for you
As I mentioned above, there are many options when it comes to hybrids. Choosing the right combination of shafts and heads is key if you want to get the most out of these clubs and turn them into weapons in your bag. My best advice? Get in shape by a pro.
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