I need to build a new set of irons, and I'm thinking I might get 1 Hybrid while I'm at it. What I am asking you guys is this, what loft would you get if you had to pick one? And what iron would that loft hybrid be equal to? I'm looking for something I can feel comfortable hitting off the deck on second shots, not off the tee. Thanks for your imput. I told the wife she could get my a hybrid club head and shaft for my birthday on the 16th, so I'd appreciate it if you can reply before that with your choice. Thanks guys.

Don,
I really like my 19* hybrid. It would be equal to about a 2 iron loft, even though they put a "3" on it for deisgnation. I use it instead of a five wood. More control than a 5 wood but just as long. I can hit it off the deck no problem, and YES, it does work well off the tee as well! I got one with a steel shaft for more control and so it feels more "iron-like" if you will. I think 22º is pretty typical for a 4 iron loft if you have a 5 wood already that you like. My bet is you'll get a snake eyes, but mine is a Taylor Rescue Mid for reference. The infamous "3 wood chip," a-la-tiger, is easier with a hybrid. They're like a big lofted putter/chipper from off the fringe and first cut.

Smart man Mike; I am looking at the Snake Eyes Quick Strike II hybrids. Thanks for your reply, will keep it in mind when I am deciding which one to get. I hardly ever hit my 3 and 4 irons, so I could just forget building them, and then get 2 hybrids. That is one option I have been thinking over. Any opinion on going that route?

im with divots here don.
personally, i dont like the things, but then again, i do like my 3 and 4 iron.

anyway, if i was going to get a hybrid, i'd go with a 19* like divots suggested, or maybe a 21*, which would correspond to most 3 irons.

jake

ps- hope for snow melt!!! don, its not as bad up here, so maybe we can just move the closed up north for a round if needs be. i really want to practice AND play 18. im thinking if we delay teeing off until after noon we may just be okay. its melting off pretty quick.

I'm still undecided. I could not build the 3 and 4 irons and save the money, but I really hate to build only part of the set of irons. And I hate to admit I can't hit the longer irons. EGO IS A CURSE. I could build 3-PW and build a hybrid or two and then see what I hit the best, and what's the best combination for my bag of sticks. That might be the smart thing to do, if you don't consider the extra money it would cost to build all of them and then leave some of them home every week. Kind of like having more than one driver when you know dame well you will only take one to the course. I mention that only because I'm still tempted to order a 10.5* and a 12* driver head for future needs. One for windy days and one for the calm days. Doesn't make a lot of sense, but what about golf does? Mr_divots, in case Jake didn't tell you, we got 18 inches of snow Sunday, and we are hoping to practice and play 18 Wednesday. It's melting, but I don't know if it will be gone in time. Later, Don.

I will be playing a new course for league play starting on the 20th and I picked up a 21 deg 7 wood and bagged the 5 wood. I will probally bag the 3 iron and add the 52 deg gap wedge to the pw, sw & lw to round out the set. Tried the 7 on sat and it was pretty good of the deck; had trouble with the right ball position off the tee, middle of setup seemed to work the best. 4 iron was really good for putter stroke chips from 30 to 40 yds with lots of roll.

I was thinking of you guys when I heard the national weather report! Yikes!
I have re-worked my bag a little and it has suited me well thus far. Driver, 3 wood, 19* rescue, 4-PW, GW, SW, LW, Putter. Most times, 3 iron will roll off the green anyway. I can choke down on the rescue to take some yardage off. I can hit a 3 iron a long way, but not high enough to take advantage. Figured its all about hitting it high and landing it soft, so out went the 3 iron. If its really windy it may go back in.
19* and 22* hybrids would most likely work well. The pros use them without shame, and they have pretty big egos! Are you telling us you have a bigger ego than the pros?! It's not often you hear, "He sure skulled that three iron into the woods with authority! He must be a real man..."
Low scores, GOOD. High scores BAD. Fire, HOT!

i dont think hybrid use is ego as much as it is personal preference. some people like irons, some like woods.
heck, a guy a play with here at work (young guy mid 20's) actually hits a friggin ONE iron!!
then again, he rarely hits a driver and never hits a 3 wood.

as for me, my 4 iron is one of my best clubs, so a hybrid doesnt make alot of sense for me.
if i didnt use my 4 iron, you can bet i'd go get a hrybrid.
as for the 3 irons running through the green, i think youre right, but my 3 iron is almost exclusively used on the tee box.

jake

Maybe EGO wasn't the right word. One reason not to build and hit the 3&4 irons, is that you can't hit them well. And I hate to think that I can't learn to hit them well enough to want them in the bag. In all honesty, I don't practice with the long irons much, if at all, and I didn't practice much with the driver much until this past fall. So if I can learn to hit my driver a lot better over the past 6 months, it makes sense I can learn to hit the long irons this spring and summer. I have a 7 wood that I really like off the tee, but I haven't had much of a chance to practice hitting it off the deck over the winter. We don't have many places that allow hitting off the grass in the winter, due to the grass not growing back until summer. As soon as my range opens up the grass section for practice, I'm hoping to get the woods in order off the deck, and then I might not want a hybrid at all. Not in a hurry to build a new set, so I can wait and see how it goes hitting off the grass in a few weeks or so. Thanks for your imput.

I thought you were re-shafting your Leland irons? Is that what you meant by "building a new set?" Or is this another set of irons? 3 sets of irons??!! Hitting a 3 iron well is a more difficult task than hitting driver well for most (MOST) people. Especially given the 460cc heads now, there is more room for error. Even if you hit a 3i well, it may not get enough air under it to stop it on a green anyway. Hybrid clubs seem to have more iron-like control than say, a 7 wood, and about the same distance. Make sure to take note of different manufacturer's finished lengths for their hybrids if you build one. One nice thing about the hybrids is their shorter shafts in comparison with a similarly lofted fairway wood. I think my rescue 19º is 39.5", where as a 5 wood would probably be around 42".

No, I'm not re-shafting my LX2 irons, they are fine as is. I had built a set of Snake Eyes 600C irons, and I have been practicing with them the past few months and getting pretty good with them. Then a friend tried them and liked them enough that he purchased them from me. So now I am looking into building a replacement set. Since I built the 600C's, Golfsmith has come out with the 600XC's. The XC's have a bigger cavity for more foregiveness and they are also longer heel to toe, with wider soles. I'm thinking of maybe building a set with the 600C's,PW thru 6 iron, and 600XC's for 5 to 3 iron. Just one of the ways I could build the set. I was getting better each time I practiced with the 600C's, so I don't know if I need to go with the 600XC's or not. Both of them are rated as being very workable, with the XC's being more foregiving. The XC's are supposed to get the ball into the air easier, so that might be nice with the longer irons. If I can gain foregiveness and not lose any ability to work the ball, and get a higher ball flight, that would be hard to beat, I would think. If you get a chance, check out Golfsmiths website and let me know what you think of the two irons. Always interested in another opinion and point of view. Later, Don.

The Xc's look pretty good Don. They say "thicker topline." Would they transition cleanly as a mixed set? Have you looked at other component companies? KZG makes some good looking forgings.
http://www.kzgolf.com/forgedirons.html
I just thought of something. When you build your clubs are you bending them to your specs? Do you hit off a lie board and make adjustments accordingly? Do you have a bending machine?
Just a thought, as this can make a big difference in how clubs perform for ya! I had a helluva time with my MP-33's before I got them bent. I probably should have sold them. I'm playing decent with my Pings, now I have to decide if I use the Mizunos and when! Do yourself a favor and reshaft your Lelands with the Trigolds (are they in yet?) It will keep life simpler for ya!

I have Tri-Gold shafts in my LX2's now, that's why I know I want them in the new set of irons. I have had my lie checked and I'm one of those lucky guys that happens to fit standard lie angles. Plus, if I build the 600 series irons, Golfsmith will bend them to fit if need be for free. They offer that service with all iron sets they sell. The reason I want to go with the 600 series is that they are real, real close to being the MP30's with a different name. Compared them side by side, and they look like them were made in the same forge setup. I know the top line is slightly different with the XC's, and I intend to go to Golfsmith and check them out compared to the 600C's. If the difference is too much, that will have an effect on my choice. I received the Tri_Gold shafts an hour ago, and they are exactly what was advertised. I'm quite pleased, cost me $77 for the set of 9 shafts. I also got a 15% off coupon from Golfsmith that will come in handy soon. Been waiting for the 600 series heads to go on sale, and now I can get 15% off. That will work. Decision time is getting closer. I think I'll call Golfsmith and talk to someone and see what I can learn about the difference in the 600C's and XC's. Ball flight, feel, being able to work the ball, distance, ease of hitting solid shots. All that stuff. The coupon is good until the end of April, so I should have time to get some infomation back from them and make a good decision. At least I hope to. UPS just dropped off a dozen Callaway HX Tour golf balls at my door. I traded in some reward points on my credit card for them, so the price was right. Why does Callaway have to use a different size box than the rest of the world? They don't fit on my shelve with all the rest of the golf balls. Minor detail, but still a pain. :rolleyes: Time to get out the ball spinner again.

Mr_Divots: just read your review on the HX tour. Amazing how some of the other reviewers couldn't get the ball to spin coming into the green. Makes it hard to know what a ball can and can't do when the reviews are so much apart. I think I'll go by your review, at least until I have a chance to play the ball myself. Later, Don.

I have a hard time believing anyone that says the HX-Tour doesn't spin. If you have the game to make the ball spin, they will spin like crazy. Covers can scuff kinda easy is the only problem. They are definitely long if you have the swing speed to take advantage of a firmer ball. Great ball in the wind. I have been hearing a lot of good things about the Srixon ZR? The new Srixon anyway! Have heard its the longest one out there right now with good feel to boot!
I thought you were putting the Tri-gold shafts in your Lelands to replace the X-flex shafts? Decided on building a new set instead, I presume? You are lucky to be able to use standard. All my irons and wedges have to be 2-3º upright!

The new Tri-Gold shafts are for a set of 600 series irons to replace the set of 600C's I just sold to a friend. He only wanted the 3-PW, so I still have the GW,SW, and LW. One more reason the stay with the 600 series irons, they will match the wedges I didn't sell with the iron set. Sorry for all the confusion. In truth, I ordered 2 sets of the Tri-Gold shafts at that price. If I decide that the R flex really is more accurate then the X-stiff flex in my LX2's, it would be cheaper to just buy all new LX2 heads then to pull the shafts out of the set I have. They only cost $75.00 for the 3-PW, plus a GW, and SW. I could sell my current set for more than that and be better off. I did hit the ball straighter that one day with the R flex shafts, but that was only one day. Most days, I'm quite accurate with the LX2's with the X-stiff shafts. What I'd really like to do if it was free, is build a new set of LX2's with the R flex shafts and then hit balls with both sets over a period of time and see what results I get for 50 or 100 shots. That would tell me more than hitting 5 or 6 balls on a launch monitor in a store. Unfortunately, money is an issue and I can't just build and extra set for fun. What a rotten world.

Hey Don, first chance I've gotten to reply to this, but I have Cobra Baffler 19* equvivalent to a 3 wood or iron. I'll tell you this is a great club I use it of the deck, ruff, and the tee. I use it for shots from 200-250 yds. It gets good hieght and has a sweet feel to it. After I bought it I tested the TM Res Mid to match my irons It felt a little thin for me the Cobra I'm telling you is kick ass club. My budy uses it all the time when we play I finally had to make him get one of his own. I got it on golfdiscount.com for $119 free shipping with athe standard steel stiff flex shaft, If your still looking for a Hybrid I highly recommend this club go hit some where you'll love it
Devon

After reading the advise of the rest of you guys, I decided on going with a 19* Snake Eyes Quick Strike II for the hybrid. Will let you know how it works out when I get a chance to try it on the course. Some time after it stops snowing. :rolleyes: Thanks again for all your input. I appreciate it. Later, Don.

Good choice Don!
Probably the most versatile loft for hybrids.
I ended up taking out my 3 iron so I could put a 60º wedge in my bag. The 19º is both my 5 wood and 3 iron now. There hasn't been an occasion yet in my 7 rounds so far that I wished I had my 3 iron in the bag! What shaft are you going to put in it? The UST Irod hybrid shaft is supposed to have a mid/high launch angle. Seems like an intriguing shaft. 83 grams I believe. Steel is good too. A little shorter for more control never hurts. I think you will be very happy with your decision. More snow?! Yikes!

The UST IROD hybrid is a very good choice. I've got it in an XPC4 and it's very consistent.

On the other hand, I've tried the True Temper Crossfire as well and wouldn't recommend it. As a golf shaft, it makes a fine tomato stake.

JW

Decided to go with a TT TX90 R flex steel shaft. I wanted the hybrid to be as close to my iron set as possible, and that meant a steel shaft. Plus with a steel shaft, it's 1 inch shorter, which should help control and accuracy.I picked the TX90 because it's lighter than most and has a low kick point, which should help hit the ball nice and high for softer landing, hopefully on the green. :rolleyes: The TX90 shaft is about half way between my driver shaft and my iron shafts in terms of weight, which I think will help the hybrid blend in well between the irons and my woods. At least that's the idea. Yes, we got about 3 inchs of wet snow that should help the grass and be melted off by tomorrow. High for the day has been 29 degrees, so golf is not in the cards. I built the hybrid to the specs Golfsmith called for, 40.5 inches. I compared it to my 7 wood and it's about 1.5 inches shorter, so it should be even easier to hit than the 7. I will not complain if it works out that way, especilly if I can get good distance out of it also. Will let you know later, Don.

Don,

Be careful when you prep the TX90. It is so thin that you want to treat it more like a graphite shaft than steel. Just rough it with some fine grit (120) sandpaper and DO NOT CRIMP IT. That's not just me talkin' - I got it off True Temper's site after I had my first TX90 crack at the tip when I crimped it.

JW

Don,
I have heard very good things about that shaft as well. I have been contemplating changing my shaft in my rescue for a higher launch. Its a steel Precision micro-taper. Not sure what the flex point is exactly. I'll have to contact Taylor Made to find out (wish me luck.) :rolleyes: I was thinking about the UST IROD hybrid shaft. My shaft progression would go 65,75, and 85 grams in my woods then. The present hybrid shaft is 108 grams. If I go with the same finished length, that should preserve the swing weight at D3 even though the shaft is lighter, right?

JW,
What is "crimping" a shaft? Is that a tool for holding the sandpaper or something? Maybe you can answer my swingweight question too?

divots,

i took out my 5 wood so i can carry a 60* also.
i now have pw, 50*, 56*, and 60*.

that leaves me with just driver and 15* for woods, since i carry 3 iron.

here's what ive been thinking.
i think having a hybrid (17 or 19. probably 17) would be beneficial, but i ALSO think the 60* is a benefit.
what do you think about alternating clubs?
in other words, i was thinking about picking up the hybrid (looking at the cleveland halo), and then structuring the bag based on the course im playing.
at aurora hills where don and i play, the 60* wedge isnt really necessary for me (i prefer bump and run shots and that course is very open to that shot), but the hybrid would be a big help on the par fives (a few of which are reachable in two).
at my home course in castle rock (red hawk ridge), the hybrid wouldnt be as much help, but the 60* would be.

it seems a shame to spend the dough for a club that wont be in my bag all the time, but then i would have hybrid (2 iron loft), 3 iron, AND 60* wedge all at my disposal, and i could see which ones are the most useful depending on course and conditions.

sound like a good plan, or should i just stick with what i have and keep consistency in the bag?

any opinions welcome.

jake

i should add that i do play and like my long irons.
my 4 iron is one of my better clubs, and while i dont play 3 iron much off the carpet, i do like using it off the tee on layup par fours or par fives where i know the second shot is a layup regardless of distance off the tee.