Should You Replace Your Mid-Irons with Hybrids?

Hybrids have become popular for replacing long irons, fairway woods, and driving irons. You most likely have a 3 or 4 hybrid in the bag or know someone who does. However, should you replace your mid-irons with hybrids as well?

In this blog post, we will talk all about the 5, 6, and 7-hybrids, so you are informed and can make the best decision for your game.

Hybrid vs. Iron – What’s the Difference?

Hybrids are mixtures of fairway woods and irons. They have a design that includes a similarly shaped, forgiving clubhead of fairway woods with shorter shafts and similar lofts of irons. The convex faces of hybrid heads have a low center of gravity, creating larger carry and higher ball flight than irons.

Irons have a flat, angled, and solid clubhead, ranging from blades to cavity backs. Cavity-backed irons have a hollowed-out portion in the back of the club head, distributing the weight around the perimeter for increased forgiveness. Blades, on the other hand, have a full and solid back, providing more feedback, but require a higher skill level player to promote results.

When Should You Replace Irons with Hybrids?

Inconsistent Strikes and Ball Flight

If you generally find more success striking the ball with your short irons and wedges but struggle to hit your 6-iron and 5-iron, mid-hybrids could be for you. The longer the iron, the smaller room for error you have with a strike, and hybrids can alleviate that pain.

Mid-irons can be harder to hit than short irons and wedges for a multitude of factors.

• Smaller sweet spot
• Longer shaft
• Less loft
• More difficult to get the club through impact

If you’re using mid-irons, you’ll need to generate more clubhead speed to get the ball up in the air because of their lower loft. Compared to short irons and wedges, mid-irons have a lower launch angle. If you don’t hit mid-irons properly, you may end up with low and weak shots that veer off to the left or right. If you’re struggling to get your mid-irons airborne, hybrids can be a great solution for you.

Poor Gapping Distance

Golfers often struggle with having inconsistent distances between their mid-irons. It’s recommended to have a consistent 10-15 yard gap between each club to improve accuracy and performance. For instance, if you hit your 7-iron 150 yards, ideally you should hit your 6-iron between 160 to 165 yards to maintain a consistent gap.

There could be many reasons, both physical and technical, that can cause short gapping between clubs. Hybrids often go further than irons and therefore can be perfect solutions for any gapping problems.

For instance, if you hit your 7-iron 150 but hit your 6-iron only 155, swapping your 6-iron with a 6-hybrid can allow you to accomplish proper gapping.

Slow Swing Speed

You might not be swinging your seven iron 90 mph like the PGA pros. However, if you have a slower clubhead speed with your mid-irons, you’re probably not getting all the distance you could achieve with hybrids. 

The dynamics and shape of hybrid heads, project the ball into the air more easily than irons, which is beneficial for those with slower swing speeds. For example, the golf ball will travel higher with a 5-hybrid than a 5-iron, even with the same swing speed.

Enjoy Hitting Hybrids

If you’ve hit hybrids before, or even currently carry one in your bag, you might have confidence in them. If you’re considering replacing your mid-irons, you probably don’t have a lot of faith in grabbing those clubs out of the bag. Having confidence over the ball plays a huge part in your swing and enjoyment of your game.

Why are Hybrids Easier to Hit than Irons?

Hybrids are generally more forgiving than irons. Especially with long irons, hybrids tend to tighten up dispersion. 

If you’re a player who frequently has mishits, struggles with getting the ball up in the air, or fails to get your approach shots to hold the green, you’ll find improvement with hybrids. Players can often reach higher apexes with hybrids which promote sticking and stopping balls on the green.

How to Choose the Right Hybrid when Replacing Mid-irons?

Skill Level

Golf manufacturers produce various hybrid models that are suited for each skill level.

For example, Calaway makes the Paradym hybrid for low-handicap players and the Paradym X hybrid for high-handicap players.

Hybrids designed for high-handicap golfers have larger heads and are more forgiving. Conversely, hybrids for skilled players allow for more control and golf-ball workability.

Price

Like most golf clubs, the price of hybrids can be pretty expensive. Price factors include brand, model, year, and condition. 

New hybrids from brands like Ping, Taylormade, Callaway, and Titleist are around $300. However, you can find cheaper hybrids from brands like Wilson, Srixon, and Adams. 

Golfers can cut down the cost by looking at hybrid models a couple of years older. You can find new condition hybrids released a few years back that are perfectly good options.

Loft

You’ll need to choose the loft of a hybrid based on the iron you want to replace. Hybrids with the same loft as their respective irons generally have longer carry and total distance. It’s important to test hybrids, varying in loft, on a launch monitor so you’re informed before you buy.

For example, if you carry your 6-iron 170 yards, a 6-hybrid with the same loft might carry 180. In this case, you’d want to replace your 6-iron with a 7-hybrid instead.

The distance hybrids produce is dependent on club, swing mechanics, and clubhead speed, so it’s best to experiment and find your yardages.

Shaft

Graphite vs. Steel Shaft on Hybrids

Due to the similar build as fairway woods, hybrids are almost always built with graphite shafts. Graphite shafts produce faster clubhead speed, allowing hybrids to reach greater distances.

Stiff vs. Regular Hybrid Shafts

Typically, if you have a swing speed slower than 90 miles per hour, regular flex shafts are the proper choice for your hybrids. Regular shafts are more flexible and help assist players with slower swing speeds to achieve better control, higher launch, and more forgiveness. 

Stiff shafts are great for players with swing speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. Stiff shafts won’t flex as much as regular shafts. So, if you have a fast swing, you won’t have to worry about the shaft “over flexing” and will gain more control and distance.

Benefits of Mid-Hybrids

Out of the Rough

Let’s face it, as a handicap golfer you’re in the rough more often than you’d like to be, and having the most optimal club when hitting out of thick rough can be lifesaving.

Hybrids are more optimal when hitting out of the rough due to the design of the clubhead. The larger, round shape of hybrids have wide soles that can easily glide through rough. 

Whereas narrow soled irons tend to dig into the ground and get caught in the rough.

Further Cary Distance

Hybrids have a higher trajectory than irons, helping the ball stay in the air longer and improve carry distance. 

Hybrids also have a face that contorts slightly at impact and then adjusts back to its original shape. This technology increases ball speed, making golf balls travel further.

Most hybrids are built with graphite shafts, making the clubs lighter and increasing clubhead speed.

Higher Ball Flight

Compared to irons, hybrids have a higher launch angle at impact, allowing the ball to easily travel up in the air. Hitting the ball higher can be beneficial with approach shots by getting the ball to stop on the green. 

Cons of Mid-Hybrids

Resisting to Change

Whether it’s a swing change or equipment change, introducing new elements to your game comes with some initial frustration. If you’re used to hitting mid-irons, moving to hybrids will force you to adjust to new distances, feels, and techniques. Even visually, it may take some time to get used to hybrids.

We golfers don’t want to sacrifice bad rounds in the wake of change. We want to improve instantly. For some, switching to hybrids might make an immediate impact. For others, a few sessions on the range will be required for acclimating to the new equipment.

Harder to Shape Shots

If you’re an advanced golfer who often likes to shape your shots with draws and fades, hybrids will make it more difficult to do so.

Overall Cost

Most players, when purchasing golf clubs, start with a set of irons. These days, irons typically are sold in a bundle and contain a 5-iron through gap wedge.

If you’re contemplating swapping out your mid-irons for hybrids, be prepared to invest additional funds as you’ll need to buy your hybrids separately.

Easy to Hook

One of the biggest complaints I see with hybrids is that they are prone to hooks. Hybrids tend to have more of an upright lie angle, which promotes a draw. If you struggle with pulls and hooks, hybrids could be an issue for you.

It’s best to get fitted for a hybrid so you can choose the best lie angle for your swing.

My Experience with Hybrids

I grew up using a 3 and 4-hybrid and have always been quite fond of hybrids. I recently replaced my 5-iron with a 6-hybrid and it has been beneficial to my game. I debated on getting a 5 or 6-hybrid to replace the 5-iron. After testing it out on a launch monitor, the 6-hybrid was the perfect replacement.

With the 6-hybrid, I have much more confidence behind the ball. It’s easier for me to get the ball in the air and I feel as though I can swing with ease.

Final Thoughts on Hybrids Replacing Mid-Irons

Ultimately, the decision to replace mid-irons with hybrids depends on your individual skill level, preferences, and tendencies. Those who struggle consistently striking your mid-irons could find improvement by switching over to hybrids. Testing different hybrids and getting fit can help make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs.