The most simple way to answer this question is based on club speed. If you struggle to get your driver swing speed north of 90 miles per hour, it is going to be difficult to generate enough club head speed to launch a 5 iron high enough and far enough. Set the ego aside and consider purchasing a 5 hybrid.
With all the technology and club improvement in the game of golf, we are provided with many different choices on golf clubs.
And sometimes that can seem overwhelming!
The days of simply carrying a driver, 3 wood, 3 iron through wedges, and putter are gone. Golfers must consider some of the hybrids on the market, as they can be really easy to hit higher and further than the counterpart iron!
Even as irons have improved and have become more player friendly, the opportunity to launch a ball high and far regardless of the lie is appealing to golfers.
The most frequently asked question I hear is which club should I carry a 5 hybrid or a 5 iron. Many golfers have already replaced the 3 iron with a 3 hybrid and now are considering replacing some of the their other longer irons.
Below, I will dive into the pros of a 5 hybrid and a 5 iron and help you decide which club is best for you.
5 Hybrid vs 5 Iron (Benefits of Both!)
Here are the pros of both the 5 hybrid and the 5 iron:
Top 3 Reasons to carry a 5 hybrid.
- Easier to hit for slower swing speeds.
- Easier to hit higher and further.
- Good out of a majority of lies in the fairway or rough.
Top 3 Reasons to carry a 5 iron.
- Provides more precision.
- Easier to flight the ball.
- Easier to work the ball both ways with control.
Below we will provide greater detail on each of these reasons listed above. Here we go!
5 Hybrid vs 5 Iron: Pros of Each Club
5 Hybrid: Easier to hit for slower swing speeds
What is your driver swing speed? Is your driver swing speed below 90 miles per hour? It might be time to switch to the 5 hybrid and replace that 5 iron.
If your swing speed is below 90 miles per hour with the driver, there is a good chance you only generate around 65-70 miles per hour of club speed with the 5 iron. . This can make it difficult to hit the ball high enough to hold greens.
The design of the 5 hybrids are impressive. These easier to hit clubs are a golfers dream who struggles to hit their ball far enough. Juniors, Seniors, Ladies and even men with slower swing speeds should highly consider making the switch.
From my own personal experience, I happen to golf with many senior golfers at my club and I have seen how accurate they can be with these clubs as their games seem rejuvenated once they add the hybrids to their bags. Also, my own sons who are under 10, love their hybrids and hit many shots with these clubs.
The overall ease to hit the ball higher and further is difficult to ignore.
Have you wondered about 5 wood vs 3 hybrid – Check out our post here
5 Hybrid: Easier to hit higher and further
Even if you are someone who has enough swing speed, the ability to hit these clubs consistently due to the forgiveness on off center hits is something that shouldn’t be ignored. Consider at least the 3 and 5 hybrids regardless of your swing speed.
As golf courses get more firm and the new courses are designed with a great deal of undulation it is important to be able to hit the ball high enough to hold a green. There is nothing worse than hitting a solid shot that you launch a long way only to have it hit the green and roll off the backside.
Instead, a hybrid with the extra heigh can help the ball stop and you can now have a chance at a birdie putt.
5 Hybrid: Good out of a majority of lies in the fairway and rough
The ability to hit the hybrid from any lie is very appealing. Do you remember the rescue clubs or the Adams Tight Lies of 20 plus years ago?
These were the first to utilize this technology that allows for an easy to launch club that is versatile out of many different lies. A golfer can even utilize their hybrid out of a fairway bunker and experience success.
The greatest benefit is out of the rough. We all know the struggles of hitting a long iron out of the rough. It is difficult to not have the golf club turn and twist through the thick grass and getting enough loft out of there is difficult because we struggle to get enough spin on the ball to keep it in the air. This is where the hybrid is truly superior to the long iron.
5 Iron: Provides more precision
For the high end golfer who is nearing scratch or the lower single digits from handicap perspective, the need to be able to hit precision shots from 175-200 yards is essential. The golfer that keeps the 5 iron around is looking to control the ball flight and get the ball on the green.
They usually do not have to worry about enough speed and distance to play the course. When they get a 5 iron in their hand they are standing there worrying about if they are going to duff it.
Instead they are thinking about how they are going to work it either left or right to access the green and give themselves a make-able birdie putt. The 5 iron is superior for those with high swing speeds that can launch the ball with enough distance and height to play the course and to hold the greens.
5 Iron: Easier to flight the ball
The better golfer will also want to be able to hit the ball high or low on demand. In those windy conditions it is important to be able to flight the ball below or through the wind.
The ability to put the longer iron in the back of the stance and compress the ball while keeping the hands forward to flight the ball is essential.
The 5 iron provides this opportunity and the best golfers want this as they battle the elements on those difficult days. One of the most challenging things about golf is the elements. Being able to hit different shots with different club is important to shooting lower scores on a consistent basis.
5 Iron: Easier to work the ball both ways with control
The better golfer will also look to work the ball both ways. Many of the better golfers fear the pull or hook left with the hybrid. The 5 iron provides the opportunity to go at the ball aggressively and not have to worry about the big miss.
The ability to work an iron both ways is generally easier than with a hybrid. We are talking about 2-3 yards of a draw or a fade to better access pins. The 5 iron will give you the better chance.
5 Hybrid vs 5 Iron: What To Do Next?
Now that you know some of the pros and cons of both clubs, there are some steps you can take next to ensure you are making the right decision for your game. The options to measure and assess your own equipment is readily available to amateur golfers in today’s golf era.
How Can A Hybrid Help Your Game – Learn More Here
Step 1: Measure Your Swing
In today’s golf world, there are now affordable golf launch monitors that every golfer can have as a part of their golf setup to ensure they are using the best equipment and keeping their swings on track.
With today’s topic, I would highly recommend measuring the difference in swing speed and ball speed with the two different club options discussed.
Being able to make your own conclusions on changes in your golf swing or equipment before hitting the course will go a long way in helping your experiment and have your game reach its full potential.
There are three excellent options in today’s market that allow you to measure your swing at the driving range, in a net, or in a home golf simulator. These versatile options below give you instant feedback and the information you need to experiment and see what works best for your!
I would recommend one of the three launch monitors listed below:
Step 2: Test Out Equipment
With anything in golf, we recommend testing it out for yourself. We know that every golf swing is slightly different and that golfers have different expectations and budgets. As a result, we highly recommend testing products out for your game and your swing. This is now affordable and can be done! We live in an amazing time!
I personally use the SkyTrak Launch Monitor and am able to use it in my golf simulator setup in my garage and take to the driving range or course. The real time data on ball speed, spin rates and spin axis gives me the feedback I know to test out different clubs and setups on my drivers or what clubs I am hitting the best.
The affordability of these products is rather impressive and if you are serious about improving your game, you have to check these out!
Step 3: Train for Speed
Let’s face it, regardless of what club you decide to put in your bag in your swing, the key is to work on increasing your speed in the golf swing. It has become very clear the need for speed in the golf swing and there are ways to add speed!
The analytics on all levels of golf show how important speed and additional speed are in reducing golf scores.
Once you have figured out your equipment and bag setup, it is time to start training for some additional speed. This is a drill and training protocol that I would highly recommend.
SPEED DRILL: Increase your swing speed through overspeed training
- Check out SuperSpeed Overspeed Training Protocols
- Train every other day for 10-15 minutes.
- See a 4-6% increase in swing speed as early as the first training protocol.
The number one thing that has helped me gain significant distance is the SuperSpeed Training System. This overspeed based system where you train every other day for about 10-15 minutes with different swing sticks can help you increase your swing speed by 5-8% which can be 20-30 yards. Who wouldn’t want an extra 20-30 yards. Plus it helps improve your mechanics.
SuperSpeed Golf – Use Discount Code Golfjourney365 for some savings!
The analytics are pretty clear on the importance of speed in the game of golf. Would you rather hit your approach shot from 130 yards of 160 yards?
The answer is pretty simple! We know that over the course of time, we will hit shots from 130 yards much closer than from 160 yards, whether we are an average amateur golfer, a scratch golfer, or a PGA Tour member!
The key is having shorter approach shots, so we can hit the ball closer to the hole and then make more putts! Speed is king in the game of golf! Make sure you check out SuperSpeed Golf!
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Here is the reality…in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.
I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf.
I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.