If you are new to the game of golf, you may have that feeling that golf is really hard.
Yes, it can be hard, but the good news is that there are some quality clubs and equipment to help you get better.
Gone are the days of picking up an old set at the local garage sale and hitting the course. If you want a chance to have fun and strike the ball solid, let’s at least get the right clubs in your hands.
Golf can be a ton of fun. It is a time to spend with family and friends in the outdoors doing something that can be enjoyable. However, it all starts with hitting the ball solid and seeing it fly in the air.
Are Hybrid Clubs Good For Beginners?
Yes, in fact hybrids may be the easiest club for a beginner to hit in the air with quality distance. Beginners should have at least one hybrid and potentially several more. These are also great clubs for junior, senior and women golfers!
The goal for any beginner is to hit the ball a decent distance, through the air and relatively straight. Of course, not everything will be perfect, but let’s at least have some fun and launch the ball in the air.
Golf can be miserable when every shot stays on the ground and the golfer has no chance. The technology in the game has come a long way and it is time to take advantage of it. In fact, more and more golfers should use hybrids whether they are beginners or not.
We now see an increase in the number of hybrids on the LPGA and PGA Tours. The LPGA Tour has completely embraced the hybrid, while the PGA Tour is starting to!
The key for any beginner is to experience a little bit of success at first. That first well struck shot that flies further and straighter than most keeps the gofler coming back.
Most golfers struggle when they first start the game, my philosophy would be to make it as easy as possible to keep them around past the first several rounds. Hybrid clubs are one way to make this happen.
Keep the game as easy as possible because it is hard enough even with easy to hit clubs!
Why Are Hybrids Clubs Good For Beginners?
The hybrid is an easier club to hit in the air than almost every other club in the bag. The shape of the head, the length of the club and overall swing weight make it easier to produce some quality speed and enough loft to launch the ball.
They key here is that we want the beginners to experience success!
Technology really started to improve 20 years ago with a club called the Adams Tight Lies, since then we have seen a dramatic improvement in fairway woods, rescue clubs and now hybrids. They continue to improve and the overall fun in which the game can be played with increases significantly.
The confidence a golfer gets when standing over a hybrid vs a long iron is significant. The feeling of a well struck hybrid stays with a golfer and the confidence begins to build!
Why Are Hybrid Clubs Good For Beginners (List)
- Easier to hit in the air
- Easier to hit further
- Easier to hit straighter
- Light Weight to produce more speed
- Enough Loft to get the ball in the air
- Designed to launch the ball higher
When Should I Use My Hybrid As a Beginner?
The hybrid could and should be used from just about any location on the course. A golfer can realistically use the club off the tee, out of the fairway, in the rough, out of fairway bunkers and may even hit a simple chip shot with a hybrid.
Before you head to the course, make sure you test out the different clubs in your bag at a local driving range. Get used to getting the ball in the air and have an approximate idea of how far each club will travel.
Ideally, you will have a 3, 5 and 7 hybrid to utilize. Note the distance of each club. The 3 should fly the farthest and the 7 should fly the shortest. This is designed to give you different options when playing the course.
For example, you might hit the 3 hybrid close to 175 yards, the 5 hybrid around 165 and the 7 hybrid around 150 yards. Whatever the distance you hit each club, note the total distance and either write it down or enter it into your phone. The lower the number on a club, the further it typically travels.
When you get around the green you can even use your hybrid for a simple chip shot. Use your putting motion and simply move the club back and forth. This will pop the ball slightly in the air and it will advance the ball slightly to get it headed in the right direction.
Quick Review: When Should I Use My Hybrid As A Beginners (List)
- Off the tee on shorter par 4s
- Out of the Fairway
- Out of the Rough
- Out of Fairway Bunkers
- For Simple Chip Shots Around the Green
What Is The Best Hybrid Club For A Beginner?
The 3 hybrid will give the beginner golfer a quality combination of distance and accuracy. The club produces enough speed to be able to hit on a high percentage of shots from a longer distance.
The 3 hybrid will play similar in distance to a 3 wood and for beginners, especially juniors and seniors, the 3 hybrid or 3 wood become a popular club because not many hit the ball that far to start off.
As distance increases, other clubs become important and shorter irons and wedges will be needed.
Most beginner golfers will want to carry a 3, 5, and 7 hybrid to provide the greatest flexibility as they get closer to the green. Most golfers will choose to carry the following clubs:
- Driver
- 3 Wood
- 3, 5 and 7 hybrid
- 7, 8, 9, and PW
- SW
- Putter
These are some basic clubs for the beginner. There are still 3 other clubs that could be added to help control distance, but may not be essential at the beginning of the golf journey!
Are Hybrids Better Than Irons?
For most golfers, hybrids are better than long irons. However, most golfers will choose to go with short irons over the shorter hybrids.
At longer distances, the hybrids provide an increased probability of hitting the ball in the air when compared to a long iron. However, from a shorter distance, the short irons provide better accuracy and distance control.
As a golfer improves his or her skills, the short irons become essential, but many will stick with the longer hybrids as they are simply easier to hit for most! The key is to find what is best for your game and setup your 14 clubs to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Do Hybrid Clubs Replace Irons?
Hybrids will replace longer irons for most golfers. However, they won’t completely replace all irons in the golf bag.
Most golfers will have a combination of hybrids and irons. Typically, the longer clubs are hybrids and the shorter clubs are irons. This is very true for junior, senior and women golfers. Having the best of both clubs in your bag will provide the best chance to hit quality shots and score well!
Can I chip with my Hybrid?
Yes, one can successfully chip with a hybrid. The golfer will want to make a putting like motion with their hybrid to pop the ball in the air and get it rolling towards the hole.
I would recommend starting off with a 56 or 60 degree wedge and learning to chip with one of these two clubs. The technology is impressive and keeping the simple chipping motion back and through will help the beginner develop their skills.
Some other chipping and short game resources:
Should High handicappers use hybrids?
Yes, it is to their advantage to have multiple hybrids in their bags. They should have a minimum have a three hybrid out of five hybrid.
However, Hybrids are not just for high handicappers and beginners. All golfers, regardless of age or skill level should consider and test out hybrid clubs.
How do I know if a hybrid is right for my game?
The best way to see what clubs are best for your bag is to measure your key swing stats with the different types and brands of club.
You can do this at your local golf store or now it is affordable to have your own portable launch monitor that can be used at home, at the driving range or on the course.
If you visit any PGA Tour stop you will see the majority of professionals use a launch monitor at some point throughout the week .
Many are monitoring their clubface, swing path relationship as well as swing speed. These are important numbers to monitor to make sure you are keeping your swing within a certain range.
Some of the key information that you will be able to received immediately after every swing includes:
- Ball Speed
- Club Speed
- Launch Angle
- Spin Rate
- Spin Axis
While many won’t have $16,000 to spend on a Trackman, there are some great affordable options that can be used at your local driving range, on the golf course or in your garage or house as part of a practice area of golf simulator setup.
Here are my top 3 recommend affordable golf launch monitors:
HyBrid Clubs for Beginners: Final Thoughts
Over time, having the right clubs in your bag will help you out. If you are a beginner or supporting a beginner take the game seriously and get the right equipment to help you experience success.
Stop playing the clubs from over 20 years ago that your neighbors uncle used to use. Set yourself up for success.
Golf is a game for a lifetime and a journey that brings a ton of joy and entertainment to life!
Embrace it and enjoy!
