Hybrid Golf Clubs Reduce Fear at Fairway Bunker Shots

When you find a fairway bunker, it is tempting to grab a sand wedge and just get the ball out. But this defeatist tactic, costs you precious yards and a chance to hit the green. If you are afraid to hit full iron shot from the sand, the hybrid may prove less intimidating.

When you are in a fairway bunker, first study the height of the lip you must carry relatively to your distance from it. If you are sure that a solid shot will clear the lip, do the following:

• Place the ball in the middle of your stance and grip down about ½" on the club. This will shorten the club’s length, making it easier to control and reducing the risk of a fat shot.

• Your feet are planted firmly, but don’t dig into the sand.

• Make a sweeping swing to nip the ball off the surface, standing tall throughout the swing to prevent hitting behind it.

The hybrid’s rounded sole and large, confidence-boosting head make it ideal for long sand shots.

How many Golf Hybrid Clubs Should You Carry?

Since the Rules of Golf allow you to use only 14 clubs, it’s important not to carry two clubs with similar performance qualities.

The typical golfers set included three woods, 10 irons (#2 to #9, PW and SW) and a putter for a total of 14 as allowed under the rules.

These days it is different, while the driver and putter remain constant, the rest of the set is up for grabs. Hybrid golf clubs have bumped the 2 to 4 irons from most bags and often the 5-wood as well. Lately, some golfers are choosing to replace every iron with a hybrid.

Choosing clubs is a matter of personal preference. That’s especially true when deciding how many hybrids to carry. Some golfers like the look and feel of traditional irons, while others find the hybrid’s larger, rounder head more appealing.

For example, you might like the performance of hybrid golf clubs where the 3-through 6-iron would normally go, but prefer traditional irons in the higher lofts starting with the 7. There is only one way to find out where your crossover point lies- by experimenting.

Let us say you want to keep your conventional wedges, but are interested in going with hybrid golf club below that. Give your current clubs and corresponding hybrids a side-by-side tryout. Hit 10 balls each with your 8-iron and an 8-hybrid, noting the accuracy, distance and quality of contact of every shot. Also pay attention to your confidence level with the different clubs at address, how high the ball travels, and which club produces a more pleasing feel at impact.

You may decide to stick with your regular irons. Maybe you will discover that hybrid golf clubs deliver better results. In the latter case, it is possible to ditch your conventional irons entirely. Monark Golf offers complete sets of hybrids, number 1-9 plus the pitching, gap and sand wedges.

This year's crop of hybrid clubs offers unprecedented versatility, forgiveness and adjustability, along with ball speeds that we've never seen in these club categories.

Hybrid golf clubs should occupy a position of strength in your bag no less important than your woods or your wedges. It's one of the most important clubs you'll own.

This Article is written by Hubert Maass. He is an owner of Monark Golf and provides high quality golf club components to their clients at reasonable prices.