Amateur golfers always want to know what a golf professional has in their bag.
Many golfers think that if they have the equipment the pros have, then they will learn how to play like the pros.
Although we can’t guarantee this is the truth, having some knowledge about the pros and what they play is not a bad idea.
Do Pros Use Hybrids?
Yes, pros use hybrids in their golf bag.
Although it would be rare to see a pro replacing their five or six iron with a hybrid, it is very common for a two and sometimes a three iron.
Pros like hybrids because they enjoy having an excellent go-to option out of the rough on a longer hole.
Sometimes with a hybrid, they will still be able to hit a green even if they find themselves in trouble off the tee.
Pros find that iron is going to be more workable than a hybrid, and that is why some still choose not to use them.
Professional golfers have very fast swing speeds.
Their fast speeds help them to hit long irons excellent, while an amateur doesn’t have this same luxury.
For amateurs, the slower swing speeds make it difficult to launch a long iron at the proper angle, and the distance is usually not quite as long as it should be.
When amateurs take a hybrid in hand, they start hitting it long, and it feels effortless compared to the long irons.
Is a Five Wood Easier to Hit Than a Hybrid?
A five wood will sometimes have the same amount of loft as a hybrid.
Five woods are usually about nineteen degrees of loft, and you can find three hybrids which are also nineteen degrees of loft.
Some golfers wonder if they can have both clubs at this 19-degree loft angle rather than which one makes more sense to carry in the bag.
A five wood and hybrids are about equally difficult to hit.
They are both very forgiving, but the five wood will probably travel further.
The hybrid will be easier out of the rough, and it will stop on a green with much less effort than a five wood.
Some people tend to sweep the golf ball with their golf swing, while others are better at hitting down and through their shots.
If you are a sweeper, you will do better with fairway woods than hybrids.
If you like to hit down and through your shots, the hybrid is going to be the better choice.
Some golfers will carry five wood and a three hybrid, which have the same loft but will serve different functions.
How Far Do Pros Hit Hybrids?
How far a pro hits a hybrid depends on the club they have in their hand.
The lower the loft, the further the ball has a chance to fly.
A lower lofted hybrid will fly well over 200 yards for a professional golfer.
Some golfers on the LPGA and Champions Tour are going to use hybrids quite a bit.
This is most likely because their swing speeds are slower, and they need the extra help out of an awkward lie or to reach a long par four in two shots.
These players’ distances may be a little lower than those on the PGA tour, but they are also probably playing three and four hybrids as opposed to a two hybrid.
The faster a pro swings, the further the golf ball is going to travel.
Since hybrids can vary so much when it comes to loft, it is not common for pros to talk about the specific distances of any of their hybrids.
Why Do Some Pros Choose Not to Carry Hybrids?
There are a few reasons why some pros choose not to carry a hybrid.
For starters, some pros don’t have room in their golf bag.
By the time they load up all the wedges, the fairway woods, and the irons they want, there may be no space left for a hybrid.
Another reason is that a hybrid can be a harder club to use if you are trying to work the ball.
Professional golfers like to hit a lot of shots which fly left to right or right to left.
They use these types of shots to get the ball to land in a specific location on the green as opposed to just going directly at the pin each time.
Since a hybrid is a bit bulkier and is known for its forgiveness, it’s harder to control the golf shot.
With an iron in your hand, the choice of the different types of shots you may want to hit is significantly increased.
Players know they can control not only the direction of the shot but the trajectory as well.
Professionals like to hit certain shots high and other shots low.
With an iron, you can control the trajectory much more than a hybrid.
Another reason some professional golfers will keep their irons in their bag is because of feel.
Professional golfers are very particular about what their golf clubs feel like.
With the iron set, they can keep things more consistent from one club to the next.
The angle of the club and the length will change, but changing from a hybrid to iron is a much different transition.
Are Hybrids Good for Windy Conditions?
Hybrids can be a great club in any weather condition.
When it comes to windy conditions, the hybrid is good because it has lots of power and a penetrating ball flight.
As great as the hybrid can be, it is not as good as the long irons.
It is much easier to slightly deloft a long iron and get the ball to run up to the hole.
Since the center of gravity on the hybrid is so low, it makes it a bit harder to have these same types of results.
The hybrid works to help you get the ball higher up in the air, even when you are trying to keep the ball flight down.
Over time, you will learn how to control the trajectory of your hybrid a bit more, but it certainly takes some practice.
How Do Pros Pick Which Clubs Are in Their Bag?
Most golf pros have an equipment contract with a manufacturer.
Since they are getting paid to use certain clubs, they will play with those clubs.
Most professional golfers can adjust quite easily to the new releases a company puts out each year.
You may notice the shafts the professionals use, and the grips may stay the same.
These things help keep the club feeling similar even if there are other changes from year to year.
If a company has just developed a new hybrid, you may see the professional golfer put a hybrid in their bag to help the manufacturer advertise the new club.
Conclusion
It is a misconception that professionals don’t use hybrids.
Even though the hybrids are long, forgiving, and easy to hit, some golf professionals will enjoy those benefits.
You will very likely see the professionals using a two and sometimes a three hybrid.
It is unlikely you will see a professional with five or six hybrids in their golf bag.
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