What should I look for when buying a hybrid?

[DVS]

One of the best clubs in my bag used to be a 3i. I hit it pretty well. But this year, I haven't been able to hit it at all with any consistency.

So with my GolfTown gift certificate, I thought that during lunch today, I'd go pick up a hybrid club, as everyone keeps talking about it.

They are selling some Nike CPR hybrids for like $75, which is appealing from a financial standpoint. Anything else that you guys would suggest?

Also, since it replaces long irons...what loft should I get? a #3 with 21degree or #4? or maybe a #2 with 18degree?

Thanks,

-DVS

[warbirdlover]

Nickents are cheap now and excellent (3DX DC)... I've got a 20º and 23º. Disregard the #3, #4 or #5 on them, they'll hit one club longer.

[Adam Pettman]

I'd say buy a 21* hybrid first and see how you hit that, what you should be looking for when buying a hybrid are any of the following words; Adams Golf, Nickent or Taylormade. Make sure you test before you buy also what is your most common miss (ie hook slice etc) ???

[Sandy]

I had Nike CPRs but made sure I got them with the UST iRod shafts in as standard, which I'm not sure they did with the last version of those clubs (the one with red fading to black paint on rather than the all red versions). The stock shafts in the CPRs are horrendous - easily the worst stock shaft I've ever hit, even compared to budget clubs.

I'd agree with buying a 21* to start with and going from there. I've found hybrids a lot easier to choke down on or go after hard to alter your distance with than any other club.

[DVS]

Originally Posted by Adam Pettman

I'd say buy a 21* hybrid first and see how you hit that, what you should be looking for when buying a hybrid are any of the following words; Adams Golf, Nickent or Taylormade. Make sure you test before you buy also what is your most common miss (ie hook slice etc) ???

lol...yeah, those names are great. Unfortunately, my gift cert is only for $100. . I am leaning towards what ever would be a 3i replacement. I figure its in the middle of a 4 and 2. I am not a big hitter, so as long I can get a consistent 175y out of it (off the fairway/rough), I am happy.

As for my my common fault, I usually miss with a slice...not a severe one, but enough to be OB if I don't aim for the left edge of the fairway.

I also read some good things about the Nike Slingshots. Anyone use them?

-DVS

[Adam Pettman]

This looks perfect.

Taylor Made RESCUE MID Hybrid/Utility 3 19 Degree Used Golf Club at GlobalGolf.com

[DVS]

Originally Posted by Adam Pettman

This looks perfect.

Taylor Made RESCUE MID Hybrid/Utility 3 19 Degree Used Golf Club at GlobalGolf.com

wow! great find! You know, I'd probably pull the trigger on that one. But i have a gift cert to one of my local stores. Maybe they will have that club there.

But that Taylor Made it still looks tempting!!!

[Adam Pettman]

I do good work . Due to this forum I've become quite the club HO or in this case club pimp

[DVS]

Originally Posted by Adam Pettman

I do good work . Due to this forum I've become quite the club HO or in this case club pimp

"Club Pimp" . haha Nice term. I love it!

[SilverUberXeno]

There was an article in G Digest this month about choosing the right hybrid, based on its... well lemme look it up...

P. 212; Golf Digest; Sept 2007

"Irons have flat faces, but woods are rounded form heel to toe. This is called bulge, or the measured radius of an imaginary circle whose edge lines up with the clubface. The purpose of the bulge is to mitigate gear effect, or the tendancy of toed shots to hook and heeled shots to slice."

They go on to say that a smaller bulge radius (rounder face, to counteract gear effect) is better for the mid-high handicapper, and the flatter face allows better workability for more highly skiller strikers.

The Nickent 4DX (3DX is not ranked on here) is listed at the 2nd flattest, while the Cobra Baffler DWS, Mizuno CLK, and Adams A3 Boxer are the top 3 most curved, in that order.

Something else to consider, I suppose. I wouldn't have thought about it before I read that.

[SiberianDVM]

IMHO, a very important part of a hybrid is the shaft, especially if you are going graphite.

I'd rather pay a little more and get a top quality shaft (cough*V2*cough) than get a cheaper shaft that has too much dispersion (UST's SR shafts just didn't feel right to me).

[$2 Nassau]

I just bought a 19 deg Cleveland Halo. For me, it was look and feel...that's why it took me so long to finally buy a hybrid. I would just look down with a hybrid in my hands and it just didn't FEEL right. I'm sure they all perform pretty well, but for me the Halo just felt comfortable, like I was holding an iron in my hand.

Took it to the range yesterday to give it a few whacks and was floored by the performance of the club....completely floored. The thing just shoots out like a rocket to the desired target, then drops like a feather to the ground.

Can't wait to hit this club on the course.

[DVS]

Ok, so I went out during my lunch break and picked up a Nike Slingshot #3 (21 degree).

Can't wait to go hit it at the range after work!