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A hybrid golf club is a versatile club that has characteristics of both an iron and a fairway wood. Hybrids are meant to replace your long irons but can also be used to tee off. When using a hybrid in lieu of a long iron, hit the ball just as if you were swinging a long iron. When teeing off with a hybrid, keep your swing the same as if you were using a fairway wood but keep the ball lower to the ground.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Hybrid on the Fairway

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  1. The position of the ball should be the same as it would be when you are hitting with a long iron. The ball will fly higher and longer than when you hit it with an iron, so you may want to adjust the position of the ball to get the type of shot you want.
    • Try keeping the ball slightly farther up in your stance if you want to hit a fade, or a shot that curves slightly to the right (for a right-handed golfer).
    • Because of the larger size of a hybrid’s clubface, it is easier to hit your ball with the center of the clubface that it is with an iron.
  2. Just like when you’re swinging a 3-iron or a 4-iron, center your weight and square your shoulders, hips, and feet to where you want the ball to land. Then line your hands up with the ball and the middle of your chest.
    • When aiming, remember that a shot hit with a hybrid will travel an average of 4–12 yards (3.7–11.0 m) farther than a shot hit with a long iron.
    • A ball hit with a hybrid club will usually fly higher and land softer than one hit with an iron.
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  3. Hit the ball just as you would with a long iron. If you’re hitting down on the ball correctly, your club should leave a divot, or a mark in the grass, just in front of the ball’s position after making contact.
    • Even though the hybrid clubhead looks like the clubhead of a fairway wood, you don’t want to sweep the ball like you would when hitting with a wood.
    • Finish your swing with your weight on your left leg.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Hitting Off a Tee

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  1. A hybrid club won’t give you as much distance as a traditional driver, but it will allow you to be more accurate with your drive.
    • A narrow par 4 would be an ideal hole to hit off a tee with a hybrid club.
  2. Hybrid clubs are designed to hit balls directly off a fairway, so you’ll struggle to hit the sweet spot if the ball is up too high on the tee. If you’re teeing off with a hybrid club, make it so that the bottom of the ball is just off the top of the grass and no higher.
    • If you set your hybrid club next to the ball, only about a quarter of the ball should be above the top of the clubhead. [1]
    • Practice teeing off with a hybrid club at a driving range to get a feel for the adjustments you may need to make.
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  3. You should approach the ball with a flat and sweeping downswing, just as if you were using a fairway wood. Level out your swing just before contact. [2]
    • This technique is different than what you would use with a standard driver, when you would want to hit the ball on your upswing.
    • Hybrid clubs have a shorter shaft and a smaller clubhead than fairway woods, so you may want to stand a little closer to the ball than if you were using a fairway wood.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Any other tips for hitting a hybrid golf club?
    Miguel Delgado
    Golf Expert
    Miguel Delgado is a Golf Expert based in San Francisco, California. Miguel played as a professional golfer on the Asian Tour for four years. He played in over 20 countries across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, being one of a handful of Americans representing the United States. On the Tour, Miguel was best known for his mental game, statistical prowess, and hitting fairways. He played golf at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned ACC-All American Honors in 2019 after a National Championship appearance. Currently, he is an Analyst at Roadrunner Venture Studios focusing on due diligence and venture creation. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Finance and a minor in Poverty Studies.
    Golf Expert
    Expert Answer
    You also have to look at the length and loft of your club. This will determine your position in your stance. A typical hybrid, like a three or five hybrid, usually has 19 to 23 degrees of loft and should be placed just inside your left heel if you're right-handed. This position accounts for the club's weight and length. When swinging, you should aim for a neutral attack angle, meaning you should avoid getting too steep or taking a divot. Keep your attack angle at zero and use your normal swing.
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