SHOULD YOU USE A 5 IRON OR 5 HYBRID? Getting This Club Right Could Lower Your Handicap!

[@julia-6195]

I love my 5H. It's a Ping 26 deg. It replaced my set's power lofted 6i (also 26 deg). I've learned how to work it and hit a variety of shots from straight, to punchouts, to hooks, and strong fades, and fairway bunker shots, and I chip with it from tight lies. You can't chunk a chip with a 5H, but you can with a 5i or 7i. It's an extremely versatile club. I essentially think of it like a wedge that's not a wedge. I also carry a Ping 4H (lofted to 23.5 deg to take the place of my 5i), a 7W & a 5W so there's that. Loft is your friend.

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Julia! Thanks for watching my video and sharing your own experiences! Honestly, I couldn’t agree more! I go from Driver to 5w, 7w and then 5 hybrid at the moment because like you said, loft is my friend! I also always say to people that hitting my 5 hybrid feels as easy as hitting a PW that goes 60 yards longer - who doesn’t want that? I also love the versatility you’ve been able to get with yours! Brilliant! All the best! 👍🏼

[@marybetheby5184]

Dropped the 4,5 and 6 irons out of my bag and put in a 7wood,9 wood and 6 hybrid in their place. Such a big difference in my game plus i love starting my iron set with the 7.

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Marybetheby5184! Thanks for watching and sharing your own experiences! I've also got a 7 Wood to go with my 5 Hybrid and love that my irons start at a 6 iron, so very similar to you! Love that setup and totally agree that it's made a big difference to my game too! All the best!

[@Nigel999]

Excellent comparison test, perfectly presented. Your findings match my experience too. In fact I have a 6 hybrid rather than 6 iron, it gives me a higher ball flight with better stopping power on the green than a six iron and is so much easier to hit. I fitted a 3 hybrid shaft to my 5 hybrid and a 4 hybrid shaft to my 6 hybrid and the result is that they are easier to hit and travel further with less draw bias. They are Ping G410/425’s. Your point about long par 3’s guarded by bunkers is spot on. My course has a par 3 with bunkers at the front and a 160 yard carry and 185 to the back. Perfect for my 5 or 6 hybrid depending on wind direction. The ball sometimes stops within 5 yards of where it landed.

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Nigel! I’m glad I’m not alone and you’ve seen the same benefits as me! Sounds like you’ve had a great experience with the changes you’ve made! I can definitely see me doing the same with the 6 in the future too! Thanks for watching my video! Have a great weekend! 👍🏼

[@ref0910]

Nice video. I havent seen a video from an average golfer to a pro where the long iron performs better than the hybrid. I carry a 3H at the minute but 4 and 5 iron are gonna struggle to keep a slot for next year. The hybrids are just too forgiving and easy to hit.

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi RC! Thanks for watching my video and for the kind feedback! I definitely think so many more golfers could benefit from hybrids and wanted to show that in the video! Adding the 5 hybrid was a game changer for me so best of luck with your own bag changes! All the best! 👍🏼

[@phyllisconnolly5807]

Really good explanation and demo related to both 5 iron and 5 hybrid. Thanks

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Phyllis! Thank you for watching my video and for your kind comment! I hope the video helps! All the best! 👍🏼

[@NCtrailX]

Great comparison. I highly recommend one length hybrids from Cobra. They have changed my game. I used to dread having to hit long irons and have had a few different hybrids, but none are as easy to hit as one lengths! Can't comment on one length irons, but having a 7 iron length hybrid is like magic from 160-200ish yards - so much more consistent!

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi NCtrailX! Thanks for watching my video and for sharing your own experiences! I’ve not tried the Cobra one length hybrids but given my love for hybrids and your rationale I think I’d find it hard to disagree! I do also love Cobra in that part of the bag! Thanks for giving my channel a go and if you haven’t subscribed yet check out my latest video where I’ve got a giveaway running where you could win a cool prize! 👍🏼

[@mattbecham597]

40 yds varience isnt consistent

[@NCtrailX]

@@mattbecham597 It's not one club covering that range. I have several one length hybrids that replace the top of my bag - all 7 iron length. I hit the longest one 200 pretty consistently.

[@weekendtourpro]

@NCtrailX that was how I’d interpreted pal! 👍🏼

[@mattbecham597]

okay, i see now

[@anttisavolainen547]

hey! thanks again! yes you nailed it, my swing speed is off course so low that i use hybrid after 7 or 6 iron. usually after 7. My 4/21 doesnt go too far so its ok gappingwise to play it after 7. How has your game been?

[@weekendtourpro]

Love it Antti! I think as us golfers are learning more we are choosing to play the right clubs for us - just like you’re doing! As for my game it’s been quite good lately! I had a great round on a golf holiday recently and I’m scoring ok otherwise! How about you? Is the season fully underway now where you are? 👍🏼

[@anttisavolainen547]

@@weekendtourpro i was scoring ok until 3 weeks ago. i play about 90 usually. had a little break and felt some things were a bit "off-balance". well if you play enough you get better! my goal is to get my hcp aroud 17. But it comes if it comes. When you play relaxed outcome is better. so no pressure. Short game and driving, thats what to improve.

[@weekendtourpro]

Totally agree Antti. I play me best golf when my expectations are lowest and I’m super relaxed. I saw a quote from an LPGA player recently that said something like “the reason golf is so hard is because you have to practice like it’s the most important thing in the world, but play like it’s the least important” and I think that’s so true!!!

[@edwardkeithcruz1905]

Hi Luke, whats your shaft flex? We have the same club head speed

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Edward! I play a regular shaft in everything except 7 wood, 5 wood and Driver which are stiff but I’m right on the crossover point with those clubs and can make either work depending on the shaft and club setup. I have a full what’s in the bag video up on the channel which has the in depth specs of everything bar my 7 wood which is new and in my 4 hybrid vs 7 wood video! Merry Christmas Edward! Thanks for watching my video! 👍🏼

[@babatundeososanya5769]

I have Adams a7os 5 hybrid but still carry my 5 iron for long low shorts under trees. My course is seriously wooded

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Babatunde! I think my video proves that if you’ve got space in your bag then why not carry both! Great idea! I definitely think that’s the weakness of the hybrid that I probably didn’t touch on in the video - it is hard to hit it low! Thanks for watching and for your comment! 👍🏼

[@adjman48]

I'm a RH mid capper whose miss is left. Would love to play hybrids but the draw bias makes them risky for me. Draws turn into hooks.

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi adjman48! Thanks for sharing! As someone whose miss is a hook, I hear you but it's something I've learnt to make work for me as the benefits are huge! One option for you at that end of the bag could be to combo set your irons with something that's close to a Hybrid/Iron crossover... I'm thinking TM Stealth HD (if you can still get hold of them), Cleveland Launcher XL Halo, Titleist T400, Cobra T-Rail! That should give you the extreme forgiveness of something like a hybrid but with the face and looks of an iron! I've tested the Launcher XL Halo on my channel (a few years back now mind you!) and nearly put the 5 Iron in my bag for this reason! Thanks for watching! All the best!

[@adjman48]

@@weekendtourpro thanks for the reply and greetings from Melbourne, Australia. Really like your channel, especially the ball reviews (your launch data essentially same as mine)! I’ve just had my first iron fitting and will revisit hybrids- perhaps less draw bias. Keep up the good work and great review on the Wilson Staff ball 👌

[@weekendtourpro]

@adjman48 thank you! Awesome that someone in Aus is watching my videos! Still blows my mind! All the best with your golf game and thank you for giving my channel a go! 👍🏼

[@chrisengland1]

I have the 5H in bag and 5i out but switched my 4H got a 7W - is a 9W an option for 24 degrees also?

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Chris! Yes definitely - I am seeing the rise of more manufactures offering people a 9 wood in a similar loft. Always worth checking the lofts and loft sleeve options as well across manufacturers as you often find all woods vary slightly across manufacturers! I think people have slightly different preferences (iron, hybrid and wood) so definitely think people should experiment and see what they prefer and what works best to their swing and their eye! Thank you for watching and for the comment! All the best! 👍🏼

[@chrisengland1]

@@weekendtourpro I hit woods better than other club oddly but keep a hybrid in the mix for the off fairway thicker grass shots so like the gapping from 7W to 5H to 6i 😁

[@weekendtourpro]

Sounds like a great setup Chris! Love it! 👍🏼

[@anttisavolainen547]

BTW! would be nice to see you playing a round again!

[@weekendtourpro]

Noted Antti! I’ll try to film something soon! 👍🏼

[@kelvincooper462]

Have to say that my 7H is my go to club closely followed by the 5H, just brings confidence back into my game.....

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Kelvin! I hear you! Why make golf any harder than it already is right? Thank you for watching! 👍🏼

[@kenrehill8775]

If the point of a round of golf is to get round with the lowest score, then use the hybrid. Not complicated.

[@weekendtourpro]

Amen kenrenhill8775! Simply put but spot on! 👍🏼

[@christopherfranklin972]

The 5-iron is traditionally a mid-iron and in its original configuration of 28 degrees of loft was never an intimidating club to use even for higher handicap golfers,it's only since the great OEM con trick of jacking up lofts that a 5-iron has become a 'long' iron with a stronger loft than even an old school 4-iron. Of course the jacking up of lofts has been a perfect scenario for the OEM making the purchase of extra clubs a necessity at both ends of the bag. Can't hit a 5-iron?Buy a hybrid. Pitching wedge too strong?Buy a gap and lob wedge. New is not always better.

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Chris! Thanks for watching my video and for your great comment! Hard to disagree with most of those points! I try to say to people all the time don’t get sucked in by these claims that 7 irons go further. Ultimately your driver is your longest club and your lob wedge is your shortest - everything else is just about gapping your bag. Personally I’ve found it’s meant I just play one more wedge and one less club at the top of my bag (due to strong lofts and my naturally lower flight). All the best! 👍🏼

[@gcoffey223]

5 iron for me. More control and accuracy

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi gcoffey223! Totally fair! I think if you’ve got the speed/height/spin why wouldn’t you! You can see in mine if I had more consistency with it, the good shots are definitely tighter dispersion. I just hit too many poor ones! 👍🏼

[@gcoffey223]

@weekendtourpros Yes... I can tag it pretty good but I do play for some roll out snd let it get on the green. I do have a 3 wood and a 3/ radspeed hybrid that I hit well, especially off the tee but if I am in a decent lie in the fairway, I want my 4 or 5 iron. There is less trouble to get into with my irons, lol. I'm a mid to low 80's guy but I'm ready to get back in tge 70's. I'll keep ya posted. Been away from home for 25 days and no golf. FIENDING to go play. Best

[@weekendtourpro]

Look forward to hearing all about it pal! Keep safe and enjoy that first round back when you get home! 👍🏼

[@gcoffey223]

@weekendtourpros Thank you sir!! I will. BTW, have you tried those srixon qstar TOUR divide? Absolutely fantastic ball. I played nothing but premium balls forever, pro v1, tp5, chromosome trippl track. I play those balls because they do everything well, but they STOP on the green. Sub prime golf balls might go long, or go straight, or feel as well as a pro v1 around the green and putting them, but they all fail to stop. Well, the QSTAR TOURS Divide feels amazing. Go at least as far as the premiums I play, feel like a pro v1 off the putter (I think I like the feel a touch better than the prov1), but they stop on a dime. Every time, my ball is a few feet or so away from my divot on the green. My favorite is the orange/yellow ones, as you can spot them a mike away. The red or blue... not so much. Amazing ball. I will say you probably have a much faster swing speed than I do, so you probably play an X. Mine driver swing speed usually comes in around 102 tops so you might think the lower compression would be a problem. My friend hits a mile (in many different directions) and he swings around 113mph, sometimes 115ish when he's loose, and he smashes that ball when I make him hit that ball. Anyways, Srixon has made an absolute GEM of a ball, if you get the chance give it a whirl, or if you know someone who doesn't need a $50/box of balls, Q STAR TOUR DIVIDE checks off every box and is super cool to watch flying through tge air. Best

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Gcoffey223! I absolutely have tested the Srixon Q Star ball. There’s a video on my channel from a month or so back reviewing them against the Pro v1. They really impressed me too… the main thing that shocked me was how consistent the spin is. I’ve personally only tested the white balls but as I touch on in that video a friend of mine played the Divide version and really liked that too! I think Srixon balls are massively underrated - I love the Z Star too!

[@rickgray2465]

Nothing wrong with carrying both in the bag, we still are allowed 14 total 😊

[@weekendtourpro]

Great point Rick! And I’m sure for some golfers that’s the right answer too! Do you carry both? Thanks for watching and for your comment! 👍🏼

[@rickgray2465]

@@weekendtourpro Yes I do carry both, just depends on my lye or how I'm hitting my irons that day to determine what I will hit..... Thanks bro 👍👍

[@DougSnyder-uh7rg]

Why are you taking the miss hits out of the data. That is some of the most important part of the data. Do you just take mulligans for all of the miss hits when you are playing on the course?

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Doug! Thanks for watching and for your comment. It's only a very small number of shots that get removed and mostly due to the fact that (unlike when I'm on the golf course!) I'm trying to do lots of other things at the same time when making a video, beyond just focusing on the actual hitting of golf shots (e.g. setting up a camera, checking the lighting, checking sound levels, talking to camera and not leaving a long pause whilst I go through my full pre-shot routine!). As a result, being a 12 handicap golfer, I can hit the odd shot when filming that is unusual for me and given the size of the data sets for a video like this (12-15 shots with each club) it would just unfairly skew it if I kept it in... As an FYI If I did include every shot the result would still be the same, if not even more obviously in favour of the hybrid! I hope you can see past that concern and give my channel another go if you see it in the future! Also I hope you can respect that at least I'm honest about it too! Thanks!

[@DougSnyder-uh7rg]

@@weekendtourpro being a 12 handicap means that you are hitting odd shots when you play, not just in the "lab". did you have more odd shots when using the iron or when using the hybrid. that is very important data. those miss hits are exactly why someone might use the hybrid instead of the iron. hiding the data means you are hiding the true conclusion.

[@weekendtourpro]

@DougSnyder-uh7rg Hi Doug! Thanks for the reply! As I mentioned in my reply the full data still gives the same conclusion - if anything illustrates the case for the hybrid even more! I’m not trying to hide anything pal! If that’s not the answer you wanted sorry! Thanks for watching! 👍🏼

[@miguelquintana8076]

Your numbers are identical to mine .

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Miguel! Thanks for watching my channel! I started the channel for that reason! I wanted to make the content I couldn’t find on KZbin - content made by the typical golfer for the typical golfer! All the best! 👍🏼

[@richardjacobs7632]

Cleveland Halo 5, too!

[@weekendtourpro]

Definitely a lot of love for the Cleveland Halo 5 in the comments already Richard! I definitely get it! I tested it when I got my hybrid and it was out of the two! A great option! Thanks for watching pal! 👍🏼

[@gerdamarsh]

I play a Cleveland Halo 5 hybrid => much better for me than a 5 iron.

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Marshall! Love that! I’ve hit the Halo 5 hybrid! It was actually that or the Cobra when I got fitted for mine but just preferred the Cobra but totally get why you game that pal! Thanks for watching the video and for the comment! All the best! 👍🏼

[@Teadrinker710]

I have sim2 Max d driver, sim 2 max 16.5* 3w, sim 2 Max 21* 7w, G425 25* 9w, G425 30/34* 6H/7H, miura CB801 36/40* 7i/8i, miura TB901 44/48* 9i/pw, miura LH wedge series at 52/56/60. Ping Sydney armlock putter which is money

[@weekendtourpro]

Hi Teadrinker710! Sounds like a great setup and definitely sounds like you’re prioritising performance in those choices which is great! Any changes planned soon or happy with the setup??? Thanks for watching my video! 👍🏼