In the Studio with Jesse Ortiz

Welcome to my blog…the first installment of what will be a periodic ‘rant’, as my handlers have so aptly named. Those who have known me over the 40-plus years of my design and clubmaking career would say that ‘rant’ is very apropos. Over the years, I’ve been called a lot of things by my peers and competitors, but I’ll settle for ‘candid and passionate’. I don’t consider myself a writer, but I will try to provide a no-nonsense, off-the-cuff perspective of this industry that I hope will be refreshingly open, thought provoking and entertaining. As I often say, ‘I don’t know it all, but I’ve probably seen it all.’

Is that really a 3-iron in your bag??

Since we have a show running nearly everyday on The Golf Channel, it’s only logical that my first blog would be about hybrids… how they can help your game, and how to choose the right one for you. Anyone who says they can hit their long irons well is either Tiger Woods or delusional. No average, recreational golfer can hit long irons better than a hybrid when using distance control and accuracy as the criteria. Prove it to yourself at the driving range. Pick a target, and hit 25 shots with your 3 or 4 iron, and plot on a piece of paper where the ball first hits the ground, and where it finally settles. Repeat this by plotting the shots of a 21- or 22-degree hybrid. Sure, you’ll hit some bad shots with both, but your poor shots with the hybrid will be much closer to the target and more consistent in distance. I assure you that you will never put the 3 or 4 irons back in play.

Now that you know that a hybrid is easier to hit and control, how do you choose the right one? Hybrids should be chosen based on their playability and versatility for each particular golfer’s set of needs. The last thing you want to do is buy a hybrid ‘because it came with the set of irons.’ Hybrids should be considered your long iron replacement system, just as uniquely tailored to your game as your short game wedge system. No one serious about improving their games buys wedges because they came with their set of irons. You should take great care in selecting the clubs that make up these two very important scoring set categories.

The Hybrid for You

If you play regularly on a wide open, short rough, windy course, then your selection of lower lofted, high center-of-gravity (CG) hybrids may be advantageous to your game. If you tend to hit everything on a high trajectory, then these high CG hybrids will best suit your game. These designs tend to feature long, heavy hosels, deeper and longer faces with very little face curvature… or bulge and roll. They also have a duller, muted sound at impact caused by the thicker and heavier face. The ball comes off the face very much like a long iron, but is much more forgiving on mis-hits than a 3 iron. Conversely, if you play on courses with rough, elevated greens, or hit your shots on a lower trajectory, hybrids with contoured soles and low CGs will bring you the best results.
Another factor in choosing your hybrid is the versatility out of trouble. Most golfers don’t look at their selection of a hybrid as a ‘scoring club’, but you can’t score well consistently if you don’t have the confidence in getting near the green, in one shot, from 190 yards out…and from any lie. Remember, it’s a lot tougher saving par from 50 yards out, than it is if you are just off the green and pin high. A hybrid mis-hit will always put you closer to the green than a mis-hit 3 or 4 iron. Check the sole area of the hybrids you are considering. If you wish to use your hybrid mainly off the tee, then a flat soled design may work best for you. However, if extensive use from the fairway or trouble is in your hybrid’s future, then you should choose a very contoured sole design. Flat-bottomed sole designs tend to grab and twist in poor lies and in the rough.

The Shaft Debate

Shaft length is another critical issue. I don’t understand why so many manufacturers make their shaft lengths so long… like fairway woods! Hybrids should replace your long irons, not your fairway woods. Unless you are 6’4” or taller, you shouldn’t be using a hybrid over 40.5 or 41 inches long. Sure, a longer shaft provides more distance, but it’s consistency and accuracy that you want from your hybrids. If you need 225 yards, then use your 3-wood or 5-wood. They are longer in length by about two inches; they have larger, higher MOI heads for forgiveness; and deeper CGs for higher trajectories. I don’t see recreational golfers hitting their 3-irons 225 yards…. why do so many insist that their hybrids should? It makes no sense. Again, think of your hybrids as your long iron replacement system. That means you should focus in on the 175 to 210 yard range to best fit your set. I see so many golfers disappointed with their hybrids because they have strong lofts and fairway wood shaft lengths. They can’t make solid contact consistently, and thus, haven’t improved their play from that critical yardage. Get shorter lengths and higher lofts for more success.

Trying to get too much distance from your hybrids is the most common miscue I see from players. For the best results, swing your hybrids like a 7-iron – don’t overswing. Take the time to learn and trust the distance that each hybrid loft gives you on a consistent basis and then accept that! Don’t try to get any more out of it. Concentrate on making a smooth, controlled 7-iron swing with a slight descending blow. Many golfers feel they need to sweep their hybrids and try to pick the ball up. Don’t do this. Trust the loft of the clubhead. Just think about making solid contact – let the clubhead do the work. You’ll be surprised by the results.

Remember, ANY hybrid is a better option than using a long iron, but choosing the right hybrid is vital if you are serious about improving your game. Demo several brands in actual course play before buying to see which has the versatility to fit your game and course conditions.