Hybrid Set

I am adding another hybrid to my bag this year.  I just got the Adams A12OS 5 hybrid last night at Golf Galaxy.  That now puts three hybrids in my set--joining a 3 and a 4.

I remember when Adams first launched their hybrids.  Those of us under the age of 60 laughed at them and called them "Old Man's Clubs"--because the first pros to play and endorse them were all on the Senior Tour.  "We'll stick with our three and four irons, thank you" said us young punks.

And then a funny thing happened.  That 3 iron got harder to hit well every year.  And every year Golf Digest and the instructors on Golf Channel kept saying "dump your long irons and get hybrids!"  The next thing you know, I'm testing a 3 hybrid on the range and realizing that I can hit it higher, farther and straighter than that 3 iron.  An adams A6OS soon found a home in my bag--while the 3 iron was relegated to the corner of the garage.

And then a year or two later, the 4 iron gets harder to hit well--and I'm out there testing out a 4 hybrid.  Again, it is longer, higher and straighter than the iron that it soon replaced.

At that point, I thought that would be the end of hybrid influx.  I've always been able to hit my 5 iron well--so there will never be any need to go with a 5 hybrid.  I didn't want my bag to look like an old woman's--you know, with five woods and five hybrids and only a 9-iron.

And then came last year.  When I could count on one hand the good shots I hit with my trusty 5 iron.  it was probably after I splashed a "smooth 5" on one of the par 3's at the State Net Amateur in August that I knew, the time had come to add yet another hybrid.

They don't make the A6's anymore--so my 5 is one of the newer A12's--with the "speed slot" sole that is supposed to promote greater ball speed off the clubface.  Based on the simulator at Golf Galaxy last night, I averaged between 185 to 190 yards with it.  The sales rep helping me claimed the yardage is a little short on their machine--and that it is closer to 195 to 200.  We'll see what it does on the range in Florida in March.

While I'm on the topic, I had to laugh at those who tried to argue that hybrids should be banned along with long putters last year.  The argument was that hybrids make longer shots easier to hit--just like long putters make putts easier to make.  What those trying to make that point miss is that a hybrid is swung just like a long iron or a fairway wood is swung--whereas the use of a belly or long putter is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STROKE--with the club anchored to a fixed point.  If a hybrid was swung from a fixed point--and still produced the results seen in a conventional swing--then I would be calling for their banning as well.

But since they are not, I'll hopefully enjoy some better shots from longer distances in the upcoming season.