Hireko Forum

cnordyke_82@yahoo.com · Joined: Oct 14, 2008 Messages: 13 Offline

I currently game an xk 4 wood with a cadence pro 85 S flex along with 20* and 23* XK hybrids with cadence pro 90 S flex shafts. I feel much more comfortable hitting the hybrids. I carry the 23* just over 200 and the 20* around 215-230 yards. When I hit the 4 wood well, it goes around 240. I am considering replacing the 4 wood with a caiman 16* hybrid with the same shaft as what is in my others. I figure if I hit it like my other hybrids, it should carry around 235-250 with better accuracy than I get from the wood due to the shorter and heavier club. Would this be a good idea to have a driver, 3 hybrids, and no other woods or am I way off?

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

The main consideration is if you have 14 (max) clubs in your bag that will cover all the distances you will encounter on the course you are playing at the time. Whether you have zero fairways or a bagful, use only clubs that will provide you with the accuracy, distance and confidence. Plus this is a cheap enough experiment that you can decide which club will do the job.

Jeff Summitt

GaryJ · Joined: Feb 3, 2006 Messages: 100 Offline

I did the exact same thing replacing my fairway woods with a 16 deg. hybrid and it was the best decision I ever made. In fact, because I am left-handed, the only option for me was the Power Play System Q hybrid and I am actually hitting straighter, higher and more consistent shots with the hybrid.

ode1@milwpc.com · Joined: Mar 24, 2008 Messages: 15 Offline

It's definitely worth the try to go w/ a lower lofted hybrid. I bag a the caiman 2h and once I learned how to hit it, it's been one of the best, most versatile clubs in the bag.

The caiman has ever so slightly a dig sole, which took a little getting used to off tighter lies. Very easy to hit off a tee, and where it shines imo is from the rough. Really easy from light rough and helps tremendously from medium to the thicker stuff.

I also play a 16* 3 wood and I am more consistent with the 2hybrid. When I nut the 3 wood I'm likely only 10 yards longer to when I nut the 2 hybrid. I only carry 13 clubs so it's no bid deal, but if I had to ditch a club it would be the 3 wood. I wouldn't miss it much. The only time I really need it is if I'm into a real stiff wind and am 200+ out.

cnordyke_82@yahoo.com · Joined: Oct 14, 2008 Messages: 13 Offline

Hmmm.....

Thanks for the input. When I get someone else needing a club or grips, I may order the components and just see what happens! Gary, I see some reviews that the low loft hybrids are tougher to hit than the 20*+ models. Do you find this to be true? I love hitting my hybrids off the tee(I tee it low and it still simply flies!), off the fairway, out of the rough and even out of fairway bunkers! If a 16* model is as easy to hit, I think it could be money well spent.

GaryJ · Joined: Feb 3, 2006 Messages: 100 Offline

Yes, I agree that the 16 deg. is slightly harder to hit than the 20 deg or higher loft. However, it's not that much harder. The other factor that makes 20 deg. + hybrids easier is that they are normally shorter length clubs. I do use my 16 deg. from rough, fairway and tee off on short, tight driving holes (even par 5's that I know I can't reach in 2 anyway that also have tight landing areas). I have not used from fairway traps...the front lip of trap would have to be non-existent. I cut the length of my 16 deg. hybrid to 40.5" compared to my 43" #3 and 42" #5 and I still hit farther than the #3 wood, but it's the control and height that I really like compared to the #3 wood. Hope yours works as well as mine has!