Hybrids: Varying lofts to replace irons

[DavidY]

I have an Infiniti 19* hybrid with a "2" showing on the sole. Today, I was checking the Orlimar HipSteel hybrids....18* as a 3 iron replacement, 21* as a 4. Am I correct to assume that you cannot judge which iron the hybrid replaces by it's loft? And that each manufacturer has differing lofts to replace the 3 and 4 irons? How you mix and match hybrids from different manufacturers?

I have also noticed that increments between hybrids are generally 3*.

Also, anyone familar with the Orlimar HipSteel hybrids? Any comments and/or experiences would be appreciated. Currently, GT has them pretty cheap at $50 each. Thanks.

Dave

[sharkhark]

You are partially correct/wrong.
You can and should use the loft to determine what you are replacing. You definitely do not want to go by i.e. labelled a 2, 3, 4 etc.
Each manufacturer is different in their label vs. loft.

You are best to look up the specs (on net if u don't know) so you know the loft of the iron(s) you are replacing. I replaced my callaway 3&4 iron with ben hogan cft's.
The callaways were 3= 21deg, the 4=23.5 deg. Hogans 3=21deg, 4=24 deg.

Now here's where it gets really tricky. Although a hybrid is shorter in length than a fairway wood, it is still longer than the iron you are replacing. Further if you get a graphite shaft like I did, you will end up with a club that is longer than the one you are replacing.
When I need to hit longer than my fusion 5 iron, the gap between it and the 4 hybrid hogan is bigger than it should be. My solution is to always choke down a couple inches and it usually flies the length I want. When needing longer distance I hit normal.
Be careful, not as simple as it seems.
PS if buying again in future I would buy an integrated set hybrid/normal to solve this.

[Big Johnny69]

shark makes some good points. Although shorter than fwy wds, but longer than the equivalent irons hybrids can create gaps in your set. For me, if I am looking to replace a 3 and 4 iron with hybrids I will look at grabbing a 4 and 5 hybrid. Although the lofts might differ a little from the irons they are replacing I find the added length enough to offset the difference and keeps the distance gaps in the set closer together.

[sharkhark]

shark makes some good points. Although shorter than fwy wds, but longer than the equivalent irons hybrids can create gaps in your set. For me, if I am looking to replace a 3 and 4 iron with hybrids I will look at grabbing a 4 and 5 hybrid. Although the lofts might differ a little from the irons they are replacing I find the added length enough to offset the difference and keeps the distance gaps in the set closer together.

Good thinking (wish I had thought of that).
Could have gotten a 4&5 hybrid to replace my 3&4 irons. Plus I treated the hybrids like a fairway wood and assumed I should get my usual 'graphite' shaft, when the steel shaft would have been a better choice to be 'closer' to my steel shaft irons I was replacing.

[Big Johnny69]

See, you should always consult with me before making equipment purchases. I know my stuff.

[jvincent]

One other thing to consider is that the hybrids will tend to fly higher which also usually means a little longer as well.

As was suggested earlier, replacing a 3i/4i with a 4H/5H is usually a good bet. I built a 4H/5H earlier this year to replace 3i/4i and they work perfectly. The other thing I made sure to do was NOT make them longer than the clubs they were replacing.