Q: I just purchased a few hybrids, I have always had my 3 wood and 5 wood but I have heard so much about the hybrids I decide to get some. I have been having some trouble hitting them in the air and the reason I got them was it was supposed to be easier to hit than a fairway wood. Do setup and swing differently with a hybrid? Thanks enjoy all your articles they are very insightful.
— Clint
A: When it comes to hitting hybrids, many golfers set the ball too far forward in their stance. They think it's like their fairway wood and think they have to sweep the ball, like on a fairway wood shot.
That's the not the way to go about hitting the hybrid. You want to hit down on the hybrid like you would with an iron. At setup, play the ball a few inches left of center, about the same position you would play your 5 iron.
The other thing you need to do that is important in hitting your hybrid is not to have too much tilt in your shoulders. A lot of bad shots with the hybrids come from poor setup positions like ball position and shoulder position.
The reason the shoulder position is important is that you want to hit down with a hybrid, not up, and if you tilt your shoulders up too much (to try to sweep it off the ground), more than likely you will top it.
So put the ball position slightly left of center, weight about 60 percent on the right and 40 percent on the left, and feel that your shoulders are at about the same tilt as your 5 iron. Get into that correct setup position, hit that hybrid, and before you know it, it will be one of the best clubs in your bag.
Have fun and enjoy the game.
Daril’s credentials
Daril Pacinella is the director of instruction at Turtle Creek Country Club in Rockledge. He is a teaching professional with more than 40 years of experience. He is a certified TPI golf fitness instructor and has developed strength and flexibility programs for golfers of all ages.
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