How to hit hybrid in golf longer
Updated: Sep 4
How to Hit a Hybrid Longer and More Consistently
If you're struggling with how to hit a hybrid, there's one mistake I see golfers make all the time.
They try to sweep it like a fairway wood.
A hybrid might look more like a wood than an iron, but you still need to create a good strike and allow the loft of the club to get the ball into the air.
Get that right and your hybrid can become one of the most useful clubs in your bag.
Here's how I want you to hit it from both the fairway and the tee.
How to Hit a Hybrid From the Fairway
Let's start from the fairway because this is where you'll probably use your hybrid most often.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to help the golf ball into the air.
You don't.
With a hybrid, I still want you to feel as though you're striking down through the golf ball, rather than trying to scoop it upwards.
Think more like an iron shot.
Ball first. Ground second.
You don't need a huge divot, but you want the bottom of your swing to occur after you've contacted the golf ball.
Get Your Hybrid Ball Position Right
Ball position is hugely important when hitting a hybrid.
For most golfers, I want the ball slightly forward of the centre of the stance.
Don't push it as far forward as you would with a driver.
If the ball gets too far forward, you may struggle to create the downward strike we're looking for.
Equally, don't move it excessively far back.
We're looking for a position that allows you to strike the ball cleanly before the club reaches the bottom of its arc.
How to Hit Your Hybrid Further
If you want to hit your hybrid longer, don't immediately try to swing harder.
Distance starts with strike.
A centred strike delivered efficiently will usually outperform a faster swing that catches the heel, toe or ground first.
That's why I'd focus on three things:
Correct ball position
A downward strike
Finding the centre of the clubface
Get those right first, then start adding speed.
For context, my 19 degree 3 hybrid can carry around 200 yards or more when struck correctly.
Your numbers will be different, but the principle is the same.
Better contact gives you more usable distance.
How to Hit a Hybrid Off a Tee
You can use exactly the same club from the tee, particularly on long par threes or tight par fours where you don't need driver.
The biggest mistake is teeing the golf ball too high.
You're not suddenly trying to hit your hybrid like a driver.
Tee the golf ball very low, giving yourself a perfect lie rather than dramatically changing the shot.
Then make essentially the same swing you'd use from the fairway.
The tee is simply making it easier to produce clean contact.
Stop Trying to Help Your Hybrid Into the Air
This is the biggest takeaway.
Your hybrid already has loft.
You don't need to scoop it.
You don't need to lean backwards.
And you don't need to swing as hard as possible to create distance.
If you're learning how to hit a hybrid, focus on creating a clean strike first.
Ball slightly forward of centre
Strike down through it
Find the middle of the face
Then let the hybrid do the work.
Once you trust that strike, you'll be surprised how much distance these clubs can produce.
If you struggle to create that type of contact, I've also explained how to take a divot with your irons and strike the ball first using a simple setup adjustment.
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