The right club for the right situation can make all the difference in lining up that perfect shot.
However, as a golfer, you can only carry 14 clubs in your golf bag. With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose which golf clubs to keep and which ones to leave out.
One such decision often comes down to choosing between a hybrid or a driving iron. Both clubs fulfill similar purposes, but which one deserves a spot in your golf bag?
To find out, read on!
Here's What's In Store For You...
Hybrid vs. Driving Iron: The Better Option For Your Game, And Why?
Choosing between a hybrid and a driving iron depends on your skill level and personal preference.
You will likely find hybrid golf clubs much better if you are a beginner, amateur, or average golfer. This is because hybrids are generally more forgiving clubs that offer greater distance and more spin, even on off-center shots.
For better players, the driving iron is often the preferred choice. Even though it is less forgiving than the hybrid golf clubs, it offers more forgiveness than the traditional long irons. Driving irons are designed to achieve greater distances and offer more control of launch angle when hitting the sweet spot.
However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. Sometimes, even high-handicappers can benefit from using a driving iron over a hybrid, and vice versa.
So, how do you determine which is right for your game?
First, you need to learn what each club is, what it can do, and how it can impact your playstyle.
Types of Golf Clubs
There are three main types of golf clubs; irons, woods, and hybrids. Each type of club offers its own set of advantages and drawbacks.
So, let’s look at each of these clubs in more detail.
What Are Irons?
The 2, 3, and 4-iron golf clubs make up a long iron set. The 5, 6, and 7 irons are referred to as mid-irons while the 8, and 9 iron, as well as, the pitching wedge, are referred to as the short irons. For many amateur golfers, longer irons are the most complex and intimidating clubs to master.
Long irons have lighter shafts of alloy steel or graphite and a steel club head. Irons have the lightest weight of the three club types and can assist in generating more swing speed allowing golfers to hit the ball straighter and further.
What Is A Driving Iron?
A driving iron, commonly known as a utility iron, is a long iron designed to offer greater maximum distance, a low launch angle, and improved ball speed compared to normal irons.
Unlike a standard iron, a utility iron has a long and straight clubface and more mass in the sole wide area, allowing for more forgiveness on long par shots or when hitting tee shots.
Driving irons offer less spin rate and a lower loft angle than hybrid clubs, which allows the golf ball to roll when landing on fairways and greens, helping increase total distance on shots.
The best driving irons can help generate greater clubhead speed and higher ball speeds to ensure maximum total distance when hitting the sweet spot. They can, however, be a bit tricky to use, especially when playing from the tee box.
When To Use a Driving Iron?
Most golfers who use a utility iron do so when they are looking to hit long drives or line up approach shots over the 200-yard mark.
However, a utility iron can also be used when hitting off the tee, from the fairway, out of semi-rough terrain, and even when playing from fairway bunkers, depending on your skill level and confidence.
As such, a utility iron can be a handy club to assist with your long game on the golf course, allowing you to play more aggressively.
What Is A Hybrid?
A hybrid club is a golf club that is part iron and part fairway wood. Offering the best of both worlds!
These clubs were first introduced in the late 80s and have become increasingly popular since then.
A hybrid club is about the same size as a driving iron and half the size of a fairway wood. Hybrid clubs also have graphite shafts and are lightweight.
This is where the similarities end. Hybrids have a shorter clubhead than a driving iron and the clubface is slightly curved and very wide, making it a much more forgiving club.
Hybrid clubs are much less intimidating and often the preferred choice for amateurs and pros alike.
When to Use a Hybrid Club?
The unique clubhead design encourages higher ball flight and high launch angles resulting in increased carry distance. This allows you to attack those long par four and par 5 holes in just two shots!
Their unique design and construction make these clubs highly versatile and can be used in various situations when playing golf.
What Is A Fairway Wood?
A fairway wood is a miniature driver much easier to hit than a traditional driving iron.
Fairway woods offer higher loft than a utility iron and more control, allowing you to hit straighter even when hitting off-center shots.
They can be the ideal club to use when hitting a tee shot on a tight but close par 4. When accuracy is more important than total distance, this club can certainly come in handy.
Driving Iron Vs. Hybrid – A Detailed Comparison
Now that you have an idea about the different types of clubs, let’s answer the question: Is a driving iron or hybrid the right option for you?
Let’s compare the two in more detail to get to the answer.
1) Clubhead Construction
Driving irons have a steel club head that is smaller than a hybrid. The pure steel clubhead on a driving iron helps generate more power and lower loft allowing for greater distance on shots.
Hybrid clubs have clubheads made from a combination of steel and titanium or carbon graphite. This makes a hybrid clubhead a lot more forgiving regarding distance lost due to off-center shots.
2) Shaft Length & Weight
Both hybrids and driving irons have shafts made from either alloy steel or graphite.
The shaft size of the two is about the same, with hybrids having a slightly longer shaft length but heavier weight.
3) Performance
Both clubs can be really handy at the golf course. That is why selecting between the two can often be tough.
Hybrids are easier to hit and offer more control than a driving iron. However, a driving iron can offer greater distances and more forgiveness on off-center shots.
Driving irons are also better when playing golf in windy conditions where you want to hit the ball at a lower ball flight.
The Pros & Cons of A Driving Iron
Pros
- Offers greater total distance
- More forgiving than a standard iron
- Excellent when playing in windy conditions
- Available in different loft options
- Great club for draws and fades
Cons
- They are not as forgiving as other clubs
- Tricky to use and master
The Pros & Cons of A Hybrid
Pros
- Very forgiving and easy to use
- Excellent carry distance
- Easily allows for higher launch angles
- Generates a lot more spin, which allows for a soft landing (reducing roll)
- Can be used in a variety of situations
Cons
- Not suited for playing in windy conditions
- A high spin rate can take some getting used to
Key Differences Between A Driving Iron Vs Hybrid
While these clubs are similar when it comes to performance and construction, they do have major differences.
Driving irons, for example, offer a much lower launch angle than hybrids. This makes them an excellent club to use when cutting through the wind.
Driving irons also produce very little spin, which allows the ball to land and roll on greens and fairways, increasing the maximum distance on shots.
Hybrids produce a much higher launch angle and increased spin.
This makes a hybrid club ideal for situations when you have to get over an obstacle or a steep hill without compromising distance. The increased spin also means less roll, which can help with accuracy and control.
Final Thoughts
For the average golfer, using a hybrid is a much better choice than a long iron or three wood. The hybrid will provide more carry distance than a driving iron and allow for higher ball flight for better accuracy and control.
Hybrids are easier to use and tend to be more forgiving on off-center shots, which is what most mid and high-handicappers struggle with.
Many golfers struggle when using longer clubs. Thus, it makes sense to switch over to a hybrid. You will be amazed at how much of a difference it can make to your long game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Should Use A Driving Iron?
Experienced golfers that want to increase the total yardage of their approach shots will benefit from using utility irons over hybrids or even fairway woods.
What Hits Further: Driving Irons Or Hybrids?
With hybrids, you get further carry distance. However, due to the higher loft, the ball does plug upon landing which can limit the distance traveled. With a driving iron, you get a lesser carry distance but a greater total distance as the ball tends to roll a lot further, especially, when landing on the greens or fairways.
