We have recently received quite a few requests to cover the fundamentals of hitting fairway woods and the recently popular long iron replacement clubs – the hybrid (aka the utility club, baffler, heavenwood, etc…)

We are also sure you have seen the increased popularity in these clubs (in particular the hybrids) by all players (both amateur and professional).

Reasons for the increased popularity include:

1. The ease of hitting these clubs compared to mid and long irons. The fairway woods and hybrids are built with a low center of gravity, weight in the front and base of the club, and a beveled sole with rounded edges, all making it much easier to get the ball off the ground with medium to minimal club head speed.
2. The ease of hitting these clubs high. As golf courses get longer and longer and greens get harder and harder, golfers are needing longer clubs in their bags that they can hit high and land soft on these hard greens… 2, 3, 4… irons with not do this. These clubs are built to come in relatively low and “hot” (minimal spin). The hybrids are built to create much more height on the golf shot with a soft landing on the green.

I remember a few years ago watching an old “Wonderful World of Golf” Show featuring Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. They were standing on the 17th hole (don’t remember the course) – a 200+ yard par 3. Jack pulled out a 3 iron and hit it just overhead high – the ball landed on the green, one hopped and stopped about 5 feet from the hole – a GREAT golf shot… but sorry to say Jack – that shot doesn’t work anymore. If he were to hit that shot on today’s greens (even the average municipal golf course’s greens) it would have on hopped over the back and ended up in the river… this is why Jack now also carries an addition fairway wood and hybrids… because, of course, the change in his swing – little slower now, not as easy to hit long irons…, but more importantly, because of the change in the golf course – much harder and faster and the need to hit those higher/softer shots.

As you go through this practice tip – think about the golf you play, the type of shots you need – How many times do you have 170++ yards into those par 3s or 2nd shots into the par 4s, etc.. that you need to hit the green that has a hard time holding even wedge shots??

How many times do you have to hit shots into tight pin positions from over 150 yards??

How many times do you set up over a long/mid iron thinking the percentage is pretty low to hit it solid and at the target??

A lot of these issues can be solved using hybrids and fairway woods and of course knowing how to properly play these clubs.

Good Luck! Remember – ALWAYS PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE