There are many options when it comes to clubs that bridge the gap between your higher irons and your driver. Typically, golfers will have at least one fairway wood below the driver, but this still leaves a pretty significant gap in average shot distance between your wood and the longest iron in your bag. The two most common clubs used to bridge this gap are hybrids and long irons.

When deciding between hybrid golf clubs vs irons, it is important to understand the differences between the two, and what they bring to the table for different golfers.

	Benefits	Best For
Hybrid Golf Clubs	More distance More forgiveness	Less consistent hitters Those who simply prefer more distance
Long Irons	More workability More accurate (for consistent hitters)	Lower handicaps Those who prefer more workability

Hybrid Golf Clubs vs Irons: What are the Main Differences?

Hybrids

Hybrid golf clubs are designed as a hybrid between a fairway wood and an iron. This means that, while they provide the heavier clubhead of an iron (sometimes even heavier), they also include the longer shaft of a fairway wood, as well as the larger head size that allows the center of gravity to be moved lower and farther back. 

This allows for better launch and more distance on average with the same loft. A shallower and more flexible face, along with a head shape that more easily slides across terrain, makes hybrids more forgiving and easier to hit as well.

Irons

Irons, on the other hand, are shorter with smaller/thinner heads. This means they won’t hit as far (on average), but they will be far more workable, meaning it will be easier to purposefully draw, fade or flight a ball.

This is a double-edged sword, though. As irons are designed to allow small adjustments to impact shot path more easily, it is also much easier for small mistakes to ruin an otherwise good shot. They also have less than ideal turf interactions in rough conditions, which can make it tougher to get balls out of the rough with an iron. As a result, most golfers with long irons in the bag are those with exceptionally consistent swings.

Who Should Use Which?

Before diving into our recommendations for who should use hybrid golf clubs vs irons, we should give the general disclaimer that the best club for your bag is the one you are most confident swinging. All of this advice is for those that are truly undecided after trying both, or for those looking at what they should buy first without much experience using either.

Hybrid Golf Clubs

In general, most golfers should opt for the hybrid golf club as a long iron replacement to bridge the gap between their longest iron and their fairway wood/driver. Shots will go farther on average, and make it easier to get consistent results. They are also more confidence-inspiring for shots out of the rough, which can be helpful when you want a club that will serve you well in as many situations as possible.

Long Irons

Long irons can be a solid option for experienced golfers with extremely consistent swings with their irons looking for more precise control of their shot. They aren’t for golfers that aren’t regularly hitting the fairway. Instead, they are for those that can accurately place the ball on most of their shots, and want the ability to purposefully draw or fade the ball to give them that extra level of precision when setting up their shorter shots. 

The only time a mid-high handicap golfer should opt for long irons is if they tend to swing extremely well with their irons, and not so with their fairway woods and driver, suggesting they will have an easier time hitting the fairway with the shorter iron shaft.

Get Your Hybrids and Irons at Worldwide Golf Shops

Worldwide Golf Shops provides next-level service to customers of all experience levels, with the best-trained staff in the industry. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide guidance to beginners and to share pro tips with even our most experienced clientele. Regardless of what choice you make regarding hybrid golf clubs vs irons, check out our online store to see our industry-standard variety of all of the following:

• Golf clubs 
• Golf bags and carts
• Footwear
• Golf apparel
• Golf accessories 
• GPS and tech

At Worldwide Golf Shops, we take pride in offering brands that we guarantee will provide the highest level of value to our diverse range of golfers. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you in finding the perfect golf gear. Find a store near you today!