How to hit hybrids video

David Howell talks through some simple tips on how to hit hybrids consistently straighter and higher for soft landing approaches.

How to hit hybrids video

When amateurs struggle with their hybrid play it is often because they don’t know whether to treat them like fairway woods or irons.

The subtle differences in ball position here can make a big difference. Remember that your hybrids are designed to get the ball up in the air for you, so you should treat them like a long iron. Don’t complicate thing by making things harder than they need to be.

One of the big traps you need to avoid is getting the ball too far forward in your stance, as if you were hitting a 3-wood.

There is enough loft on a hybrid for you to hit the ball at the bottom of your swing arc, so having the ball to far forward will make this hard to achieve.

With a fairway wood, you need a sweeping strike to get the ball up and into the air, and that’s why we set the ball forward in the stance.

But with a hybrid, the ball should be just forward of centre. From there, just make a normal swing like you would do with a 5 or 6-iron and you should find the consistent strike you’re looking for.

Bear in mind that hybrids are designed to get the ball up in the air, so let the loft on the club do the work for you.

Don't feel like you need to try and help the ball up. With a solid, descending strike, you should see the ball take off high, maximising carry distance, and landing softly on the green.

Also, dont be afraid to take a small, shallow divot. You often see tour pro's taking a divot even with a fairway wood, so always remember to make an aggressive, downward strike at the ball.

Remember

• Treat hybrids like long irons
• Ball position just forwardof cenre
• Make a normal mid-iron swing
• Descending blow rather than sweeping strike