I use a 21 degree hybrid to replace my 3i and find it pretty effective, although I get better feel on the ball with an iron.....I also think hybrids are easier to create faster swing speeds based on the weight loss - better players can correct me if this is wrong....Probably players with faster swing speeds/more control are better off hitting an iron

I am a high handicapper returning to golf after a 15 year layoff (and I was terrible then). My problems, like many beginners, are swing plane related...I am working on eliminating my novice over-the-top, left-hand initiated swing. But, I don't skull or top my irons, and I get satisfactory ball flight. Of course I slice the long ones like a bartender working on the finest lime he's ever seen, but the ball is in the air when it goes into the woods

Do hybrids help with other aspects apart from getting the ball in the air? Will they (possibly) make it easier for me to hit it straighter, or no? My irons are 15 years old but are in fine shape and I still like them (and they were custom built for me when new), so I'm considering replacing them, and I'm not sure if I shold go hybrid or not, or maybe just for the 3,4...thoughts?

If this is an inappropriate hijack I apologize...I searched and didn't find much discussion, but I could have missed it.

Thanks.

You should spend the money on lessons and go from there. When improving, you can either choose to 'upgrade' the part that determines 95% of the result (your swing) or the part that determines 5% of the result (your clubs). The latter is (obviously) easier, but ultimately negligible... not that it doesn't feel good... for a while.

hmm, i like my long irons and have been hitting them well

I rather use a hybrid although Irons i feel are more accurate. Depends on the shot and tbh i just took the 3 iron out of my bag and the 4 iron, considering my second shot is never over 200 yards other than par 5s, but then thats where my 3 wood comes into play.

Ez game

I bought the burner 2.0 3wood rescue, and to be honest, i feel that hitting this club is harder than any iron or 3 wood. I was in the same boat, started of this season 23 handicap, took some lessons to improve my swing mechanics and now around 15 handicap.

someone mentioned "workability" as far as that goes its true. im starting to learn how to hit the shots i want to, like draws, cuts, etc. its harder to "shape" the ball with my hybrid (at least for me) than it is with my irons. I find that the hybrids are more straight ball kinda clubs

Different for everyone i suppose, i consistently hit a big draw with my two hybrids. I also dont think golfers with a 15 handicap should be focused on shaping the ball both ways and altering trajectories especially with long irons, its fun to try but most would probably be better off working on making a consistent repeatable swing and shot shape. Much easier to improve quickly if you have a good idea where your misses will be instead of spraying balls right and left

i heard the announcers yesterday extolling virtues of 1 or 2 iron. surprised, altho i only find highly lofted hybrids really easy to hit but i don't enjoy the hit itself