Most amateur golfers have both hybrids and irons in their golf bags. We all know the hybrid is great for hitting shots out of the rough. Have you ever considered which club is more accurate on approach shots: the iron or the hybrid? We dove into some Shot Scope data to determine which clubs make it easier to hit the green. To do this correctly, we had to break it down by handicap to give you a more personalized representation of what’s best for your game.
25-handicap
For every handicap level, we took the longest iron in the set and compared it to the hybrid. We looked at the greens hit percentage, proximity to the hole and the average shots to finish.
The 25-handicap is where we thought there would be a clear winner in the hybrid. Higher handicappers are often encouraged to put hybrids in their bags because they are said to be easier to hit and more forgiving.
As you can see from the table, the greens hit percentage is nearly identical between the 4-hybrid and the 5-iron. The 5-iron tends to end up a little closer to the hole so the shots to finish are also lower, even though the greens hit percentage is slightly higher for the hybrid.
| Club | Green Hit % | Proximity (ft) | Shots to Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Hybrid | 7% | 263 ft | 5.19 |
| 5 Iron | 6% | 232 ft | 4.88 |
20-handicap
Data for the 20-handicap golfer is pretty similar. The greens hit percentage is about equal between the iron and hybrid. The hybrid club is not showing any significant benefit over the 5-iron. One variable that is not represented in this data is the lie from which you are playing. A ball in the rough would likely be easier to hit with the hybrid than the iron.
| Club | Green Hit % | Proximity (ft) | Shots to Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Hybrid | 8% | 202 ft | 4.72 |
| 5 Iron | 9% | 195 ft | 4.54 |
15-handicap
Many 15-handicap golfers carry both a 3-hybrid and a 4-hybrid. The 3-hybrid tends to be a pretty accurate club, just as accurate as the 5-iron.
| Club | Green Hit % | Proximity (ft) | Shots to Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Hybrid | 10% | 198 ft | 4.46 |
| 4 Hybrid | 9% | 173 ft | 4.51 |
| 5 Iron | 10% | 161 ft | 4.39 |
10-handicap
Here is where we see a really interesting shift. The 10-handicap golfer Is much more likely to hit a green and score lower using an iron than a hybrid. Many lower-handicap players hit the ball further, meaning they have more opportunities to hit irons than hybrids. This can lead to a little less accuracy from the hybrids.
| Club | Green Hit % | Proximity (ft) | Shots to Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Hybrid | 11% | 171 ft | 4.04 |
| 4 Hybrid | 12% | 156 ft | 4.06 |
| 5 Iron | 19% | 145 ft | 3.98 |
5-handicap
You’ll notice the pattern that started to emerge for the 10-handicap golfer is still strong in this 5-handicap data. Most lower-handicap players have a better chance of hitting the green and scoring lower if they can use the iron instead of the hybrid.
| Club | Green Hit % | Proximity (ft) | Shots to Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 13% | 164 ft | 4.08 |
| 4 Iron | 16% | 144 ft | 3.87 |
0-handicap
Scratch golfers hit the green 18 percent of the time with a 4-iron and 18 percent with the hybrid. Their games are consistent and they have no trouble adjusting from a wood to a hybrid to an iron. You’ll notice that the shots to finish for scratch golfers are better for the 4-iron, probably thanks to more accuracy on the approach.
When you move to the 5-iron for a scratch golfer, the greens hit percentage increases to 31 percent.
| Club | Green Hit % | Proximity (ft) | Shots to Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 18% | 138 ft | 3.72 |
| 4 Iron | 18% | 102 ft | 3.67 |
The bottom line (Iron versus hybrid on approach shots)
What works for your game and what the data shows may be different. However, having some insight like this can open your eyes to issues in your game that may be costing you strokes.
When choosing between a hybrid and a long iron on approach shots, there are a few key considerations.
Higher the handicap, the more likely you are to benefit from having a hybrid.
Hybrids can be easier to launch, more forgiving on off-center hits and better at getting the ball out of the rough. These factors often translate into slightly better consistency and higher greens hit percentages for mid- to high-handicappers.
You still have to analyze the lie.
Even if you tend to hit your iron well, a nasty lie in the rough might warrant switching to a hybrid for greater distance.
If your ball is in the fairway and the approach to the green is narrow, you may want to use an iron instead of a hybrid.
Lower-handicap golfers shouldn’t ditch the long irons.
The data indicates golfers with lower handicaps can often achieve better proximity and fewer shots to finish with a long iron compared to a hybrid. Get fitted and use a launch monitor with great accuracy to confirm thhis but your long irons are still beneficial to keep in the bag.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, play the club that you hit best and that will set you up for the highest likelihood of success in your specific situation.
Sticking to a long iron could lower your scores if your irons fit you well and you’re comfortable with them.
If you have a higher handicap or struggle to launch your irons consistently, a hybrid may be the more reliable choice. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
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