What Are 18 and 20 Degree Hybrids?

Golf clubs known as hybrids, or utility, clubs allow golfers to more easily hit long approach shots, especially from poor lies. These shots would otherwise require a fairway wood or long iron, both of which are difficult for many golfers to hit consistently. Hybrids are easier to hit correctly and also provide enough height for the ball to land softly on the greens. Hybrids come in a range of lofts including the popular choices of 18 and 20 degrees.

  1. Hybrids

    • The makers of utility clubs call them hybrids because their designs are a cross between the traditional classifications of woods and irons. The shape of the club head is similar to that of a metal wood, but is much smaller like an iron. The center of gravity is farther back in the club face and closer to the sole of the club than is possible with an iron. This makes it easier for golfers to get the ball airborne with a hybrid, and more likely for the ball to fly higher and land more softly. The lofts of most hybrids are in the range of long irons, but the shafts are shorter like those of irons.

    Lofts

    • The angle of the club face on fairway woods ranges from about 12 to 28 degrees, with the most common clubs measuring 15 to 23 degrees. Irons lofts usually begin at about 18 to 20 degrees for the two iron, usually the longest iron available. Hybrid lofts vary from 17 to 29 degrees, covering the range of the higher-lofted fairway woods and the less-lofted irons down to the four or five iron.

    Long Irons

    • Long irons have always been difficult for the average player to hit correctly. They are especially hard to use from poor lies and from the rough. Hitting a two or three iron high and soft to hold a green is beyond the capability of all but the most accomplished players, even from the best lies. Hybrids are specifically suited for these shots. Many golf instructors believe that most players should never carry an iron longer than a five or six iron and opt instead for a collection of hybrids.

    18 and 20 Degree Hybrids

    • The 18- and 20-degree hybrids are at the minimum loft range of irons. They are more or less equivalent to the two or three irons in both their loft and the distance they produce. These are the clubs most often displaced by hybrid clubs. Many golf bags today contain one or two hybrids of 18 to 20 degrees instead of a two and three iron.