Hybrids on Tour - growing or no?

[dubbelbogey]

With Collin Morikawa's and Dustin Johnson's recent wins, some high profile players are sporting and winning with hybrids. Is this an increasing trend on Tour or not? Seems like it has become more visible, but perhaps the actual usage numbers aren't changing much, just the publicity around it.

Anybody out there with real data on hybrid usage trends on Tour?

[jonsnow]

I don't have the data but would also be interested in seeing it. My perception is more players seem to be carrying driving irons but no idea if that's accurate.

[dlygrisse]

2010 called, they want their thread back. :)

[dubbelbogey]

Yeah - I get it, but back then was back then, and there was a distinct set of players who didn't or wouldn't use hybrids. Seems there have been some high profile names very recently here in 2020 that have made the switch. I'm curious to know what the real data is for today, not 2010.

[animalgolfs]

It will all go in cycles -

 

Players will swear by hybrids until the next generation decides driving irons are the rage. Then some upstart will start using a high lofted fw, gain success & fw will be all the rage.

 

Then the whole process will start over again in 25yrs.......

 

Younger generation is always smarter than the last - technology be damned

[Ferguson]

 

You don't seem too sure about your answer. That's okay. This is one of the "enigmatic question" threads.

 

Is the OP talking about the growth of Hybrid people?

Another Bryson DeChambeau thread, perhaps?

 

 

[MattyO1984]

I would have said, if anything that they may have gone backwards given the popularity of utility irons like the Titleist U Series, etc, etc.

That said, it did always seem to be that the absolute best players didn’t have them in their bags. Until this year, I cannot remember the likes of Rory or DJ ever using a hybrid. I think that Spieth might have been the only player to get to World Number 1 with a hybrid in his bag more often than not. It was the guys a rung or so lower that had them in their bag - the Ian Poulter and Webb Simpsons of the world. Obviously that seems to be changing with Rory and DJ putting them in their bags now. Might be worthy of note that these guys and Morikawa included are all staff players for the same brand...how much does that have to do with a changing of perception.

 

[jonsnow]

I have learned never to be too sure about anything.

[Ferguson]

That leaves the door open. I like that.

 

[jonsnow]

I like to leave the door open. At least, I think do.

[Tasals]

To be fair, that SIM hybrid looks massive. To me it seems to be closer to a smaller fairway than a traditional hybrid. Maybe thats why the guys like it? I can maybe see how Rory and DJ would potentially have some issues with getting the correct distance with a 5 wood. I know Rory now and then had a 5 wood in the past, not sure about DJ.

[Fairways_and_Greens]

Dont look at hybrids in a vacuum. The ball and swing speeds need to be looked at as well. A pro using a spinnier ball might prefer hybrid over 5 wood.

It depends also on the course. Into a par 5 with super firm conditions I'd rather elevate a 5 wood over a 3 hybrid. On some courses with runout, I can hit my hybrid more than my 3 wood. If it's primarily a tee club I like hybrid better off the tee than 5 wood.

It totally depends on the conditions, ball, and strategy the pro is looking for.

 

[bscinstnct]

The pros are all about the right tools for the job.

 

Most hit the ball high already and hitting the sweet spot isn’t an issue. So, they use irons or gi profile long irons if they need some extra forgiveness.

 

I think where the pros could take a good look at hybrids is how much more effective out of the rough they are then fairway woods for longer shots.

 

You can nail a 200+ yard shot out of a pretty bad lie in rough with a hybrid that you’d have to chop out with an iron or wouldn’t even attempt with a fairway wood.