Dead Hybrid?

[naj959]

I was just wondering if hybrids can loose their pop over time and if anyone has experienced this? I have one of the original Cleveland Launcher hybrids which I believe debuted in 2006. It used to be my solid 190-200 yard club. This year I've noticed a 10-15 yard loss on strikes that I would consider very solid. What was once a 3 iron replacement now goes the same distance as my 5 iron. The obvious answer is to hop on a launch monitor and look at it's efficiency but I don't have easy access to one in my city and I don't have a baseline from when I purchased the club. I've heard of drivers loosing ball speed over time but never a hybrid. It was a nice 14 year run but It's time to put the Launcher out to pasture.

[Colej]

Maybe you’ve caved the face in?  Could it have a crack in the head? 

Edited November 22, 2020 by Colej

[Phireside]

I was always under the impression that clubs would be the hottest right before a failure. Any noticeable damage?

[naj959]

Looks and feels the same. I can't see any cracks and the face appears to be fine. The only thing I can think of is the shaft being a bad fit since my swing has improved over the years. Perhaps it's adding dynamic loft and spinning way too much but the flight doesn't appear to balloon. I actually prefer the super high trajectory.

Now that I think about it, I doubt I've struck anywhere near enough times to reach failure.

[Colej]

First thing I’d check would be ball

position.
 

As far as your swing improving and adding dynamic loft? Usually it’s the opposite if your swing improves you decrease loft. 

[ChipNRun]

You can speculate all you want, but it's difficult to tell much without a launch monitor. If you have a golf shop of any size in your area, they will rent you a hitting for a half hour if no one has a fitting at the time.

 

Sometimes early Saturday morning or Tuesday or Thursday evening (often slow) will work.

 

The idea of "losing pop"  doesn't tell us much. Physical possibilities: the head had cumulative internal damage, or the shaft may have an internal crack.

 

Or.....

2 hours ago, Colej said:

First thing I’d check would be ball

position.
 

As far as your swing improving and adding dynamic loft? Usually it’s the opposite if your swing improves you decrease loft.

 

[bnperrone]

I've cracked a few drivers over the years, and I hit it pretty far but nowhere near WRX levels. I've noticed the performance drop-off before any visible failure was obvious. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where you are. That said, I can also tell you that over the years my swing changed so a set of RP Rifle Flighted shafts that I was fit into a long time ago no longer worked for me in the long irons. They got spinny and I lost a bunch of distance, but the ball never looked like it was ballooning. So, I've experienced both of the theories you've got here.

[naj959]

On 11/22/2020 at 9:09 PM, ChipNRun said:

You can speculate all you want, but it's difficult to tell much without a launch monitor. If you have a golf shop of any size in your area, they will rent you a hitting for a half hour if no one has a fitting at the time.

 

Sometimes early Saturday morning or Tuesday or Thursday evening (often slow) will work.

 

The idea of "losing pop"  doesn't tell us much. Physical possibilities: the head had cumulative internal damage, or the shaft may have an internal crack.

 

Or.....

 

I agree on the launch monitor. It was more of a passing thought that I was curious about. It's slow here in California with the curfew and what not. I find myself posting a lot more of my random golf thoughts with all of this free time. The plan is to just pass the Cleveland on to my cousin who is just beginning and get a Mizzy CLK.

[gdb99]

Take a credit card across the face. See if the face is flat or caving in. 

[Old Tom Morris]

I bet it’s damaged.  Not good and proper as if you hit a tee marker with it but in a subtle non-abusive manner. 

[RainShadow]

Could it be that you're 14 years older? LOL

 

[naj959]

On 11/27/2020 at 6:56 AM, RainShadow said:

Could it be that you're 14 years older? LOL

 

This! The simplest answer is most often the correct one. I'm ballooning the crap out of this club now and never really thought about it. I Thought the super high launch was cool but a 20*hybrid launching like an 8 iron is less than ideal. The ball goes more up then out. My other hybrids launch on a flatter trajectory and I get the expected distance.

[TTRacer]

Gotta be cracked or are you testing them in different weather conditions, typically lose yardage when it's cold

[pup142]

Hit the gym. You will get the distance back. Nothing wrong with the club as I imagine your swing speed has changed.

[forrester_fire]

I'm playing a hybrid of similar vintage (TM Rescue Dual) and I haven't experienced any performance decreases.  It could be impact on the face.  If you're hitting closer to the heel recently, that strike patter will kill distance.

Edited February 16, 2021 by forrester_fire