Are hybrids a dying golf club? 

Driving irons and high lofted fairway woods are extremely popular on tour these days. But, these clubs are going in play at the expense of hybrids. It begs the question: Is the hybrid a dying breed of golf club?

If there is one club that has changed the golf club world in this modern era it has to be the hybrid. 

The iconic trend started with Todd Hamilton with his Sonartec Hybrid when he won The Open at Royal Troon back in 2004. Before then, you either had a long iron or a fairway wood in play, but that all changed when the qualities of the two were combined here.

Brands jumped on this new design, creating their own versions of the club. It created an option that would be a substitute for your longer irons as it was more forgiving. 

In today’s game, we don’t really see hybrids on the tour as much anymore, particularly in the men’s game. Instead, we are starting to see a new trend with professional golfers carrying a 7-wood more frequently. Even the occasional 9-wood can make it into play, with Adam Scott sometimes putting one in the bag.

Even the best player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, has jumped on the trend, putting a TaylorMade Qi35 7-wood in play at the Genesis Invitational, as he wanted something versatile and easy to get out of the rough with, as well as use from the tee on par-3s.

World No. 1 has a Qi35 7-wood in the bag this week. 👀

Scottie added the versatile club in anticipation of the long rough and wet conditions out at Torrey.

Learn the full story on why it landed in the bag, as well as the unique specs, here: https://t.co/i7Ahjf5T5G pic.twitter.com/IUG1Zk6VpB

— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) February 13, 2025

Clearly it gave Scheffler a different option that week and make shots like the one from the bunker above possible, which wouldn’t have been the case with a 3-iron, or perhaps a hybrid.

Why use a 7-wood over a hybrid?

Well, firstly it’s very easy to get the ball in the air with a high lofted fairway wood, which means it will land soft and stop quickly, which you don’t always get in longer irons. If you need a longer carry distance, you’ll want a club that launches higher and spins more to carry further. This is ideal in all weather conditions. If it’s cold you’ll want to keep the ball from falling out the sky for as long as possible, but if it’s warm and soft, you’ll want the ball to launch high and land soft. 

You can also use this around the green instead of a putter from the fringes or collar of the rough. These really are versatile clubs that can help you from loads of different lies.

This isn’t to say that hybrids aren’t worthwhile anymore. They are brilliant if you want something that is more forgiving than a long iron and, depending on the loft, will launch nice and high too. If you’re not a fan of the shape of a high lofted fairway wood, then a hybrid is a great shout instead. It’s also worth noting that a hybrid can also be used around the greens and out of the rough as it’s again easy to hit and advance the ball.  

Should you use a hybrid or a 7-wood?

Well on tour, a hybrid is not as common as what it used to be. That’s mainly because brands are making longer irons easier to hit and pros are looking for specific shots to hit on different courses week in week out. 7-woods launch higher and spin more than a hybrid, so they’ll stop quicker, which is a bonus if pros are hitting them into a par-5.

For the everyday golfer, however, it’s very different depending on your needs. You might need forgiveness across the whole face, help with height, extra ball speed or something for the long par-4s or par-3s. Hybrids are a great replacement for a long iron.

Hybrids may not be as widely used on tour anymore but for the everyday golfer they are brilliant addition to your golf bag. But, if you do need more help to get the ball higher with more spin, try a 7-wood as it might give you the extra height and carry you need. 

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James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor