Why The Hybrid Is The Most Versatile Club In Your Bag... And How To Use It

Many women struggle hitting long irons, and if you’ve had your set for a while, there’s a good chance a 4 or 5-iron is still taking up space in your bag. But golf doesn't have to be that hard.

PGA Pro Katie Dawkins demonstrates how to use your hybrids correctly, powered by the XXIO 14 range

By swapping those stubborn irons for effortlessly lightweight, forgiving hybrids, like the new XXIO 14, you can instantly make the game a lot easier. Designed to replace everything down to an 8-iron, these clubs are a female golfer's ultimate secret weapon. Here is why you need them in your bag.

Rescue Remedy

Hybrids are often called rescue clubs, and for good reason - they do exactly that. These beauties are a great choice when the lie is challenging and the pressure is on.

While looking down at a skinny long iron can feel incredibly daunting, the rounded head of a hybrid instantly puts your mind at ease, giving you the belief that the ball will fly. It almost feels like the club is doing the hard work for you.

Set Up for Success

Most golfers get the setup wrong with hybrids. Assuming they play exactly like fairway woods, they place the ball too far forward in their stance and lose out on the benefits of clubs. Here is a quick setup checklist:

Ball position: Place the ball a fraction forward of centre, not as far forward as you would for a fairway wood.

Adjust for the lie: If the ball is sitting down a bit, shift a little more of your weight onto your front foot.

Hit down like an iron: Ensure you hit down on these shots. Too many golfers try to sweep the ball off the grass, but hybrids need to be treated more like an iron. Give the grass a bruise and let the club do the rest of the work for you.

Semi-Rough Shots Transformed

If you feel like your energy is being stolen when hitting from the semi-rough, you're probably right! A long iron easily gets caught up in long grass, causing the clubface to twist.

A hybrid will help you escape thicker grass far more easily. The weighted sole design of the XXIO 14 actually stabilises the clubhead through impact, which is essential when facing a challenging lie.

The smooth bottom of the club glides effortlessly through to ensure cleaner contact, while the titanium face acts like a trampoline. You’ll watch the ball leap out of trouble and gobble up yards, whereas a snagged iron would leave you making slow, frustrating progress up longer holes. Just remember: the more buried the ball is, the further back it needs to go in your stance.

Greenside Gains

Around the green, long chip shots are made easy, especially on undulating surfaces. Simply grip right down on a 6-hybrid and play a smooth putt with it. You’ll find the ball hops cleanly over the apron and begins rolling smoothly toward the hole.

If your lie is a bit sticky, this is a great way to eliminate the risk of a thinned or chunked strike. If chipping scares you and there is nothing between you and the hole, consider this as a great option.

It is exactly like using your putter, but with a turbo boost. Keeping the ball lower to the ground eradicates unpredictable bounces and feeds the ball right to the hole.

To execute it, adopt your standard putting setup, grip down on the handle, and keep your hands soft using your normal putting grip. Do not be tempted to hit it like a chip.

The titanium face is designed to spring the ball forward, and if you accelerate too hard, it will bite you, sending your ball racing over the back of the green. Instead, think ‘tick-tock’ and trust a smooth stroke. Practice this simple technique, and you'll find your fear of the long chip completely disappears while your scores tumble.

Off The Tee

Practicing hitting your hybrids off the tee is essential if you are to master those slightly longer par-3s. This is also a fantastic shot to have in your armoury if you’re faced with an extremely tight line off the tee on a handicap hole.

When setting up, your ball position needs to be just a ball forward of centre to encourage a downward strike while still giving you maximum carry.

As for tee height, peg the tee down so you squash your fingers between the ball and the grass, mimicking a really fluffy lie. If you tee it up too high, you run the risk of going straight under the ball and sending it sky-high with absolutely no distance.

Once your setup is right, remember that the hybrid should not be swept off the tee like a driver. Instead, aim to give the grass a good thump on the way through. Do this right and you’ll find your ball lands softly, which is mega important when it comes to hitting and holding greens on par-3s. Ultimately, this is a shot that prioritises accuracy over distance, and it is one I’d encourage every golfer to practice.

If you don’t already have a hybrid in your bag to replace those tricky long irons, you are missing out on the most versatile clubs in the game. Not only will they save you shots, but they will also bring the fun back to your rounds. Add a couple to your bag this season - your scorecard will thank you for it.