The hybrid golf club is fantastic for various uses. Whether you find yourself off the tee, in the fairway, rough, or even around the greens the club can get you out of trouble.
That’s why it is called a “rescue” club. Having the right shaft in it can maximize your potential and help you shoot lower scores.
Many consumers just buy a stock hybrid regardless of which shaft it comes with. This is a huge mistake.
In this article, we will guide you on how to select the correct shaft. We have broken down all the key points and details so you can pick the best one for your game.
Are hybrid and iron shafts the same?
Hybrids are widely used to help golfers who struggle to hit their long irons. It’s very difficult for most mid-high handicappers to hit their long irons consistently.
A hybrid shaft vs. an iron shaft will be different, primarily in length. Shafts in hybrids are usually .75 inches longer than the iron the club is replacing.
For example, if you swap out a 4-iron with a 5-hybrid, the hybrid shaft will be longer. Make sure to remember this.
Nearly all hybrids come equipped stock with graphite shafts. Irons will contain steel shafts at most stores.
Areas to Consider When Choosing A Hybrid Golf Shaft
Hybrid Shaft Flex
If you are missing shots all over the place with your hybrid but feel like you’re still making decent contact, your shaft is probably not stiff enough.
If you constantly miss your shots in one direction and can rarely hit a straight shot, then the shaft is probably too stiff.
Different manufacturers label their shafts with a specific flex. A brand such as Callaway might state their stock 3-hybrid has a regular flex but it might play more like a stiff.
Titleist can do the same but have the scenario flipped.
Different flex options
There are different flex options in hybrid shafts such as ladies, senior, regular, stiff, and extra stiff. The flexes determine how much the shaft will bend during the swing.
Ladies, senior and regular flex shafts will bend more and be much more forgiving. They are ideal for golfers with slower swing speeds and beginners.
Stiff and extra stiff shafts will bend less. They will be more accurate but less forgiving if swung properly. Mid and lower-handicap golfers with fast swing speeds will enjoy these shafts.
Since hybrid shafts are more extended than iron shafts, they will usually be slightly stiffer too. This helps give more control when striking the ball.
Finding the right flex for you
The best way to find the right flex for your golf game is by heading to your local golf store and finding a certified club fitter.
The fitter will have you test out a multitude of flexes on a launch monitor and have you hit balls into a bay with each one. You can view your statistics and see how each one feels.
After doing so, the fitter will recommend a few different shafts for you and explain why one flex worked better for your swing.
Pretty sweet right?
If you don’t wish to get fitted you can hit into a bay on your own and see how different flexes feel.
Hybrid Shaft Weight
Should hybrid shafts be heavier than your driver shaft?
Yes, they should be. They will generally weigh 10 to 20 grams more.
This allows the club to be more forgiving and promotes better contact.
Owning a too-heavy or light hybrid shaft can cause many issues for you out on the links.
Hybrid shafts should also be either the same weight as your iron shafts or lighter. If the shaft is heavier, then you’ll likely struggle to hit clean shots and miss on either side of the sweet spot.
Having a shaft that is too light results in similar negative results. You’ll also find yourself swinging too softly sometimes if it’s too light. It’ll be harder to have the right timing.
It’s challenging to find the exact weight meant for your shafts and if you want the most suitable one for your style, head to a fitter.
📋 Keep in mind: Hybrid shafts have a variety of different weights depending on the flex. A senior flex graphite shaft can weigh around 80 grams, a regular, (83g) stiff, (86g) and an extra stiff (90g). Preferred weight depends on your swing speed and skill level.
Hybrid Shaft Material
Hybrid shafts will almost always come in graphite. It’s possible for you to swap it out for a steel shaft but it will be much less forgiving.
The two primary materials used to create graphite shafts are carbon fiber and epoxy. Resin, rather than epoxy, can also be used to hold materials together in a shaft.
Steel shafts are commonly made from stainless or carbon steel.
💡 Golfible Tip: You can use a wood shaft on a hybrid. If the shaft is meant for a wood with a similar loft to the hybrid you own, you can have the shaft cut and tipped correctly by a club fitter.
Hybrid shaft length
As mentioned earlier, hybrid shafts will be longer than irons. They will be shorter than your driver shaft and wood shafts though.
It’s crucial to have a shaft with a length that matches your height and swing type.
If your shaft is too long, you’ll likely be reaching for the ball and hitting errant shots. If the shaft is too short, you’ll likely lose distance and it will be harder to hit it straight.
Brand
Many different brands make top-quality hybrids and leading golf shafts for amateurs.
Some of the best companies which produce renowned hybrids are TaylorMade, Ping, Callaway, Titleist, and Cobra.
Adams golf also produces fantastic hybrids and if you’re trying to save money, you can purchase a used one online. I highly recommend it.
Elite shaft makers include manufacturers such as Fujikura, Mitsubishi, Aldila, Accra, UST, Alta, KBS, and Project X.
There are different price points so purchase whatever you’re comfortable with.
Our top pick hybrid with a graphite shaft
Our top pick at Golfible for a hybrid with a graphite shaft is the Ping G425. The club made the 2022 Golf Digest Hotlist and was awarded a gold medal.
The face features a steel face that wraps around the sole and crown. It is thin on the bottom of the face which enables the club to give players long distances and more flexibility in the shaft.
A tungsten back weight also helps provide a deep center of gravity found in the lower portion of the head. It lets the club be more forgiving and promotes strikes on the sweet spot.
The adjustable hosel also allows for customization to a player’s liking.
There are different shafts available when purchasing this model including the Alta CB 70, Ping Tour 173-85, Aldila Rogue Black 95 or a Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro 80.
Importance of Testing and Fitting
Testing and fitting hybrid shafts is one of the most important things you can do as we mentioned in previous sections.
You can find a good fitter who is certified at top golf stores such as PGA Superstore or specialty fitting stores. Many local golf stores also have professional fitters.
This should be your key takeaway if you genuinely want to get serious about shooting lower scores and maximizing your potential on the course.
💡 Golfible Tip: If you want to make sure the fitter is reputable, call and ask who they are and look them up online. Many fitters will have their certificates at the store or own a card.
Our Top picks of hybrid shafts
Our best selection for a hybrid shaft is the UST ProForce V2 Hybrid Shaft.
The graphite shaft is available in A-flex, (senior) regular, stiff and extra stiff.
This brand of shafts has been used on the PGA Tour. It features UST Mamiya’s Pro Force Tip Technology which makes the tip of the shaft balanced in both flex and torque.
Doing this enables it to give golfers a medium to high ball flight and increase ball speed so it travels further.
The design has a long parallel butt so it gives players more control. It’s excellent for both slower and faster swings.
The stiff tip technology added helps produce more spin and distance control.
Recoil technology helps give a “spring” effect so the ball flies off the face which also helps provide more length off the tee and the turf.
The red, highlighter yellow, black and white design also looks very sleek.
Next Steps On How To Choose A Hybrid Shaft For your game
The next step for you to do is to head to the golf store and bring your current hybrid.
Scheduling a fitting is the best thing you can do but if you’re trying to save money then compare the club to other hybrids with a variety of shafts and see which one works the best for you.
If you find a specific shaft you like but want to keep your current model then ask if the store sells the individual shaft. If not, search for it online.
FAQ
Should hybrids have steel or graphite shafts?
Hybrids should usually be equipped with graphite shafts. Graphite shafts are more forgiving. It’s unlikely to find a hybrid with a steel shaft at the store. If you want to put one on to try it out, by all means give it a go but it will be much less forgiving and might be extremely hard to hit.
Are all hybrid shafts the same length?
No, all hybrid shafts are not the same length. A 2-hybrid will have a longer shaft than a 4-hybrid. The 2-hybrid is meant to be hit further with its lower loft and needs a longer shaft. Lengths of hybrids shaft will vary depending on the seller.
