What Hybrid Replaces A 3, 4 & 5 Iron?

Hybrids are great and have their place in the world of golf. In fact, about 30% of golfers, including pros, have them in their bags.

So if you’re finally at the stage where you’re sick of trying to hit 4 irons only for them to pull left, slice

away from the target or barely get off the ground, this post is for you.

Below, you will find all the different degrees of hybrids available and which hybrid should replace each of your long irons.

The same method applies to your entire golf bag, really. 

Important To Know When Replacing Irons With Hybrid Golf Clubs…

If a long iron and hybrid have the exact same degree of loft, the hybrid will travel further. Meaning it’s not as easy as matching up the degrees as you will end up with irregular club gapping.

For example, your 5 iron goes 160 yards and your 4 iron would travel 170 yards on average. Leaving a gapping of 10 yards which is near ideal in my opinion.

However, the hybrid you swapped for your 4 iron is sending the ball 180 yards, 10 yards further. 

Now, there is a 20-yard gap between clubs, making this distance tricky to deal with on the golf course.

But don’t worry that won’t happen to you if you follow our advice.

What Are All The Different Degrees Of Hybrids?

(Below degrees are averages, the loft can increase or decrease depending on how the manufacturers designed the club)

What Hybrid Replaces A 4 Iron 

Modern-day 4 irons typically have a loft angle of 19-24 degrees. You need to know how strongly lofted your clubs are, and a quick Google search of iron models should answer that for you.

Following up on what we touched on in the introduction, you should choose a hybrid degree higher than your current 4 iron.

Doing this will ensure that your distances stay the same and, more importantly, that the gap in distance between your 5 iron and hybrid isn’t huge.

This would leave you with a distance that is too long for the 5 iron, but the hybrid will fly over.

For example, if your 4 iron is strongly lofted at 19 degrees, then a 21-degree hybrid should be an ideal replacement. 

As always, the best way is to test it out and compare distances before buying, but I have found that adding two degrees balances everything out.

What Hybrid Replaces A 3 Iron 

3 irons come with strong lofts anywhere from 18-20 degrees. 

Realistically, lofts have gotten so strong over recent years that a 3 iron today would have roughly the same loft as a driving iron many years ago. 

Traditionally 3 irons would have the same loft as most 4 and even some 5 irons of today.

This is an attempt by manufacturers to pass on more distance to golfers as a whole.

But the same rule applies: if you have an 18-degree 3 iron, then a 20-degree hybrid should match the distance perfectly.

As always, it’s best to bring your 3 iron with you when trying out the hybrid to ensure they match up perfectly. Hybrids tend to go farther because of the improved tech and longer length.

What Hybrid Replaces A 5 Iron 

In most iron sets sold today a 5 iron can fall between 22-26 degrees of loft. 

At the risk of sounding like a parrot, to find your replacement hybrid find out your loft and add 2 degrees to it.

But why is there such a huge range for modern irons? Well, manufacturers want the average golfer to buy their clubs, and unlike drivers or woods, they can’t add too much tech to an ironhead.

Because of this limitation, to squeeze more distance out of the irons, they have to make the lofts stronger. 

Generally, the strongest loft irons are for the masses, while golfers on the PGA tour will play with higher-lofted irons.

When Should You Replace Your Long Irons With Hybrids

Long irons aren’t for everyone, and the same applies to hybrids. Making the switch isn’t always going to fix or improve your golf game.

That’s why you need to really sit down and think about what it is you want from your clubs.

I go into a butt load of detail in our post “What Is A Hybrid Golf Club? Long Irons Vs Hybrids”, but I’ll try to break it down for you when you should consider replacing your long irons:

Your Accuracy Is All Over The Place 

Long irons can be tough to hit for most golfers, and even when they’re hit well, you may not be happy with the result. 

Because of the improved technology and larger head in hybrids, it can make your shots more accurate even on slight mishits, which can save your ass from the tee box.

I’m not saying long irons can’t be accurate; there are different kinds of iron that are more forgiving than others; for example, certain cast irons will be more forgiving than forged ones.

But if you get that feeling that your ball can go anywhere once you have the 4 iron in your hand, it’s worth trying something new.

You Rarely Play In Windy Conditions  

Hybrids are great in most aspects but one area they won’t perform as well in is windy conditions.

Because their ball flight launches higher than an iron and isn’t as penetrating, the wind can drag or pull the ball off course more easily.

However, if you’re lucky enough to play in sunny weather and the breeze isn’t something you really have to worry about then hybrids could be a smart choice.

You Don’t Have A Need To Shape The Ball  

One of the biggest downsides of hybrids is that it’s tougher to shape the ball meaning hitting fades or draws when you require.

It’s not to say it can’t be done, but because of their large head and forgiving technology, they’re designed to straighten out the ball.

This works against you when you actually want it to curve off left or right. But if you don’t have the ability or want to do this then it’s not a factor.

You Want Something Easier To Hit  

Probably the main reason you would swap to a hybrid is to get a club that is easier to hit consistently time after time.

The hybrid club heads are much larger, and because of this additional mass, they make light work of popping the ball into the air.

Basically if you’ve really tried to hit your long iron, got lessons, practiced, tried offsetting them and you still can’t hit them then this could be your solution.

You Don’t Swing The Club Very Fast

One of the main reasons golfers can’t hit their long irons consistently is because they don’t have the swing speed necessary.

Long irons need speed to get the ball airborne, but hybrids can get the ball into the air easier even with a lack of ball speed.

That’s why a lot of super game improvement sets come as mixed sets. The long irons are replaced with a hybrid golf club, and shorter irons are left traditional.  

You’re A Mid-High Handicap 

Hybrids are clubs that benefit this range of golfers more than a single-digit/low handicap golfer.

Single-digit handicap golfers have the club head speed and consistency to get the most from their long irons, and they may just require additional practice here and there.

Mid-high handicap golfers will benefit most from hybrids as they are easier to hit, they don’t need to shape the golf ball, and consistency is more important than whether they launch too high or not. 

Check out some of our other great posts below:

Best Golf Irons For Beginners

Steel Or Graphite Shafts For Irons: Which Is Best?

What Is A Game Improvement Iron?

What Is A Muscle Back Iron?

What Is A Driving Iron?

How Much To Reshaft Irons: Cheapest, Average & Most Expensive

Average Distance For Each Golf Club