New Hybrids for 2011

I have discovered some new hybrids from Hireko Golf. I have ordered a 34 degree hybrid and am anxious for it to be sent. One thing I noticed when I ordered this Adreneline Hybrid is the fact that all the lofts are back ordered. Just how popular is this club I wondered immediately. The particular model I chose will have a jumbo Lamkin Crossline grip and a graphite, T-65 from System Q shaft. The feature I am really interested in testing is the design of the sole as it relates to the lip on the underside of the club. I have found over the years of testing that the lip on the underside of the club helps get the ball into the air quickly. Now add that to my shortened swing (much like the Natural Golf Swing) and you have the easiest method for hitting golf shots with a tool that will simply hammer the ball forward. Staying down on the shot through impact is all that is really necessary. The larger grip should make it easier for me to 'hang on' to the club through impact so the head of the club does Not turn over too quickly. This same motion is much more difficult with an iron plus it takes more energy to strike a ball forward with irons. With cervical neck and lower back issues I have found no strain in my back and neck using a hybrid like I have detailed. I will continue to use a wedge for the short game of pitching the ball onto the green because I have found the ball shooting off the face of the hybrids around the green is too strong and harder to control distance. I will most likely try a 55 degree Adreneline hybrid though just to verify the use of the wedge for pitching and chipping. I am also using the Golfer's Footprint to keep my swing grooved and keep the lawn safe from divots. I attached the Footprint to a large piece of hard rubber so I can use it indoors or outdoors on long grass. I do have about nine of these units for instruction as the Footprint is actually designed for all swing styles.

Now After More Research about Hybrids

I have been researching other hybrid clubs plus experimenting with various irons. One must keep in mind that the shorter back swing will most likely result in a shorter shot although using a hybrid makes up the difference. I have discovered also that using a hybrid with higher lofts from 37 degree to the 55 degree can cause some people more frustration. If lifting out of the shot just before contact is a habit off and on, then scalding the shot farther away from the target is the horendous result. One would be better off using higher lofted irons, say down to the 7 or 6 iron where that thin strike would not send the ball forward out-of-control as much. I have found having midsize or jumbo grips helps in maintaining a square club face at ball contact even with irons. As long as one sets the hands on the club properly and gets them back to the same address position at contact, the ball will move forward on a straight path. Again, to repeat myself from a previous blog, no body rotation results in better contact for the average recreational golfer. This swing very closely resembles the Natural Golf swing of Moe Norman one can view on their website except for the 'holding on' position through impact with the ball. I intend on checking into the Natural Golf swing to see if I can schedule a comparison demonstration to what the Natural Swing is today in 2011.

Simple Club Construction with Hybrids

One feature of the hybrids that makes decisions easier especially with the hockey-like hybrid golf swing is the type of club to purchase. A shaft that has just a bit of flex works great. Someone ordering a S or Stiff shaft would have to have a very pronounced swing speed. For most everyone a R Regular shaft at the highest level will function fine. There are various levels of R and S shafts so the level of R just before the first Stiff shaft on the standard scales is what I would recommend. The goal of the swing is to get the club face onto the ball square during the swing and holding it there past the ball for a few inches. One does not want the club head rotating around with the hockey-like hybrid swing. Look again at my impact position and you will see I purposely keep the club head square through impact so the ball flies straight. Lately I have been using a variety of hybrids and they all work about the same. The key in striking shots solidly is the hitting down on the ball, leaving just a minor divot. Trying to sweep the ball off the ground usually results in a weaker shot that won't travel as far, plus there is the chance of topping it slightly. Any questions you might have can be emailed to jscott2844@wi.rr.com Starting out this hobby with hybrids is quite economical too when one finds the price of hybrids to be under $50 per club. I have seen top brand names for nearly $200, but the decision to go that route is surely individual. The sites I will offer on this blog will have hybrids at very reasonable prices plus they are made of quality material. Soon I may decide to offer one hybrid style as I am researching costs at this time.

Far Less Effort with a Hybrid !

I have been comparing the swing methods of the two companies fostering Moe Norman's golf swing. Moe was a Canadian Champion with over 54 Tournament records and plenty of low scoring rounds that are records too. One just has to Google Moe Norman and an immense amount of information will be made available. I can perform both swing styles being fostered that have very minimal differences explained regarding the motions of the swing. I have found that again the hybrids, because of the design, are easier to strike shots and take less effort to hit the ball to the intended target. Soon I may seek a club maker who will build these hybrids that I am achieveing success with and offer them to the public for $49.99 each.
I have been doing the power walks with one golf ball while discovering the hybrid's use in these styles of golf. It only takes two times around two holes to discover how far one has to hit the ball on each hole to achieve a typical par using the hybrid being used and that may be different with each hybrid in most cases. A new game is designed when one can quickly walk or jog to each shot, set up, and then hit the shot toward the intended target. Keep in mind that striking a solid shot is part of this routine and then a quick walk/jog to the ball only to set up and hit the shot necessary to reach your next intended target. I will show pictures of how to hit shorter shots with hybrids intended for long shots in another blog.

One hybrid club at a Time

Most recently I have noticed while using one hybrid only and only one golf ball became a great way to exercise with brisk walks to each shot as well as concentrate on attaining a solid shot. The best results and less strenuous motions to my back happen with the fully extended right arm while thinking about driving the club head toward the selected target. It doesn't take long to know how far one can hit a certain hybrid considering its loft. It will be different for everyone simply because of the speed one generates. I am focusing on accuracy so getting caught in that "Greater Distance & Accuracy" marketing trap isn't my objective. I take a less lofted hybrid if I want more distance while continuing on hitting the ball toward the target.
By the way, with continued walking while learning this simple hybrid golf method, one can find snacks to bring along from many sources. Isn't is nice that there are other choices than potato chips and soda for snacking? I have been seeking snacks with fiber, taste, and flavor so I avoid stopping in a the 'quick mart' and reaching for that snack I shouldn't be eating. Blending the walking, one ball hitting somewhere with open space, and healthier snacking can be an interesting hobby. When I do go to golf now my ball hitting is better and I haven't had to play all the time to maintain that part of the game. Considering that many golf courses have practice greens with no cost to chip and putt while learning the short game this is an activity that one can choose too if the park or other open space is occupied. To attain information about the Calaway Contact Guide Board that one can use to learn a reliable path to swing the club head even with practice golf balls in the backyard, email jscott2844@wi.rr.com. I will send you information that details how this self-instructional visual guide works. I will be making units with less of the "Glitz" on them so the cost of this unit will be less than $20.00 after shipping in the U.S. Good luck finding your place to try this hybrid-health routine while learning to hit solid golf shots.

Set-up for better contact

Today I hit several shots while experimenting with a higher lofted hybrid wood. I discovered that being close to the ball with my arms slightly dangled in front of me keeps me on the inside of the target path when I go to swing down at the ball. I also lined the ball up center left about two inches off of my lead front foot. Concentrating on dropping the club straight down in the short back swing and bringing it toward the ball being careful to keep my wrist from breaking and at the same time extending my right arm through the shot was important to hit the ball toward the target and into the air. The short back swing without worrying about a slightly bent arm allows me to drop the club and guide the head of the club right into the back of the ball. Again, the full extension of my right arm launches the ball upward very abruptly. Hopefully the pictures I am posting helps in understanding this.

Discovering new game on the course

I have been trying varied hybrids each day. Striking down on the ball definitely is a must for solid contact. Really aim just behind the ball and drive the head of the hybrid into the ground a bit. This should take a small divot, but not one that would be the size of your shoe. Trying to sweep the hybrids into the air along the ground results in low shots not struck well.
If you are using one club and trying the just an hour before dusk format on the course here is an interesting game. Using one club and be thinking 'power walk to each shot.' Once you land on the green simply walk a full step toward the hole from where you hit it on the green and for each 5 full steps add another number. This keeps you moving and to hang around the green isn't really your objective.
Even the clubhouse should appreciate the fact that you are not on the course to play the 'real golf game' yet. There may be some small fee that the course will charge, but I have found two courses now that know what I am doing, see me doing this and I am not charged. Bringing in food of some type for an appreciation gift might be a fine gesture too for continuing the hybrid power walk at the cooperating courses. It wouldn't hurt to ask if you could help once in a while to pick up the range or other tasks they may suggest