5 Hybrid - Young Old Man Bag

[stratgolf]

16 hours ago, Ty_Guy said:

I just watched Johnny Wunder discuss his bag. He brings up quite a bit of the exact same points discussed here: losing shots on the course with a 4 & 5i and his solution is a 5 hybrid. He also says his driver plays at 165 ball speed, so no slouch in speed even though he calls himself "slow."

 

His bag:

Driver, 3w, 5w, 4h, 5h, 6-LW

Uses Ping hybrids at 22 and 25 degrees

 

 

 

Nice to not be alone on this front! Love Johnny Wunder and looking forward to seeing how his bag develops now he's a free agent.

[getitdaily]

On 7/20/2025 at 6:42 AM, Ty_Guy said:

I just watched Johnny Wunder discuss his bag. He brings up quite a bit of the exact same points discussed here: losing shots on the course with a 4 & 5i and his solution is a 5 hybrid. He also says his driver plays at 165 ball speed, so no slouch in speed even though he calls himself "slow."

 

His bag:

Driver, 3w, 5w, 4h, 5h, 6-LW

Uses Ping hybrids at 22 and 25 degrees

 

 

I picked up my 5h Saturday. Gt2 5h. Put an og ventus blue 10x in it.

 

Off a mat it fits the gap perfectly under my 4h. My carry # for the 5i was lower than I see on course and I'm hoping it was just the mat and that the 5h will sit perfectly between 5i and 4h.

 

If the 5i carry number was just a product of the mat and the 5h carry number was actual then it's perfect. 

 

On course, my 4h carries 220-225 and I had 219 on thr mat. 5h came in 204-209...dead perfect if it translated to the course.

[Rbsiedsc]

On 7/20/2025 at 3:42 AM, Ty_Guy said:

I just watched Johnny Wunder discuss his bag. He brings up quite a bit of the exact same points discussed here: losing shots on the course with a 4 & 5i and his solution is a 5 hybrid. He also says his driver plays at 165 ball speed, so no slouch in speed even though he calls himself "slow."

 

His bag:

Driver, 3w, 5w, 4h, 5h, 6-LW

Uses Ping hybrids at 22 and 25 degrees

 

 

Interesting he does 4i—>4h and 5i—>5h as any one I have talked to is usually 4i—>5h in the conversion. Maybe I need to consider two hybrids then and go 

 

driver, 3HL, 21° uw, 4h, 5h, 6i? Was originally just looking for something to gap between my uw and 5i bu two things. I rarely hit 5i for full shots and when I do in maybe goes 7 yards farther than my 6 unless I actually hit it flush. Maybe just be a better ball striker. lol. 

Edited July 21 by Rbsiedsc

[getitdaily]

16 minutes ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Interesting he does 4i—>4h and 5i—>5h as any one I have talked to is usually 4i—>5h in the conversion. Maybe I need to consider two hybrids then and go 

 

driver, 3HL, 21° uw, 4h, 5h, 6i? Was originally just looking for something to gap between my uw and 5i bu two things. I really hit 5i for full shots and when I do in maybe goes 7 yards farther than my 6 unless I actually hit it flush. 

You have to test them for gapping or it's just a crap shoot....

[Ty_Guy]

21 minutes ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Interesting he does 4i—>4h and 5i—>5h as any one I have talked to is usually 4i—>5h in the conversion. Maybe I need to consider two hybrids then and go 

 

driver, 3HL, 21° uw, 4h, 5h, 6i? Was originally just looking for something to gap between my uw and 5i bu two things. I really hit 5i for full shots and when I do in maybe goes 7 yards farther than my 6 unless I actually hit it flush. 

 

Keep in mind Ping G440 4 and 5 hybrids are a degree or two weaker than others. You really have to demo and try different lofts to be sure to match up your chosen carry gap. I have a 23 deg iron and see my same wanted carry number from a GT2 5h at 24 degrees. Just one degree weaker works for me to hit the same carry number. The real difference is in the ball height and its ability to land softly on a green. If I choose a driving iron, 23 degrees matches up very well too. Again, just different ball flights. My next strongest iron is 27 degrees, and that comfortably sits 10-15 yards behind any of the three choices (23 iron, 23 utility, or 24 hybrid).

 

I bet if I went with a lower spin hybrid like Taylormade's Tour line, I would need to look at 26 degrees. I also notice Callaway's are a bit "hotter" too. So both of those would be more inline with the 5h replaces 4i idea.

 

On the plus side, this makes for the easiest, black & white, fitting process imaginable. Seeking to get fit for a 205 carry, 100 foot apex, 4000+ spin club. Fitting like this is really where the process shines.

Edited July 21 by Ty_Guy

[Rbsiedsc]

1 hour ago, Ty_Guy said:

 

Keep in mind Ping G440 4 and 5 hybrids are a degree or two weaker than others. You really have to demo and try different lofts to be sure to match up your chosen carry gap. I have a 23 deg iron and see my same wanted carry number from a GT2 5h at 24 degrees. Just one degree weaker works for me to hit the same carry number. The real difference is in the ball height and its ability to land softly on a green. If I choose a driving iron, 23 degrees matches up very well too. Again, just different ball flights. My next strongest iron is 27 degrees, and that comfortably sits 10-15 yards behind any of the three choices (23 iron, 23 utility, or 24 hybrid).

 

I bet if I went with a lower spin hybrid like Taylormade's Tour line, I would need to look at 26 degrees. I also notice Callaway's are a bit "hotter" too. So both of those would be more inline with the 5h replaces 4i idea.

 

On the plus side, this makes for the easiest, black & white, fitting process imaginable. Seeking to get fit for a 205 carry, 100 foot apex, 4000+ spin club. Fitting like this is really where the process shines.

Thanks. I also noticed he cuts his down to iron length which also helps. 
 

your comment on Callaway helps. I wanted to take advantage of their 2x trade in and a 5h std might be a ticket to bridge the gap. 
 

edit: I should note my 4i is 22° so a 5h at 24°, maybe even lofted -1 should more than cover at least that distance gap. 

Edited July 21 by Rbsiedsc

[POKeefe]

I run my hybrids at 17-21-25 and my 6i at 28* if anyone is thinking through gapping. I've found 2-3* to be optimal from your last hybrid into your first iron.

[Ty_Guy]

4 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Thanks. I also noticed he cuts his down to iron length which also helps. 
 

your comment on Callaway helps. I wanted to take advantage of their 2x trade in and a 5h std might be a ticket to bridge the gap. 
 

edit: I should note my 4i is 22° so a 5h at 24°, maybe even lofted -1 should more than cover at least that distance gap. 

 

I have a Paradym 4h that is 21 degrees and a UW 21. I found both to go similar distances. They were in that 7w range where I would still need a 4i before getting down to 5i. I believe you are correct, for Callaway the 5h at 24 will be better suited to fill the gap after your UW 21. I've had luck with 1-2 degrees weaker to match iron distance, so maybe one setting stronger to get it to 23 degrees. 

 

What is your current UW21, 4i, and 5i carry numbers on well struck swings?

[Rbsiedsc]

3 hours ago, Ty_Guy said:

What is your current UW21, 4i, and 5i carry numbers on well struck swings?

Uw 215-220 but I usually mis hit it and it goes 195-205

 

4i carry about 195 and rolls to 200-205 but I rarely hit it and rarely strike it well

 

5i is 185 carry and I only rarely hit it well. 
 

per Shotscope my UW and 18° utility go similar total distances but get there different ways. 

Edited July 21 by Rbsiedsc

[Ty_Guy]

9 minutes ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Uw 215-220 but I usually mis hit it and it goes 195-205

 

4i carry about 195 and rolls to 200-205 but I rarely hit it and rarely strike it well

 

5i is 185 carry and I only rarely hit it well. 
 

per Shotscope my UW and 18° utility go similar total distances but get there different ways. 

I see the same out of my UW 21. I would also see that same carry range from a Paradym 4h. If you're looking at Callaway, I bet the 5h is going to give you ~195 carry.

 

Are you looking to replace both your 4 and 5i?

[redshirtgolfer]

I’ currently going 6i - 5h - 3h, but I end up hitting my 5h maybe once every three rounds. I can divide my drives in three categories. “Good” (230-260 yards, fairway), “ok” (200-230, not in deep rough) and “crap” (everything shorter 200 or far away from the fairway. The only reason I need my 5h is if I end up with an “ok” drive on two of our long par 4s. If I have a good drive, I can reach the green with a 7 or max 6 iron. If I have an “ok” drive, I need my 5h (on two par 4s). I have absolutely no business in reaching a green in regulation after a crappy drive, so that’s why I’ll through out 5h and 3h and replace by 4h and 5w. I need the 5w on a long uphill par 3 which I can’t reach with the 3h but 3w is too long, and the 4h will be for everything between an “ok” drive and recovery wedge after an absolute bullxxxx of a drive. 
 

Will keep you posted how it goes 😅

Edited July 21 by redshirtgolfer

[LeoLeo99]

I'm getting old and go 5w, 4h, 5h, 6h, 7h, 7i, 8i.  A few years ago when I still had some swing speed, I hooked hybrids wickedly and hated them.  Came back to them last year and now we're getting along well.  I'm having trouble holding greens with the 4h and 5h so I went to a spinnier ball.  

[speedeuphoria]

On 7/21/2025 at 9:27 AM, Rbsiedsc said:

Interesting he does 4i—>4h and 5i—>5h as any one I have talked to is usually 4i—>5h in the conversion. Maybe I need to consider two hybrids then and go 

 

driver, 3HL, 21° uw, 4h, 5h, 6i? Was originally just looking for something to gap between my uw and 5i bu two things. I rarely hit 5i for full shots and when I do in maybe goes 7 yards farther than my 6 unless I actually hit it flush. Maybe just be a better ball striker. lol. 

I also keep thinking of adding a 5hy to my 4hy then 5i. I can easily choke down an inch make a smooth swing with 4hy and take 15yards off soo that complicates it a bit. As of now Im thinking of 4hy @20(-1) stock length and adding 5hy @24 possibly shortening 1/2- 3/4" for gapping (220 4h hope 200 5hy)

Edited July 25 by speedeuphoria

[Bow Hunter]

I'm a scratch player 45 years old driver SS 103 MPH. I got a 7 wood and I love it so much, I'm considering a 9 wood to replace my 4 iron and maybe even a hybrid to replace my 5 iron. I can flush my 4-5 irons, but I just don't have the desired height and they don't fly well on miss hits.

[kyo-nax]

3 hours ago, Bow Hunter said:

I'm a scratch player 45 years old driver SS 103 MPH. I got a 7 wood and I love it so much, I'm considering a 9 wood to replace my 4 iron and maybe even a hybrid to replace my 5 iron. I can flush my 4-5 irons, but I just don't have the desired height and they don't fly well on miss hits.

Same age same ss but not a scratch, horrible putter. 
I went to GT2 7w and I love this thing. 
When I was at the shop, they had GT1 hybrid 23 and just out of curiosity I pulled it out of the rack. 
It looked just like GT2 but smaller. 
i ended up getting it, put in the AD-HY 85X I had and I ended up with a 9w that went the same height and 10-15 yard carry distance. 
Sound is definitely different but planning on putting a little bit of hotmelt in. 
 

I also went ahead and got the 26 for fun but GT1 23 is so fun to use for me and with very controllable distance , I probably could go 7W-23-6 iron and add a wedge but I like my set up right now so I plan on rotating the 26 with 5 iron (T350 bent to 25)

Edited July 23 by kyo-nax

[stimpmeterp]

Curious to know if the 5/7/9 wood crowd play mainly in non-windy conditions?

 

I’m a big proponent of hybrids for long iron replacement but here in coastal lowcountry, those high lofted woods drop moon bombs!

 

I never realized a 21° fairway metal would fly so much higher than a 21° hybrid until I started getting cozy with hybrids.

[jarediogolf]

1 hour ago, stimpmeterp said:

Curious to know if the 5/7/9 wood crowd play mainly in non-windy conditions?

 

I’m a big proponent of hybrids for long iron replacement but here in coastal lowcountry, those high lofted woods drop moon bombs!

 

I never realized a 21° fairway metal would fly so much higher than a 21° hybrid until I started getting cozy with hybrids.

I’m in South Florida which can be pretty windy. I just club up like any other club. If a 7 wood is gonna get chewed up in the wind I’ll hit a 5 wood. Same with 9, I’ll hit a 7 or 5 wood. 
 

I do have some steel shafted hybrids that cut through the wind nicely, but the woods are just straighter and less hooky so clubbing up is a good way to go. 

[animalgolfs]

10 hours ago, stimpmeterp said:

Curious to know if the 5/7/9 wood crowd play mainly in non-windy conditions?

 

I’m a big proponent of hybrids for long iron replacement but here in coastal lowcountry, those high lofted woods drop moon bombs!

 

I never realized a 21° fairway metal would fly so much higher than a 21° hybrid until I started getting cozy with hybrids.

Live in Oklahoma - 15mph is normal - 25mph isn't out of the question.

 

7w 9w 5h 6h - you learn to flight them down. 

[getitdaily]

18 hours ago, Bow Hunter said:

I'm a scratch player 45 years old driver SS 103 MPH. I got a 7 wood and I love it so much, I'm considering a 9 wood to replace my 4 iron and maybe even a hybrid to replace my 5 iron. I can flush my 4-5 irons, but I just don't have the desired height and they don't fly well on miss hits.

Im 47, +2, 107-109 driver ss.

 

I am doing the same with 4i for the same reason. Juat need more height. My 5i is fine.

[Ty_Guy]

12 hours ago, stimpmeterp said:

Curious to know if the 5/7/9 wood crowd play mainly in non-windy conditions?

 

I’m a big proponent of hybrids for long iron replacement but here in coastal lowcountry, those high lofted woods drop moon bombs!

 

I never realized a 21° fairway metal would fly so much higher than a 21° hybrid until I started getting cozy with hybrids.

 

I live in the Midlands of SC. When it gets windy here or I'm driving down to Hilton/Myrtle to play, I will bring a Callawy Apex UW and choose between 4i and 4u. I'll generally go lower lofted with the idea being a safe tee shot club. The Apex UW 19 is a good "all around" one, but the Apex UW 17 is hard to beat in a windy day with dry fairways. I'll also choose between 4i and 4u to see what I'm giving a more wanted trajectory.

 

If I can keep the apex below the loblolly pines, that's perfect. That's plus or minus 85 feet.

 

As more related to this topic, any of the lower spin 7w are a good option. Day to day, I've fallen in love with the GT2 7w. Though the Callaway TD 7w is a smidge hotter and about 20 feet lower. Taylormade's Tour 7w with the weight forward also preform the same. As stated earlier, Apex UW also fits the bill. Important to note all these "FW" heads have more of a hybrid shape to them.

 

Once I get into that 4i/5i spot, I go back to an iron focused bag, relying on total distance over carry. The 5h solution that is discussed here is all about better height and spin to hold a green. Somewhat of the opposite consideration in windy, links golf. A 5h will still happily play, as long as it is one of the more penetrating, lower spin heads--a tricky find at 24 degrees.

 

"Normal Bag"

D, Mini, 5w, GT2 7w, 4u, 6i-LW

 

"Windy Bag"

D, 17 UW, 5w or TD 7w, 23 UW, 4u, 5i-Lw

I can also go just Apex UW at 19 and 23 and keep the Mini driver, depending on if I choose 5w vs 7w.

 

The hardest conditions are windy with wet fairways. If that's the case, I modify my setup. Generally clubbing up and gripping down an inch. If I'm feeling crazy, I bring my single length 4i. I can hit that as high as I want and it is never going over 80 feet.

Edited July 24 by Ty_Guy

[SheriffBooth]

I stuck the 5h Sim 2 Max in the bag earlier this summer and haven't looked back.  Gaps are almost perfect now, with the 5-wood at 18*, the 4h at 22*, 5h at 25* and then the P790 6-iron at 26.5*.  Really the only concern right now is I don't have much that I can use to hit a really low shot - I've got a 2-iron that I might try alternating in with the 5-wood.  Added benefit for me is that, since I play my irons an inch long and a degree upright, the standard length and lie angles on the TaylorMade hybrids means I can play them stock and they blend seamlessly.

Edited July 24 by SheriffBooth

[getitdaily]

8 hours ago, SheriffBooth said:

I stuck the 5h Sim 2 Max in the bag earlier this summer and haven't looked back.  Gaps are almost perfect now, with the 5-wood at 18*, the 4h at 22*, 5h at 25* and then the P790 6-iron at 26.5*.  Really the only concern right now is I don't have much that I can use to hit a really low shot - I've got a 2-iron that I might try alternating in with the 5-wood.  Added benefit for me is that, since I play my irons an inch long and a degree upright, the standard length and lie angles on the TaylorMade hybrids means I can play them stock and they blend seamlessly.

That super low flighted shot is just something that has to be given up when you drop the 4i/5i. 

[DaveGoodrich]

1 hour ago, getitdaily said:

That super low flighted shot is just something that has to be given up when you drop the 4i/5i. 

 

I don't know.  I don't struggle hitting a low-flighted 23* (4) hybrid out from under tree branches, etc.  But I'm not a high speed guy (95 mph driver), so the extra spin helps that shot carry farther than a 4 iron "stinger" would, because it doesn't spin enough. I also use a small "players" hybrid (Adams pro mini) at iron length.  I think the shorter length helps make it easier to de-loft. 

[Rbsiedsc]

On 7/21/2025 at 2:57 PM, Ty_Guy said:

I see the same out of my UW 21. I would also see that same carry range from a Paradym 4h. If you're looking at Callaway, I bet the 5h is going to give you ~195 carry.

 

Are you looking to replace both your 4 and 5i?

Just 4i for now 

[getitdaily]

Mama mia...this 5h may make me wonder what took so long for.me to put it in the bag...

 

This thing is firing lasers. Perfect flight and just dead straight. Now I can see why @Obeewas popping sub 65 rounds with these things.

[Obee]

25 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

Mama mia...this 5h may make me wonder what took so long for.me to put it in the bag...

 

This thing is firing lasers. Perfect flight and just dead straight. Now I can see why @Obeewas popping sub 65 rounds with these things.

 

Because you mentioned it. 🙂

 

I will never forget this day. Best battle of my golf life. Shot 69, 68, 64 and still lost by one to an amazing player and friend.

 

[getitdaily]

1 hour ago, Obee said:

 

Because you mentioned it. 🙂

 

I will never forget this day. Best battle of my golf life. Shot 69, 68, 64 and still lost by one to an amazing player and friend.

 

I endeavor to match it my friend. 

 

And for some reason, I think a 5h will do it...lol.

 

Did go 68-67 last year in a 2day that solidified me starting a journey to better my swing.

[lefty74pgh]

I’ve getting older and have been trying to change the top of the bag.  I currently play AI SMoke TD *8, 15.75* TS2, Cally UW 19* and Adams Pro 20* hybrid.  I went to a few stores to hit some different setups and nothing has stood out.  I was thinking of going 13*, 18* 5 wood and 22* hybrid and eventually dropping the 5 iron and replace with a hybrid.

 

Hit some setups from 5 wood, 7 wood and 22* hybrids.  I tried mainly GT2/GT3 woods and hybrids and Elyte 5 wood and Qi35. Problem with me is high launch and high spin, so the 7 woods didn’t work and the 5 woods were similar to the UW, just a tad longer with the Elyte 5 wood. 

 

So the search continues.

[LBB]

On 7/1/2025 at 3:24 PM, CDLgolf said:

For me hybrids are better than irons. I use ping g30 4, 5 & 6 hybrids and I can't think of an instance where an iron would be better. 

 

Same here.  4/5/6 in cobra for me.  The instant I stopped pretending my mid to long iron game was any good the more consistent my 165-200 yard game became with hybrids.  

 

 

 

 

[wam78]

6 hours ago, getitdaily said:

Mama mia...this 5h may make me wonder what took so long for.me to put it in the bag...

 

This thing is firing lasers. Perfect flight and just dead straight. Now I can see why @Obeewas popping sub 65 rounds with these things.

Exactly how I felt as soon as it went in the bag.  So much more confidence from 200-210.