9 Iron Vs. 2 Hybrid Comparison Overview
A 9 iron isn’t typically compared to a 2 hybrid. After all, the hybrid and iron replacement chart is pretty intuitive; you simply replace the numbered iron with the corresponding numbered hybrid. We like to have fun though.
Besides, you may be wondering what the merits of these clubs are so you can decide whether or not to keep them in your bag.
Our experiments roll on as we pit a 9 iron against a 2 hybrid to see just what benefits they offer to the everyday golfer.
9 Iron Overview
9 irons are known for their towering height and are typically used on short approaches when you need to get a lot of loft behind the shot.
Right off the bat, a 9 iron plays shorter (and is shorter) than a 2 hybrid. On average, you will get about 120 yards max out of your 9 iron – and that’s if it’s a decent one and you have a moderate swing speed.
You would use your 9 iron a lot like you would use your pitching wedge – to pop the ball up onto the green.
It’s a great club for landing easy birdies and as you get better with it, you’ll find that it makes all your putts easier.
We really liked the 9 iron we tested. It had plenty of pop and landed the ball nice and soft on the green.
2 Hybrid Overview
The 2 hybrid is a perfect club to have in the bag in place of a driver. It gives you comparable distance but with a lot more forgiveness.
In fact, some of the testers in our party don’t even carry a driver in their bags anymore since they replaced them with a 2 or 1 hybrid.
This is a really fun club when you wanna unleash a full swing on a par 5.
The 2 hybrid is also a decent club to use off the deck as well. They produce low, piercing shot trajectories and keep spin down.
Of course, the 2 hybrid is more forgiving than a long 2 iron but it will have a longer shaft than a 9 iron.
We feel that both the 9 iron and 2 hybrid have a place in the bags of beginners and high handicappers.
Though they are used in different situations, it would be advisable to learn both clubs.
9 Iron Quick Facts
Category – Short Iron
When To Use: From Fairway, Rough, Bunker On Approach
Average Distance: 120
Longer Hitter: 140
Shorter Hitter: 105
Typical Loft: 41-43 Degrees
Club Importance: 97/100
2 Hybrid Quick Facts
Category – Hybrid – Long Club
When To Use: From Fairway, Light-Heavy Rough, Tee
Average Distance: 190
Longer Hitter: 210
Shorter Hitter: 175
Typical Loft: 18 Degrees
Club Importance: 91/100
9 Iron Overview & First Impressions
When we tested a 9 iron against a 7 iron we were disoriented because we tested the 7 first. The shorter shaft and altered stance takes some getting used to.
When you need a higher loft than a 7 or 8 iron and on approaches within 120 yards, the 9 iron is an excellent.
If you’ve tried a 9 iron before without much success, it may have been a forged, players irons but don’t worry, the 9 iron also comes in a game improvement form which is focused on allowing beginners and high handicappers more forgiveness and consistency.
It’s also not surprising to see a pros ball land on the green and then spin off in a different direction as the better player has been able to add considerable spin to the ball thanks to the generous loft.
Because the 9 iron has a sharper leading edge, it can cut through the rough easily and is excellent if you do find yourself in trouble.
However, if you want easier putts, you will need to get familiar with the 9 iron. It offers robust spin control – just get used to the typically heavier head.
One Iron Down – 8 Iron
An 8 iron will cover an average of 130 yards and might not get used too often depending on what your swing speed is like.
One Iron Down – Pitching Wedge
The pitching wedge is even more generously lofted, workable and is used for distances just around the ground. Better players will be able to send the ball straight up into the sky.
2 Hybrid Overview & First Impressions
At an average hitting distance of 200 yards, the 2 Hybrid is one of the longest clubs in the game.
As the name suggests, a hybrid tries to mix the precision and consistently straight shots of an iron with the distance of a fairway wood.
The result has been a huge surge in popularity for clubs like the 2 Hybrid.
Most golfers will still carry a 3 wood and a 5 wood and the 2 Hybrid has a similar range to the 3 or 4 Wood.
If you are one of the many golfers who hits longer straighter shots with a hybrid than with a wood, a 2 hybrid will be an excellent club to carry.
The sharp leading edge on the hybrid can interact well with the turf and that makes the hybrid a ‘Rescue’ club from the rough.
If you tend to end up in the the rough off the tee, the 2 hybrid can be an excellent way to turn around a bad lie for your second shot.
The hybrid will sacrifice some of the workability of the 4 wood but it is perfect to hit straight consistently from the fairway.
One Club Up – 3 Hybrid
The three hybrid is very similar to the 2 hybrid but it has more degrees of loft and finds its way into more golf bags. The 3 hybrid hits at a more advantageous distance to match with a 3 and 5 wood than a 2 hybrid.
One Club Down – 5 Wood
The 5 Wood would be a similar but slightly shorter club distance than the 2 hybrid. The 5 wood has a bigger head and is blunter in terms of precision than they hybrid, which can achieve more precise targeting with less work ability.
9 Iron Selling Points
- Good control
- Good feedback
- Good for hilly courses
- Very precise
- Good from rough or bunker
- Promotes accuracy
2 Hybrid Selling Points
- Excellent From The Rough
- Easy Launching
- Straight Shots Consistently
- Hits On Average 200 Yards
- Precise Targetting
Who Are 9 Irons For?
Speaking objectively, 9 irons will be more useful to advanced players who can cover most of the fairway in one or two strokes on shorter par 5’s.
They are most helpful on short approaches and can really help out when you’re facing down a hilly or particularly fast green
Again though, no matter what your skill set as a golfer currently is, this is a club you will need to learn.
A 9 Iron to Check Out – Taylormade SIM2
We really liked the forgiveness of this 9 iron. It has a lot of pop too which is really what you want from your 9 iron.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 96/100
Feel & Control: 95/100
Forgiveness: 92/100
Overall Score: 96/100
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Who Are 2 Hybrids For?
If you are someone that hits your hybrids better than your woods, you should consider testing and carrying a 2 Hybrid instead.
If you end up in a bit of trouble off the tee quite often, the 2 Hybrid is a rescue club that get you out of trouble.
The club interacts excellently with the turf and it produces straight shots more consistently than woods for many golfers.
Hybrids are used by a lot of pros these days but the high handicapper can find the most utility from them with their consistent straightness.
The Hybrid is a very resourceful and useful clubs, if you have room for it in your 14 clubs, it is sure to coming out of the bag quite often.
Our Favorite 2 Hybrid – Taylormade Sim 2 Max
If you are talking about top quality in Hybrids, look no further than Taylormade.
This clubs look more like racing cars and they have the performance to match.
The Sim 2 Max, is extremely forgiving, long and it allows for high launch angles easily.
Distance: 96/100
Accuracy: 94/100
Forgiveness: 95/100
Feel and Control: 92/100
Overall Score: 94/100
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