9 Iron Vs. 4 Hybrid Comparison Overview
We tested a 9 iron and a 4 hybrid against one another and we will be going over our findings in the following overview article.
However, the reader should note here and now that there is really no comparison between these 2 clubs.
They are both vital to your development as a player and at the end of the day, we would recommend having both in the bag.
This runs doubly true if you’re a beginner or high handicap player.
9 Iron Overview
The 9 iron is the club that will benefit your short game. Learning how to work a 9 iron will help you hold on to more greens and score lower.
Right off the bat, there’s really no getting around using a 9 iron at some point. While some would argue that you can replace a 9 iron with a 9 hybrid, you lose a lot of control with a 9 hybrid.
And when you’re that close to the pin, you need all the control you can get.
The 9 iron we tested delivered excellent apex height for us. We were also able to traverse treacherous slopes around the green nimbly with the towering height that our 9 iron was producing.
On average, we were getting about 110 yards total distance out of it.
4 Hybrid Overview
There is a very good reason that the mid hybrids are the most commonly seen on the PGA Tour and your local club.
That’s because this is an incredibly versatile club. We were pulling out our 4 hybrid for long approaches off the deck, when we found ourselves in the rough and when we needed to cover a distance up to 180 yards.
A 4 hybrid is not only a good replacement for a 4 iron; it works great as a rescue club as well. The squat head shape makes it ideal for sweeping the ball up out of tall rough.
The 4 hybrid we tested was also very lightweight so it was comfortable for pretty much everyone in our testing party.
However, it should be noted that the players in our testing party with fast swing speeds were actually getting about 5 yards extra distance with a 4 iron compared to the 4 hybrid.
The 4 hybrid is great for beginners to low handicap players while the 9 iron is just an essential club any way you look at it.
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.
4 Hybrid First Impressions
A 4 Hybrid is an alternative to a long iron which many beginners struggle to hit.
As the name suggests the Hybrid mixes the large head of the fairway wood with the undercut and large face of the iron and the result is consistently straight, long and high shots which are high arching.
The 4 Hybrid is incredibly popular these days and it’s even solid off the tee if you could believe it, it’s extremely versatile and exceptional and getting the ball out of the rough consistently.
the 4 Hybrid very forgiving overall due to it’s large sweet spot and produced very high launch angles.
One Hybrid Down – 3 Hybrid
The 3 hybrid will be a good club to have for long fairway shots. The generous loft will also make it easier to stay on fast greens. A 3 iron can also be useful off the tee on shorter holes.
One Hybrid Down – 5 Hybrid
The 5 hybrid is also very popular as part of beginner sets and with pros alike. It has a shorter and higher flight than the 4 hybrid.
9 Iron Selling Points
- Good control
- Good feedback
- Good for hilly courses
- Very precise
- Good from rough or bunker
- Promotes accuracy
Benefits of Using a 4 Hybrid
- Long and forgiving club
- Better distance control
- Consistently straight shots
- High launch angles
- Can be used from the tee
- Good distance
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 4 Hybrids Good for?
If you are looking for a club to use strictly for long fairway shots and approaches, you may want to consider a 4 hybrid.
The 4 hybrid is also great if you are someone that tens to end up in the rough off the tee due to the sharp edge’s ability to get you out of trouble effortlessly.
In general, 4 hybrids play a few yards longer than 4 irons on approaches whether you are a low or high handicap player.
Better players will also get good performance from this type of hybrid from the tee.
A Good 4 Hybrid to Check Out – Cleveland Launcher XL Halo 4 Hybrid
What we liked right off the bat about this 4 hybrid was the massive head. You get the look and feel of a driver with the forgiveness and launch of a hybrid.
The Launcher XL Halo 4 Hybrid also features 3 bottom rails that help stabilize the head when your chopping through gritty rough so it made for a pretty good rescue hybrid as well.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 92/100
Feel and Control: 91/100
Forgiveness: 93/100
Overall Rating: 92/100
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