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The average loft of a 3-iron these days is about 20 to 21 degrees. The average loft of a 2-iron is about 17 to 18 degrees. By way of comparison, that's about 2 degrees steeper than they were about ten years ago. Back then, I used to still play a 1-iron and it was around 18 degrees.
An 18 degree hybrid more or less replaces a 2-iron and a good club length is around 41-inches, which is about 1.5 to 2 inches longer than a standard 2-iron. A 21 degree hybrid generally replaces a 3-iron and is usually cut about 1/2 to 1 inch shorter, (40" to 40 1/2").
To play them as you would their corresponding irons, simply choke down a bit. Play them at full-length when hitting off a tee or if you're looking for maximum distance from a fairway lie or light rough.
Choked down, you should be able to get at least as much distance as the corresponding iron though anywhere from 5 to as much as 15 yards more is common. Full length distance can be comparable to a 4-wood or 5-wood. Naturally, that all varies from player to player, but those numbers are about right.
-JP |