Ball position and lie angle of the hybrid: 3 settings
Do your hybrids fly straight, hit it thin, or hook it? Mark Crossfield describes a very common issue: the ball is positioned too far forward, hands are too far back, and the grip is too loose. He corrects this with three adjustments to your setup, then asks you to take a full swing—not just a little wedge shot.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Mark Crossfield often sees the hybrid ball in front of the big toe of the front foot, with the grip positioned too far back. This results in a swing path that rises too much: the ball is struck with the bottom of the clubface, leading to tops, thin shots, and low shots. He pulls the ball back two or three inches (5 to 8 cm) inside the front heel and move the handle forward at least to the height of the ball before grabbing his grip. Otherwise, holding the racket too far back exposes more of the knuckles and weakens your grip: a weak grip, a racket held too far back, and the ball positioned too far forward are a trio that leads to a topspin shot.
Third setting: the lie. Hybrids are fairly straight; if the grip is too low, the clubhead rises, the loft shifts to the left, and the ball curves to the left, while the sweet spot moves above the ball. You hold it a little higher, tip barely lifted. Finally, it takes intention: not a little swing with a 9-iron, but a full shoulder rotation and a back knee that touches the front knee as it crosses over.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Move the ball back between the middle of your foot and the ball of your foot, usually two to three inches inside the ball of your foot.
- Move the grip forward so that it is at least level with the ball, with the clubhead behind it.
- Only then should you take your grip, with your usual number of visible knuckles.
- Stand up a little straighter, with the tip of the club barely off the ground.
- Keep your stance wide enough to turn while maintaining your balance.
- During the backswing, rotate your shoulders fully: your front shoulder should pass under your chin.
- Begin the crossover: the back knee touches the front knee.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- The ball of the foot in front of the big toe of the front foot.
- A backhand stroke to try to lift the ball.
- Use the hands-back grip, which weakens it.
- Grip too low and clubhead up: ball to the left, low contact on the clubface.
- A short wedge swing with the club face slightly open: the ball drops quickly.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Compare "toe up," "toe slightly up," and "sole flat"
- Ball two or three inches from the front heel, grip at ball height
- One series at normal speed, one at full speed
- Look for light contact with the grass, or even a faint mark
Your Questions
Why do my hybrids veer to the left?
Mark Crossfield points the clubhead. If the grip is too low, the clubhead rises and the loft shifts to the left. Stand a little taller, with the clubhead barely off the ground.
What is the connection between hand position and grip?
If you hold the ball in front and your hands behind, you’ll see more of your knuckles and weaken your grip without meaning to. First, position the handle in front, then take your grip.
Should the hybrid touch the grass?
Yes, a slight mark or a small divot is a good sign. You need to open the clubface a little to make contact with the ball higher up on the clubface, rather than hitting it with the bottom of the club.
Can the lie be used to vary your shots?
Yes. Mark Crossfield sometimes sets his hybrid club flat on the ground while standing tall, for softer shots that curve from left to right around a tree, much like you would with a wedge’s lie angle.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Mark Crossfield). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.