It’s always fun to sneak a peek into a professional’s bag the week of a major championship.
Are they making changes? What’s coming in? What’s coming out?
Most weeks on the PGA Tour, there are minor changes. Maybe a 5-wood gets replaced by a 7-wood or someone experiments with a mini driver in place of a 3-wood or they change the bounce on their wedges.
When the Open Championship is being held at a place like Royal Portrush, those little tweaks start to carry a lot more weight.
One of the biggest questions in the long game setup this week is driving iron or hybrid?
Why this is even a debate
On paper, Royal Portrush is a classic links course with firm turf, coastal winds and plenty of bounce and roll. But while many links layouts reward the low-running shot that stays under the wind and hugs the ground, Royal Portrush presents a different kind of challenge.
Some of the greens at Portrush are more elevated and well-protected. That means pros aren’t just thinking about tee shots when they set up their golf bag. They’re also weighing how they’ll approach greens and whether the ball needs to fly high and stop quickly.
Suddenly, the low-launching, wind-cheating driving iron starts to feel like a double-edged sword. It’s perfect into the wind but what about downwind hole or long approach shots where a high, soft landing is the only option?
That’s the dilemma and it’s why plenty of players are making last-minute decisions this week.
Driving irons—the traditional links favorite
Driving irons are often the go-to choice for Open setups because they excel at keeping the ball flight down and under control.
With their smaller heads, lower lofts and penetrating launch, they’re built for firm turf and windy conditions. For strong ball strikers, they work well off the tee and can also be great as a punch-out or a run-up approach option to the green.
The driving iron also tends to spin less which helps keep the flight flat and predictable.
Driving irons require plenty of speed (which the pros have) to get airborne and can be tough to hit off the deck, especially when the turf is uneven or tight. At Royal Portrush, with those more demanding approach angles, some pros may decide the control trade-off just isn’t worth it.
Hybrids: Higher launch and more forgiveness
Hybrids offer a very different approach to the same challenge.
Where driving irons prioritize control and a piercing flight, hybrids give you height, spin and versatility. They are helpful when the ball needs to carry trouble or land softly on elevated greens.
The hybrid is generally easier to launch, easier to hit from the rough and more forgiving overall. For players who don’t generate tour-level ball speeds, a hybrid may give them a better chance of holding a firm green from 200-plus yards out.
Many top players can still flight a hybrid down or shape it into a wind but with the option of bringing it in high when needed.
How pros decide what to use
It’s not always a simple hybrid versus driving iron decision. Players will often test both early in the week and make their pick based on:
The wind forecast – Strong, consistent wind favors the driving iron. Swirling or mixed conditions may require greater versatility.
Course setup – Are the greens receptive or firm? Is there room to run the ball up or do they need to carry and stop it?
Comfort and confidence – Some players just trust the look and feel of one over the other. Familiarity often wins out.
Tee shot versus approach balance – Does the hole demand more control off the tee or more height into the green?
Some early-week rumors suggested a few players are already leaning one way or the other. Viktor Hovland appears likely to keep the driving iron in the bag. Collin Morikawa, on the other hand, may be looking for a bit more height and versatility, potentially opting for a higher-launching hybrid. Ben Griffin was seen testing hybrids on the range.
Final thoughts: What amateurs can learn from this
Most amateurs don’t think much about club swaps week to week. Watching what the pros do at The Open can teach you something important about how course conditions should influence your bag setup.
If you play in windy conditions or on firm courses, a driving iron might give you more control, especially if you have the speed to use it effectively. On the other hand, if you need help getting the ball in the air or want more options into long par-3s or tucked pins, a hybrid might be the better fit.
And maybe it’s not the driving iron versus hybrid for your game. Maybe it’s the 5-wood versus 3-hybrid or the driver coming out of the bag to be replaced with the mini driver. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer and even the best players in the world are still figuring it out.
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