There's a lot of variables here. Your age and your conditioning will have the largest impact on being able to use long irons in the future. For the rest of us - time marches on. Your options for long CB irons includes replacing them (based on Trackman data) with AP3, T-MB, and/or Hybrids. Even someone like Jordan Spieth uses a driving iron (rotates a 712U with a T-MB). Without a dramatic increase of length, these products can add launch/descent angle to hold greens better if your long irons come in too shallow. I wouldn't worry about using the best tool for the job. No shame in not using the 3/4 irons.

I changed over to the hybrids with the 910H and have not looked back. The longest iron I carry in my bag now is the five iron (716AP1). I have three hybrids, 816H 16.0*, 816H 20.0* and 913H 24.0*.... at the age of 71, I also dropped my 15* fairway. Yes I lost 5-10 yards with the loss of the fairway, but the accuracy more than compensated the loss......and I have no intentions of going back to long irons.....now that I have all my clubs dialed in with my yardages.....no need

Good question! I went through your situation a few years ago. What I discovered was that I only missed the 3 or 4 iron when it was really windy and I wanted to keep the ball flight low. I live in Northern California and it doesn't get really windy very often so I went with the hybrids and left the 4 iron in the trunk for windy days. You didn't say where you live, but if you live in a windy area such as Texas or Scotland, then I'd say stick with the irons, if not, give the hybrids a try. I love my 915 20 and 24 degree hybrids-high ball flight and accurate, great for approach shots. Good luck to you!

Definitely a personal choice thing. I gave up long irons years ago. Two fairway woods and two hybrids. 6 iron - PW. Never looked back.

Switch to the Hybrid. I switched my 3 iron and 4 iron our into hybrids and have never looked back. I use to hit the long irons well and after talking to one of the Titleist fitters during a fitting day and Mr Trackman I was convinced. The Titleist hybrids are so easy to hit and accurate. I've noticed hybrids in tour players bags as well.

Hi Alex
I have both in my bag. However after a recent purchase of a Titleist 712U hybrid 3 iron I have dropped the 20°hybrid out of the bag. I found that I can control the iron much better and as for the swing, I pretty much keep the same swing, approach and confidence with hybrids(swing it like an iron). My personal experience with hybrids is a bit rollercoaster style either good or bad but not consistent, when you hit right it's soars with great height and at around 200yds however for me it was a little unforgiving with a tendency to slice(possibly my swing) however since my purchase of the 712u I'm a new man with so much more confidence. Yesterday I took it from the tee on most par 4's and 5's and it was used more than any other club bar the putter. Give them a try, best way to judge is by smashing balls on the course. And good luck
Hc-18
Home course Garesfield GC
UK

I would not be afraid of switching to a hybrid. You can still hit them low if you need to but you also get that high soft landing shot into the green when you want it. I have an H1 and H2 in use and am very happy with both.

Get fitted... When i got fitted a few years ago we did a comparison between the 716 AP1 4 & 5 irons and the 816 Hybrids. Numbers were better with the hybrids so went with that.. IMO, they're so easy to hit..

But find a titleist thursday and go from there..

Hey Alex, I think it depends on the courses you play and the shots you want to hit.

1) Case for Long Irons: you play in heavy winds where you need to keep your ball flight lower to cut through the wind. in my opinion a lot easier to work the ball left to right or right to left. easier to flight the ball. Or your a traditionalist. :), lol.

2) Case for Hybrids: you want your shots to come in a little higher and softer. in my opinion a lot easier to hit which in turn breeds confidence.

I've weighed the options myself and in the future am going to add 2 hybrids to replace my long irons. I also looked at the T-MB's as well, they are without a doubt the best long irons I've ever hit. The hybrids beat out the T-MB's by the slimmest of margins.

Hope this helps a little.

Josh

I didn't have that concern, but, my main concern was making the game easier for me. There are, also, plenty of more forgiving options than 695CB long irons. Any of the AP series long irons (or TMB's) will be more forgiving.

id go with the hybrids for sure. even the best players in the world play hybrids for their 3 iron and similar clubs. There is nothing wrong with using hybrids, especially with how good the new 818 is

It's very player specific, I have a couple hybrids and a long iron however I would pick my hybrids all day long if I had to keep one. I personally find hybrids a lot friendlier and easier to hit but that is just down to the abilities of the player. Hybrids can be very versatile and friendly!! But there is the odd occasion where a lower flighted iron would be ideal. You just have to weigh up the pros and cons and take what is best for your game. Leave the ego of hitting a long iron behind and go with what will improve your game!!

Thank you all for the advice!

I have decided to order an 816h1 4h to try out.

Cheers,
Alex