When learning how to use a rescue club in golf, you will also want to pour over specific details associated with what a rescue club is.
This is how you are going to use the rescue golf club properly and make sure it adds value to your game.
So, what is a rescue golf club?
A rescue golf club is designed as a hybrid golf club. It aims to work well in rough conditions because of its long, hollow head. This helps cut through the rough and still hit the ball straight with power.
Golfers use rescue golf clubs because it helps in those conditions. Instead of relying on a 2-iron or a 3-iron, it’s easier to implement a solution where the rescue golf club is going to work well.
This guide will show you more about what a rescue golf club does, how to swing with a rescue golf club, and why a rescue golf club is good.
What Is A Rescue Golf Club?
A rescue golf club or a hybrid golf club refers to a club designed to work well in rough conditions. It acts as a decent replacement when hitting a golf ball out of the rough due to its long, hollow head.
This eliminates shanking the golf ball because a rescue golf club is more forgiving.
Using a rescue golf club is an ideal option in these conditions. It helps simplify the game and helps improve the golfer’s score.
Pros Of A Rescue Golf Club
1. Help With Tricky Golf Shots
With the advantages of a rescue golf club, its most pertinent benefit comes down to the management of difficult shots.
It is not always going to be as simple as a flat surface where a 2-iron is going to get the job done.
Instead, you could end up in the rough where hitting the golf ball is a real challenge. You will need a forgiving rescue golf club to help you out.
Tricky golf shots do happen on a golf hole and it’s best to have a rescue golf club in your bag for these scenarios.
2. Good In The Rough
When looking at the benefits of a rescue golf club, you will realize it works wonders when you are playing out of the rough.
Using a rescue golf club in the rough is beneficial.
It will help you play a stroke in a straight line without having to fret about the golf ball veering off to one side.
This is a type of golf club that works well with the higher grass and/or uneven surface. You will feel more in control due to its long head. Replacing an iron with a rescue golf club makes sense when you are playing out of the rough.
3. Improved Ball Flight
Rescue clubs in golf will also help with your ball flight.
When you are hitting a golf ball out of the rough, it will become obvious the ball is not going to elevate as well as you want it to.
This is a common reason golfers don’t want to use a traditional golf club out of the rough. The ball flight is going to be minimized immediately.
The better option is to make sure you are using a rescue golf club as it will offer good ball flight immediately.
4. Forgiving
Rescue golf clubs are forgiving. The high forgiveness of a rescue club means you are not going to have as much of an issue hitting the golf ball in a straight line.
A lot of golfers struggle when it comes to maximizing how the ball is hit.
You will not have to fret about this as the golf ball is going to come out of the rough smoothly.
This is an integral detail when it comes to getting the golf ball to go where you want it to. Otherwise, a regular 2-iron is going to shank the ball out of the rough and it will be less forgiving.
Cons Of A Rescue Golf Club
1. Not Great In All Situations
The negatives of a rescue golf club start with the club not working well in flat conditions.
Does this mean it is impossible to swing with a rescue club in such situations? No, you can still hit the golf ball but it won’t be optimized for your game.
The advantages of a rescue club in golf will go out the window when the surface conditions are stable. You are better off taking out the 2-iron or the 3-iron to hit the golf ball.
You might want a bit more power or you will simply want to see a specific approach to the shot, which is not going to happen with the rescue golf club.
2. Requires Practice
It’s important to prepare when it comes to how you are hitting a golf ball.
The wrong approach is a serious concern as you will require practice with your golf shots. It is common for golfers to make this mistake because using a rescue golf club is not always easy.
You will want to take the time to practice hitting a golf ball with a rescue club. The more you do this, the more you are going to get the hang of it as time goes on.
How To Use A Rescue Golf Club
1. Use In Rough Conditions
To play with a rescue golf club, you will want to consider the overall conditions you are in.
Is the golf ball in the rough?
This is the perfect time to take out the rescue golf club and put it to the test. The long, hollow head of the rescue club is going to be useful in playing out of the rough.
You can also use it in other conditions where the surface is uneven and you are looking to get more ball flight out of the stroke.
The rescue golf club works well out of the rough and that’s where it should be used.
2. Keep The Ball Forward From Your Stance
When it comes to this golf club type, you also want to make sure to position your stance properly.
What does this mean?
Look at the golf ball and make sure you are slightly forward with your stance. This is going to make it easier to hit the ball squarely and get it to go in a straight line.
The more you open your stance, the better it will be to get the appropriate ball flight out of the rough with the rescue club.
If you are too behind the ball, you will hit it improperly leading to bad results out of the rough.
3. Remain Squared With The Ball
When hitting a golf ball with a rescue golf club, you will want to remain square to it.
This means having the golf ball in the middle of your legs when you are standing in front of it. This is how you are going to get the golf ball to go where you want it to.
If you are slightly back or slightly ahead of the golf ball, it is going to be difficult to time it. A lot of golfers make this error and it costs them.
4. Use A Descending Arc For Your Golf Swing
Hitting a rescue club off the ground means you have to analyze your swing’s arc.
Your swing with a rescue club has to be perfect. It’s the only way to get the golf ball to move in a straight line.
What arc should you use with a rescue golf club?
You should use a descending arc meaning you are driving the rescue club down and up into the ball. This is going to essentially “scoop” the ball into the air and then it will get out of the rough.
It’s not an easy shot to play but you will get the hang of it as time goes on.
How To Buy A Rescue Golf Club
1. Choose A Good Rescue Club Manufacturer
To buy a rescue club in golf, you will want to look at who is selling the rescue golf club beforehand.
The best part of buying rescue golf clubs is there are numerous options on the market. Each golf club manufacturer understands the importance of creating these hybrid golf clubs.
As a result, you will have quite a few to choose from.
Compare their features and then find out which one is going to work for your golf game.
2. Assess The Material
What material is the rescue golf club made from?
A good rescue golf club can be made of steel or graphite. This is going to differ in weight and how fluid the golf swing is.
As a result, you will want to know the pros and cons of each golf club type as soon as possible.
3. Don’t Settle For An Inferior Golf Club
When comparing rescue golf clubs, you have to understand settling for an inferior option is not the right way to go.
This is how you will end up with a golf club that does not work or feels odd in your hands.
A lot of people make this mistake.
You always want to set a high standard for which type of rescue golf club you are using when you are playing out of the rough.
What Is The Difference Between A Rescue And A Hybrid?
A rescue golf club is going to have a long, hollow head. In comparison, a hybrid is going to have a larger head. However, it’s important to note that rescue golf clubs are also termed as hybrids.
What’s The Difference Between A Fairway Wood And A Rescue Club?
The difference between a fairway wood and a rescue club comes down to the head’s size. the fairway wood’s size is going to be larger, while the rescue club is going to have a longer head that is smaller in size.
Can You Tee Off With A Rescue?
Yes, you can tee off with a rescue golf club. However, it is not recommended as it will not be the most optimal way to hit the golf ball. The best place to use a rescue golf club is when playing out of the rough.
How Do You Hit A Rescue Club Off The Ground?
To hit a rescue club off the ground, the goal is to have what is known as a descending arc. This means you are going to swing down and then up. This is when you “scoop” the ball as it will help elevate it as required.
What Clubs Do Rescues Replace?
Rescue clubs replace golf clubs depending on the shot being played.
It’s important to be aware of this when replacing a golf club with a rescue club. However, there are general standards that are in place for when you are playing with a rescue golf club.
The clubs that can be replaced with a rescue golf club include:
- 2 Iron
- 3 Iron
- 4 Iron
- 5 Iron
Keep this in mind when swapping a golf club for a rescue club. It will make it easier to see good results from your shot on the golf course.
Final Thoughts
What is a rescue golf club?
A rescue golf club or a hybrid refers to a specialized club that has a long, hollow head. This is designed to help play tricky golf shots out of the rough or in uneven conditions. This is often a replacement for the 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, or 5-iron.
It’s good to have this type of golf club in your bag when playing.
Getting a good golf iron is great but you will also want to think about getting a rescue golf club. It will make a difference to your game and provide peace of mind.
