Hybrid golf clubs have grown in popularity among golfers all over the world in recent years. Hybrids may exceed fairway woods and regular irons in distance and accuracy, altering the way golfers play. Most significantly, hybrids are easier to hit than standard long irons. This means that more people can enjoy the game. The first hybrid club was invented by David Leadbetter in 1990. Since then, many other lead designers have followed with more advanced versions being produced today. While they were originally used as an alternative to traditional long irons for greater distance, hybrids are now played by many top professional golfers. The name "hybrid" comes from the fact that these clubs combine characteristics of both woods and irons. They have a head similar to that of a wood, but are thinner at the face and thicker toward the back of the head. These differences allow the club to have a larger hitting surface while still fitting into the bag with the rest of the set. Due to their size, hybrids do not come in degrees like normal irons. Instead, the loft determines how far away the ball will be when struck. There are two types of hybrids: those with a fixed loft angle and those that can be adjusted after installation in order to find the right fit for your swing. Fixed-loft hybrids are available in between 15 degrees and 20 degrees; this is usually enough range to suit most players.