3 Hybrid or 5 Wood?

[Javs]

11 hours ago, aguybadatgolf said:

I currently have a 3w and a 3H. I’ve heard a lot of positives about adding a 5W but I feel it would be similar in yardages to my 3H. Curious what people have to say. 
 

thanks! 

I carry a 3W for 230 plus, 2H for 216 to 228, 4H for 200 to 212, and 5H for 188 to 199. The distances can vary depending on wind, temp and lie. However, I find this the perfect set up for my game. 

[Jackbus75]

I play a 5W over a 3 hybrid.  I also have a 3 hybrid in my bag and I use it for a "Texas Wedge" for putting off the green and also for low shots to get out of trouble.  The 5W is easier to hit.  

[funkyjudge]

5 minutes ago, Javs said:

I carry a 3W for 230 plus, 2H for 216 to 228, 4H for 200 to 212, and 5H for 188 to 199. The distances can vary depending on wind, temp and lie. However, I find this the perfect set up for my game. 

For me, it’s a 4-wood for 230-245 yards (for some courses where there are shorter par 4 holes and no really long par 5s, I drop the 4w and set my 5w to 18* and use that for 218-230 yards). The next club in my bag always has 21* of loft (either a 7w paired with the 4w, or a 4h paired with the 5w), and then either a 24* 5h or a 5-iron. These combinations cover everything from 180 to 215 yards.

[golferdon]

How about putting your 3 wood shaft in your 5 wood?  Anyone try that?

[higherplane]

Personally switched from 5 wood to 3H.  Was hitting the 5 wood to close to the 3 wood.  The modern 3H is a great club and more versatile than 5W.   For me it also gaps consistently between 4 iron and 3W.  However, when I was a worse golfer loved the 5W.           

[Beakbryce]

Looks like you have some answers. The courses you play- heavy rough, windy, favors lower running shots- go hybrid. Little rough, wind, need to get the ball up, go 5 wood. Personally, a smallish head 5 wood does the rough just as well as a hybrid. You can also learn to knock it down in the wind. 

But why choose one or the other? Have both and put one in the bag depending on the conditions and the course. 

[Kris G]

Last year, I played a 3 hybrid and a 3 iron. I struggled with both. I always felt like I was fidgeting to get the club face square with the hybrid. I went for a fitting and hit the hybrid and the 5 wood. I decided to go with the 5 wood and could not be happier. I can hit it off of the tee and in the fairway with no issues. If the rough is too thick, I am hitting an iron no matter what I have in my bag. I don't have an issue playing the 5 wood out of moderate rough.

[Golfnut80]

Big fan of the 3H. Very versitile club, forgiving and can really crank it with no fear. I don't hit woods off the deck that great, I don't carry a 3w either, use a 2 h (16degree). Love it's forgiveness. 

[dback]

My distances have been really similar for both but I have find more consistency with the 3 hybrid. 3 hybrid (use to be an older 2 hybrid in previous years) has found the permanent spot in the bag though.

• Hits out of the rough better, though I have found I hit it almost exclusively off the tee. But when the driver isn't working, it gets pulled a lot
• 5w tends to balloon on me and that leads to a lack of consistency. Now I'm admittedly a pretty steep swinger, so I don't need help adding spin
• When hitting both well, carry numbers are really similar but 3h gets more roll out.

[Deadwalleye]

Ive got both, but the 5 wood sits in the closet.  
The hybrid is easier to hit, plus I find I can use the 3 hybrid for low, keep it out of the tree branches (get out of jail) types of shots.
(Trees should be banned on golf courses!)  I have also been able to use if for some interesting chips around the green.
 

[hapx]

I think the 3 hybrid is more versatile, particularly much better out of the rough, and in my experience, a little easier to hit.  But if you are always in the fairway ....

[rslighjr]

For me the decision comes down to how well you strike the ball with each. Some of us just don’t hit hybrids well and will do better with 5, 7 and even 9 woods.

[TalkBirdie2Me]

IMO the only thing to add to your bag is equipment that's proven to be a benefit. Don't add it just because it sounds good. Put it through it's paces and make it prove it's worth. Something to consider is what need is the club completing in your bag.

That being said, as a 20 handicap you might not even need to focus on a 5W. I would suggest for you that at your lvl right now, of your practice time 60% of your time should be focused on shots @ or less than 150 yrds with various clubs. One summer I spent DAYS just figuring out how far every club goes with a 3/4 swing. I tried to make a swing that I could easily repeat under pressure and see what happens - 30% is the driver, you have to get off the tee box. Don't be afraid of it just figure it out - 10% is lag putting, understand feel for green speeds and begin making 2 putts more common than 3 putts. It could be just the courses I play or the tees I choose, but rarely do I have to hit DR, 3W or DR, 3H on par 4s. On Par 5s I'm looking for a distance for my 3rd so maybe 3W is the 2nd shot or maybe 5i is the best.

Whatever you choose, good luck to you mate.

[Willie T]

Pretty much in the 3h camp - primary bag has 3w set @ 14.5 and 3h @ 19.  Have a 5w that do occasionally game, but I am really comfortable w/3h - tee, fairway, rough, chip/putts…very, very versatile to me.  Also the smaller head I prefer.  

[onesipwonder]

5 Wood supposed to be a lot easier to hit. In my case, I can't hit my 3 Wood (G400), recently bought STZ 5 Wood, still can't it launch LOL. So honestly not sure what is better. 

[JeremyD]

I think this all comes down to what you feel comfortable hitting. If you have and hit a hybrid better already than your 3W, then I'd lean towards the hybrid, and vice versa. Personally, I'd lean towards the 5W.. I love my old 19 degree Cleveland 2 hybrid, which I believe are now 3 hybrids at that loft. I figured I could hit a 4 hybrid to replace my 4 iron, but I have gone through two different 4 hybrids and can't hit them. If I didn't have my 2 hybrid, I'd get a 5W. Just my experience.

[aguybadatgolf]

Thanks all for the feedback. There’s a lot to consider. Sounds like I need to go to a launch monitor and hit a 5W and see how it compares. I’m just now hitting my 3w consistently but I’ve always been decent with a hybrid curious to see the comparison. 

Edited May 19, 2023 by aguybadatgolf

[tannergooden5]

I prefer the 3H personally, but whatever you are more comfortable with is always the better option.

[aplynam]

3 hybrid 

[Glenmore5]

I feel the secret is to get fitted...that is the impetus needed to get YOUR game done......comments are fantastic...with a variety of handicaps on show.

[Hendu33]

I prefer my 3 hybrid. I recently bought a 5wood but I think the hybrid is more versatile.

its easier to hit from uneven lies.

[Dweed]

You just have to try both to see how they work for you. In my case the 5 wood and 3H are pretty close to the same distance. I hit the 3H much lower and distance comes from runout. I find the 5W much easier and more fun to hit.  60% of the time I'll take my 5W unless...I know the winds will be blowing 20mph or more, then I'll opt for the 3H. Ultimately do what feels comfortable to you. 

[Drew Simerl]

I play with a 5W being it's easier to hit than a 3W at 71.  My 5W carries further for me than a 3H

[Djgolf24]

5 Wood all day long

[Ayay091]

I use a 3W, 2H and a 4H adjusted slightly down and then 5I is my next struggle with my 3W for so long that i never considered a 5W the 2H was filling the gap. Starting to lose my fear of hitting my 3W that I'd consider a 5W now if I already had one to try.

My 2H, 4H is so versatile for off the tee long par 3's short Par 4's and bumps around the green feel like it is way more forgiving than I would guess a 3I or 2I.

Really would like to get more data and swings as to what would suit whether I should put a 5W in instead of one of the Hybrids especially around my course here in Brissy QLD.

 

[FallenSaber]

I carry a 3w and a 4h. I've considered adding a 3h to my bag. My hybrids are usually my favorite, most consistent clubs. Not the biggest fan of hitting a wood off the deck unless I'm too far out for my hybrid. My 3w is mainly a driver alternative for me.

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[Jimmy Foret]

I like the 5 Wood out of the fairway . Callaway

[NoRebound]

My ball flight is on the higher side and I don't play many courses with really deep rough so my fitter suggested the 3 hybrid.  It's one of the easiest clubs in my bag to hit and I've learned to control my ball flight much better than before.  I've considered a 5 wood or even a 7 wood for my next set but I might only use those on courses with deeper rough.

[Caddie1966]

I play 15 degree 3 wood and 19 degree 3 hybrid.  I can hit the 3 wood higher than the hybrid as I have the hybrid set as open as I can get it which de-lofts the club as I fight a hook with the hybrids.  If I went 5 wood, it would have to be one I could hit the same distance as the 3h and give me some versatility.

[adiogolf]

I've been rebuilding my bag over the last year. Always played a 3-hybrid during my time in high-school and college golf, didn't use it often but appreciated the versatility it provided in deep rough situations. Now, i've become way more fond of a 5-wood in place of the 3-H. My launch angle is slighter higher, adds more spin and provides a softer and steeper descent into the greens to stop close. This is incredibly beneficial to me in long par-5 situations. Hope this helps your decision. 

~Go Low & Stay Low.