5 Wood or Hybrid, which do you prefer?

[Woody1959]

I went from a 5 wood to a 3 hybrid. I needed a club to hit out of the rough and the 5 wood wouldn’t do it. 3 hybrid does it and I can hit the 3 hybrid out of the fairways as well.

[arodrig29]

Personally, I carry a 25 hybrid in place of my 5 iron, a 22 hybrid in place of my 4 iron and a 18.5* (5) wood. 

[FightingScot82]

I actually just worked through this exact question this summer. I was replacing my fairways and did some thinking. More often than not, when I need that long of a club I'm usually in the rough or in a situation where the hybrid is the better choice. Hybrids are easier to hit out of the rough and fairways are better for just that. You have to be honest with yourself and think about where most of your long shots are being taken. So I ended up ditching the 5 wood for a 3 hybrid. I'm only getting older so I've also started researching 5 hybrids because I feel like I can't hit my 5 like I used to. A lot of us just don't want to admit that we probably should be playing more forgiving clubs.

[arodrig29]

10 minutes ago, FightingScot82 said:

I actually just worked through this exact question this summer. I was replacing my fairways and did some thinking. More often than not, when I need that long of a club I'm usually in the rough or in a situation where the hybrid is the better choice. Hybrids are easier to hit out of the rough and fairways are better for just that. You have to be honest with yourself and think about where most of your long shots are being taken. So I ended up ditching the 5 wood for a 3 hybrid. I'm only getting older so I've also started researching 5 hybrids because I feel like I can't hit my 5 like I used to. A lot of us just don't want to admit that we probably should be playing more forgiving clubs.

Exactly my thought process. In my fitting with PXG the hybrid option was just a better direction for me. I will say that at time, and I mean not very often, I can hit my 22* hybrid with a much lower ball flight which can be tough with holding greens. 

[mtaxter]

For the last four years I've gamed the Callaway Super Hybrids vs. their ( or anybody elses) fairways. The Supers are built with face and body materials like their drivers which fairways are not - this is a big factor for me. I played the Epic Super Hybrids first. I have a set of 2/16 degree, 3/18 degree and 4/ 21 degree Paradym Super Hybrids now. I find these far more versitile and easier to hit than a fairway metal. They fly a bit higher with less spin. I adjust the first two to 15,19 degrees respectively to mimic a 3 and 5 "fairway" and the 4 hybrid is my "4" iron". I have a particular dogleg left par 5 that the 2 is ideal for driving and the next shot and a long par 3 that either the 2 or 3 are perfect off the tee. Any of them are perfect for the other par 5s second shot.

[Dbldips]

I carry both, 3 hybrids and the 5 wood. I know that's a lot of head covers but I need them all. The 3rd hybrid was added this spring it's a Ping 30* which replaced my 6 iron. I don't carry a 3 wood. 

[CrazyGolfNut]

I tend to hook hybrids much more than fairway woods so my choice is a fairway wood.  Wish I would have purchased a G410 7 wood when I purchased my 3 & 5 woods.  I prefer my woods to match.

[Arbee456]

I prefer the more penetrating flight of my 5W, as opposed to the higher flight of my 3H, which tends to sail in the wind.

[Donn lost in San Diego]

Both.  3w, 5w, driving iron, 5h, 6i.  I use the driving iron as my rescue/punch a lot.  I live under the trees and bushes, never go near the fairway!  No pure iron lower than 6.  Actually, my course has little rough, lots of use of 5 wood off the fairway and in good lie.  Horses for courses.  I switch when on a course with normal grass rough, I have a 2nd higher loft 24 degree driving iron that goes in and the 3w or 5w or 5h will come out.  Both driving irons are Mizuno, nice clubs.

[sglj3]

For my eye and ease of consistency I have been using a 4H or 5H instead of a 5W

[Ian Toynbee]

My major (present) conundrum. I'm a hybrid fan, gaming a 19, 22, 24 and 28-degree hybrids before going to 7 iron etc.

At the other end I have Driver and (older) 16-degree 3 wood that has its moments. 

I've tried a variety of 19-degree hybrids but there is nothing there that I would sleep with so I'm on the verge of updating 3 wood (14/15 Degree) and slipping a 18/19 degree 5 wood  in bag.

I'd be very interested in comments on 3 and 5 woods. Tending towards Ping 425 5-wood (have Ping irons and Driver) but open to anything (Xxio?)  

[I miss, I miss, I make]

BOTH.  As a well seasoned senior a 3 wood from the fairway is useless so I have a 5 wood as my club of choice.  I then have hybrids to replace my 3 and 4 irons.  Even on TOUR 7 woods are not uncommon.  At my last fitting about 9 months back my driver swing speed was low 90's so I am not a complete hack and I still can break 80 as often as not on a 6100 yard course.  If you can't get it airborne or don't hit it any further than the next shorter club in your bag.  Dump it.

[SDunne]

I always struggled with fairway woods so shunned them somewhat especially as I found I was able to hit a hybrid really well. I have two in the top of my bag these days and can't fault them. That being said my game has improved a lot recently as I've made some swing changes and have definitely been considering what will help me more on longer par 5s...

[Dweed]

There is room for both in my bag. I hit my 5 wood about 12 yards more than my 4 hybrid. My 4H replaced my 3 and 4 irons. My 5W works really well in shorter grass and my 4H is king for longer distance rough shots.

[saz0418]

Going back a few years, I carried a 3W, 3h, 4h, 5h.   I stopped carrying the 3w the last 2 seasons because it was costing more strokes than it was saving.   I had a Cleveland Hy-wood, and a 3h (Calloway XR) that matched my 4h.  I sort of switched back and forth between the 2 depending on my game and the course.  I could hit the Hy-wood a bit further, but had more confidence in the hybrid.   

Last spring, I added a 7w into the mix.  It was yardage-wise equivalent to my 4h, but the flight was much higher and the carry longer.   That got me thinking maybe a 5 wood would be the answer.  So this Feb, I added a 5w to the bag.   

But, after working on my swing though the winter (simulator), I discovered I can hit the 7w anywhere from 155 (big cut/fade and 3/4 swing) to over 200 ( low draw with roll out).   So,  I shelved the 3h and 4h. 

And THEN, I started hitting the 3w good again.  So now I carry  3w (Ping 410), 5w (Ping 425 SFT), 7w (Titleist 915F), ... 5h, 6h, 8i - GW, etc. etc.   

I have not sold the 3 and 4 hybrids.   But, I feel that the 3 fairway woods give me the option of distance -- or if I choke down, narrow my stance and shorten my swing, also good contact and consistent shots.   

I cover, essentially, 170 (stock 7w) to about 205 or 210 (stock 3w).

Full disclosure, I am 65 years old and play to about an 8 HDCP.    I can comfortably play up to about 6000- 6200 yards with this set up and not feel overwhelmed by the course.   I prefer 5800 (ish) as I get to hit a few more short irons which is better for my HDCP.   

I miss the hybrids for low punch shots, though.  The fairway woods just want to flight the ball too much to be dependable if I need a shot under, say, 15 - 20 feet.  So I occasionally throw a 4i in the bag if I know I am going to be playing a course with lots of trees in play.   Otherwise, that part will be a big struggle (for me). 

I can't say enough good things about  the 7w.  Game changer.  Mine was $85 2 years ago at a sports-resale shop.   I love the versatility.    I think everyone should carry one.  It is a club I know I can carry (dependably) 165 to 170, and hold a green.   So any type of forced carry (bunker, pond, waste area, creek, etc) from outside about 155, that is going to be my club of choice. 

[Shrek74]

I currently have a 3w, 5w, 4h in the bag. I'll likely be replacing them with a new 3w, 5w, 7w, 5h and removing my 5i. I love fairway woods. Always have. I've had success with every one I've ever had. Pretty much the same for hybrids. Both dating back to my TM Firesole 3w and Rescue.

[Pep]

5 wood

[MissionMan]

I mix between a 5W and a 2 iron. 5W if it's wet and I need more carry. 

I can't hit hybrids. The offset causes a huge hook for me

[Wakit300]

I relinquished my 3-wood a couple of years ago and now go with 5-wood turned down to 17.5° (Stealth), 19° hybrid (M3) & 22° utility (iCrossover). It's the best of all worlds

Edited June 25 by Wakit300

[Vertical]

3 and 7 woods for me. The closed face on hybrids creates a lower ball flight that hooks.

[Swood1994]

I used to play a 3 & 5 wood way back when and then when I got really long I carried a 13.5° 3-wood and a 17° hybrid. I felt the hybrid gave me a little more distance (naturally) as well as control over the 5 wood. After that I’ve pretty much kept my set up the same but moving to a 19-20° 4 hybrid and 3-wood setup. I think my hybrid is one of my safest clubs in the bag at this point. Nothing but high praise for the Mizuno ST 230 from the Mizuno long game test last year, I love that club. 

Edited June 26 by Swood1994

[pineneedlespro]

Depending on which golf course that I play;

One course is flat I keep the #3 and #4 hybrids in the bag.

Another course has hills and elevated greens I will put the #5 and #7 fwys. in the bag.

 

[DaveP043]

I was lucky enough to be a tester for the Sub70 fairway woods a couple years ago, I tested a 5-wood.  It was basically a comparison to my Titleist 19* hybrid.  I hit both of them right around 200 yards carry, but Trackman testing showed the 5-wood had an apex about 10 feet higher than the hybrid.  Since I use this on a few par-3 holes at my home course, the 5-wood is in my bag, the hybrid is in the basement.

[archship]

I actually use both. I’ve gamed a 5W instead of a 3W for years after reading an article that most amateurs don’t generate enough club speed to consistently make the 3W go farther than the 5W.  Sure enough,  I dropped several strokes immediately upon making the change.  As for the hybrids, I replaced both my 4 and 5 irons with hybrids last fall when I bought new clubs for the first time in two decades. They are so much easier to hit, and I watched my scores go down a few more strokes. 

[MCMSR]

Working through this again — Earlier in season, ditched the 3w; replaced with the 5w & 7w which tested well at indoor fitting (dispersion, distance). However, with range work & 20-rounds, neither has been satisfactory from the tee nor rough. So, I’m considering going back to the ‘old setup’ of 3w/3h/5h …

[Clubs by Buzz]

I carry 3W, 5W. 4H, 5H & 6H. The 6H was the latest addition.  I play the hybrids as if they were irons. It was worth the effort to dial them in.  I am much better with the hybrids than irons.  I just had to get over my ego.  Being able to hit the 6H 160 convinced me.

The 5H will cover 170 while the 4H clears 180. My 5 wood covers 195.  My 3 wood, off a pristine lie, 210. 

Since I don't drive the ball 300 I have had to get proficient from distance. 

I tried to incorporate a 7 wood into my bag.  It didn't fit any current needs. More than likely I'll give it another try.  Just not anytime soon. 

Thanks for reading.  Cheers. 

 

 

[Donn lost in San Diego]

On 6/24/2024 at 2:27 PM, Ian Toynbee said:

My major (present) conundrum. I'm a hybrid fan, gaming a 19, 22, 24 and 28-degree hybrids before going to 7 iron etc.

At the other end I have Driver and (older) 16-degree 3 wood that has its moments. 

I've tried a variety of 19-degree hybrids but there is nothing there that I would sleep with so I'm on the verge of updating 3 wood (14/15 Degree) and slipping a 18/19 degree 5 wood  in bag.

I'd be very interested in comments on 3 and 5 woods. Tending towards Ping 425 5-wood (have Ping irons and Driver) but open to anything (Xxio?)  

There are excellent new ones.  My 3w is 6 yrs old tho, Callaway Steelhead Xr on Tensei blue CK A flex, and I learned how to hit it.  5w is newer, Titleist TSi 1, Aldila Ascent reg flex, small head, forces me to concentrate.  The Callaway I bot as a New Old Stock from Callaway pre-owned for a great price.  The Titleist 5w I picked up used, after many hours cruising many barrels full of used clubs at 3 GolfMart stores that I am in often.  Was not cheap but is a keeper.

And yesterday I hit newly re-shafted Mizuno 24 degree Fli-Hi forged and chromed wide hollow body iron, on Aerotech Steelfiber, love absolutely love it.  (Am thinking of re-shafting my whole iron set, even tho Recoil is a good shaft!)  My course has little rough.  Missed fairways means dealing with trees, shrubs, steep banks, or into the muck, so traditional high loft large head rescue clubs are not used often.  I use a driving iron for punching out of the forest.

My bottom line, is horses for courses, and put your hands on as many clubs as you can and keep one when it loves you.  I used to use an old Adams OS Boxter Idea 3 iron, the classic original fairway hybrid.  Out of the rough, it's great.  I have 2 of those type of hybrids in my garage waiting for use on other courses.  

 

BTW, you related to Arnold?  I read his histories when I was in college a thousand years ago.

[Ian Toynbee]

4 hours ago, Donn lost in San Diego said:

There are excellent new ones.  My 3w is 6 yrs old tho, Callaway Steelhead Xr on Tensei blue CK A flex, and I learned how to hit it.  5w is newer, Titleist TSi 1, Aldila Ascent reg flex, small head, forces me to concentrate.  The Callaway I bot as a New Old Stock from Callaway pre-owned for a great price.  The Titleist 5w I picked up used, after many hours cruising many barrels full of used clubs at 3 GolfMart stores that I am in often.  Was not cheap but is a keeper.

And yesterday I hit newly re-shafted Mizuno 24 degree Fli-Hi forged and chromed wide hollow body iron, on Aerotech Steelfiber, love absolutely love it.  (Am thinking of re-shafting my whole iron set, even tho Recoil is a good shaft!)  My course has little rough.  Missed fairways means dealing with trees, shrubs, steep banks, or into the muck, so traditional high loft large head rescue clubs are not used often.  I use a driving iron for punching out of the forest.

My bottom line, is horses for courses, and put your hands on as many clubs as you can and keep one when it loves you.  I used to use an old Adams OS Boxter Idea 3 iron, the classic original fairway hybrid.  Out of the rough, it's great.  I have 2 of those type of hybrids in my garage waiting for use on other courses.  

 

BTW, you related to Arnold?  I read his histories when I was in college a thousand years ago.

I've started the process of refreshing the bag by purchasing a XXIO 3 wood (due to arrive today) and then based on that performing, will look to fill in the gap with a 7 wood before finally updating my aged 22-degree hybrid with the latest offering-maybe Ping.

Well done in managing a study of great Uncle Arnie's dissertations! 

[Clubs by Buzz]

I just bought a used Cleveland 3 HB to add to my Cleveland 3W, 5W and 4 HB. The compact heads on the 3 and 5 woods are solid and easy to hit.  I'm hoping to fill the gap .

[Middler]

I don’t carry any hybrids anymore, but to each his/her own. After carrying a Callaway 3H and then a Mizuno CLK 3H for years (I insisted on giving them a VERY long trial), I finally dropped hybrids altogether last Fall. Much happier with a 7W at that distance. I learned to play golf before hybrids, so I’ve been comfortable with long irons all along - even at 70 yo now. YMMV

Almost everyone my age I play with carries several hybrids, prefer them over irons. OTOH they all tell me “if I could hit a 4i like you do, I’d use one too.”

Edited Tuesday at 03:58 PM by Middler