5 Wood or Hybrid, which do you prefer?

[Arbee456]

5 Wood

With my hybrid, little draw adds 10 yards; a little fade drops 10 yards short. Then there's the wind; it has too much affect on the high flying balls that stay in the air as long as my hybrid shots do.

My hybrid's in my work shop, my 5W is in my bag.

[RetiredBoomer]

On 8/9/2024 at 12:31 PM, RMarx_Golf said:

5w (Callaway UW 19º) for me as i've always struggled with any hybrid even after lessons. I can move my hands down on the UW a bit to get the ball out of most any rough. If I cant then i doubt a hybrid would help. Also looking to add a 7w to possibly replace the 4i.

Hybrids are obviously great clubs for the right players, but I've never enjoyed success with them.

I hate to be  stereotype because in more ways I'm an outlier, 
but honestly, I can't not turn them over.  

[tdroma98]

On 7/30/2024 at 10:05 PM, Javs said:

I would try to  dial it to 15.5 and see if you like it.

@Javs a quick update on the 3HL Paradym Metal, I tried the 15.5 setting for 4 rounds and wasn't comfortable with it off the tee. Used the 3HL in place of drive for 3 rounds, off the tee.  Off the deck, it wasn't too bad and performed like a 3 wood. However, I'm more comfortable at the 16.5 degrees setting was more relaxed. I think it's a better trajectory too, even into the wind.  
So this past Monday I changed the setting back to 16.5 with a draw bias, played at that setting for the last two rounds. Result very pleased with the feel & performance of the club.  

My Woods/Rescue set up will be:
Driver at 9 degrees, draw bias
3 wood 16.5 degrees with draw bias 
3 Rescue set at 19 degrees - 1 degree upright / draw
4 rescue set at 22 degrees - draw bias

[Javs]

8 minutes ago, tdroma98 said:

@Javs a quick update on the 3HL Paradym Metal, I tried the 15.5 setting for 4 rounds and wasn't comfortable with it off the tee. Used the 3HL in place of drive for 3 rounds, off the tee.  Off the deck, it wasn't too bad and performed like a 3 wood. However, I'm more comfortable at the 16.5 degrees setting was more relaxed. I think it's a better trajectory too, even into the wind.  
So this past Monday I changed the setting back to 16.5 with a draw bias, played at that setting for the last two rounds. Result very pleased with the feel & performance of the club.  

My Woods/Rescue set up will be:
Driver at 9 degrees, draw bias
3 wood 16.5 degrees with draw bias 
3 Rescue set at 19 degrees - 1 degree upright / draw
4 rescue set at 22 degrees - draw bias

First off @tdroma98 thank you for the update on your journey. I must of missed that you were setting them with draw bias. In the case of draw bias set on the hozel adjustment vice shifting a weight or lead tape will change the optimum point of impact on the club. It should also impart draw spin and a lower more penetrating flight. So to me it makes perfect sense that the 3 wood set at 16.5 with the more upright draw bias might be your sweet spot.  Sounds like you dialed in the secret sauce for those clubs! Good luck and hit them well!!

[Cls98]

I have trouble trusting a hybrid to not turn over and go left on me. I have not tried a 5 wood but my workaround thus far has been trying to play a fade on the hybrid, which makes it uncomfortable. Maybe it is just the fact I am a bad ball striker.

[PPP]

Typically for most, hybrids are swing like irons so there’s a shorter learning curve 

 

woods have their own swing which complicates things. I’ve ditched the woods overall because the lie matters a lot. During a round it’s added too many strokes 

[HeathS16]

I am a bit of an anomaly here. I actually carry a 5-Wood, no 3-wood and instead opt for a 2-iron. Never have hit hybrids very well so I just stuck with the 5-wood.  Goes about 245-250 when struck well and I can shape it both ways. Fits the gap pretty well.  My 2-iron is more for off the tee and will go about 230 carry so there is a bit of overlap but it allows me a bit of versatility during any given round. 

[Vertical]

16 hours ago, Cls98 said:

I have trouble trusting a hybrid to not turn over and go left on me. I have not tried a 5 wood but my workaround thus far has been trying to play a fade on the hybrid, which makes it uncomfortable. Maybe it is just the fact I am a bad ball striker.

Had the same problem hooking the hybrid. Try the 5 wood, much less likely to go left

[jolter1]

Presently I am carrying my 3 and 5 wood along with a 4 hybrid. Depending upon the course, I will swap the hybrid for a 7 wood.

[tchat07]

I've got a 5 wood and hybrid that have about 220 carry big difference is I launch moon shots with the 5 wood. So my plan has been to use the 5 in calm conditions and hybrid in windy

[TheHollow11]

I use a 5 wood, I find for me hybrids are harder to hit consistently. I was fitted for my 5 wood and it is pretty lethal at this point plus I can hit it off the tea and out of the rough. 

[vandyland]

I have always gravitated towards hybrids, have never found a fairway wood (of any loft between 14* - 18*) that I could hit well off the deck. 

In the article that @Javs posted in the first post of this thread, this section jumped out to me as to why:

I have, historically, been steep into the ball. Either because I was coming over the top in my earlier days or because I come into the ball with my hands more ahead now (working on that). Also I prefer a shorter shaft which the hybrid provides. Yes, they are almost impossible for me to fade but I play a draw already so it is a flight I am used to seeing. 

[CorporateGolfRat]

I love a good 5 wood. I will swap that out with a 3 hybrid if I need less trajectory on my ball for high winds. 

[Javs]

3 hours ago, vandyland said:

I have always gravitated towards hybrids, have never found a fairway wood (of any loft between 14* - 18*) that I could hit well off the deck. 

In the article that @Javs posted in the first post of this thread, this section jumped out to me as to why:

I have, historically, been steep into the ball. Either because I was coming over the top in my earlier days or because I come into the ball with my hands more ahead now (working on that). Also I prefer a shorter shaft which the hybrid provides. Yes, they are almost impossible for me to fade but I play a draw already so it is a flight I am used to seeing. 

Very valid points. I carry a 3 wood which I love, but also have a 17, 22 and 25 degree hybrids. I basically phased out the 5 wood and long irons. 

[Shifty]

5 wood.  Tried lots of hybrids, and just cannot get the proper descent angle.  Once I find one, or get fitted I'll get a hybrid.  Until then 5 wood!

If wanting 14 clubs in my bag, I have to choose to take out one of these;

5 wood

3 wood

62 degree

I usually carry 15 unless in a tournament, lol

Edited August 19 by Shifty

[Andrew75]

 Both are great weapons. Currently and for some time using Honma tw 737c 5 wood, 18*, 55S Vizard butt cut 1/4inch for 178-192 yards, and Mizuno clk 22* set to 21*, with swapped out Titleist Bassara 65gm Stiff, for 160-178.  

The Mizuno is money in the bank, but don't and can't work it much.  The Honma is great for working draws and cuts and coming out of deep lies in rough with no real distance loss. I adore that Honma.  For a while it was my only fairway--3 wood has long been my weakest club.

[chris51]

hybrid I can use in the rougher stuff or on a fairway. where my 5 wood is just mainly for fairway I find hybrid is alot easier to hit and control.  with a ai smoke 3h I get about 180 200 yards out of it.  

[GaDawg]

I played a hybrid for the last 5* years filling the gap between 4 iron and 3 wood. Purchased a 5 wood a couple of months ago with the same loft and I like it better. For some reason just have more confidence in it. Maybe the shaft, not sure.

[Golfishard]

Preference to 5 wood. It's a better looking club. The hybrids always look to me like the ball is going to go left.

[chris51]

hybrid you can uses it in the  rough and fairway very versatile. I find it easier to make contact with hybrid but everyone different. I even like the feel off the tee from a hybrid I struggle with the woods so for me my hybrid are my wood clubs. 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Honestly, I am not great at hitting woods or hybrids. My woods stay really low, but do travel a good distance if the course ahead is flat enough. With hybrids, I end up popping them about 120 into the air and they drop. So I'm in the "I don't know what I'm doing here" category. Still working on my swing to get one, or both down. 

[Dropping2]

Hybrid for me. I've never gotten along with fws. I don't hit them with well enough consistency to justify a spot in the bag. I've went to 2h and 4h for the top of my bag. I feel way more comfortable with them.