Hybrids, Fairway woods, or a combination

I use a 20* and 23* hybrid in place of 3 and 4 irons -- which means sometimes off the tee like I might if I used a 3-iron off the tee.

 

My 13.5* 3-wood is used a lot off the tee and is longer than the 20* hybrid. Just got a 5-wood and find it is not much if any longer than the 20* hybrid. Could be a shaft issue with the 5-wood as it flights higher than I would like.

 

Having a 3-wood that instills confidence on the tee is a very nice thing. Worth the search.  After a long search and many failed attempts, I found and love my 910F 3-wood. Bought it and liked it so much I bought the driver to match -- not the other way around.  

I would advise you to get a 12-13 degree driver at 44.5- 45 inches for the tee box.

 

OEMs make a driver in those lofts, they have less sidespin and more backspin so they are easier to hit into the fairway.

 

I would not advise a 15.5 degree hybrid. At that loft, it takes a skilled player for the most part.

 

good luck.

Definitely good to have a 3 wood for tee shots. You should get better distance from the 3 wood than a lower lofted hybrid. A lower lofted hybrid for long fairway shots is common, but do your self a favor and try hitting fairway woods as well - a 5 or even a 7 - and see what you prefer. Fairway woods have also come a long way and most are pretty user friendly off the deck. All the major manufacturers make really good stuff, just a matter of finding one that you like and that likes you back! I currently bag Ping G15 fairways, which are super clubs, plenty long, forgiving and work well from the tee or fairway.

I am a good example of what you're saying there. I'm not a skilled player (been playing less than a year) and I bought a barely used 14º Callaway FT-hybrid and I can't hit it any further than my 9 iron and that's when I do get it to fly. My Taylormade Burner Rescue 19º hybrid is another story though, I've been known to knock one over 200 yards with that thing and hit it good most of the time.

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Went to a demo day many months ago. Got to test-hit some Callaway and Adams hybrids. Both manufacturer's reps confirm what Mr. Desmond said.

Also, both companies made 17* hybrids only in the pro or tour models, not in the mainline models for mid-HDCP golfers.

 

A couple of other things to consider.

* A 19-degree hybrid will generally have a shorter shaft than a 5 wood (18 or 19 degrees). So, they hybrid would likely fly shorter.

* Fairway woods have bulge in the clubface, whereas hybrids are fairly straight-faced. The bulge helps spin heel or toe short back toward center; hybrids don't do this.

 

Give both FW and hybrids try. After some struggle I have located hybrids I could hit, but, I just prefer the fairway woods.