Playing long from the rough, 5 wood or 18*hybrid

[drumon]

I am considering whether to add a 5 wood or a 2-iron-lofted-hybrid to my set.

I would like a club, to hit longer than 3iron (2 iron equivalent) and for hitting long from the rough hence 5 wood or hybrid should hit better from the rough than long irons. I only want to add one club at this stage.

My question is, what do you find more effective for a long shot from the rough (within reason), a hybrid or the slightly larger head and longer shaft of a 5 wood?

Is the 5 wood more versatile if it gives more length of the fairway/tee, or is an 18*hybrid a safer bet for all round use?

[James_Black]

The 18* hybrid would prob be easier to hit.

But I love hitting a high draw that goes 200 yards from the rough with my 5-wood.
Doubt I'd get that from a hybrid.

[drumon]

Thanks for your reply.

Yup I'm tempted to the 5 wood, for that long whack from the rough. I might start with that and then see later on if I would better off replacing the 3iron with a hybrid.

Any other views welcome on 5 wood vs. 18*hybrid from the rough? What suits you? Which picks the ball out the rough better? Whats the consensus, is a the slighter larger head of 5 wood better at hitting through the grass?

[Zeph]

Hybrid is the club I find easiest to hit from the rough. Irons tend to get tangled up, the woods I swing a bit flatter, so they too can get mixed up in the grass. A hybrid I swing like an iron, but the rounded head and lighter weight makes it easier to get down and make good contact with the ball.

You can of course use the hybrid off the fairway too, no problem there.

[Blades4me]

To me, it depends on the lie. If its down deep in the rough I'll use a 8i or higher and just get the ball back in play. If its high up in the rough a wood will work. IMO, although I don't carry any hybrids, between a wood and a hybrid, the hybrid is more versitle, but at the cost of distance. What I did find lower lofted hybrids great for was putting the ball across the frog hair to the green. The rule I used was if there was more frog hair than green, putt the hybrid. If it was a tricky chip and nothing is in the way like a green side bunker or such, putt the hybrid. You have to practice this, but if you do it can pay off in spades.

[WUTiger]

To me, it depends on the lie. If its down deep in the rough I'll use a 8i or higher and just get the ball back in play. If its high up in the rough a wood will work.

In my short-lived time using a 3H, the only place it worked was in medium rough. For this shot, I found a 3H and 5W were about the same for getting it out. 5W delivered more distance, since it had longer shaft and stronger loft.

If your lie is really shaggy, do like Blades4Me says and use the 8i. For distance recovery shots, you might look at the new-wave TM Raylors with the boat-hull sole. Knew lots of guys who loved the original Raylors. A 19º Raylor - due to its somewhat shorter shaft - likely would get you within 10-15 yds. of a 5W for distance.

[Dub]

I currently have that slot open in my bag. At the moment the rough on the local courses is dormant so you have more options as to shot selection. I've had better results with steeper descent swings from the rough. Hybrids give me best results with these vs woods.

The current hybrid I'm gaming is highly versatile. I love the steel shaft, too. It seems to twist less when grass "grabs" at it when swinging through rough.

[sean_miller]

I am considering whether to add a 5 wood or a 2-iron-lofted-hybrid to my set.

I don't now what Scottish rough it like (thistles and heather?) but around here, it can get mighty tick. Anything longer than a 5-iron is diminishing returns. Grass grabs long irons and stops them dead, and it's easy to slide under a the ball with a hybrid or 5-wood and sky one at a 45* angle into the woods (or out of bounds). If I need to carry something longer than a flyer 5-iron (anywhere from 190 to 230 for me) I play play it back to the fairway.

[tweaky]

Hybrid for me. More versatile all around.

[wailtd]

Dub says... [I currently have that slot open in my bag. At the moment the rough on the local courses is dormant so you have more options as to shot selection . I've had better results with steeper descent swings from the rough. Hybrids give me best results with these vs woods.
The current hybrid I'm gaming is highly versatile. I love the steel shaft, too. It seems to twist less when grass "grabs" at it when swinging through rough.]

I've found packing the 5W or #2H is totally dependent on the course conditions. For a course with hairy rough, I go w/ the #2H. For my local publinx course I play most of the time where there is no rough, I pack my 5W. Occasionally I play a Links style "roll-the-ball-everywhere" course and I pack a straight 2-Iron for that.
The 17°-20° slot in my bag sees a constant rotation of various clubs as the course conditions change.