woods vs hybrids

[bigbear43]

I'm torn between getting rid of my 3 wood for a similar lofted hybrid. Just wondering what everone's thought on this is. Just wondeing if there would be an advantage to having a wood over a hybrid or vice versa lofts being similar. any thoughts

[NEOHMark]

I just did exactly what you are thinking about doing. For whatever reason, I can hit more consistently with a 2h than the 3w.  I think I may be giving up about 5-10 yds on a perfect hit comparison (have never tracked it via GPS or anything like that - it's just a gut feeling).  But I'll gladly sacrifice that for more consistent ball-striking and confidence.  The 2h, with its smaller head, seems to be better at handling some marginal lies too.  So IMHO, there can be some real advantages to it.

FWIW, my Adams V3 2h is either 16 or 17 degs (depending on whose spec you're reading), and I think my Taylormade R7 3w was 15 degs.

[Sean Dainty]

Typically, hybrids are easier to hit and they are great out of the rough. I agree with NEOHMark in that you lose a bit of distance (10 yards), but the increase in accuracy well outweighs the lost distance. I will say, however, that I prefer a 3-wood vs. a hybrid off the tee as you lose even more distance and cannot work the ball as well.

[NEOHMark]

Originally Posted by Sean Dainty

I will say, however, that I prefer a 3-wood vs. a hybrid off the tee as you lose even more distance and cannot work the ball as well.

That is a very valid point.  I rarely, if ever, used my 3w off the tee so that didn't affect my strategy at all.  For anyone who utilizes a 3w tee shot, even infrequently, that has to be considered.  Agree completely.

[Kieran123]

I am thinking of ditching my 4W for a 2H

Never been great with my 4W and I hit my friends Adams 2H....so much easier, but a little shorter.

[WUTiger]

Quote:

... I will say, however, that I prefer a 3-wood vs. a hybrid off the tee as you lose even more distance and cannot work the ball as well.

3W vs. Hybrid involves tradeoffs.

• 3W: Had bulge and roll (curvature) on the face. This triggers the gearing effect, meaning toe or heel hits spin back toward the center. Hybrids tend to have rather flat faces, and don't gear much. Also, 3W has longer shaft.
• Hybrid: Has smaller head, so it cuts through the rough better. The shorter shaft helps with control, but costs distance.

Another thing to consider: Try a 4W - has about 2* more loft than a similar 3W. You get more lift from the clubhead, but keep a longer shaft for distance. Golf Digest reports 4W is easier to hit than 3W for many golfers.

[GaijinGolfer]

You wont get the same distance from a hybrid, but you will gain some control and forgivness.  Really, its a personal decision.  I wouldnt want to give up my 3-wood in favor of a 15* hybrid, but to each their own.

[Missouri Swede]

I was in the same position about a year ago. My PGA pro put me into a 5W (18 degree). Better control than a 3W, still more distance than my 3H (20 degree). I like it.

[Sai-Jin]

I actually just got a 3H so what I have now is:

Dr, 3W, 3H , 4H, 5i-PW + other wedgies.

I don't think I'll ever get rid of my 3W , it's too important.

Rather than choosing, how about having both?

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by Missouri Swede

I was in the same position about a year ago. My PGA pro put me into a 5W (18 degree). Better control than a 3W, still more distance than my 3H (20 degree). I like it.

Last weekend I went to Nevada Bob's shopping for a new 3-wood and the salesman tried to push a 5-wood on me.  I liked the 5-w, but I didnt see much sense in it seeing as how I already have a 17* hybrid.

[tristanhilton85]

I'd keep the 3 wood in the bag... the way I've always looked at it is that hybrids replace irons, not woods... So in my bag I have driver, 3w, a hybrid to replace my 3 iron, and then 4-PW, GW, SW, LW.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by tristanhilton85

I'd keep the 3 wood in the bag... the way I've always looked at it is that hybrids replace irons, not woods... So in my bag I have driver, 3w, a hybrid to replace my 3 iron, and then 4-PW, GW, SW, LW.

Hybrids replace any clubs that are difficult to hit.  They typically replace long irons, but if someone struggles with their FW and doesnt mind giving up a little distance, a 15* hybrid would be an option.

[tristanhilton85]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

Hybrids replace any clubs that are difficult to hit.  They typically replace long irons, but if someone struggles with their FW and doesnt mind giving up a little distance, a 15* hybrid would be an option.

Very true... I was just saying that for ME, I use hybrids to replace long irons and if it were MY bag I'd keep the 3w...

[Stretch]

I wouldn't necessarily make an arbitrary distinction between fairway woods and hybrids. Rather focus on the key function of whatever will be the second-longest club in your bag, which should be: to propel the ball as far as possible, off the deck, with acceptable dispersion. In practical terms, you are simply looking for the lowest lofted club (of any design) that you have the ability to hit well up in the air and relatively straight. It's probably going to take some personal experimentation to determine whether that's a 3-wood, a 5-wood, a 2-hybrid or a 1-iron.

Well, OK, we can be 99.9% sure it won't be a 1-iron.

[Kujan]

Another club to consider is the 7-wood.  If one carries only one wedge (56° for instance) then there's room for it.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by Kujan

Another club to consider is the 7-wood.  If one carries only one wedge (56° for instance) then there's room for it.

Who only carries 1 wedges nowdays???

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by tristanhilton85

Very true... I was just saying that for ME, I use hybrids to replace long irons and if it were MY bag I'd keep the 3w...

I realize that.  I was more commenting to your statement that hybrids replace irons, not woods.

[jmanbooyaa]

In my short journey so far on the course I have had a 3 wood, 5 wood, 7 wood, and hybrid(s). Now after a few rounds I either traded or flat out gave some of those clubs away. I like my new 3 wood but am finding out that the course I frequent doesn't really warrant carrying it. I also have a 5 wood which is not in my bag currently because I have opted to go with 2 hybrids. Now I used to have a hybrid in my bag before I had any woods but it was a regular flex and could not for the life of me hit it. Probably had little to do with the club but more my swing. Anyway that was traded in actually got a decent deal with some promo going on so for a $99 club got back $50 plus towards something else sorry off topic. I traded my father my Adams Speed line 3 wood, Callaway X series 7 wood and Cleveland DST driver for 2 Adams A7 hybrids and bought a new driver and have been using the 2 hybrids for a few rounds. They get used a few times per round I really like the 4 hybrid, the 3 hybrid really not needed at my current course. The 7 wood I had was absolutely worthless to me but go it new for $49 so it was an impulse buy and ended up working out sort of my dad liked it I think. So I guess the point to this post is take a good look at the course you play the most and try to demo the different varieties and if a deal can be had it is not always bad to have an extra club that you can rotate in depending on the course.  I know when I head back to SC for a visit the 3 and 5 woods will be coming a lot of long par 4 courses that they will be needed.