Suggestions for the 5 wood to 3 iron gap

[coopster]

Hi Guys, So I recently bought some Adam's insight XTD 3 & 5 woods from a co-worker and once again I have run into another club selection problem. I have found that the 3 wood goes about the same distance as my driver with lower trajectory but more roll and the 5 wood has about a 20 - 25 yard distance differential but I can hit it off the fairway easily. I am thinking of dumping the 3 wood in favor of a hybrid that can fill in my gap from the 5 wood to 3 iron which is about ~40 yds. I would also like a club that I could hit out of longer grass that it seems like I am too frequently in and struggle with hitting the 5 wood out of. Is their a particular loft/brand/design I should evaluate? Or do I need to make another trip to Golf Mart and hope the ball flight machines are accurate? Thanks Coop

[shades9323]

What is the loft of your 5 wood?  Loft of your 3 iron? We don't have enough information.

Originally Posted by coopster

Hi Guys,

So I recently bought some Adam's insight XTD 3 & 5 woods from a co-worker and once again I have run into another club selection problem.

I have found that the 3 wood goes about the same distance as my driver with lower trajectory but more roll and the 5 wood has about a 20 - 25 yard distance differential but I can hit it off the fairway easily. I am thinking of dumping the 3 wood in favor of a hybrid that can fill in my gap from the 5 wood to 3 iron which is about ~40 yds. I would also like a club that I could hit out of longer grass that it seems like I am too frequently in and struggle with hitting the 5 wood out of.

Is their a particular loft/brand/design I should evaluate? Or do I need to make another trip to Golf Mart and hope the ball flight machines are accurate?

Thanks

Coop

[coopster]

Mp57 3 Iron is 21* and the Adams 5 wood is 18*. I realize the gap in loft isn't very extreme but shouldn't a 21* hybrid go further than the 3 iron due to shaft length and club head?

Thanks

Coop

[5nDive]

I don't keep a 5 wood in my bag, but I have a 18* 2 Hybrid (Cobra Baffler TWS) that works pretty well for what you're describing. Maybe take a look at a 2H/3H with less loft?

And oh yeah, GO BEARS!!!

[shades9323]

Originally Posted by coopster

Mp57 3 Iron is 21* and the Adams 5 wood is 18*. I realize the gap in loft isn't very extreme but shouldn't a 21* hybrid go further than the 3 iron due to shaft length and club head?

Thanks

Coop

Yes, it should go further because of the additional shaft length.  Perhaps a 20 or 21* hybrid is the answer for you. I would go to the golf shop and try them out against you 3 iron and 5 wood and see which one is best. Find some place to hit outside as well.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by coopster

Mp57 3 Iron is 21* and the Adams 5 wood is 18*. I realize the gap in loft isn't very extreme but shouldn't a 21* hybrid go further than the 3 iron due to shaft length and club head?

Thanks

Coop

I often carry a 3-hybrid and a 3-iron. Total distance is about equal, but the 3-iron probably goes a smidgen farther off the tee because of roll. From the fairway or light rough the 3-H gets the nod, and from longer rough they stay in the bag and I go with a 5-iron or less.

[B of H]

I personally would re-shaft the 5 wood with something shorter and perhaps slightly stiffer/heavier.  that should close that gap and give you more control over the 5 wood to boot.

a 5 wood should go the same distance as a 2-iron in my book only slightly higher.  That is my main gripe with the whole graphite shaft in fairway woods and hybrids issue: it doesn't make sense to me to hit the 5w or 2h farther as it just creates a bigger gap between your 3-iron and that club most likely.  I'd rather have a bigger gap between my 5 wood/2-iron and 3 wood than between my 5w/2i and my 3 iron or 3hybrid etc...

Driver = long as possible with control

3w = control first but with a little extra length if desired

all other clubs = specific yardages/gaps as needed for your game, consistency and control 100% important

[Long Ball Larry]

I would go and get your clubs checked before buying anything. On average, you shouldn't be hitting your 3-wood as far as your driver or have a 40-yard gap between your 5-wood and 3-iron. Like B of H said, maybe this is due to shaft flex, or maybe the lofts aren't as stated. My old 10.5* R9 460 driver was actually 13* when measured by my clubmaker. If the lofts really are as stated and the shafts are consistent with your swing speed, yeah, maybe dump the 3-wood for another hybrid.

[coopster]

Thank you for the great advice everyone! [quote name="Long Ball Larry" url="/forum/thread/48002/suggestions-for-the-5-wood-to-3-iron-gap#post_619443"]

I would go and get your clubs checked before buying anything. On average, you shouldn't be hitting your 3-wood as far as your driver or have a 40-yard gap between your 5-wood and 3-iron. Like B of H said, maybe this is due to shaft flex, or maybe the lofts aren't as stated. My old 10.5* R9 460 driver was actually 13* when measured by my clubmaker. If the lofts really are as stated and the shafts are consistent with your swing speed, yeah, maybe dump the 3-wood for another hybrid.

[/quote] Larry - I tribute the gap in distance to the shafts of my 3 & 5 wood (x-stiff) to both the similar distance to my driver and the gap in distance to my 3 iron. I also know that on my r9 I have actually increased the loft of the driver in order to help me get it elevated so I'm sure I may lose a bit of distance because of it. I am not so worried for a club i can tee off with more so than i am looking for a club that I can hit when I am not in an ideal lie and still get some good distance. Thanks again Coop

[rustyredcab]

OR, pick up a hybrid and leave the driver in the car if you like the distance on the 3-wood.

[Stonecold]

Have you considered a Titleist 910H 17* or 19* ?

You can adjust the loft and it makes shots go 20 yard shorter or longer (for me).

The "matrix" to get the loft/lie is pain to set up but it really does work.

[ctclippers41]

I bag a 3 wood (15 degree) and a 19 degree hybrid then 4 iron. I find that the hybrid can be slightly longer than my 3 iron and it is way more versatile, I can hit it from fairway, rough, shape better shots, hit it long, or a little shorter if i need to. definitely worth a shot.