What to do with 2 clubs that are both 19 degrees of loft

[alexbaha]

One is my Nike fairway 5 metal that is new and nice. I hit it pure and far. I also have an old "Hippo" 3 utility club that is also 19 degrees of loft I hit equally well. As far as I can tell they go about the same distance.

Is the goal of Utility club to escape high rough or poor lies? Not sure if I should keep carrying this club with me.

Thanks for your input.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by alexbaha

One is my Nike fairway 5 metal that is new and nice. I hit it pure and far. I also have an old "Hippo" 3 utility club that is also 19 degrees of loft I hit equally well. As far as I can tell they go about the same distance.

Is the goal of Utility club to escape high rough or poor lies? Not sure if I should keep carrying this club with me.

Thanks for your input.

19 degrees is typically a 4-Wood or a 2-iron.  In recent years manufacturers are strengthening lofts on clubs - to make them go further.  So I'm not surprised to see that your Nike 5-Wood is 19 degrees.

From a Utility perspective, 19 degrees is typically a 3 hybrid, rescue or utility. Utility (hybrid or rescue) clubs were introduced to help get the launch angle of the ball up - higher trajectory - as most golfers struggle to flight long irons high.  So the Utility clubs will often have a lower center of gravity than in comparison to a long iron (2i in comparison).

The 5W would be good to hit from the tee and fairway... I'm guessing the Utility could be hit as well from the tee and fairway, but where it will most likely out perform the 5W, would be from the rough.  The head size of the Utility is most likely a lower profile (less cc') than the 5W, meaning it can pass through the rough with less drag and friction than the larger headed 5W.

I'd bag which ever you feel more comfortable with... Personally I got rid of my 3H because I hated the shaft in it.  And am currently looking to replace that gap in my bag.

[TourSpoon]

Pick the one that gives you the most versatility. I like having a club that I can hit out of the rough, bunker, bad lie, etc as well as off the tee and fairway. For me that's an Adams hybrid.