3 wood vs. 1 hybrid

[CodeRed657]

which do you prefer? why? how much distance do you lose with the hybrid (on well struck shots)? How do the trajectories compare? Which is more versatile?

[tinman115]

I wondered the same thing a couple of months ago. I always had trouble with fairway woods, until I bought a 1hybrid. I bought the Callaway Fusion 1H and it was VERY difficult to get clean shots, given the lack of loft, small clubhead, and length of the shaft. I was unable to get consistent trajectory or distance out of it.

The 3 wood is the better choice. From my experience, the 3 wood has a higher trajectory

[bca42]

I actually carry both, most oftentimes in my bag. While some situations I may use one or the other, most situations lead me to choose one over the other.

I definitely agree, the 3 wood's trajectory is higher. But I will choose my 16* hybrid if a straight ball is a must and also if I'm not feeling comfortable with the 3W that day. I also tend to hit the hybrid better from the fairway (and rough) than the 3W. In general for me the hybrid is higher percentage, just not as long - even when flushed.

[Lost Ball]

Lost Ball hits a 3-wood quite accurately thus choose that club

Never had a 1 hybrid and may when I get older but right now the 3-wood works well for me

[BritBoy]

I carry a 1 hybrid simply because its so much easier to hit of the fairway than a 3 wood. I have lost maybe 5 or 10 yards off the tee with it, but its worth it to be able to hit off the deck.

[mustangbryk]

3 wood the way to go. It is alot more forgiving in my book. Distance is the main factor when you are looking at these clubs. I am long off the tee so i use the 3 wood as a back up driver or on those tight holes. I tried a 1 hybrid for half a season and it was not as easy to hit as the 3 wood.

[mrbillinoc]

As crazy as this may sound, I had the same question and came up with a solution that worked PERFECTLY for me. I am a 5 hdcp and I ALWAYS choked down on my 3 wood, so...

...I took my Taylormade Burner 3 wood and had the shaft CUT 1 and 1/4 inch. The pro at the shop cautioned me that the swingweight would change, but I said cut it anyway. The results were amazing. It plays and feels like a hybrid, but I gave up almost NO loss in distance and it is now the easiest club in my bag to hit!

May not be for everybody, but it SURE made a difference for me!

[CodeRed657]

definitely sounds like an idea...how dos it play out of the rough compared to a hybrid?

[xd3vilx]

For me 3 wood is the way to go. Me not consistent with a long hybrid club, 3 wood easier to launch on both fairway and tee, at least for me.

[mrbillinoc]

Hitting it out of the rough OR off a perfect lie in the fairway is a breeze. I used to carry a 22 degree hybrid that was real easy to hit, but my new "home-made" hybrid is soo much easier...and I really don't notice a distance loss!

I got a 17 degree hybrid a while back and just had too much trouble with it...I just couldn't hit it consistantly well. I think the one reason my new "home-made" hybrid works is that I have more control of the arc of my swing with the shorter club, yet I still feel comfortable with the mass of the head vs a smaller head on the hybrid...which I think I kind of tried to "help it along" because I didn't want to lose distance.

Speaking of the "arc of my swing" being easier to control, I can now take my "home-made" and simply by changing how far forward or back in my stance I position the ball, I can hit a low line-drive shot or I can hit a high soft floater that hits & holds a green.

[mikelaw]

not a big hybrid fan. i am afraid to try my buddies adams hybrids because i may like them too much. for me nothing feels better then hitting a crisp forged blade flush. warm and fuzzy!

[shortgame85]

I used to hit a 3 wood well but a couple of years ago, I started really struggling with it. I eventually bought a 16 degree hybrid, but I continued to fret that I might be able to get a few more yards with a 3 wood and, therefore, I have bought several 3 woods in hope of finding my blueberry hill. However, the 3 wood in my signature is out of my bag and the 16 degree hybrid is back in.

Also in terms of versatility, at least for me, the hybrid wins hands down. I can use it to hit a low burner, I can hook or draw it at will, I can chip with it and it is easier to hit out of the rough than a 3 wood. I don't know why I still care about a damn 3 wood, I really get what I need out of the hybrid; perhaps I just enjoy the drama of the struggle to decide which to play.

[hypergolf]

I use 3 wood and replaced my 5 wood with a hybrid. I don't use 3 wood in the rough though.

[g.fletcher]

I play with a 17* 4 wood and a 21* Hybrid. If I have a nice lie with much distance, I play the 4 wood. If I have a shorter distance or a less desirable lie, I play the hybrid where I can appreciate its properties in either situation.

[Bump-n-MI]

For me, no question I keep the 3 wood in my bag. I use a 17* hybrid instead of a 5-wood though.

[ElTigre]

I'd say that a 3 wood is a better choice, because of the extended clubface and lower cg. It will get the ball up higher and go quite a bit longer. They will also be more forgiving on miss-hits. However, I'd imagine that the hybrid will get you more workability. I myself am considering a 2 hybrid instead of a 5 wood. The five wood is a bit to lanky and can get out of control. I want something more compact that I can control easily.

[thor]

3 wood .............

[Waku]

I play with a 17* 4 wood and a 21* Hybrid. If I have a nice lie with much distance, I play the 4 wood. If I have a shorter distance or a less desirable lie, I play the hybrid where I can appreciate its properties in either situation.

Me too!!!

Both off the tee and the fairway...