ryebread

I've probably owned 40+ drivers in the past ~ 4-5 years. If you care about looks and sound, here have been my personal favorites: -> Looks: - Cobra does a great job with the paint: My favorite was the Amp Offset with the racing stripes. I also like the looks of the Amp Cell, Biocell, FlyZ, etc.. - Tour Edge XCG6: If Darth Vader played golf, this would be his driver. - Ping Anser: I like the looks more than I've liked the G25 and G30 and way more than the older G20, 15 series, 10 series, etc.. I also really like the top down view of the I25. -> Sound: I prefer the more solid "thump" sound. - Callaway Diablo Octane and FT lines - Cobra Fly Z+ (and other Cobra composite drivers) -> Feel: Most people say that this is just sound or the ball, and it's probably some combo. Every once in a while though you just hit a stick that feels like you crushed it. - Callaway XHot (v1): could almost feel the face compress - Tour Edge XCG4: exact opposite. Felt like the golf ball was going to be crushed into a million pieces.

Put them on Craigslist with some good pictures. They may sell. I'd donate them though. They could make a great starter set. Goodwill will take them.

I'm a sucker for a fairway wood. Somewhere out there there's the magical FW that I can hit straight with 200 yards of carry 80% of the time. Until I find it, there's always another out there to try. Ahh, hope springs eternal...........

Some really good posts and advice in this thread. I think what you may want to look at are the specs in the 5w. In the last ~ 4 years, the OEMs have really lengthened the shafts on the FWs (I call it the RBZ effect). You might find a 5w now has 18 degrees of loft, but is sitting on a 43 inch shaft! In contrast, the 2H that is 18 degrees is probably on a shaft that is about 41 inches. That 2 inches cuts both ways. It's easier to make center contact with, so it is probably a bit more consistent for most players. You don't generate as much clubhead speed though, so for most players it won't go as far. I think for players of average swing speed (say 85-95 MPH with the driver), you will likely hit a point of diminishing returns with the hybrids. My driver swing is right at 90-92 depending on the day. What I've personally found is that you hit a point at about 20-21 degrees. Going with a lower lofted hybrid than that really doesn't generate any more distance. The 2H might go 5 yards longer, but often will be shorter because it is harder to make clean contact. I find the modern 5w and the modern 3H fairly complimentary. I personally prefer a 4w, 7w, 3h setup. They gap off pretty evenly (for me about 10 yards difference), but provide vastly different trajectories in the 7w vs the 3h. Hope this helps!

If you are looking for minimal to no offset but also forgiveness, the best thing on the market that I have found are the Cleveland hybrid iron sets (Altitudes, HB3s, XLIs, HiBore). They have offset levels in line with most blades, but the forgiveness of a SGI set. Hope this helps!