5 Wood vs. 3 Hybrid — (Distance, Loft, Spin, Launch and Advice)
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Patrick Corley
- 02/28/2023
A common debate among golfers is choosing between a 5 wood and a 3 hybrid. Both clubs are versatile and easier to hit than other clubs in the bag, like the 3 wood or the 3 iron.
Which club is better for your golf game, the 5 wood or the 3 hybrid?
The Tell Me More Golf Team will look at what makes them different and, ultimately, which ones you should put into your golf bag to enjoy golf more and shoot lower scores during your round of golf.
5 Wood Distance vs. 3 Hybrid Distance
The distance you can hit a 5 wood versus a 3 hybrid will depend on several factors, including your swing speed, the size and mass of the clubhead, spin, and the type of shot you’re playing.
As a rule, the 5 wood has a longer shaft and a larger clubhead and mass than a 3 hybrid. These factors mean that you should be able to hit the 5 wood farther than a 3 hybrid, especially on shots struck from the fairway.
A golfer with a slower swing speed can hit their 5 wood between 150-170 yards, while one with a higher swing speed can hit their 5 wood over 190 yards.
Golfers with slower swing speeds can hit their 3 hybrids approximately 140 to 160 yards, and a player with a faster swing can hit a 3 hybrid 180 yards and farther.
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Which Club Is Best For High Handicappers?
The 3 hybrid is a better choice for most high-handicappers because it is an easier club from most lies to hit, even if you sacrifice some distance from a 5 wood.
Hybrids are rescue clubs designed to bridge the gap between long irons and fairway woods by combining both strengths.
Hybrids have smooth soles and a deep center of gravity that helps lift the ball from poor lies.
A 5 wood has a longer shaft and a larger clubhead with more mass, making it a good choice for golfers who need more distance on their shots. You can hit shots from the fairway and rough with a 5 wood. Still, because it is a longer club, it can be more difficult for players to hit accurately than a shorter club.
A 3 hybrid has a shorter shaft and a smaller clubhead, making it easier to hit more accurately and control shots better on mid to long-range shots from any lie. It’s a good choice for players who need a club that is easy to hit and helps them get the ball in the air.
Hybrids like those made by TaylorMade, Titleist, and Callaway, are designed to help a high handicapper’s golf game by making solid contact more consistently.
Ultimately, the best club for high handicappers depends on their preferences and needs as a player.
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Main Differences Between The 5 Wood Vs. 3 Hybrid
Let’s take a look at the difference between a 5-wood and a 3-hybrid:
- Shaft Length – A 5 wood has a shaft length between 41 and 42 inches, and a 3 hybrid has a length of 39 and 40 inches.
- Clubhead Size – A 5 wood has a more oversized clubhead and more mass than a 3 hybrid.
- Loft – Typically, 5 woods and 3 hybrids have lofts between 18 and 21 degrees.
- Draw/Fade Bias – 5 woods usually have a neutral or fade bias. 3 hybrids are typically more offset than a 5 wood and have a neutral to a draw bias.
- Distance – Because of the longer shaft and the clubhead with more mass, the average golfer will hit the 5 wood 10 to 15 yards further than a 3 hybrid.
- Versatility – You can comfortably hit a 5 wood from the tee box and the fairway and some lies in the rough. You can hit a 3 hybrid from the tee, the fairway, and most lies in the rough, so a hybrid is a more versatile club.
- Ball Speed – A 5 wood with its longer shaft, more prominent head, and mass will produce more ball speed than a 3 hybrid.
5 woods are an excellent choice for players who like the look of the oversized clubhead and the extra distance they can provide.
3 hybrids are outstanding choices for golfers willing to sacrifice a little bit of distance for accuracy and the ability to hit the ball out of more challenging lies in the rough.
You can use a hybrid club to replace long irons, or fairways woods, for long shots. Hybrids have an offset design that creates a draw bias that many high-handicap golfers need to hit the ball straighter.
Loft Comparisons
A 5-wood and a 3 hybrid’s average lofts are typically between 18 and 21 degrees. However, the longer shaft of the 5 wood and the more oversized clubhead with added mass means that the average golfer will typically hit his 5 wood farther than the 3 hybrid.
The loft is significant in how you are gapping the clubs in your golf bag.
“Gapping” is determining the distance intervals between the clubs to help you select the appropriate club for the different distance shots you’ll need to hit during a round.
Because you can only carry thirteen clubs and your putter in your golf bag, it’s crucial to gap them correctly. Proper gapping will cover the full range of yardages you need to hit for better course management.
Many golfers have a 12-degree driver, a 15-degree 3 wood, and an 18-degree 5 wood; their first iron is a 3 iron.
Traditional 3 irons have a loft of 20 to 24 degrees, but they can be hard to hit, so many people turn to a 3 hybrid to replace either their 5 wood or their 3 iron.
Shaft Length Difference Between The 5 Wood Vs. 3 Hybrid
The average shaft length of a 5-wood golf club is between 41 and 42 inches. The average shaft length of a 3 hybrid is between 39 and 40 inches.
Most 5 woods and 3 hybrids come with graphite shafts of various flexes.
The longer shaft of a 5 wood will provide more distance. Still, the shorter shaft of the 3 hybrids will make it easier to swing under control and more accurately.
FAQ Section
Is A 3 Hybrid Equivalent To A 5 Wood?
The 18-21 degree loft of a 3 hybrid is equivalent to the 5 wood. However, a 5 wood has a shaft an inch or two longer than a 3 hybrid, carrying about 10-15 yards further on average than a 3 hybrid.
It’s common for golfers to use a 3 hybrid to replace their 5 wood or 3 iron. However, which one they replace depends on how they configure the gapping of their bag and because 3 irons are notoriously difficult to hit.
A 5 wood is a fairway wood with a shorter shaft and smaller clubhead than a 3-wood, with more loft.
Many golfers will use their 5-wood off the tee and from the fairway over a 3-wood because it’s easier to hit and more forgiving.
What Hybrid Is Equivalent To A 5 Wood?
As a rule, the 3 hybrid is equivalent to a 5 wood in degrees of loft. Driving irons also have lofts between 18 and 21 degrees. They are becoming popular with golfers who like the look and feel of traditional long irons specifically designed to be hit from the tee.
Hybrids are very popular with LPGA players and higher handicap players because they are versatile clubs that are great for approach shots.
While you can replace a 5-wood with a hybrid, it’s often a good idea to replace the 3-iron instead, as a 5-wood is still easier for most golfers to hit than a 3-iron.
Is It Better To Have A 3 Or 5 Wood?
Most golfers should have a 5-wood over a 3-wood. While you’ll lose some total distance from a 3-wood to a 5 wood, the shorter shaft and smaller clubhead make the 5 wood easier to swing and more forgiving on mishits.
The 5 wood will also have a higher launch and can be hit more easily by golfers of any skill level from the tee and the fairway.
It depends on the golfer’s swing speed and skill level when choosing between 3 and 5 wood. If a golfer puts a premium on distance, the 3 wood is better for that golfer.
However, if accuracy and forgiveness are more important, the 5 wood is the better choice.
Conclusion: Research by Tellmemoregolf.com
Choosing the right golf equipment for your game can be challenging. Depending on your skill level and swing speed, you’ll often have to choose between a club with more distance or one that is more forgiving and accurate.
Hybrid clubs were designed to bridge the gap between long irons and fairway woods by combining the best of both. Hybrids are much easier to hit than long irons, and most golfers should consider having a 3 or 4 hybrid in their golf bag.
5 woods are popular because they provide good distance and accuracy and are easier to hit than the driver or 3 wood from the tee box or the fairway.
The Tell Me More Golf team recommends that you keep a 5 wood and a 3 hybrid in the bag and take the 3 iron out of it.
Then, you’ll hit your 3 hybrid better than your 3 iron and still have the 5 wood to use instead of 3 wood.
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