The point that Mark makes towards the end is exactly why I play a 19 hybrid rather than a 5 wood. I feel I can hit different shots with it (Funk it). I do carry a 3 wood but the lie etc has to be pretty perfect for me to use It off the deck where as I'll whack my hybrid from almost anywhere. BTW. The content and discussions on this channel has always been fantastic but is just getting better and better.
I'm still playing old Titleist D2 3 and 5 woods (15.5° and 18°) and I love them. The 5 wood I can play anywhere from 230-190 as I choke down on it. I do understand the tendency to move the ball further forward which I do if the lie is good and I need the extra carry. However, playing them more centrally is no issue either. At this point, I have no need of a hybrid as I'm still able to thump my long irons crisply. Great premise though, guys! I can see getting a 7 wood sometime down the road...
My 3 wood is a 16.5 and my 5 wood is a 20° the weaker lofts help me with gapping and also give me more confidence that I can get the ball up in the air with less effort/worry. Distance wise my 5 wood is around a 225 carry off the deck
I'm just starting out, but the 12° driver into a 16.5° 3W currently feels like a nice pairing and a got stay to the top end of the bag. I've got a 21° hybrid coming as well.
Great conversation. Was playing a 19 hybrid and while it was very straight and consistent it was maxing out short of where I wanted it to be between 3 wood and 4 iron. Went back to 5 wood... haven’t looked back.
I play 18* powa hybrid with 18.5* 5 Wood. Serve different purposes and as your say Mark I can keep the hybrid lower. 5 wood for coming into Par 5’s when height is required. Off the tee Down wind on tight driving holes or where layup to a number is required. Goes about 10-15 yards further in the air than the hybrid so Serves a gapping purpose. Also more usable off fairway and rough than 3 wood.
I'm so happy you posted this video today, couldn't be more timely. Ive been shopping and testing clubs for 200-250 yards this week. Thanks again bois it was very very helpful, I could go for another one or two of these picking apart all of the options at the top of someones bag. Thanks again Muppets!!!
Used to carry SIX woods. Last 5 Wood I bought was the titanium Great Big Bertha (1997). Still have it in the closet, as well as the Callaway 1997 versions of the 7 (Heaven Wood), 9 (Divine Nine) and 11 (Ely Would). Maybe I should dig 'em out and get 'em re-gripped??? 😊
Can’t imagine a better way of spending time as what you guys are doing in this video. I get what you mean with a wood as a hybrid as I hold the club quite far down the shaft and feel like I won’t miss.
Call me old school, but I've always gone for the driver 3 wood 5 wood 4iron (and so on) at the top end of my bag, I love the flight that a 5 wood gives me over say a 3 or 2 iron, on a good strike I know that my 5 wood is gonna plop n stop, a long iron for me even on a great strike is gonna run out and its a bit of a lottery as to whether I'll be able hold the green, hell even with my 5 iron I get to much run out, so always have to allow for that, which again can be a bit of guess work... Great video, I love the discussion / debate type videos that really get the brain thinking about the various topics. Brilliant Mark 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Hi Mark and da boys, love the vids.... My dad plays up to a 7i, then has 11wood, 7wood, 5wood, 3wood. I can agree on your point that having a wood in hand, esp if it suits the eye, gives the extra confidence to hit it higher and further if you struggle for swing speed. I enjoy watching these videos, they really help me figure out what equipment can help my game. Big ups from South Africa. 👍
I have an old Callaway Steelhead #3, 5 wood, steel shaft, sounds like you´ve hit a glass bottle, love it! from the fairway or light rough it works pretty well, going around 195-220 yards, and sometimes use it off the tee on short par 4s or long par 3s. A couple of times I´ve played it into greens when I´ve had to lay up with a 3 wood off the tee because the driver gets you in trouble, but then I´m too far out to hit a a 5 or 6 iron in to the green. I´d definitely recommend them even if they are old school :D
I just put an old school Titleist 980f 5 wood back in the bag last week, bumped my 818h2 hybrid from a 3 to a 4, and took the 4 iron out because I was playing from the back tees. Noticeable height difference, which I like, in the 200+ yard range over the hybrid and I like it out of light rough. Now that I've bumped up the hybrid 3 degrees, it too goes considerably higher. The thing I miss is the low punch of the 4 iron but that has not been behaving. Going to give this combo a go for a while.
I have a 5wood in my set. I used to have a SLDR hybrid in there and the only shot I was able to hit with it was a high draw. I could not fade it to save my life. The 5 wood on the other hand I can easily fade and draw as needed and it's really easy to hit it high or low as necessary. Love the club.
Only reason I carry hybrids is for recovery from the rough where I often need a '3' or '4' for my second shot. Otherwise I would use an iron or fairway. What do you guys think, does hybrid perform better out of the rough?
My "5 wood", is a 21 degree fairway - and 3 iron length shaft, it's the 'Perfect Club' from way back when - very easy to hit 175 yards, nice little draw on it. It's my go-to club and has replaced: 4,5 irons, and 2 hybrids (17 and 23 degree).
I have a 3FW/15 as well as a 3 hybrid/19. I move the hybrid back in my stance to promote a more downward attack angle on the ball. Moving the 3FW forward, just a couple of inches, gives me the downward attack angle, but a much more shallow angle. JM2C
Ive always felt like a hybrid is much easier to dig out of a dodgy rough lie than any wood. I'd use a hybrid over a longish iron or wood from semi or rough any day, is that logical?
Nice video. I love hearing Dan talk about his game. I carry a 5 wood, but don't hit it from the fairway. I tend to top it. I then carry a 3,4,5 and even 6 hybrid. Love my hybrids.
Great chat guys! Dan's RBZ inspired me to put a 20° biocell in the bag (180-200). Play it forward ball position. I also have a 24° Adams DHY iron like hybrid. Can hit low runners vs wind with it if needed
I play my 5 wood and my 3 and 4 hybrids in the same ball position. My 5 wood has one more less degree of loft. And it fills my gap between my 3 wood and my 3 hybrid!! I am more confident with my 5 wood than any club in my bag!! I get excited to hit it every time!!! I can fade, it draw it, or hit it straight pretty much on demand. Only the lie will dictate whether I use it or not! Great discussion!!
I've watched Dan's test comparing between 3 Woods and 5 Woods on his channel. That inspired me to get myself a 5 Woods I smoked it every time and it went further than the driver Thank you for your sharing guys
This video brings up an interesting point about length for hybrid or Fairway shafts. The past two weeks or so I have been experimenting between my 19° and 21° Titleist 913 Hybrids both with the same model shaft to get ready for the 2023 season what I have concluded is that my 19° I play terrible in it’s stock length. After screwing on the same model 21° Mitsubishi Daimana blue hybrid shaft I was much more consistent for total length but still had a low decent angle, I want to be in the low 40° range of decent angle for long approaches. Now I am looking at my options in 5 woods. Getting a 18° TS2 fairway wood with Mitsubishi diamana red shaft to try this week. Already replaced my 913F 3 wood for a TS2 3 wood and love it.
After a time playing a 16° hybrid, I went back to my 18° 5 wood... More height, about the same distance, if not a bit more. And now (wasn't the case before, hence the hybrid) I can also play a stinger with it. Did a proper "Tiger stinger" this afternoon, 210 meters to the middle of the green, two putt birdie, thank your very much! Sadly, I don't manage that type of distance every time since I fat it a bit a little too often and therefore only get it to 195-200m in general.
I do need a 200 yard club and you’ve talked me into trying a 7 wood Mr. Crossfield. Well done sir! I play courses that require height so I’ll try one out and tell them you sent me! Great as usual!
I position the ball the same for hybrid or wood, but I completely understand why you would move the ball forward. Some people feel they can get consistency and it works with there natural swing than forcing the body to feel unnatural and train to hit what feels awkward. I play with the ball back a little more with my driver than most because it feels natural, controllable, and allows me to keep my wrists, shoulders, hips, and elbows flowing smoother. I have very long arms for my height and I have had to adapt to it.
The ball is in the exact place in relation to your sternum...the build of the club is what makes ball position appear to change. With a wedge, the butt end of the club is in front of the club face when the loft of the club is presented, while with a fairway wood the shaft is inline with the club face. The position, in relation to low point of the swing arc for a shot struck off the ground, is in the same place which is a few inches in front of the ball.
Your last point about the wind is spot on. Used to have a 5 wood, but playing into the wind I'd try to knock it down and hit slinging draws if I caught it slightly out of the toe😂 I don't have the same issue with my hybrid
I play driver 3 wood, 5 wood, 4 hybrid. My ball placement with the 5 wood and 4 hybrid is not much different. Maybe half a ball forward with my 5 wood from the hybrid. Tried the 3 hybrid but couldn’t land it on greens it wouldn’t get in the air. The 5 wood is probably my most dependable club as far as knowing on how far and where I am going to hit it.
I just got a Sim Max 9 wood and put back the 7 and 5 woods in the bag , I tried hybrids for a couple of seasons and they are Okay but I am a sweeper so woods suit me better, I kept one hybrid for that time you are stuck under the trees in the rough its a 5 hybrid
I have a 19degree 5 wood and it goes 240/250 yards through the air and it’s way more forgiving then my three so it’s now my go to club from the tee. Gets high in the air and bombs..
I remember seeing a video where Gary Player spoke of and demonstrated a 9 wood. I think it was a Callaway. He said it kept him in the game and competitive. I have 2 Sonartec TRC (trouble clubs). 18 and 24 degrees. They worked well because they have no offset so eliminate shanks. Swing changes allowed me to remove them, but I may reconsider that choice.
This video is exactly why I bought a 3 iron hybrid and cranked down....rather than 2 iron hybrid and crank up. Shorter gave me a more consistent strike and gave me more confidence
Funny mark I’m thinking of doing something similar , I play all Mizuno , I’ve a Mizuno 5 wood which I’ve knocked down to 16 degrees so thats like a 4 or weak 3 wood , then I’ve a 19 Degree hybrid which I don’t really like , I’m thinking about getting a new 3 wood and knocking that down to 14 and putting my original 5 wood then back to 17 or 18 , I get on much better with woods , reason I’d make my woods a little strong is , to take left out of play and I like to see them more open than shut at address , great vid mark 😊
I've done extensive testing hyb vs 5 wood and for me the perfect answer was a 5 Wood cut down to 40.75" in length. The 3 hybrid I tested was 40.25". The 5 wood is my favorite club in bag.
I love my 5 wood. I have a harder time launching the 3 wood personally. Just the length has to do with it. I tend to choke up on 5 wood a little as well to feel more confident in striking it and still hitting the distance I need out of it. I've thought about doing what Coach did with his fairway wood... but just haven't bothered... yet. Would love to have see Coach's process in custom fitting that fairway wood.
Keep the conversation videos coming!! Very informative on the way your thought patterns differ 👍 Used to have 5 wood as a junior many moons ago now, feel the need to revisit those times 👍
My mate has the pxg 7wood and its very hi and goes 210 for him then a 4 wood and flash driver. Numbers are spot on. But he also has a 20° driving iron for those windy days and just 2 wedges. Works for him. I have driver 3 wood the 17° hybrid then a muscle back Honma 4iron then into the normal set. I feel that works for me. 50 , 54 , 58 as well.
What if you cut down the 5 wood to the hybrid length? Also, we weren't all taught multiple ball positions - "golf my way". How about the hybrid numbers from the 5 wood position? Lots of questions here tonight. I carry a 5 wood for what it's worth and play it forward, but, I play everything forward (wedges excluded).
Mark, question regarding ball position with a hybrid. Doesn’t titleist claim the H1 plays like a fairway where the H2 plays like an iron? So ball position between those 2 would be different. This is where custom fitting would come in to see where you are more comfortable hitting from
I must test my hybrids against my woods, esp ball position. I was told to place the ball when using the hybrids, a little further back from the heel of my front foot. I have 3 & 5 woods and 21 & 24 deg hybrids. It'll be interesting to see the results.
I’m a high swing speed player and I have g400 7 wood in the bag because it’s easy to launch but also it had the adjustable hosel so I could dial in the loft and face angle exactly how I wanted where the 3 hybrid had no adjustability. But the g410 hybrid is adjustable so I may switch sometime
It took me a while to get used to hitting hybrids off grass. I decided to bag a M4 5w a few weeks ago and it kicked my 3w out of the bag, I am getting nearly 240 carry out of it at 18deg.
Love my 5 wood, generally more consistent than with my 4 hybrid which tended to be a bit hooky. I did push my 5 wood a lot, but a bit of work on the range led me to have the ball more forward in my stance , got my slight fade back with it but generally very straight and loads of loft, handy at my club for getting over the trees when I miss my aim with driver.
Just shows at the end of the day it is down to what we are most comfortable hitting. Such a fascinating conversation about respective ball positions and adding loft etc between the three of you. Thanks for the video. As for me going to stick with my hybrid(s) as I can hit them more easily than a wood. My 3 wood is in the garage at the moment in my unused clubs bag!
ping G410 3 hybrid 19 degrees, my local course has 3 short par 4s with trees in front of the green gets me up and over and soft enough landing to stop.
Picking up my 5-wood this week. It's going in the bag for exactly the reasons you stated...a little longer and a little higher. It fits in the bag just a little better than the hybrid. And OOOOH Momma...it's got some twist face. I really don't know why I landed on TM fairway woods. Ping driver, Cobra hybrid, Callaway irons, Hogan wedges. Mixed bag.
I'd love to see a group test from 7 wood to driver with shorter shafts, distance, dispersion, height, spin etc. Should be really interesting. I play a 5 wood and I love it, tee and fairway it really works
I use hybrid in winter, 7 wood in summer. The hybrid gives me a penetrating ball flight for winter golf. The 7 wood gives me a higher ball flight and more stop for summer golf.
I have space for a 14th club and keep fighting back and forth on a ~20* hybrid or ~20* Wood and this sold it for me, super informative video thank you!
It must be an incredible experience to hit the ball so consistently well that you can really focus on what the equipment can do for you. I've been a dreamer all my life about everything I've ever done...and some dreams have come true for me...but I've never pretended to have a swing where I could look at my numbers and determine my equipment from there. It's a level that I think is well below (meaning lower scoring average) that of a 5-handicapper.
What if you do hit the ball high and long? I currently play an 18 degree 3 iron in the US at about 250yrds. The only time I pull it out is to layup it hit stingers into the wind. Should I play a wood or a hybrid?
Considering taking my 3w out and putting a 5w in then moving my 3h to 21*. Right now I have 3w that I pummel off a tee but struggle to hit consistently off the turf dispersion wise. I play it more forward in my stance, because that is what I was taught. Perhaps I should just try playing it like I do my hybrid, hmm.
If the length of the shaft is longer, you would put the club head further forward in your stance as the point at which you address the ball will be further away from your hands.. Giving you more room for the longer shaft.. You get me??
Mark, What about the idea that some of us play longer clubs further left and up, to not feel as we are getting stuck on the down swing. I play 4/5 iron, 3 hybrid, 3 wood, driver up your thoughts???
I think the length of the club is in proportion to where your swing bottoms out. Right? On shorter clubs move the ball back in your stance? To hit on a descending blow? Now I’m confused!🤪🤪
I used to have a 7 wood made of real wood that was my go to club, could hit it all day out of fairway and rough. Made my first par with it on a 176 yard par 3. Unfortunately I replaced with a 4 hybrid which is far less consistent, and I don't know what happened to my old 7 wood.
One function of a hybrid or 5/7 wood is as a get out of a garbage lie club. I've sometimes used my old Callaway FT 20 degree hybrid choked down to chop out of the thick stuff. Not sure which way to go for a replacement.
I have a 5w that is 18 degree and just got a 7W that is 21 degree. My 7w replaced a 4H that I just could not hit. Hybrids just don’t work for me. I play my fairway woods up in my stance and they work great. My 7w is my 190-200 club I just got it and it has been amazing. I have the 5w callaway Mavrik max and 7w rogue st max
Isn't there a gapping issue though? I think as well a lot of amateurs would struggle to launch the 3 wood off the ground so perhaps have 5 wood instead of 3 wood?
I have a 5 wood and a 5 hybrid, the hybrid is more versatile I can hit down on the ball like an iron or sweep it like a wood. I am however more confident with the 5 wood off the tee, maybe because of the bigger head - can't explain why...
I use driver 3,5,7,9,11 woods. 7 iron is my longest iron. I hit twice as many fairways as I did with irons or hybrids. I hit them straight and I can draw them could not with irons. Could not get hybrids off the ground.
I have a Ping G400 5-wood. I have it adjusted down to 16.5 degrees (standard is 17.5 degrees). I can hit that club like nobody's business and I am never out of a hole. It's the only wood I hit off the fairway. With it being a 5-wood the head is smaller than a 3-wood so it is easier to hit. It sits lower on the ground so tight lies are not an issue. It can get through the rough with no problem too with that smaller head. So, just as a suggestion: get a 5-wood and reduce the loft down. I predict you will love the results, and it will be your go-to club.
I play golf at the Belgian cost. Always windy conditions. When I use my Adams hybrid (1) 15° into the wind, it gives me a low penatrating controllled flight . When occasionally I try a 3 wood same loft 15° into the wind it balloons sky-high and is compleet out of control....
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The point that Mark makes towards the end is exactly why I play a 19 hybrid rather than a 5 wood. I feel I can hit different shots with it (Funk it). I do carry a 3 wood but the lie etc has to be pretty perfect for me to use It off the deck where as I'll whack my hybrid from almost anywhere.
BTW. The content and discussions on this channel has always been fantastic but is just getting better and better.
Best golf content on RUclips bar none.
Been using 3&5 hybrid for years. Now carry a Rogue 5 fairway wood instead of a 3 hybrid.
Found it go’s higher, further and straighter.
Excellent banter for my treadmill work this morning.
Love my 5w. I go driver, 5w, 3i for the top end of my bag. Struggle with too little dynamic loft when it comes to 3w and driving irons.
I'm still playing old Titleist D2 3 and 5 woods (15.5° and 18°) and I love them. The 5 wood I can play anywhere from 230-190 as I choke down on it. I do understand the tendency to move the ball further forward which I do if the lie is good and I need the extra carry. However, playing them more centrally is no issue either. At this point, I have no need of a hybrid as I'm still able to thump my long irons crisply. Great premise though, guys! I can see getting a 7 wood sometime down the road...
Having recently had a full bag fitting at titleist I've got options to have either the 4 iron or 7 wood in the bag depending on course conditions
My 3 wood is a 16.5 and my 5 wood is a 20° the weaker lofts help me with gapping and also give me more confidence that I can get the ball up in the air with less effort/worry. Distance wise my 5 wood is around a 225 carry off the deck
I'm just starting out, but the 12° driver into a 16.5° 3W currently feels like a nice pairing and a got stay to the top end of the bag.
I've got a 21° hybrid coming as well.
Love my 5 and 7 woods. Two of my favourite clubs. 7 wood out of rough is 🔥
I play a 20 degree wood at 5 wood length after my 3 wood because for some reason I strike it better than a hybrid. Works for me!
I go 3 wood then Heavenwood. I have never been able to hit hybrids...all mental but it’s there...and the Heavenwood fills the 210 gap very nicely.
I’ve carried a 5-wood for years, it’s my favorite club actually. My 5-wood is 18 degrees and it’s a beast!
I still have a Callaway Divine Nine 9 wood in the bag.... I go Driver, 3 wood, 20 degree hybrid and the 9 wood. Absolutely love the thing.
Great conversation. Was playing a 19 hybrid and while it was very straight and consistent it was maxing out short of where I wanted it to be between 3 wood and 4 iron. Went back to 5 wood... haven’t looked back.
A pro I spoke to said to set up woods closer to the centre rather than nearer to the lead foot. Best advice (for me) ever when playing off the ground.
I play 18* powa hybrid with 18.5* 5 Wood. Serve different purposes and as your say Mark I can keep the hybrid lower. 5 wood for coming into Par 5’s when height is required. Off the tee Down wind on tight driving holes or where layup to a number is required. Goes about 10-15 yards further in the air than the hybrid so Serves a gapping purpose. Also more usable off fairway and rough than 3 wood.
7 wood is my favourite club, I feel I could play a whole round with it as it gives me so many options.. never felt comfortable with hybrids
I think the 3 of you together are a magic combo on UTUBE, add Rory for course vlog and best channel ever. Miss this combo
I did have to laugh when it focused onto Dan's crotch and he says "it's 2 inches, I've measured it before." 😂
Hahaha
That’s what she said😂
I'm so happy you posted this video today, couldn't be more timely. Ive been shopping and testing clubs for 200-250 yards this week. Thanks again bois it was very very helpful, I could go for another one or two of these picking apart all of the options at the top of someones bag. Thanks again Muppets!!!
Good to see you all together back in the day. Remember them days
Used to carry SIX woods. Last 5 Wood I bought was the titanium Great Big Bertha (1997). Still have it in the closet, as well as the Callaway 1997 versions of the 7 (Heaven Wood), 9 (Divine Nine) and 11 (Ely Would). Maybe I should dig 'em out and get 'em re-gripped??? 😊
Can’t imagine a better way of spending time as what you guys are doing in this video. I get what you mean with a wood as a hybrid as I hold the club quite far down the shaft and feel like I won’t miss.
Call me old school, but I've always gone for the driver 3 wood 5 wood 4iron (and so on) at the top end of my bag, I love the flight that a 5 wood gives me over say a 3 or 2 iron, on a good strike I know that my 5 wood is gonna plop n stop, a long iron for me even on a great strike is gonna run out and its a bit of a lottery as to whether I'll be able hold the green, hell even with my 5 iron I get to much run out, so always have to allow for that, which again can be a bit of guess work... Great video, I love the discussion / debate type videos that really get the brain thinking about the various topics. Brilliant Mark 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
After this video I think we need a ball position video, I know I could use some help with that.
Hi Mark and da boys, love the vids....
My dad plays up to a 7i, then has 11wood, 7wood, 5wood, 3wood. I can agree on your point that having a wood in hand, esp if it suits the eye, gives the extra confidence to hit it higher and further if you struggle for swing speed.
I enjoy watching these videos, they really help me figure out what equipment can help my game.
Big ups from South Africa. 👍
I have a 15 degree head on a steel two iron shaft and I love it for control. I hit a low cutting 200 to 215 ball with it. Great video Mark!
I have an old Callaway Steelhead #3, 5 wood, steel shaft, sounds like you´ve hit a glass bottle, love it! from the fairway or light rough it works pretty well, going around 195-220 yards, and sometimes use it off the tee on short par 4s or long par 3s. A couple of times I´ve played it into greens when I´ve had to lay up with a 3 wood off the tee because the driver gets you in trouble, but then I´m too far out to hit a a 5 or 6 iron in to the green. I´d definitely recommend them even if they are old school :D
I just put an old school Titleist 980f 5 wood back in the bag last week, bumped my 818h2 hybrid from a 3 to a 4, and took the 4 iron out because I was playing from the back tees. Noticeable height difference, which I like, in the 200+ yard range over the hybrid and I like it out of light rough. Now that I've bumped up the hybrid 3 degrees, it too goes considerably higher. The thing I miss is the low punch of the 4 iron but that has not been behaving. Going to give this combo a go for a while.
I have a 5wood in my set. I used to have a SLDR hybrid in there and the only shot I was able to hit with it was a high draw. I could not fade it to save my life. The 5 wood on the other hand I can easily fade and draw as needed and it's really easy to hit it high or low as necessary. Love the club.
Only reason I carry hybrids is for recovery from the rough where I often need a '3' or '4' for my second shot. Otherwise I would use an iron or fairway. What do you guys think, does hybrid perform better out of the rough?
My "5 wood", is a 21 degree fairway - and 3 iron length shaft, it's the 'Perfect Club' from way back when - very easy to hit 175 yards, nice little draw on it. It's my go-to club and has replaced: 4,5 irons, and 2 hybrids (17 and 23 degree).
I have a 3FW/15 as well as a 3 hybrid/19. I move the hybrid back in my stance to promote a more downward attack angle on the ball. Moving the 3FW forward, just a couple of inches, gives me the downward attack angle, but a much more shallow angle. JM2C
Ive always felt like a hybrid is much easier to dig out of a dodgy rough lie than any wood. I'd use a hybrid over a longish iron or wood from semi or rough any day, is that logical?
Nice video. I love hearing Dan talk about his game. I carry a 5 wood, but don't hit it from the fairway. I tend to top it. I then carry a 3,4,5 and even 6 hybrid. Love my hybrids.
Great chat guys! Dan's RBZ inspired me to put a 20° biocell in the bag (180-200). Play it forward ball position. I also have a 24° Adams DHY iron like hybrid. Can hit low runners vs wind with it if needed
I play my 5 wood and my 3 and 4 hybrids in the same ball position. My 5 wood has one more less degree of loft. And it fills my gap between my 3 wood and my 3 hybrid!! I am more confident with my 5 wood than any club in my bag!! I get excited to hit it every time!!! I can fade, it draw it, or hit it straight pretty much on demand. Only the lie will dictate whether I use it or not! Great discussion!!
I've watched Dan's test comparing between 3 Woods and 5 Woods on his channel.
That inspired me to get myself a 5 Woods
I smoked it every time and it went further than the driver
Thank you for your sharing guys
This video brings up an interesting point about length for hybrid or Fairway shafts. The past two weeks or so I have been experimenting between my 19° and 21° Titleist 913 Hybrids both with the same model shaft to get ready for the 2023 season what I have concluded is that my 19° I play terrible in it’s stock length. After screwing on the same model 21° Mitsubishi Daimana blue hybrid shaft I was much more consistent for total length but still had a low decent angle, I want to be in the low 40° range of decent angle for long approaches. Now I am looking at my options in 5 woods. Getting a 18° TS2 fairway wood with Mitsubishi diamana red shaft to try this week. Already replaced my 913F 3 wood for a TS2 3 wood and love it.
After a time playing a 16° hybrid, I went back to my 18° 5 wood... More height, about the same distance, if not a bit more. And now (wasn't the case before, hence the hybrid) I can also play a stinger with it. Did a proper "Tiger stinger" this afternoon, 210 meters to the middle of the green, two putt birdie, thank your very much! Sadly, I don't manage that type of distance every time since I fat it a bit a little too often and therefore only get it to 195-200m in general.
Been having a serious re-think about my bag (3-wood / hybrids) over the past couple of months and content such as this is timely & excellent!
I do need a 200 yard club and you’ve talked me into trying a 7 wood Mr. Crossfield. Well done sir! I play courses that require height so I’ll try one out and tell them you sent me! Great as usual!
Added a 7 wood this season and love it. Took the hybrid out and haven’t looked back. More height and distance.
I position the ball the same for hybrid or wood, but I completely understand why you would move the ball forward. Some people feel they can get consistency and it works with there natural swing than forcing the body to feel unnatural and train to hit what feels awkward. I play with the ball back a little more with my driver than most because it feels natural, controllable, and allows me to keep my wrists, shoulders, hips, and elbows flowing smoother. I have very long arms for my height and I have had to adapt to it.
The ball is in the exact place in relation to your sternum...the build of the club is what makes ball position appear to change. With a wedge, the butt end of the club is in front of the club face when the loft of the club is presented, while with a fairway wood the shaft is inline with the club face. The position, in relation to low point of the swing arc for a shot struck off the ground, is in the same place which is a few inches in front of the ball.
Your last point about the wind is spot on. Used to have a 5 wood, but playing into the wind I'd try to knock it down and hit slinging draws if I caught it slightly out of the toe😂 I don't have the same issue with my hybrid
kwillis3 I find it hard to trust most hybrids because they are ‘hooky’ I like my mizuno one because it’s relatively flat so not as draw bias
I play driver 3 wood, 5 wood, 4 hybrid. My ball placement with the 5 wood and 4 hybrid is not much different. Maybe half a ball forward with my 5 wood from the hybrid. Tried the 3 hybrid but couldn’t land it on greens it wouldn’t get in the air. The 5 wood is probably my most dependable club as far as knowing on how far and where I am going to hit it.
I just got a Sim Max 9 wood and put back the 7 and 5 woods in the bag , I tried hybrids for a couple of seasons and they are Okay but I am a sweeper so woods suit me better, I kept one hybrid for that time you are stuck under the trees in the rough its a 5 hybrid
I have a 19degree 5 wood and it goes 240/250 yards through the air and it’s way more forgiving then my three so it’s now my go to club from the tee. Gets high in the air and bombs..
I remember seeing a video where Gary Player spoke of and demonstrated a 9 wood. I think it was a Callaway. He said it kept him in the game and competitive.
I have 2 Sonartec TRC (trouble clubs). 18 and 24 degrees. They worked well because they have no offset so eliminate shanks. Swing changes allowed me to remove them, but I may reconsider that choice.
This video is exactly why I bought a 3 iron hybrid and cranked down....rather than 2 iron hybrid and crank up. Shorter gave me a more consistent strike and gave me more confidence
Funny mark I’m thinking of doing something similar , I play all Mizuno , I’ve a Mizuno 5 wood which I’ve knocked down to 16 degrees so thats like a 4 or weak 3 wood , then I’ve a 19 Degree hybrid which I don’t really like , I’m thinking about getting a new 3 wood and knocking that down to 14 and putting my original 5 wood then back to 17 or 18 , I get on much better with woods , reason I’d make my woods a little strong is , to take left out of play and I like to see them more open than shut at address , great vid mark 😊
I've done extensive testing hyb vs 5 wood and for me the perfect answer was a 5 Wood cut down to 40.75" in length. The 3 hybrid I tested was 40.25". The 5 wood is my favorite club in bag.
Oh, and because I cut the 5 wood so much I had to add a butt weight (8g), and I also have a LOT of leadtape on the head to get to D2 swing-weight.
I love my 5 wood. I have a harder time launching the 3 wood personally. Just the length has to do with it. I tend to choke up on 5 wood a little as well to feel more confident in striking it and still hitting the distance I need out of it. I've thought about doing what Coach did with his fairway wood... but just haven't bothered... yet.
Would love to have see Coach's process in custom fitting that fairway wood.
Keep the conversation videos coming!! Very informative on the way your thought patterns differ 👍
Used to have 5 wood as a junior many moons ago now, feel the need to revisit those times 👍
My mate has the pxg 7wood and its very hi and goes 210 for him then a 4 wood and flash driver. Numbers are spot on. But he also has a 20° driving iron for those windy days and just 2 wedges. Works for him.
I have driver 3 wood the 17° hybrid then a muscle back Honma 4iron then into the normal set. I feel that works for me. 50 , 54 , 58 as well.
This was a nice thought provoking lesson. Thank you fellas.
I ditched my 3 wood for a 5 wood last season. WAY more versatile than the 3. Now I'll sit back and watch the video. Thanks, boys!
What if you cut down the 5 wood to the hybrid length? Also, we weren't all taught multiple ball positions - "golf my way". How about the hybrid numbers from the 5 wood position? Lots of questions here tonight. I carry a 5 wood for what it's worth and play it forward, but, I play everything forward (wedges excluded).
Mark, question regarding ball position with a hybrid. Doesn’t titleist claim the H1 plays like a fairway where the H2 plays like an iron? So ball position between those 2 would be different. This is where custom fitting would come in to see where you are more comfortable hitting from
I must test my hybrids against my woods, esp ball position. I was told to place the ball when using the hybrids, a little further back from the heel of my front foot. I have 3 & 5 woods and 21 & 24 deg hybrids. It'll be interesting to see the results.
I’m a high swing speed player and I have g400 7 wood in the bag because it’s easy to launch but also it had the adjustable hosel so I could dial in the loft and face angle exactly how I wanted where the 3 hybrid had no adjustability. But the g410 hybrid is adjustable so I may switch sometime
It took me a while to get used to hitting hybrids off grass. I decided to bag a M4 5w a few weeks ago and it kicked my 3w out of the bag, I am getting nearly 240 carry out of it at 18deg.
Love my 5 wood, generally more consistent than with my 4 hybrid which tended to be a bit hooky. I did push my 5 wood a lot, but a bit of work on the range led me to have the ball more forward in my stance , got my slight fade back with it but generally very straight and loads of loft, handy at my club for getting over the trees when I miss my aim with driver.
I moved from an 18 degree hybrid to a 16.5 ts2 lofted up to 18 and hitting the wood a lot better especially off the tee
Just shows at the end of the day it is down to what we are most comfortable hitting. Such a fascinating conversation about respective ball positions and adding loft etc between the three of you. Thanks for the video. As for me going to stick with my hybrid(s) as I can hit them more easily than a wood. My 3 wood is in the garage at the moment in my unused clubs bag!
Been playing with a 5W for over a year now....high soft landing with a distance dispersion from 200-230 yards. Only playing to a 5 iron now.
Great video. Love the different points of view depending on individual.
ping G410 3 hybrid 19 degrees, my local course has 3 short par 4s with trees in front of the green gets me up and over and soft enough landing to stop.
Great video Mark. Very interesting to watch.
Picking up my 5-wood this week. It's going in the bag for exactly the reasons you stated...a little longer and a little higher. It fits in the bag just a little better than the hybrid. And OOOOH Momma...it's got some twist face. I really don't know why I landed on TM fairway woods. Ping driver, Cobra hybrid, Callaway irons, Hogan wedges. Mixed bag.
I’ve just put a 16’ 3 wood in my bag with a 5 wood length shaft to complement by 909F3 5 wood, which is my favourite club 👍
My TS2 7 wood is my favourite club I just love it
7 wood 😍
I'd love to see a group test from 7 wood to driver with shorter shafts, distance, dispersion, height, spin etc. Should be really interesting. I play a 5 wood and I love it, tee and fairway it really works
I use hybrid in winter, 7 wood in summer. The hybrid gives me a penetrating ball flight for winter golf. The 7 wood gives me a higher ball flight and more stop for summer golf.
The sound of the hit is so pure.
Best video you guys have done in a bit. Nice work!
I have space for a 14th club and keep fighting back and forth on a ~20* hybrid or ~20* Wood and this sold it for me, super informative video thank you!
used to play a 4 iron and a 5 wood but changed out to a rinky and power Wilson staff hybrids and haven't looked back.. did like my 5 wood though..
It must be an incredible experience to hit the ball so consistently well that you can really focus on what the equipment can do for you. I've been a dreamer all my life about everything I've ever done...and some dreams have come true for me...but I've never pretended to have a swing where I could look at my numbers and determine my equipment from there. It's a level that I think is well below (meaning lower scoring average) that of a 5-handicapper.
Great post. Would you expect similar results if the shaft lengths were the same?
What if you do hit the ball high and long? I currently play an 18 degree 3 iron in the US at about 250yrds. The only time I pull it out is to layup it hit stingers into the wind. Should I play a wood or a hybrid?
Definitely want to see swing analysis of you guys, including slo-mo front angle and back.
Considering taking my 3w out and putting a 5w in then moving my 3h to 21*. Right now I have 3w that I pummel off a tee but struggle to hit consistently off the turf dispersion wise. I play it more forward in my stance, because that is what I was taught. Perhaps I should just try playing it like I do my hybrid, hmm.
I use 3 wood and 5 wood. Love them both!
If the length of the shaft is longer, you would put the club head further forward in your stance as the point at which you address the ball will be further away from your hands.. Giving you more room for the longer shaft.. You get me??
Mark,
What about the idea that some of us play longer clubs further left and up, to not feel as we are getting stuck on the down swing. I play 4/5 iron, 3 hybrid, 3 wood, driver up your thoughts???
I love vids that make me think....even if thinking gives me a headache lol 🤕
Very interesting and thought provoking stuff Mark.....thanks for posting 👌
I think the length of the club is in proportion to where your swing bottoms out. Right? On shorter clubs move the ball back in your stance? To hit on a descending blow? Now I’m confused!🤪🤪
I used to have a 7 wood made of real wood that was my go to club, could hit it all day out of fairway and rough. Made my first par with it on a 176 yard par 3. Unfortunately I replaced with a 4 hybrid which is far less consistent, and I don't know what happened to my old 7 wood.
One function of a hybrid or 5/7 wood is as a get out of a garbage lie club. I've sometimes used my old Callaway FT 20 degree hybrid choked down to chop out of the thick stuff. Not sure which way to go for a replacement.
I have a 5w that is 18 degree and just got a 7W that is 21 degree. My 7w replaced a 4H that I just could not hit. Hybrids just don’t work for me. I play my fairway woods up in my stance and they work great. My 7w is my 190-200 club I just got it and it has been amazing. I have the 5w callaway Mavrik max and 7w rogue st max
Isn't there a gapping issue though? I think as well a lot of amateurs would struggle to launch the 3 wood off the ground so perhaps have 5 wood instead of 3 wood?
exactly why I bought a second hand 5 wood. Better launch and gets the ball forward
What 'style' hybrid do you play Mark? Is it an iron-looking hybrid like the TaylorMade GAPR, or a wood-looking hybrid like Titleist 818?
I have a 5 wood and a 5 hybrid, the hybrid is more versatile I can hit down on the ball like an iron or sweep it like a wood. I am however more confident with the 5 wood off the tee, maybe because of the bigger head - can't explain why...
I love my cobra Ltd 5 wood. Good height and distance. Tried hybrids but couldn’t get on with them.
I use driver 3,5,7,9,11 woods. 7 iron is my longest iron. I hit twice as many fairways as I did with irons or hybrids. I hit them straight and I can draw them could not with irons. Could not get hybrids off the ground.
I have a Ping G400 5-wood. I have it adjusted down to 16.5 degrees (standard is 17.5 degrees). I can hit that club like nobody's business and I am never out of a hole. It's the only wood I hit off the fairway. With it being a 5-wood the head is smaller than a 3-wood so it is easier to hit. It sits lower on the ground so tight lies are not an issue. It can get through the rough with no problem too with that smaller head. So, just as a suggestion: get a 5-wood and reduce the loft down. I predict you will love the results, and it will be your go-to club.
I have the exact same setup with my Ping 5 wood (much more forgiving them the 3 wood), but I still also carry hybrids for the same reason Mark does.
I play golf at the Belgian cost. Always windy conditions. When I use my Adams hybrid (1) 15° into the wind, it gives me a low penatrating controllled flight . When occasionally I try a 3 wood same loft 15° into the wind it balloons sky-high and is compleet out of control....