5-Wood Vs 3-Hybrid: Which One Should You Carry & Why

The traditional golf bag included a quality driver, a 3-wood, a 5-wood, and a 3-PW with a SW and a putter. But with the introduction of hybrid clubs, Numerous golfers are now unsure whether they should stick to their old woods or go with the new hybrid wave.

With a maximum of 14 golf clubs permissible in your bag, selecting the most suited to your game can be challenging, especially when deciding between a 5-wood and a 3-hybrid.

In this article, we will make the choice easier by answering the question once and for all.

Which One Should I Carry?

Distance plays a significant role in decision-making. In terms of distance, a 17-degree 3-Hybrid is comparable to an 18-degree 5-wood. However, the club's length and head size vary. This can have an effect on swing outcomes such as workability. For instance, a 5-wood may be simpler to hit off the tee, whereas a 3-hybrid may offer a greater variety from the fairway or rough. In the end, the decision frequently comes down to which club provides you with the most consistency. It would be best to remember that consistency breeds confidence and results in lower scores!

5-Wood Vs 3-Hybrid Comparison

Both hybrids and woods come in different varieties. Let's now explore how a 5-wood and a 3-wood differ in terms of shape, size, length, use, etc.

5-Wood

Amateur players should carry between two and three hybrid clubs in their golf bag to replace clubs such as the 5-wood and 3- and 4-irons. The overall number of hybrids required by a golfer is best decided by clubhead speed, distance gaps between clubs, personal choice, playing objectives, and budget.

The 5 Wood is an excellent club for consistently driving the ball toward the green from a relatively long distance. In addition, having a 5 wood for shorter tee shots and a longer approach shot makes the most sense for an average player.

Easier to Hit off the Tee

The 5 wood's size advantage over a 3 hybrid makes it easier to hit off the tee. This gives you an advantage on shorter, narrower par 4s and longer par 3s where an iron is insufficient.

Apart from the added loft, the 5-wood looks identical to a 3-wood, which might provide confidence when hitting it off the tee. If you are someone who frequently prefers to strike something other than the driver for safety reasons or if you have difficulty with your driver, the 5-wood may be a better option.

However, if you are a frequent pull driver and do not intend to use a 3 or 5 wood, the hybrid may be the best option.

Less Likely to Hook

Professionals and golfers with a low handicap who have little difficulty controlling their ball flight may prefer a 5-wood over a 3-hybrid.

This is because many players are wary of utilizing a hybrid, believing it will draw the ball further than its regular flight path and maybe result in the dreaded hook.

The hybrid's design elements make it easier for players with a higher handicap to hit a power draw. Those with a chronic slice will benefit from a hybrid, while more proficient players who routinely draw will benefit from a 5-wood.

Potentially Bigger Yardage Advantage

The 5-wood may fly further than the 3-hybrid due to the size of the head and the length of the shaft. Once again, a variety of variables are at play here. 

In certain circumstances, such as off the tee or from a perfect lie, the 5 wood may fly further and produce more total distance. However, when confronted with tight lies or thicker terrain, the hybrid may prove to be the superior alternative.

3-Hybrid

The 3-wood is a member of the wood family of clubs and has been around for a long period of time. It is designed to provide the additional distance required on long par 4's and par 5's.

The hybrid club is a relatively new addition to the game of golf, developed in response to golfers' struggle to consistently and correctly strike their long irons. The 3-hybrid is not a distance club in the traditional sense.

This club is suitable for everybody; it simplifies long-range approach shots and instills confidence in your long game. The high launch and spin rate will assist you in holding greens from a distance, allowing you to strike from further out. 

Hybrid clubs are intended to be used in place of a golfer's 2-iron through 5-iron clubs, depending on the golfer's desire. Many golfers struggle with long irons and therefore opt for a more forgiving hybrid.

Hybrids are Designed to Be Easier to Hit Than Fairway Woods.

As the name suggests, a hybrid is a cross between an iron and a fairway wood. In terms of appearance, construction, and function.

The phrases 'hybrid' and 'rescue club' are sometimes used synonymously. They are incredibly adaptable as a club type, providing both distance and a higher launch. Many golfers opt to replace their fairway wood or long iron with a hybrid. 

Increased Adaptability in the Rough and Off of the Fairway

While the 5-wood is more forgiving off the tee, the 3-hybrid is a more versatile club in the fairway and rough, as it is capable of being employed in almost any situation.

Certain golfers may even choose to use it to bump and run around the greens. The hybrid appears to have evolved from clubs such as tight lights or rescue clubs, which were meant to allow players with a mid to high handicap to get the ball in the air and play the longer par 4s or par 5s.

Provides a Higher Loft Option

Today's hybrids are quite easy to get a loft, which is advantageous if you frequently find yourself in the 180-200 yard zone and need to stop the ball on the green.

Nothing is more disappointing than carrying the ball to your planned landing spot only to have it roll through and off the green. This added loft will assist you in carrying the ball further and increasing your chances of keeping it on the green.

Here's an informative video (12 minutes 21 seconds) from James Robinson Golf's YouTube Channel. Watch to see the actual difference between a 3-hybrid and a 5-wood when in action.

Factors to Consider

Your height, body type, and physical strength are all critical factors to consider. As a general rule, taller players require a longer shaft to perform optimally. Additionally, you should analyze the shaft flex and how well it fits your swing. Other factors include the following: 

Distance

Evaluate the distance you typically achieve with each type of club. If you need more distance, the 5-wood might be a better choice, as fairway woods generally hit the ball farther than hybrids.

Launch and Trajectory

Consider the launch angle and trajectory you prefer. Hybrids tend to have a higher launch and a more penetrating ball flight, while fairway woods like the 5-wood have a lower launch and a longer carry.

Swinging technique

When using a fairway wood, a golfer's swing plane should be a bit flatter. The clubface should be parallel to the ground as it strikes the ball off the fairway.

A hybrid club enables the golfer to approach the ball from a steeper angle, similar to the way an iron club is struck. A well-placed hybrid shot can leave a divot that extends slightly beyond the point of impact.

Shot Shape

A draw is a challenging shot for the majority of amateurs, but with a few easy tweaks, any player can learn how to hit a draw. Not only does it carry further, but it also rolls further. Draws generate greater topspin, which results in an increased rollout once the ball hits the ground. The further you can hit off the tee, the closer you will be to approach shots and, consequently, the lower your score will be.

Hybrids are generally easier to shape, allowing for draws or fades, while fairway woods like the 5-wood might be less adaptable in shaping shots.

Forgiveness

To begin, hybrid clubs are far more forgiving to handle than a wood or a driver. While a 5-wood will normally have a loft of around 19 degrees, a 3-hybrid will typically have a loft of around 20 degrees. That implies that when you strike the ball with a wood, it's much more difficult to lift the ball into the air due to the golf club’s more acute angle of contact.

Hybrid golf clubs provide a far higher MOI (moment of inertia) [1] and a significantly lower center of gravity, which results in much more fluid contact with the ball and prevents the clubhead from twisting or turning during impact.

Hybrids offer more forgiveness than fairway woods.

Versatility

Hybrids are often more versatile, suitable for various lies and situations, including rough, fairway, and even from the tee.

Fairway woods like the 5-wood are better suited for shots off the fairway or tee, offering more distance but potentially less versatility in challenging lies.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are the most frequently asked questions regarding the topic. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the appropriate bag makeup for your game is straightforward: The more you experiment with, the more data you will have, and the more educated conclusions you will be able to make. As is customary, the answer is found in the data. 

Both the 5-wood and 3-hybrid are extremely handy in different situations; that's why we provided factors to consider while choosing one club over the other. It all comes down to your skill level, mastery and speed of the swing, goals, and preferences.

If you have any questions in mind, don't hesitate to contact us.

Thanks for reading!