Anyone else ditching fairway woods for low lofted hybrids

More and more, I find myself casting aside my 3-wood in favor of my 16-degree hybrid. I'm more comfortable hitting it off the deck and off the tee, and only seem to lose about 10 yards of distance compared to the 3-wood (assuming I strike the 3-wood perfectly). More often than not, I have a slight mishit on the 3-wood and end up short and or offline from where I would have otherwise been with the 16-degree hybrid. I've tried out a number of new fairway woods and haven't yet found anything that has "WOWed" me. With hybrid clubs getting better and better, I'm not seeing much of a downside......I'd be interested to know if anyone else is approaching their long game this way.

For quite a while my top-of-bag setup was a 10.5 driver (set to 12 degrees) then an 18-degree 5-Wood and then a 23-degree 4-Hybrid.

In my most recent equipment "replacement cycle" (rhymes with "ho") I'm using driver then 18 and 23 degree hybrids. I'm not sure I'm giving up any distance at all on average with the 41" hybrid vs. 42-1/2" 5-Wood and I am certainly gaining consistency and straightness. The trajectory is lower with the hybrid but it isn't like I was stopping 5-Wood shots on a dime either.

Net benefit isn't huge but it's been a worthwhile change. Plus my 18 and 23 degree hybrids are the same model with the same shaft so that's twice as many shots per round with near-identical clubs, helping me even more with consistency and confidence.

I tried quite a few hybrids in the 17-19 degree range, but seem to always fight hooks with them. Higher lofted hybrids I dont have that issue. I love the look of hybrids, but am more consistent with fairway woods.

Nope. Woods are way better for me.

> @"North Butte" said:

> For quite a while my top-of-bag setup was a 10.5 driver (set to 12 degrees) then an 18-degree 5-Wood and then a 23-degree 4-Hybrid.

>

> In my most recent equipment "replacement cycle" (rhymes with "ho") I'm using driver then 18 and 23 degree hybrids. I'm not sure I'm giving up any distance at all on average with the 41" hybrid vs. 42-1/2" 5-Wood and I am certainly gaining consistency and straightness. The trajectory is lower with the hybrid but it isn't like I was stopping 5-Wood shots on a dime either.

>

> Net benefit isn't huge but it's been a worthwhile change. Plus my 18 and 23 degree hybrids are the same model with the same shaft so that's twice as many shots per round with near-identical clubs, **helping me even more with consistency and confidence.**

To me, that's the biggest thing.....standing over the ball w/ my hybrid, I don't have all those bad thoughts coming into my mind like I do w/ the 3-wood. I KNOW I'm going to hit the hybrid well....although I don't always....however, the misses seem to be way less punishing.

I am set up the same way. Glad to see I am not alone! Outside my driver, I have been gaming a 16, 20, & 23 degree hybrid versus using woods ever since the Callaway X Hot Pro hybrids came out. I have done a few 3 & 5 wood tests lately to see if I could put the woods back in and I just cannot find anything that makes me want to change. I see a 5-10 yard difference between my 16 degree hybrid and a 15 degree 3 wood. My dispersion is so much tighter with my 16 degree hybrid.

I think it boils down to confidence.

Doing this as we speak

My options are

Driver, 3hy turned to 17.5 , then 4 iron . Add in a 64 wedge

Or

Driver, 2hy down to 15.5, 3 hy up to 20.5, 4 iron. Then leave the wedge setup as is

Thinking it is going to be option 2

> @wickwoss said:

> I tried quite a few hybrids in the 17-19 degree range, but seem to always fight hooks with them. Higher lofted hybrids I dont have that issue. I love the look of hybrids, but am more consistent with fairway woods.

G410 hybrid. No hooks

i'm currently on the fence about whether to keep my 3w in the bag or just use my epic 3i w/ hybrid shaft; b/c they're close in terms of distance, and the driving iron is much more consistent and goes straight as an arrow. the 3w has the extra distance but, it is more workable and sometimes that is good - others it can be bad.

> @Kale_m said:

> > @wickwoss said:

> > I tried quite a few hybrids in the 17-19 degree range, but seem to always fight hooks with them. Higher lofted hybrids I dont have that issue. I love the look of hybrids, but am more consistent with fairway woods.

>

> G410 hybrid. No hooks

^^^ this. I dropped my HL 3 wood in favor of the G410 19* and couldn't be happier. I gave up a few yards, but picked up a lot more consistency. Hooks are rare due to the flat settings that are available.

> @bhorlings said:

> I am set up the same way. Glad to see I am not alone! Outside my driver, I have been gaming a 16, 20, & 23 degree hybrid versus using woods ever since the Callaway X Hot Pro hybrids came out. I have done a few 3 & 5 wood tests lately to see if I could put the woods back in and I just cannot find anything that makes me want to change. I see a 5-10 yard difference between my 16 degree hybrid and a 15 degree 3 wood. My dispersion is so much tighter with my 16 degree hybrid.

>

> I think it boils down to confidence.

Assuming a good strike on both clubs: the 3-wood, with the longer shaft and less loft, should hit the ball farther than the hybrid.....however, we all know that "strike is king". The shorter shaft of the hybrid gives me a better shot of putting a good strike on it....and by extension, I have more confidence. I do find it interesting that there are some who avoid hybrids like the plague......just goes to show that we're all different.

Yes, I've put my 3-wood away, and my 5-wood is my 'go to fairway', although I am loving my 7-wood (Callaway rogue) as it goes high and comes down soft.

> @"North Butte" said:

> For quite a while my top-of-bag setup was a 10.5 driver (set to 12 degrees) then an 18-degree 5-Wood and then a 23-degree 4-Hybrid.

>

> In my most recent equipment "replacement cycle" (rhymes with "ho") I'm using driver then 18 and 23 degree hybrids. I'm not sure I'm giving up any distance at all on average with the 41" hybrid vs. 42-1/2" 5-Wood and I am certainly gaining consistency and straightness. The trajectory is lower with the hybrid but it isn't like I was stopping 5-Wood shots on a dime either.

>

> Net benefit isn't huge but it's been a worthwhile change. Plus my 18 and 23 degree hybrids are the same model with the same shaft so that's twice as many shots per round with near-identical clubs, helping me even more with consistency and confidence.

@Kale_m @kcsf

I've seen that mentioned before, but didn't know whether to believe the hype or not. Are they really that hook proof? Either of y'all have hooking issue before the 410? Also, can you adjust them flat without changing loft?

Complete opposite for me, I moved to have two hybrids in the bag but found my consistency dropped, maybe it was the type of hybrid I was using (too hard to hit etc.) but I moved straight back to a proper three wood and five wood and I have so much more consistency and performance because of it

> @wickwoss said:

> @Kale_m @kcsf

> I've seen that mentioned before, but didn't know whether to believe the hype or not. Are they really that hook proof? Either of y'all have hooking issue before the 410? Also, can you adjust them flat without changing loft?

Never had a hybrid in my bag before due to hooking them so bad. Ditched the 2/3 iron for the hybrid and now dropping the 3w for another hybrid. ThAt says something. I am a 0.7 cap, hit it long with my driver so no need for a 3 wood really. The only time I need a 3w is in the 1 or 2 scrambles I play a year. Have a 915f in the closet for those days.

And yes. You can make it flat and keep it at standard loft

Swapped out my 5 wood for a 2 hybrid. The hybrid is much easier to hit off the fairway and especially in the rough. Occasionally put the 5 wood back in on courses where I might use it off the tee a few times though.

@Kale_m

Thanks for the info. I just threw a 5 wood in the bag, but don't love it. May check out the 410 instead. I tee off with a 3 wood almost exclusively, so I don't think I can make the jump to drop that.

i thought about it temporarily, but the epic flash 5 wood has changed my mind for the time being and kept the FW spot in the bag

I keep 3w in the bag, but seldom use it.

2i goes almost the same distance, and is more forgiving both off the deck and tee.

I would love to replace my 5w with an 18* hybrid at some point in the future.

Tried a couple years ago with 15* and 17* Super LS and just couldn't get a high enough trajectory. Was only about 10-15y less in total distance, but was 25-30y less in carry for me. Have since gone the other way and more often than not have a 4wd in the bag and back to a 19 or 20 degree hybrid.

I'm going the opposite route: going to a baffler 4-wood at 16. Previously tried traditional 3-woods at 15 and a 17 hybrid. 3-wood was fine off the tee but struggled with consistency off the deck and was useless out of anything but a nearly perfect lie. 17 hybrid was easy to rip from tee, fw, or rough but struggled keeping it from going left. Now, just need something in the 19-20ish range to complete gapping. Maybe a 2nd baffler at 19...

Have the ping g410 3 hybrid, it is so long it was creeping up to my g400 3 wood. Obviously not longer then the 3 wood but being 3 inches shorter and only a 19 degree hybrid, the gap shouldn't be that close. I just ordered a ping g410 2 hybrid to most likely replace the 3 wood.

What are your yardages for your options Kale_m?

> @bhorlings said:

> What are your yardages for your options Kale_m?

I swing the driver At 122 mph. I carry the ball like 305/310 at our elevation here.

With the 2hy at 15.5 I am hoping for 275

The 3hy At 20.5 I am hoping for 245-250

I can carry my 4 iron 230

With the shots I have seen with this 3hy at 18* I think those numbers are attainable

With the 3 wood I never really use it as I am uncomfortable with it, which in turn leads to bad swings. The hybrid I can work it anyway I want and love the trajectory I get.

Here is a shot on trackman with the diver

> @Ripken08 said:

> Nope. Woods are way better for me.

Same here - most hybrids are hook machines and I don't need that help!

> @Buzzkill said:

> > @Ripken08 said:

> > Nope. Woods are way better for me.

>

> Same here - most hybrids are hook machines and I don't need that help!

Same as well. I go driver/4w/Heavenwood/4i. And the 4i is pretty much just for tee shots and low runners when I'm stuck in the woods... which is a LOT.

> @Kale_m said:

> > @bhorlings said:

> > What are your yardages for your options Kale_m?

>

> I swing the driver At 122 mph. I carry the ball like 305/310 at our elevation here.

>

> With the 2hy at 15.5 I am hoping for 275

>

> The 3hy At 20.5 I am hoping for 245-250

>

> I can carry my 4 iron 230

>

> With the shots I have seen with this 3hy at 18* I think those numbers are attainable

>

> With the 3 wood I never really use it as I am uncomfortable with it, which in turn leads to bad swings. The hybrid I can work it anyway I want and love the trajectory I get.

>

> Here is a shot on trackman with the diver

>

>

>

I'm in a similar situation.....although not with the same crazy distances as you!!!! My avg driver carry is 275 with rollout to 285/290. I can get my 16-degree hybrid out there to 250, with my 3-wood going 260.....It often feels more risk than reward to try to squeeze out that extra 10 yards, when I'm so comfortable hitting hybrid.

Love the discussion....thanks for the input, everyone!