Does anyone use a 4 wood, a hybrid and a 3 iron?

[hwturner17]

I'm facing the same dilemma I think most people face, which is that current day 3 woods go pretty close to the same distance as my driver, so I've opted for a 4 or 5 wood recently. I'm starting to reconfigure the bag and was wondering if anyone uses a traditional 3 iron, a hybrid and a 4 wood.

 

I understand the lofts are going to be pretty close to the same, but variations in shaft weights and lengths should make a meaningful difference in distances.

 

I won't get rid of my normal 3 iron, but I can't decide if I want;

• 4 wood (16.5*-17*), hybrid (19*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 4 wood (16.5*-17*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 2 hybrid (17*) and traditional 3 iron
  

Just curious about what you all do in a similar situation. Thank you!

[bluedot]

I'm facing the same dilemma I think most people face, which is that current day 3 woods go pretty close to the same distance as my driver, so I've opted for a 4 or 5 wood recently. I'm starting to reconfigure the bag and was wondering if anyone uses a traditional 3 iron, a hybrid and a 4 wood.

 

I understand the lofts are going to be pretty close to the same, but variations in shaft weights and lengths should make a meaningful difference in distances.

 

I won't get rid of my normal 3 iron, but I can't decide if I want;

• 4 wood (16.5*-17*), hybrid (19*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 4 wood (16.5*-17*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 2 hybrid (17*) and traditional 3 iron
  

Just curious about what you all do in a similar situation. Thank you!

 

Some of the answer depends on what you want each club to do, AND how well you are able to hit fairway woods.

 

So if you want a large-headed club (aka a fairway wood) for layup tee shots, and a 3W goes too far, then carry the 16.5 fairway for just that reason. On the other hand, if you are looking for something that you can hit more reliably and maybe get home in two on some par 5's, then try the 17* and/or 19* hybrid and maybe forget the fairway wood at all. Also, you are going to regularly use a fairway wood off the ground, then you may be looking for a different club head than if you are only going to hit it off the tee.

 

I'd urge you do maybe invest in Arrcos or keep some really careful and detailed data with a GPS program, or get on a Trackman, because I think you are going to find that you hit the 19* hybrid every bit as far off the ground as you do a 16.5* FW, and with a lot more consistency. (I won't speak to the 3 iron because I haven't had one since maybe the Reagan administration, and you say you're going to keep it anyway.) In my case, I got fooled by a higher trajectory into thinking that I was hitting a 7 wood farther than I was hitting my 4 hybrid, only to learn thru Arrcos that I was hitting the hybrid farther AND more consistently; same thing with the 2 hybrid and the 4 wood.

 

The result of all of this is that I carry a fairly deep-faced three wood that is my only fairway, and in 30+ tournaments in 2018, I didn't hit it off the ground more than a time or two; it was strictly a layup club off the tee, and there aren't many of those shots for me anymore at age 66. So I've gotten a shallow faced 3 wood and am dedicating myself to getting back to hitting it this offseason; if spring comes and I'm not picking up yardage, then next year there won't be ANY fairways in my bag, and I'll add a 17* hybrid and be done with it.

[cardoustie]

I know players that go driver then 7 wood the 4h or 4di before irons start at 5

 

As above poster said many folks do better w a 7w and even 9w vs hybrids

 

My set up changed when recent 3w heads became a lot easier to hit off the deck

[gentles]

I wouldn’t discount looking at a utility 3 iron in place of the hybrid - something like a p790, udi, or ping crossover type club that is a little more friendly than a set 3 iron.

 

Depending on your wedge setup, you could even use a utility 2 iron primarily for tee shots, keep the 4 wood and then go to your 3 iron.

 

I’m toying with going with a utility long iron, then a hybrid, then to my set 4 iron, to have the shots I need in the bag.

[citizenfore]

I have a 4wd, 3 and 4 hybrids (21* and 24*) and a 21* driving iron. All serve different purposes in the bag. I only carry pw, 50.5* Wedge an a 57.5* Wedge at the bottom end of the bag tho. I’m a little more of a feel player there and like to hit different shots with only a few wedges due to limited practice time these days.

[zzyzxx33]

Currently: RBZ 3HL(17), Heavenwood (21), 3/4 iron.

 

Previously: TM 2H (14*) RBZ 3HL (17*), 3 iron

[Dustin_J]

I go 16.5 degree 4 wood (~235 yds), 19 degree hybrid (~215 yds), 22 degree hybrid (~ 200 yds), 5 iron (~185-190 yds). My 4 iron was in the same ballpark as the 22 hybrid, I just find the 22 more versatile. It seems like the 19 hybrid and a 3 iron would be very similar in my bag.

[Hit em good]

I go:

 

4 wood 16.5°

7 wood 21°

3 iron driving iron (mizuno fli hi) 21°

 

The 7 wood is about 10-15 yards longer than the 3 iron, even though both are 21°.

 

I'm considering getting just a traditional 3 iron, instead of the driving iron. Traditional will go lower, but will be more accurate. Also, I play in alot of wind, coastal Texas.

 

Hit em good.

[Chadwickog]

I actually currently have this setup in my bag, not sure how long it will stay. 4wood 16.5*, 4h 21*, 3 iron I think 21*. 4 wood off the tee and long par 5s. 4h off the tee when I want to be really accurate, and out of the rough. 4h goes longer than 3 and 4 irons. 3 iron for low runners off the tee, don’t typically hit it off the turf.

[ckay]

I play a 4 wood 16.5* and a 2 iron.

[WarEagleGolf]

Had both 3 I and 3 Hy and 4 wd at one time. Went to longer flying irons and dropped the hybrid. 4 wd is very versatile. Tee and off the deck. I think I lose a bit off the tee over a 3wd but not much off fairway. 3 I now flies as far as my hybrid, so dropped it.

[Russ757]

4w, 19-20* hybrid and then a strong 4i

[extrastiff]

I'm facing the same dilemma I think most people face, which is that current day 3 woods go pretty close to the same distance as my driver, so I've opted for a 4 or 5 wood recently. I'm starting to reconfigure the bag and was wondering if anyone uses a traditional 3 iron, a hybrid and a 4 wood.

 

I understand the lofts are going to be pretty close to the same, but variations in shaft weights and lengths should make a meaningful difference in distances.

 

I won't get rid of my normal 3 iron, but I can't decide if I want;

• 4 wood (16.5*-17*), hybrid (19*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 4 wood (16.5*-17*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 2 hybrid (17*) and traditional 3 iron
  

Just curious about what you all do in a similar situation. Thank you!

 

Knowing your swing speed or avg distances would help. If you have the speed to read a par 5 in two, I'd keep a 3 wood. May be redundant off the tee for some, but I cannot hit my driver off the deck for an eagle try :)

 

But if it were me and u were taking away my 3 and 5 wood, I'd go 4 wood then 3 iron, making sure the 3 iron is strong enough to fill 5 wood gap.

Wouldn't suit my game, but the other options seem to close together imo.

 

 

[kp6622]

I'm facing the same dilemma I think most people face, which is that current day 3 woods go pretty close to the same distance as my driver, so I've opted for a 4 or 5 wood recently. I'm starting to reconfigure the bag and was wondering if anyone uses a traditional 3 iron, a hybrid and a 4 wood.

 

I understand the lofts are going to be pretty close to the same, but variations in shaft weights and lengths should make a meaningful difference in distances.

 

I won't get rid of my normal 3 iron, but I can't decide if I want;

• 4 wood (16.5*-17*), hybrid (19*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 4 wood (16.5*-17*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 2 hybrid (17*) and traditional 3 iron
  

Just curious about what you all do in a similar situation. Thank you!

 

I carry a 4 wood (16.5*) and 3 iron (20*). Personally, I've never really been a hybrid guy, and I've always been a pretty solid long iron hitter. There's a bit of a distance gap between those two clubs where I used to carry a 2 iron, but I ditched that for an extra wedge. I'd much rather have a big gap to cover from a longer distance than a shorter one. One big thing I've found since making that change is that shots I need to hit from that lost 2 iron yardage don't come up nearly as much as I thought they did. Most of the time the 2 iron was off the tee on short/tight par 4s, so the 3 iron has taken over that role just fine.

[ChipNRun]

Right now, I carry Calla FWs set at 16* weighted for high launch (4W) and 20* (7W) / a 4H set at 22* / and a 22* 4i from my new CB Pro irons. (I only carry three wedges.)

 

3H 19* is a lurker, replacing the 7W in winterish months when the winds are high and the rough thin.

 

The new 4i has shaken things up a bit. It is super as a driving iron - especially on short par 4 holes from hell - and every other time I use it off the fairway I hit a solid shot.

 

Also, the 4H is a bit much on some par 3 holes where long is 20 feet down the back slope; the 4i saves the day - carries enough but not too much.

 

(The overlap is in the 7W and 3H. Pretty much same distance, but 7W launches higher and is superb out of medium rough. 3H more stable on windy days).

 

Notes:

• My backup XRails are non-adjustable 4W and 7W. Used them well for several seasons, but the Alphas give me a reliable +15 yards in distance. I've played 4W + 7W setup since 2012 - 4W just more reliable.
  
• The 3H and 4H both have minimum loft settings for their heads. This means a slightly open face, and from a square stance I get a gentle fade. This comes in handy, as my normal shot is a draw.
  
• No trouble with FW bumping into my driver on distance. The XR16 Pro is my best long club - only use non-driver if danger of hitting through landing area on short hole.
  
• Someone suggested I stay with 4W + 7W, and get the 4i reshafted either for graphite, or a softstepped metal shaft (help with launch off fairway).
  

[jokerusn]

I do.

 

M3 3HL set at 16° - 250-260 tee (230 fw rarely)

Titleist 818 19° set at 18.25° - 220-230 tee, 210 fw

UDI 3 20° - 200-220 tee (conditions depending), 200 fw.

 

The distance gaps work for me. Also, my course has a lot of elevation changes, set tee shot distances before trouble, usually soft conditions so I need the extra height from the 3HL for those.

[aussieb]

Bag setup changes depending on courses quite a bit for me. I have had the SZ 3W lofted up to 4W, but now just change to an Accra shaft that kicks more. Then the versatile 19* G400 hybrid that replaced my trusty Adams 9031. Then it gets tricky because I have the U65 2i, Nike VR 3i MB or a JPX919 4i that are low, medium and high trajectories with my normal swing. I don't like manipulating trajectory under pressure, so that's kinda my thing. I suggest getting data on GC or Trackman to figure out your game with certainty

[Fairwindsgolfer]

I play the following:

Driver

4 wood Callaway Rogue @16.5

2 hybrid old school Nike CPR @18.5

3 hybrid old school Cobra baffler @20

 

The 4 wood is good for distances up to 240

 

The 2 hybrid is good for 225-230

 

The 3 hybrid is good for 200 to 210

 

I am getting fitted this spring up in Rhode Island, and I'm anxious to see what the results show. As mentioned, my two and 3 hybrids are old as hell and I'll be very curious if I have outgrown these clubs, yet I'm nervous to get rid of them because they're very predictable.

[EvanScottKing]

I use the following set-up:

 

Driver 10.5* playing at 44.25"

 

4 Wood 16* playing at 42" - just short of 240 carry, bit longer off the tee, slightly shorter from fairway. Extra loft lets me hit it better than most 3 woods I've hit.

 

2 Hybrid 18* playing at 40" - right around 220 carry and with the Oban white hybrid I have in it I use it as much as a "driving-iron-esque" club from the tee as I do from the fairway. From the tee, it can occasionally run up to where I hit the 4 wood with a lower-flighted draw that hits the ground like a pissed-off squirrel; or hit a high, banana cut with much more predictable roll-out.

 

3.5 Iron playing at 39" - Technically a 24* four iron, but shafted up with a KBS Proto Hybrid 95x shaft. Extra height and carry helps with holding more greens, confidently use it as a 210 carry sort of club.

 

As others have said, it will depend on what you want each club to do, but playing with length a bit on each club can help with properly gapping each.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

I use the following set-up:

 

Driver 10.5* playing at 44.25"

 

4 Wood 16* playing at 42" - just short of 240 carry, bit longer off the tee, slightly shorter from fairway. Extra loft lets me hit it better than most 3 woods I've hit.

 

2 Hybrid 18* playing at 40" - right around 220 carry and with the Oban white hybrid I have in it I use it as much as a "driving-iron-esque" club from the tee as I do from the fairway. From the tee, it can occasionally run up to where I hit the 4 wood with a lower-flighted draw that hits the ground like a pissed-off squirrel; or hit a high, banana cut with much more predictable roll-out.

 

3.5 Iron playing at 39" - Technically a 24* four iron, but shafted up with a KBS Proto Hybrid 95x shaft. Extra height and carry helps with holding more greens, confidently use it as a 210 carry sort of club.

 

As others have said, it will depend on what you want each club to do, but playing with length a bit on each club can help with properly gapping each.

What brand is the 3.5 iron you are using?

I like the idea which is why I'm asking

[bjmdo]

Do whatever gets your gappng right. I recently did a fitting to get my numbers dialed in, and it has already paid dividends.

 

4 wood: 245-250 off the deck

3 hybrid: 230-235

4 hybrid: 220

5 iron: 200

 

It works well for me at our course. I would rather have more wedge options than overlap in the longer clubs.

[EvanScottKing]

I use the following set-up:

 

Driver 10.5* playing at 44.25"

 

4 Wood 16* playing at 42" - just short of 240 carry, bit longer off the tee, slightly shorter from fairway. Extra loft lets me hit it better than most 3 woods I've hit.

 

2 Hybrid 18* playing at 40" - right around 220 carry and with the Oban white hybrid I have in it I use it as much as a "driving-iron-esque" club from the tee as I do from the fairway. From the tee, it can occasionally run up to where I hit the 4 wood with a lower-flighted draw that hits the ground like a pissed-off squirrel; or hit a high, banana cut with much more predictable roll-out.

 

3.5 Iron playing at 39" - Technically a 24* four iron, but shafted up with a KBS Proto Hybrid 95x shaft. Extra height and carry helps with holding more greens, confidently use it as a 210 carry sort of club.

 

As others have said, it will depend on what you want each club to do, but playing with length a bit on each club can help with properly gapping each.

What brand is the 3.5 iron you are using?

I like the idea which is why I'm asking

 

It’s an Edel CB head. I have the C-tapers in my other irons and going to the KBS Hybrid shaft in that “four” juiced it just enough to fit properly in the gap at the top-end of my bag. Next iron is a 5 which is what I’d pull for a 195 yard shot and you saw how the hybrid I play gaps above.

[C_rad]

I know it is off track, but i notuced the last two years the 4wood almost never came out the bag i remember i set up a eagle on a par 5, but that was one hole, in two season. So i decided this year i will drop the 4 wood to get a 5 wood. So my set up is driver, 5 wood 18*, and then a 22* hybrid and a 5 iron at 25*.

 

I have a bit of a gap between the 5 wood and the 4 hybrid of 15 yards but i dont see the point to add something. Maybe a 7 wood? But i do think the 5 and the 7 would be too close in distance...

 

With that set up, i only carry 12 clubs.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

I use the following set-up:

 

Driver 10.5* playing at 44.25"

 

4 Wood 16* playing at 42" - just short of 240 carry, bit longer off the tee, slightly shorter from fairway. Extra loft lets me hit it better than most 3 woods I've hit.

 

2 Hybrid 18* playing at 40" - right around 220 carry and with the Oban white hybrid I have in it I use it as much as a "driving-iron-esque" club from the tee as I do from the fairway. From the tee, it can occasionally run up to where I hit the 4 wood with a lower-flighted draw that hits the ground like a pissed-off squirrel; or hit a high, banana cut with much more predictable roll-out.

 

3.5 Iron playing at 39" - Technically a 24* four iron, but shafted up with a KBS Proto Hybrid 95x shaft. Extra height and carry helps with holding more greens, confidently use it as a 210 carry sort of club.

 

As others have said, it will depend on what you want each club to do, but playing with length a bit on each club can help with properly gapping each.

What brand is the 3.5 iron you are using?

I like the idea which is why I'm asking

 

It’s an Edel CB head. I have the C-tapers in my other irons and going to the KBS Hybrid shaft in that “four” juiced it just enough to fit properly in the gap at the top-end of my bag. Next iron is a 5 which is what I’d pull for a 195 yard shot and you saw how the hybrid I play gaps above.

Very nice

[cmatthews77]

I’m crowded at the top...

 

Driver- 9.5 44.5”

3W - adjusted -1 to 14 degrees

5W - 18 degrees

3hy - 20 degrees

4hy - 23 degrees.

 

I could easily lose the 5 wood and adjust the 3wood to 16 degrees as a 4-wood but I’ve found that I just like the flexibility and options at the top now that I’ve gone back to a 47 PW that allows me to go 52/58 with wedges rather than 50/54/58 which I did when I had a 45 PW

[lil'mike]

I played a 4wd (16 deg), 7wd (21 deg), 4H (22 deg) that are all the Cally Steelhead XR's for different reasons and distances, then 5 iron on down.

 

I still have this setup but towards the end of the season here, I switched to a 3wd and 5wd, then 4H to try out (not Steelhead XR's). I have to say the Steelhead XR FW's and Hybrids are so easy to hit that I will probably switch back in the Spring!

[amitchell894]

I'm facing the same dilemma I think most people face, which is that current day 3 woods go pretty close to the same distance as my driver, so I've opted for a 4 or 5 wood recently. I'm starting to reconfigure the bag and was wondering if anyone uses a traditional 3 iron, a hybrid and a 4 wood.

 

I understand the lofts are going to be pretty close to the same, but variations in shaft weights and lengths should make a meaningful difference in distances.

 

I won't get rid of my normal 3 iron, but I can't decide if I want;

• 4 wood (16.5*-17*), hybrid (19*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 4 wood (16.5*-17*) and traditional 3 iron
  
• 2 hybrid (17*) and traditional 3 iron
  

Just curious about what you all do in a similar situation. Thank you!

 

4 wood, 19 degree hybrid, 22 deg 4 iron