Anyone else ditching fairway woods for low lofted hybrids

[Sfd732]

I’m in the same boat. I have been playing driver,2h (16),3h (19), 4i. However I took my 3w out on the course yesterday and it felt great, I may dump the 16 pending the course/my swing that day.

[LHGolf4]

I took the 5 wood out of the bag and only using my 3 and 4 hybrids. If I could find a 2 hybrid I like I might use it.

[swancer]

I actually have a driver, 3 wood, 1 and 3 hybrid.

3 wood is 250

1 hybrid = 230

3 hybrid = 210-220

With the Hybrids I can work the ball and play out of any lie with and cannot with the FW wood. Even though I love all of them. Have a 4 DI as well but do not carry it.

[Kale_m]

Picked up the g410 2hy today. Hope to get to the range tonight. Round tomorrow afternoon

[NRJyzr]

Currently playing with no 3w, only a TM Stage 2 Tour 2h between my irons and driver. Primarily playing one course that's par 71 6100/6500 from whites/blues, there's not much call for a 3w shot off deck, and shorter tee shots can be handled with the 2h.

 

Other nice aspects... The 2h can also more easily be shafted with a 100g+ shaft than a fairway wood; I'm using an NV105 iron shaft in it. I tend to prefer shorter club lengths than are currently "standard" in drivers and woods, the shorter hybrid length appeals to me greatly.

 

Since making the switch, it's been working quite well.

[1toGolf]

I think that dropping the 5 wood for a hybrid is a good way to go. Need the "big dog" driver and a solid near driver like 3 wood as an alternative for long par 5 from farway or narrow tees. Hybrid's fill in to 4 or 5 iron.

[ZAP]

I dropped the 3 wood for a lower lofted hybrid over a year ago and have not missed it even a little bit. Only a couple of shots where I thought I might need it in that entire time. I'm probably never going back.

[provx]

I’m actually ditching the hybrids for higher lofted woods. Ts2 7 wood in action

[BCA]

I couldn’t find a 3W that I was totally comfortable with but I absolutely love my Callaway XR 16 4W at 17*. I ordered it shorter than standard (42.5” I believe) and have total confidence in it. So I haven’t given up completely on fairway woods. But I do absolutely love hybrids. My Titleist 816 19* isn’t going anywhere and I am tinkering with having a higher lofted hybrid in the bag as well.

[ChipNRun]

I haven't, but I've seen it in other bags.

 

Our course sometimes hosts the area Players Ability Test for PGA certification. A couple of years ago I played with a young club pro who was practicing for his PAT.

 

He carried a driver, 2H and 4H as his long clubs. On our two shorter par 5s (511 and 519 yds.), he had the distance to put his 2H and 4H shots on the greenside fringe. (These are both uphill approach shots).

 

With the 2H he could hit anything from a stinger to a high cut. He said hybrids were easier to flight than FWs, and he didn't lost that much distance from hybrids only.

[Kale_m]

> @ChipNRun said:

> I haven't, but I've seen it in other bags.

>

> Our course sometimes hosts the area Players Ability Test for PGA certification. A couple of years ago I played with a young club pro who was practicing for his PAT.

>

> He carried a driver, 2H and 4H as his long clubs. On our two shorter par 5s (511 and 519 yds.), he had the distance to put his 2H and 4H shots on the greenside fringe. (These are both uphill approach shots).

>

> With the 2H he could hit anything from a stinger to a high cut. He said hybrids were easier to flight than FWs, and he didn't lost that much distance from hybrids only.

 

Exactly what I am finding

[bradski]

I go

8.5 degree driver (mid 160s ball speed)

16 degree 2 hybrid (mid 150s ball speed)

20 ish degree 4 hybrid ( 145- 150 ball speed)

 

The thing I have found is having 105 gram shafts in them. RIP and black tie and they play much more like irons.

[Dunny51]

I just dropped 19* hybrid for a 5 wood. I’m enjoying the higher ball flight

[Emerich]

I've gone back and forth between a 7 wood and a 3-hybrid, and find the 7W is a little easier to hit, goes a little higher and is a little better from the rough for me.

If a 2-Hybrid, it's not close at all and I'd take the 5W hands down.

 

 

[BCA]

> @ChipNRun said:

> I haven't, but I've seen it in other bags.

>

> Our course sometimes hosts the area Players Ability Test for PGA certification. A couple of years ago I played with a young club pro who was practicing for his PAT.

>

> He carried a driver, 2H and 4H as his long clubs. On our two shorter par 5s (511 and 519 yds.), he had the distance to put his 2H and 4H shots on the greenside fringe. (These are both uphill approach shots).

>

> With the 2H he could hit anything from a stinger to a high cut. He said hybrids were easier to flight than FWs, and he didn't lost that much distance from hybrids only.

 

This seems legit, and I could totally see myself or anyone else dropping fairway woods completely in favor of hybrids. It seems like my 4W and 19 hybrid are very close in distance currently and if I am ever contemplating taking one out of the bag, the 4W comes out first. Hybrid much more versatile for me.

[4puttJohnny]

All the articles and online advice always told me that at my swingspeed (100 mph), I didn't generate enough speed to ever effectively use a 17 degree hybrid. I went to Scottsdale this summer and got fitted by the guys at PXG and suddenly I have a club in my bag that I hit as high and straighter than any 5 or 7 wood or even 19 or 21 degree hybrid I've ever owned. It was amazing to see how quickly they were able to give me the ball flight and club I was always seeking. It has become the most reliable club in my bag. I feel like I can pull off any shot from the tee or off the deck with this club. This isn't meant as an infomercial for PXG, rather it's meant as confirmation of what a fitter who knows what they're doing can do for your game.

[EaglesGolf99]

Hybrid success is ALL about the build!

[asw7576]

I did that 2 years ago .... bye bye fairway woods

[BY#99]

I have a 16.5 and 17 degree 2 hybrid (use whichever is working). I am not a fast swinger (97-100mph) by any means but hit these well and plenty high to hold a green.

[Kale_m]

First round with no 3w In the bag. Played a course at 7000 from the tips. Hit it on a few holes were 3w is needed. I am the longest in the group. I was only about 10 hards or so behind the second longest guys 3w. Way more confident in hitting the 3w though off the tee when needed. If I missed it was still playable, where the 3 wood would not have been.

 

Still have a 915f in the backup bag. May pick up an old OG m1 or 910f to mess around with in the winter. Like the sound, feel and look of the older heads. So see how it goes

[PappyVanWinkle53]

The results/comments are pretty mixed on this topic....but for the folks that have ditched their FWs for hybrids, they don't appear to have any regrets. I wonder how many out there still prefer to play 2-iron over hybrid/5-wood.

[lordemsworth]

To be honest, I found it much easier to hit a 17.5 degree fairway over an 18 degree hybrid (even with the hybrid having a slightly shorter shaft).

 

To be honest, the G410 fairways have been game changing for me. Remarkably easy to hit from tee or deck.

 

[tiger-vs-me]

Replaced my #2Hyb for an Rogue Heavenwood...way better, same distances, 210-225yds. with hihger ballflight. Love it!

[bigred90gt]

I haven't gone to the 16 deg to replace my 16.5 3w yet, but I haven't carried a 5w in probably 10 years. I bought an 18 deg 2 hybrid to replace my old Mizuno 5w and never looked back. Better for me from sketchy lies, and since fairways are quite elusive to my game, it gave me some recourse on those long shots out of the rough. The size of the head made it hard for me to get a fairway wood through the thick grass, and good luck getting the ball airborne with a 2i from there. The hybrid I found to be perfect when I needed to cover some real estate. I've since shafted it with a FW length shaft, and unless it somehow breaks, I dont see that hybrid going anywhere. The paint is beat up, the face is showing wear from our sandy soil, but it just performs. That club has been in my bag longer than any other club, and will remain until it is unplayable.

 

[Milfordlefty]

Bogey golfer here. I've added a 19° G400 to the bag. I am able to get trajectory off a tee, but hitting off deck, I am having problems elevating. My G400 5w was my friend early in this season and then decided not to cooperate. It will be a winter practice project to figure it out. See a little more distance with wood, but more accuracy with hybrid which likely is due to the shorter shaft. Be a ho, give it a try, you can always sell it if doesn't work out.

[orangeology]

been playing 18º hybrid instead of 5W for a while. liking it. absurdly, i found that it's 1. easier to shape the shots—launch angle, distance etc (benefitting from steel shaft i guess. got x100) & 2. way more versatile—roughs, roads, etc etc.

[mizunoMX25]

I find I can hit a 5 wood higher more easily than a 19* hybrid. I'm a low ball hitter anyway so I need all the help I can get and even I've considered trying the hybrid because they seem to go straighter more often.

[PappyVanWinkle53]

> @lordemsworth said:

> To be honest, I found it much easier to hit a 17.5 degree fairway over an 18 degree hybrid (even with the hybrid having a slightly shorter shaft).

>

> To be honest, the G410 fairways have been game changing for me. Remarkably easy to hit from tee or deck.

>

 

Perhaps I'll try out the G410.....I haven't completely given up on FWs.....maybe I just need to find "the one".....

[Kale_m]

One of my highlights from last round.

614 yard par 5. Driver off the tee to the middle of the fairway. Lands in a shallow divot. 16* hybrid to the front of the green. Little chip up. Bird

[LYG]

I KNOW I'm getting a bit off topic here.

The value of a 3 wood as an alternative driver is HUGE, especially if you play tournament golf -- or even the friendly $1 Nasau with your pals. (Similarly with a 5 wood, not as long but easier to hit, for most people).

 

The "modern" 3 woods, let's say Tailor-made M series, are L-O-N-G. I just moved from an R9 2 years ago and I picked up 12-15 yards off the tee, some of which is the right fit/shaft.

 

Also, perhaps some of this is mental.*** And/or your "signature sin" swing flaw comes out more with a 3 wood.

 

**As Yogi said, "it's 90% mental and the rest is between your ears."

 

Good luck, you'll figure it out. And you have a TON of people here giving you great advice.