Forgiving 5 wood

[kthomas]

On the hunt for a forgiving 5 wood for the wife, to be played off the tees and off the deck.

The plan is to replace the Cobra 3H, as she currently struggles with that club and doesn't have much confidence.

She only plays men's clubs, her driver is a Ping G400 Max which she can hit ~250-260 when she gets a good connection with it. She tried my Callaway Epic Flash Subzero off the tee today, and while it wasn't a great shot, it was still a ~200 yard worm burner, better then a mishit with her 3h.

I prefer to buy last year's club models or lightly used to save some $ and let someone else take the depreciation hit. I had a really good experience with the Callaway pre-owned website with my Epic Flash Subzero 3 wood, so I would be happy to purchase from there as well again.

What are some models I should be looking at? Ping always seems like an obvious choice for me for forgiveness. What else should I look at?

[OttoVonBizMarkie]

Recently picked up a g400. Have only had a chance to take it to the grass on the range, but it's really easy to elevate off the deck and shots closer to the toe went just almost as far as those dead center. Think they're running under $200 new right now at most places.

[dwh24]

Callaway Rogue very easy to hit and brand new in the $149 range at my local golf store. Plus she will like the light blue color.

[kthomas]

Ping G400, seems nice, especially since she really gets along with the driver. Will have to shop around and see what prices I can get for that.

For Callaway, that's a brand I would normally overlook but man am I impressed with the EF SZ 3 wood I picked up recently. On the Callaway pre-owned website I could pick up a EF 3 wood with project X evenflow shaft for ~$135 in "like new" condition, that is really tempting...

[Warrior42111]

Another G 400 fan here. It's one club that won't come out of the bag for a long time.

[JStang]

What are your thoughts on hybrids? I play an 18 degree hybrid and will never consider a 5 wood again.

[kthomas]

I personally love hybrids, and hit the Cobra F7 3H and 5H that we have very well.

However, my wife struggles with the hybrids, and has lost confidence in them. I think the wider face of a fairway wood, and the flight pattern of a wood would benefit her more.

[kthomas]

From my preliminary searches, a Ping G400 5 wood seems to fetch ~$185 on the market, while a Callaway Epic Flash is about ~$130.

I'm a huge Ping fan, is the G400 worth $50 more? Is it more forgiving/playable then the Callaway EF?

[T-3]

Just bought a heavenwood for my girlfriend from CPO. “Average” condition for $45. It was pretty well used she doesn’t care. 20 degree adjustable. Very forgiving design.

[thigos]

Cobra F7 5 woods are automatic. Easy to get up and hard to hit anything but straight. And as a possible bonus, the blue one is pretty

[CaymanS]

Your wife hits her driver 260? Holy crap, that's great. I was at last years LPGA event at Aviara in Carlsbad, Ca. and measured many drives with my laser. They hit the ball around 225~235 with some of the longer hitters reaching 245~250 like Lexi. I suggest an M2 or M4 Taylormade 5HL per my signature. It is 21* of loft to get the ball up fast. I hit my driver about 225 carry and 250ish with roll-out. My 5HL is goof for 190~200.

[kthomas]

 

When she gets a hold of it and nukes one down the middle, it still absolutely amazes me. She's out driven me a few times...

I will check out the Taylormades, thanks!

[jbrunk]

Cobra F9 (or even F8) is another long & forgiving fairway wood. I’ve played the Tour model 4-5W, and the 3-4W standard F9. It’s a good size, head shape; crown graphics is a CF, but if you can look beyond that, it really performs off the tee & a fairway lies. Several shaft options new from Cobra & sub $200 price tag.

[brew4eagle]

+1 on the F9

[skisnutz]

+1 for the g400 5 wood. Awesome club

[chal0072]

Ping G whatever or other shallow face FWs will be very easy to hit. 260 will be in top 50 in LPGA, very nice.

[kthomas]

Ping G400 definitely seems like a good answer, my only concern is that it's a fair bit more expensive then say some of the other options. We've been trying to save money lately, and would prefer to spend less then $150 on this experiment if possible. Of course, if the G400 is heads and shoulders above the sub $150, then it's money worth spending.

I'll take a look at the Cobra line, I really love the hybrids that we have from them. They've been making good clubs lately.

Amy thoughts on the Callaway Epic Flash? It's a highly rated fairwood and can be had for really good prices on Callaway pre-owned. Would it be comparable to say a G400 im forgiveness?

[chal0072]

Check out 2ndswing.com. G400 5w shouldn’t be more than $150.

[kthomas]

Called my local golf shop, they can sell me a brand new G400 5 wood for $179, so I'm going that route.

Appreciate all the input!

[Ben Berube]

Dude my wife was D1 Fieldhockey and was on her way to the Olympics but the coach hated her for passing on her program. But when she plays golf I have seen her hit it 250-260. She drives most greens at my club from the Reds. Its gross.

We also have a Pro Momo at our club and she plays blacks with all of us. 260 carry all day and hits it well. Out drives most of the dudes.

The fairway 5-7-9-11 woods always work better with slower swing speeds or just higher handicaps. Less chance of losing it left or right when its going up.

My problem is all 5w are closed face and Imcannot play them or hookem bad. I would love to find a square/open faced 5w. I have tried all TM Tour Issue 5wbut they still look awful.

[plim123]

I love my TS2 5 wood. more forgiving than the Cally X Hot and 915 F2 it replaced.

[Z1ggy16]

Dang you're wife is a beast if she hits it 250+. She'd probably do well in the Cobra F9/SZ as the GC is very low and back and it launches very high. Ping is also another option but for me personally, they just don't have an appealing look to them. SIM Max and the standard Mavrik/Flash may also do well. Really just pick any non-low spin model these days and you can't go wrong IMO.

[LCP]

My G400 5 wood lofted down, and shortened a bit with a heavier weight and a heavy shaft has the potential to be one of those clubs I keep over 5 years. I just only hit it about once a round. But it's that good. I just don't have the need for the club hardly at all. In tee situations, the 2 iron wins out 90% of the time, even if not quite as long. The 5 wood comes out the other 10% of the time I need something less than driver or 3 wood or occasionally to get there in two or when I've gotten totally fubar'd on a long hole from a disastrous tee shot.

[kthomas]

I picked up her new Ping G400 5 wood, excited for her to try it out!

Appreciate all the input!

[indianagolf2]

5 or 7 wood forgiving that is around 100 ?

[Sgidurango]

For me would be a Callaway V-series Heavenwood from CPO.

[chal0072]

I second this. Very good club.

[indianagolf2]

How about new ?

[gvogel]

I am a big fan of my G25 5-wood. (Driver, 4-wood and 7-wood too!)

[CDLgolf]

My wife uses a Callaway fusion driver and 5 wood and really likes both of them.