Help me decide! 4W/7W/hybrid

[layts14]

Recently won a fairway metal or hybrid and struggling to choose what to get. Currently have driver, 3W, 5W, 23* hybrid. I am tempted to try a something new in the bag like a TSi2 4W or 7W. 
 

Other option is to upgrade the hybrid to a 24* TSi2 or a G425 26* hybrid to gap between 5i and 5W. 
 

Is it time to experiment with a new fairway loft? And if I go 7w, so I go 70g shaft like 3W and 5W or bump up to 80g since shaft length is decreasing? 

[Drivingrangehero]

I have found the shorter length/heavier shaft combo to be a game changer. 
 

I play my 16* Fairway Metal and my 19* Fairway Metal at 42” and 41.5” with 85g shafts and I’ve never been better. 
 

before the change I hadn’t carried a fairway metal in years, it’s been 2 irons and Hybrids. 
 

I applied the principles from Howard’s DIY Driver Tune up when selecting playing length and playing weight. 

 

[azgreg]

I'm a D/4w/7w/4h guy but I probably won't be much help as I play steel in everything.

[bazinky]

I'd vote for the 7 wood. I plan on experimenting with one soon, since it seems that Par 5 approaches and the longer par 3s on most course now often require something that stops faster than a long iron or hybrid. 

[dlygrisse]

I’d vote 7 wood. 

[ChipNRun]

5 hours ago, azgreg said:

I'm a D/4w/7w/4h guy but I probably won't be much help as I play steel in everything.

 

I'm the same, except my shafts are graphite.

 

My 7W came with a very light shaft, so it got reshafted with an EvenFlow 5.5. The , about 10 grams heavier than the stock 4W shaft. Worked out fine.

 

(I'm in season 10 of some mix of 4W and 7W)

 

If you got a 7W, would it replace the 5W or the hybrid?

 

[STank724]

7 hours ago, Drivingrangehero said:

I have found the shorter length/heavier shaft combo to be a game changer. 
 

I play my 16* Fairway Metal and my 19* Fairway Metal at 42” and 41.5” with 85g shafts and I’ve never been better. 

 

Pretty identical situation to me.

 

For the better part of this year I strongly considered a 19-20° hybrid to gap my 4i and lone fairway. Then I started to tinker with my Cobra Fly-Z+ 5w (adjustable from 16-19°) - added an 86g shaft cut down to play at 42" and threw on a few strips of lead tape. The combo has transformed the club and it might be my favorite in the bag. It's been a beast at the 17.5° loft, but over the winter I'm going to add a 16° or 16.5° fairway (also with a heavier and shorter shaft) and play the 5w at 19° and likely cut it down to 41.5". I gamed a 2i for about 3 rounds and I ruled that out very quickly. Now I just need to ignore any thoughts of messing around with a hybrid.  

[animalgolfs]

10 hours ago, layts14 said:

a G425 26* hybrid to gap between 5i and 5W. 

 

 

If you are trying to cover this gap...the 425 26* isn't going to be the ticket. It will be much closer to your 5i yardage, if not the same.....I actually lost 3yds carry 5i vs 5h

[azgreg]

2 hours ago, ChipNRun said:

 

I'm the same, except my shafts are graphite.

 

My 7W came with a very light shaft, so it got reshafted with an EvenFlow 5.5. The , about 10 grams heavier than the stock 4W shaft. Worked out fine.

 

(I'm in season 10 of some mix of 4W and 7W)

 

If you got a 7W, would it replace the 5W or the hybrid?

 

I got my V-Steels (3, 5, and 7) at a yard sale for $5 each. They had the whippy M flex shafts in them. Since I was on a very tight budget at the time the most economical option at the time was TT DG S300 shafts. Liked them so much I put one in my driver (TM R580) and another one in the 4w I bought later.

 

[Billfitz]

Check your lofts. At 14.5, 18.5 and 23 I don't see the need to fit anything in between the 3w and 5w, or to add a 21-22 degree 7w. Besides, you're at 14 clubs already. Unless you're really unhappy with something in your bag I'd take whatever is the most desirable club and ebay it.

[Drivingrangehero]

6 minutes ago, azgreg said:

got my V-Steels (3, 5, and 7) at a yard sale for $5 each.

I bough my 19* 2013 Adams Tight Lies (ladies) for $20 at a used shop in excellent shape, so that began my process. 

 

I didn’t know it was a ladies when I bought it, but I prefer the women’s over the men’s because of the brushed steel face. I don’t like a black PVD face, they show wear so quickly. 
 

I have since bought two more, one 16* and another 19* women’s on the bay for $29.99+ ship

 

I threw some 85g Evenflow Black 6.0’s in them, cut to 42” + 41.5” and they are my favorite clubs to hit. I like them so much, I’m contemplating getting a 22* version ……..if the price is right! 

 

 

 

 

[Billfitz]

Most ladies clubs only differ from mens in color, shaft length and flex. The heads are mainly the same. I had to get a ladies 5 iron to fill out my set, as the mens were sold out. I added an inch to the shaft and it plays just like it should, since I have senior flex on the rest anyway.

[layts14]

11 minutes ago, Billfitz said:

Check your lofts. At 14.5, 18.5 and 23 I don't see the need to fit anything in between the 3w and 5w, or to add a 21-22 degree 7w. Besides, you're at 14 clubs already. Unless you're really unhappy with something in your bag I'd take whatever is the most desirable club and ebay it.

At this point it’s really a chance to do some experimenting. Have always been curious about a 4w/7w combo. I enjoy my current set up, I just don’t hit 3w that often (occasional tee shots, almost never into par 5s), so figured why not try out something new. 

 

Of course, I would be replacing a fairway. 
1. 21* TSi2 would replace my 5W and I would loft the 3W up to 15.5/16 

 

2. I will drop my 3W for the 16.5* TSi2 lofted down to 15.5 and turn the 5W loft to 19.5. 
 

Another horse is the race as of today is a 24* Cobra King Tec hybrid w/GD AD DI to replace my TS2 23*

 

1 hour ago, animalgolfs said:

If you are trying to cover this gap...the 425 26* isn't going to be the ticket. It will be much closer to your 5i yardage, if not the same.....I actually lost 3yds carry 5i vs 5h

 Good to know, 26* did seem high. Figured turning it down to 24.5 instead of turning a 22* up would be better. 22* may be the better option though it I go the G425 route 

[Billfitz]

I got rid of all my fairway woods, replaced them with hybrids (in my signature). The hybrids are just as good off the tee, better off the deck, and they handle the rough. I'd stopped carrying my 3w for a long time, as I almost never used it. I use my 2H on average four shots every round.

[hammergolf]

I can tell you for me, putting a 7wd in the bag has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Much better than my previous 3 hybrid. GREAT at coming out of the rough. I still carry a 4hy but I play 3wd, 7wd. I just hit shots with my 7 wood that I can’t hit with a hybrid. As crazy as it sounds, I look at my 7 we as a scoring club now. I’ve lost count how many birdies I’ve made with it. My playing partners hate to see it come out of the bag….

[LBB]

3 hours ago, animalgolfs said:

If you are trying to cover this gap...the 425 26* isn't going to be the ticket. It will be much closer to your 5i yardage, if not the same.....I actually lost 3yds carry 5i vs 5h

On face value, I would agree, but when I tested the 425 hybrids, they were insanely hot. 

 

I was looking to replace my very old 22 degree Cleveland Halo as a 200 carry club, and tested the  G425 22 degree 4h.  I was carrying it anywhere from 210-220 on the GCQuad, which was only 2-3 yards shorter than my 5w, which I also brought with me to test alongside.  I tested the G425 26 degree 5h, and it fit perfect into the 200-205 carry I wanted, but was only available in senior flex used for $260...LOL.  Ordering brand new with stiff would have cost me $290 and who knows how long a wait.  I opted for a very lightly used SIM2 Max 22 degree 4h, that did carry the 200-205 I wanted to fill the gap between 5w and 5i.

[A-A-RonCCC]

The 4w, 7w, and 24* hybrid is the route I went.  All Tsi2.  They all are great.  I didn't do much due diligence with other brands though.

 

I like a 70 gram 4 wood shaft and an 80 gram 7 wood shaft.  70 on the 7 wood seems a little light.

Edited September 8, 2021 by A-A-RonCCC

[lefthack]

I just built a low loft hybrid to maybe replace my 5 wood, but so far I hit my 5 wood better. So that hasn't helped me much.

 

So for me it would be what I hit best, I guess. I generally hit hybrids well, but not this one so far.

 

<edit> still considering a 7 wood, but there are only a few lefties out there.

Edited September 8, 2021 by lefthack

[darunia484]

I go 5 wood (lofted at 17.5 deg) and 7 wood (22 deg). I like using my 5 wood off the tee a lot and the 7 wood is great from the fairway. I also have a 22 deg hybrid that is good from the rough.

[buynagame]

I have 4 wood then 19 and 22 G410 hybrids.  Works great for me.  The shorter shafts on hybrids make them more accurate.

The 4 wood is used on the short tee shots and rare trying to hit par 5 in 2.

[JAMH03]

Quote

I am tempted to try a something new in the bag like a TSi2 4W or 7W. 

Bingo! That's the loft combo that the vast majority of avid Am's need.

I'd say try to make sure your 7 wood's loft is high enough and the shaft short enough that you can hit it and hold a green once in a while.

This will give you "3 play" for off the tee and 2 that you can use for long approaches.

I'd start there.

[maskedman]

My setup is D/7W/24H, all Tsi2. The 7W is spectacular off the tee and fairway, with great trajectory and distance control. It’s a scoring club for me, and probably the best addition to my bag in the last 10 years.

 

I’d go with the 7 wood.

[tleader]

Echo the 7 wood comments. 
I go 4/7 woods, then a 24 hybrid. Covers my gaps nicely and gives me options into the greens. 

[ShortGolfer]

18 hours ago, Billfitz said:

Most ladies clubs only differ from mens in color, shaft length and flex. The heads are mainly the same. I had to get a ladies 5 iron to fill out my set, as the mens were sold out. I added an inch to the shaft and it plays just like it should, since I have senior flex on the rest anyway.

Some ladies clubs are optimized for a sweeping swing, as ladies generally don't take divots like men.

Normally I take divots, but decided to make my lefty swing a sweeping swing to get out of bad lies.  Less issue with hazards like tree roots.

 

CPO just had three men's Apex 19 7 iron heads on ladies shafts that sold out quickly.  

 

I have a 25 degree fairway wood for long approach shots from good lies.  I've vote for the 7W.

Edited September 8, 2021 by ShortGolfer

[PhilWhitUK]

The 4 wood and 7 wood combo is something that Annika has played for years and if it is good enough for her….!!!

 

I moved back to that set up with a 4 hybrid and have never been as comfortable that I have a good set of options.

[PEI_Golfer]

I would say if you are aggressive and have some speed, you might struggle with the 7wd's loft and higher trajectory.  Obviously personal preference and depends on where and what conditions you play in mostly.  

 

I wouldn't bother "upgrading" the TS2 hybrid to the TSi2, they are basically the same thing.  I tried with the TSi3 and TSi2 against my TS3 hybrid and it was basically a wash and would prefer to stay with the known club at that point.

 

I'm a fan of Titleist woods, so would be pretty biased in the TSi2 4wd choice.  Again, had one and compared to my TS2, didn't make sense to "upgrade" after side by side comparison.  But if you can adjust the loft on your 5wd without screwing with your flight too much, it would close the gap between your 5wd and hybrid a bit and still give you a good option in a 4wd that you can also shut down the loft if needed for a bit more distance off the tee.

Edited September 8, 2021 by PEI_Golfer

[Drumdog]

I have been gaming Driver-3w-18* hyb - 21* hyb. - 5 iron, etc...

 

I wasn't happy with the gapping and results so it was time to make a change this season.

I pulled the 2 hybrids and put in a 5 wood and 7 wood. It has made all the difference in the world for my game.

I just seem to hit those two woods better than the hybrids.  YMMV

 

[agood3putt]

I think if you’re a stronger player a 7W would still be a good option if you find the right shaft combo. Low/low and in the 80g range would be my suggestion. Eventually I will go 60/70/80 in my woods 

[layts14]

3 hours ago, PEI_Golfer said:

I would say if you are aggressive and have some speed, you might struggle with the 7wd's loft and higher trajectory.  Obviously personal preference and depends on where and what conditions you play in mostly.  

 

58 minutes ago, agood3putt said:

I think if you’re a stronger player a 7W would still be a good option if you find the right shaft combo. Low/low and in the 80g range would be my suggestion. Eventually I will go 60/70/80 in my woods 

 

I have wondered about the 7w flight. Driver SS is around 108-110, but I like the idea of the low/low shaft like the RDX Black or Tensei White in the 80g range for the 7w to control launch and spin it a little better. I will look at those two in the 4w if I go that route as well. 

[QuigleyDU]

On 9/6/2021 at 11:46 PM, layts14 said:

Recently won a fairway metal or hybrid and struggling to choose what to get. Currently have driver, 3W, 5W, 23* hybrid. I am tempted to try a something new in the bag like a TSi2 4W or 7W. 
 

Other option is to upgrade the hybrid to a 24* TSi2 or a G425 26* hybrid to gap between 5i and 5W. 
 

Is it time to experiment with a new fairway loft? And if I go 7w, so I go 70g shaft like 3W and 5W or bump up to 80g since shaft length is decreasing? 

 

I have the TSi2 7 wood and it may be my fav club of all time..