Playing in wind - alternative to 5 wood

[SJP1]

Looking to do some testing this weekend on alternatives to 5 wood for windy days.

 

I love my 5 wood but it gets chewed if there’s a significant headwind and my next club down is a 4 hybrid.
 

Any feedback on alternatives that still launch a bit, but manage spin, like U505 and Mizuno Fli-Hi? 

[alexbridges]

Hi, 

 

I have not checked my spin numbers, but as a windy condition alternative I really like Srixon utilities. I am playing the ZX mkii 2 (18) and it's definitely workable in terms of height. 

I think that the choice of shaft may improve the behavior but I haven't tried anything different yet than the UST Mamya Recoil Dart that I believe is the stock shaft for that club. 

Also good feedback on the strike. 

[Thrummyfox]

I love my Rapture DI in the wind 

[Ben B]

The Srixon 18* utility iron as mentioned is a really good choice. But the Callaway Apex UW 19* just kicked the Srixon out of my bag. Another great option is any cobra ls 5 wood made in the last 5 years or so. I have the Cobra ltdx ls 5 wood and it's a phenomenal fairway wood. I actually play mine at 16.5* (like a 4 wood) and it's a beast, even into the wind. 

 

That being said, shaft and ball also play a fairly significant roll as well. 

[EKB]

My Callaway UW19 definitely flights lower than my TSR2 18 degree but total distance is similar

[BombinJim]

I play my set 3i as a driving iron at 20 degrees. Its about 1000 RPM or so lower spin and launches a degree or two lower than my 5W, rolling out a little more.

[Ger21]

I went from 5w to 2 hybrid for the same reason. Then I went from 2 hybrid to an 18° 3 iron. But I can't hit the 3 iron our of the rough, so I then got a 7w. Full circle. But the 7 wood is better for me in the wind then my old 5w was.

[lambo428]

I have a U505 - the ball gets up and then the flight is flat and long.  I play on a course with a lot of head winds and this club works.  I hit a bunch of utility clubs when I was making a decision and the U505 inspired the most confidence for me.

[blades_are_life]

2 hours ago, BombinJim said:

I play my set 3i as a driving iron at 20 degrees. Its about 1000 RPM or so lower spin and launches a degree or two lower than my 5W, rolling out a little more.

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Irons: Miura Retro Tournament blades

👏

[jamesr007]

Callaway 17 degree UW 

[optimator]

I'm going between my 5W & 2H for the same answer right now. 

[FirstFlight]

I would club up to my 3W and hit it lower than usual, hoping my aim was true and rollout was generous...or forgiving.

[SJP1]

6 hours ago, lambo428 said:

I have a U505 - the ball gets up and then the flight is flat and long.  I play on a course with a lot of head winds and this club works.  I hit a bunch of utility clubs when I was making a decision and the U505 inspired the most confidence for me.

This is exactly what I’m after. I play a 4 hybrid because I need launch in this area of the bag (105 driver ss).
 

But when it comes to the job I’m asking a 220 yard club to do in a headwind, I need it to launch still, but manage spin to flatten the peak out and help punch through the wind.

[Urb]

Super Hybrid

[Flyers99]

I don't carry a 5 wood anymore.  I don't have the SS probably for a utility/driving iron but love my 18* degree hybrid.  I can control the height fine and it goes long for me.  At most I may lose 3-5 yards then a 5 wood since it has a shorter shaft but in the wind I am probably gaining 10+ since I can flight it down a bit.

[JAMH03]

Why not hit the 3 or 4 wood and swing easier?

[1puttTUT]

I just picked up the new fli-hi 3, but I was planning to use it on windy days vs my Cobra 4 utility and keep 5 wood in the bag. FTR my 5 wood is turned down to 17.5°.

[robbie91]

Most hybrids should work well as long as you choose a shaft combination that doesn't throw the ball straight up into the air. Of course, utility irons are also an option -- just have to make sure you don't run into a situation where launch and spin is too low and you can't hit the green. The TaylorMade DHY could be an interesting middle ground. Higher launch than a traditional utility iron but probably a bit easier to drill low than some hybrids. The question is whether you can deal with the aesthetics of the DHY. 

[lambo428]

7 hours ago, SJP1 said:

This is exactly what I’m after. I play a 4 hybrid because I need launch in this area of the bag (105 driver ss).
 

But when it comes to the job I’m asking a 220 yard club to do in a headwind, I need it to launch still, but manage spin to flatten the peak out and help punch through the wind.

You swing faster than I do, so you might want to try the T200 utility build which for me is a little less forgiving but I think it flys lower still.  Love that AD-DI shaft too.

[GHIN n Juice]

I play in Omaha where the wind can blow quite a bit especially during the spring.  I go 4 wood, 16.5 stealth, and then 3h and 4h (old TM GAPRs).  This is a good setup for me as I generally cannot launch a driving iron high enough .

[B_of_H]

Have you thought about trying a lower spinning/launching 5w head?  You could get a used tsi3 (or ts3) 5w head and swap it out with your current tsi2. that would be the easiest adjustment imo for windy days and you wouldn't have to change much at all.  

[hammergolf]

On 3/20/2024 at 2:43 AM, SJP1 said:

Looking to do some testing this weekend on alternatives to 5 wood for windy days.

 

I love my 5 wood but it gets chewed if there’s a significant headwind and my next club down is a 4 hybrid.
 

Any feedback on alternatives that still launch a bit, but manage spin, like U505 and Mizuno Fli-Hi? 

How does your 4H work for you in the wind? If it works well I would recommend a 3H in same spec. If you want something lower flighted Fli-Hi, U505, ZX Utility, Cobra King Tec are all good options. 

[Kacy]

I had this issue with a 5W I almost couldn’t play it in the wind. Picked up a TSi3 3 hybrid. I can hit it just as far as a 5W it has a more piercing flight, performs more like a 3 iron but it’s easier to hit for more. Not as forgiving as most 5Ws though. 

[Zach.buckler23]

I’d say 2 hybrid or even 2 iron. Worst case take 3 iron and bend it a hair strong!

[Nickb333]

On 3/20/2024 at 1:37 PM, JAMH03 said:

Why not hit the 3 or 4 wood and swing easier?

Bingo. 
 

When it’s breezy, swing it easy. Choke the 3…

 

[beluga99]

On 3/21/2024 at 2:44 AM, blades_are_life said:

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I'm the same as @BombinJim, I absolutely love my Wilson Staff blade 3 iron.  90% off the tee or punching under trees.  Super reliable, and a bad swing normally goes straight, just not as far.  Low and penetrating off the deck.  Have a couple of Fli-His as well.  They are more forgiving but do tend to, drum roll, fly higher.  I have some massive misses with hybrids, both ways.  Sometimes forgiveness is a curse.

[blades_are_life]

On 3/27/2024 at 1:29 AM, beluga99 said:

I'm the same as @BombinJim, I absolutely love my Wilson Staff blade 3 iron.  90% off the tee or punching under trees.  Super reliable, and a bad swing normally goes straight, just not as far.  Low and penetrating off the deck.  Have a couple of Fli-His as well.  They are more forgiving but do tend to, drum roll, fly higher.  I have some massive misses with hybrids, both ways.  Sometimes forgiveness is a curse.

Golf for me is not fun without blade long irons in the bag.

[BurnleyShank]

If you're comfortable hitting 4i, then maybe a 3Ui? 

[Frank_Kasule]

On 3/20/2024 at 2:21 PM, jamesr007 said:

Callaway 17 degree UW 

This is the one, low spin and easy to hit straight and relatively low. Don't need to swing it hard to get good distance which helps keep spin down into the wind. 

Magic stick. 

[RolandofGilead]

On 3/20/2024 at 1:43 AM, SJP1 said:

Looking to do some testing this weekend on alternatives to 5 wood for windy days.

 

I love my 5 wood but it gets chewed if there’s a significant headwind and my next club down is a 4 hybrid.
 

Any feedback on alternatives that still launch a bit, but manage spin, like U505 and Mizuno Fli-Hi? 

This will sound crazy in the modern era, but a steel shafted 5W is a great option for this. Much easier to bring down launch and spin than a more modern configuration, but still can launch well.