how to decide what golf woods to use

How to Choose golf woods: The Buying Guide

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Full Answer

What are the best woods for high-handicap golfers?

Fairway woods with more loft and a lower center of gravity will help high-handicap golfers hit the ball higher without too much spin, which lessens the amount of curve on the golf ball. A wider sole increases the moment-of-inertia.

How to choose the best golf shafts?

The first thing is to decide is what type of golf shafts you would prefer, followed by shaft flex, kick-point, torque rating and length. Each of these different aspects of golf club shafts that can influence the performance of your club, and each must be carefully considered before you put in an order.

Which fairway wood should I put in my golf bag?

The 3-wood is a must have for pretty much every golfer, and should be the longest fairway wood in your golf bag. There are several factors involved in finding the right loft for your 3-wood, and the vast majority of this information can be found using a launch monitor.

How to choose the right golf clubs for You?

The proper grip should let you hold the club using your middle and ring fingers of your left hand with very little touching the pad with the thumb. If your finger doesn’t touch your thumb, it’s a sign that the grip is too big. Although obvious, getting the correct length of shaft is a fundamental consideration when buying golf clubs.

How do I choose golf woods?

The most important factor to consider when choosing the right loft for your 3-wood is your swing speed. As a general rule, the faster your swing speed, the less loft you will need to launch the ball high. If your swing speed with a 3-wood is over 100 mph, the loft of your 3-wood should be between 13-15 degrees.

What wood should I use golf?

Is a 3-wood or 5-wood better off the tee? The 3-wood is the better option off the tee for most players due to its lower loft and propensity for distance. The SIM2 3-wood has been engineered to generate low spin rates with a high launch – which is the standard recipe for increased distance in golf.

How do you know which club to use in golf?

IRONS2-iron = 105 to 210 yards.3-iron = 100 to 205 yards.4-iron = 90 to 190 yards.5-iron = 80 to 175 yards.6-iron = 70 to 165 yards.7-iron = 65 to 155 yards.8-iron = 60 to 145 yards.9-iron = 55 to 135 yards.

Should my woods match my irons?

There is no requirement to match your driver with your woods. Brand, club head, shaft, weight and length are all parts which can match but golfers are best focusing on the combinations which deliver the best results for each club individually. The only exception is the grip which should be the same.

Do you really need a 3 and 5 wood?

Should You Get A 3 Or 5 Wood? The majority of golfers will hit more fairways and greens with a 5 wood compared to a 3 wood. A 5 wood has a slightly shorter shaft and more loft, and because of that, it makes it much easier to hit from the fairway.

What's easier to hit a 5 wood or 3 hybrid?

Without a doubt, a hybrid is easier to hit than a 5-wood because of the added forgiveness it provides. Whether you strike it high or low, or in the heel or toe, you will get the ball airborne and enjoy acceptable carry distance.

What is better hybrid or fairway wood?

Fairway woods tend to hit the ball greater distances with lower spin, they are clubs designed mainly for distance. Hybrids are clubs designed to be an easier to hit version of long irons and so they spin the ball more. Hybrids tend to have a higher ball flight and so can stop the ball on the green faster.

How far should I hit a 7 iron?

Average 7 Iron Distance By AgeAge RangeAverage 7 Iron Distance20-30160 yards30-40155 yards40-50146 yards50-60139 yards2 more rows

What club would you use when on the green?

In fact, a golfer can use any club they want on the putting green. Under the Rules of Golf, a golfer can use a putter, a wedge, an iron, a fairway wood, a hybrid, a driver -- basically, whatever of their 14 clubs are in the bag -- on the putting surface.

What goes further 5 wood or 3 wood?

The distance gained by 3 wood is, for the most part, 10 to 20 yards longer than that of 5 wood. Of course, this also depends on contact, swing speed, etc. But, generally speaking, lower-lofted and longer-shafted 3 wood travels farther than higher-lofted and shorter-shafted 5 wood.

Do you swing a 3 wood like a driver?

First, a 3 wood is designed to hit the ball off the ground. So don't tee it up like you would a driver. That should go without saying but I've seen plenty of golfers teeing up a 3 wood an inch off the ground and then popping it straight up in the air. Don't hit it like a driver.

Does a 5 wood go further than a 3 iron?

The shaft length of the five wood is going to be longer than that of a 3 iron. Typically speaking, fairway woods have much more distance than irons and part of that is because of the length of the clubs.

Should I use a 5-wood or hybrid?

10:4612:22Should You Use a Hybrid? Or a 5-Wood? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe 5-wood goes higher it spins more it also goes a little bit further. So if you're looking for aMoreThe 5-wood goes higher it spins more it also goes a little bit further. So if you're looking for a club for off the fairway. That's gonna land nice and soft you hit a lot of fairways. Maybe.

What club does a 9 wood replace?

4 ironAccording to Golf Info Guide, a 9 wood can be a great replacement for a 4 iron and is ideal for those lofty fairway shots.

What club would a 7 wood replace?

A 7-wood has a larger head than hybrids, 3-woods, and 5-woods. With this size comes a larger amount of forgiveness, making it an ideal replacement for low irons (2, 3, or 4) and other woods. In terms of loft, a 7-wood is comparable to a 3 iron, typically featuring 21-22 degrees.

What fairway wood should I carry?

So Which Fairway Wood?Degrees of LoftDescription and Notes17 - 184 wood. Safer than a 3 wood, longer than a 518 - 19Strong 519 - 21Easy hitting long wood. Along with the driver, often carried with a 3 wood23 - 24Strong 7. Shaft should be a little longer than a regular seven. A good complement to 4 woods.5 more rows

How to choose fairway woods?

Here are a few key things to remember: 1 The best fairway woods are ideal for tee shots on short par-4s, reaching par-5s in two shots, and hitting high, soft approach shots into long par-4s. 2 Extensive testing and fitting will help you find the right mix of fairway woods with the proper loft, shaft flex, and lie angle. Even if you buy your clubs online, it’s a smart choice to get fitted. 3 If you’re a high handicapper, you want fairway woods with a low center-of-gravity and a wide sole. 4 Having adjustability is a great option to handle a variety of different golf course and weather conditions. 5 Fairway woods can be used in tightly-mown areas around the green, providing even more versatility.

How many yards should a 5 wood golf ball carry?

Since a 5-wood has more loft than a 3-wood, it should carry about 8-10 yards shorter for the average golfer. Therefore, players with average swing speeds should be able to carry the golf ball 190-210 yards.

What is the best material for fairway wood?

Lighter than steel, titanium is a great material for the face of the fairway wood. Thinner faces provide more spring-like affect, which produces more distance than a standard steel clubface. Also, less weight in the clubface allows the manufacturer to place that weight lower and behind the face, which increases stability and forgiveness on off-center hits.

Why use graphite shafts in fairway woods?

The most important reason why fairway woods utilize graphite vs steel shafts is that lighter shafts are easier to swing faster.

What is the best alternative to long irons?

Fairway woods make great alternatives to long irons, as they are easier to hit and easier to get airborne than traditional long irons. If you struggle with long approach shots and prefer the look and shape of a fairway wood, you may want to consider ditching your 3- and 4-irons and replacing them with fairway woods.

Why are fairway woods shallower than drivers?

The face of fairway woods are much shallower than a driver, which keeps the center of gravity lower, allowing you to get the ball airborne from the fairway or rough. Some fairway wood soles are designed to make it easier to hit them from divots or heavier rough. This is something you won’t find in a modern driver.

What is the difference between links and golf?

Links-style golf courses tend to be played with lower shots that run along the ground, while traditional courses require shots that fly higher and land softer in the fairway and on the green. If you play golf courses that require softer landing shots, you want as many fairway woods as your bag will allow.

How many irons are in a golf putter?

Most golfers carry several woods -- although they're actually made of metal -- and the rest of the 14 are irons plus a putter. As a golfer becomes more skilled, he learns how to use these clubs to improve his accuracy, play more strategically, get down in two more often from off the green, and lower his scores.

What is the common mistake when hitting a golf ball out of the rough?

When confronted with a lengthy shot to the green out of the rough, a common mistake is to try to hit the iron that matches the distance to the green instead of considering the effect of the ball laying deep in the grass.

What is a golf club?

Golf clubs can be employed creatively in situations that may seem quite different from their intended uses. A fairway wood or a hybrid club can be an effective tool to chip the ball from the fringe instead of the iron you might normally use, allowing you to take a lower, smoother swing and have better contact with the ball.

How many clubs can you carry in a golf bag?

Advice on What Iron or Wood Golf Club to Use. A golfer may carry up to 14 clubs in his golf bag under the official Rules of Golf. There's no rule he has to carry that many, though, and within the 14-club limit there are many variations in the types of clubs he can carry. Some golfers prefer to carry three or more wedges, for example, ...

Is it better to use a 7 iron or a long iron?

Most golfers are more accurate with their irons than with their woods. And short irons -- those from the 7-iron on down -- are easier to use than long irons. On a par-4 with an extremely narrow fairway or trouble such as water on one side, a golfer may elect to tee off with an iron to be more certain she can hit the ball in the fairway.

What is the best head material for golf?

There are three choices of head material to choose from, each with its own characteristics: Steel – Not too expensive and durable, steel is the most popular material. Titanium – Great for hitting from the tee, titanium is half the weight of steel and helps to get the ball airborne sooner.

How to tell if a golf club has a high loft?

You can judge the loft by how much of the face of a club is angled upward or how much the top of the face is angled away from the shaft.

What is the best bounce for golf?

As a general rule, most golfers are best with a bounce between 10 to 14 degrees. High Bounce Wedges – Those with a high space between the ground and the leading edge, the biggest bounce is around 18 degrees. Best for play out of soft turf and sand, they are good for golfers with steep attack angles.

What is loft angle?

Loft. A vital measurement, the loft, or loft angle, refers to the angle formed by a line running down the centre of the shaft and the face of the club. Measured in degrees, a golf club with a relatively low loft, such as 3 iron sitting at 21–23 degrees, will make the ball go further than one with a higher loft.

How does a thick grip affect golf swing?

The thickness of the grip can have a massive effect on your swing. A grip that is too thin can lead to golfers having large hand actions leading into the swing. However, too thick a grip will restrict your hands and have an equally devastating impact.

How many yards difference between 7 irons?

Other irons such as the 7-iron sit between these two extremes, with around 12-15 yards difference between each club. Essentially, the lower the golf club number is, the lower the flight, the further it will travel but the harder it is to control.

What happens if a golf shaft is too stiff?

Selecting a shaft too stiff will cause lower ball flight and a loss of distance, whereas a shaft too soft can result in ballooning and, again, loss in distance.

What is the best material for golf clubs?

The classic shaft material, graphite gives superior weighting options and is great for keeping a club light. Graphite is optimized for distance and will be the best material for most golfers. The best thing about graphite is the exquisite control you can gain on flight characteristics.

Why are fairway wood shafts important?

Fairway Wood Shafts And Why They Are Important. The fairway wood is a unique club, you want it to go far but you need it to be accurate. These clubs can help you find tight fairways or reach distant greens. Picking the right shaft is essential to help you optimize your accuracy and length. Many golfers think of the fairway wood as an afterthought ...

Why is torque important in golf swings?

This will help the player feel more control in the shaft and that it is supporting your speed. This will also help you with better control and dispersion.

What happens if a golf shaft is too long?

A shaft that is too long will go further but it will be much harder to control. Long drive contest entrants use extra-long shafts, for example. If you get a shaft that is too short, although it will be accurate and easy to control, you will lose a significant amount of distance with the club.

Why is it important to pick the right shaft?

Picking the right shaft is essential to help you optimize your accuracy and length. Many golfers think of the fairway wood as an afterthought and just grab a bargain. Finding the right club can be great for your game. Think of Henrik Stenson and his magic 3 wood, by carefully selecting a fairway wood shaft, you too can start a love affair with ...

What happens if you get the weight wrong on a golf swing?

If you get the weight wrong, the first issue will be that it just doesn’t feel right during your swing. A shaft that is too heavy will be difficult to fully load and it will make you struggle to get good distance. It may feel a little dead sin your hands and very stiff through the swing. If it is too light, you may struggle with the timing ...

Is it cheaper to change shafts or buy new clubs?

Sometimes you need to tweak your equipment, sometimes you just need that new spark to help you restore confidence in a club. Changing shaft can to exactly that and is something worth exploring, it is often cheaper than buying a whole new club and can have the same effect.

What is the first thing to decide on golf shafts?

The first thing is to decide is what type of golf shafts you would prefer, followed by shaft flex, kick-point, torque rating and length. Each of these different aspects of golf club shafts that can influence the performance of your club, and each must be carefully considered before you put in an order. Read on to find out all about how ...

How to measure the length of a golf club?

In order to determine the length of your club, stand tall and get someone to measure from the crease where your wrist and hand meet to the floor. Do this with both hands and take an average of the two measurements.

How long should a 5-iron shaft be?

The following lists what length of shafts you should consider for certain heights. If the crease where your wrist and hand meet to the floor is: 29 to 32 inches = irons should be based on a 5-iron of 37 inches. 33 to 34 inches = irons should be based on a 5-iron of 37 1/2 inches.

What is the difference between steel shafts and graphite shafts?

Steel shafts are much heavier, more durable and are generally less expensive than their graphite counterpart s. They are often made from carbon steel, but stainless steel is sometimes used, and start at 120 grams.

What is the kick point of a golf shot?

The shaft kick-point – also known as flex-point – is the point where the shaft bends and affects the trajectory of the shot. Although the effect is only small, it is still measurable.

What is flex in golf clubs?

Put simply, the flex determines a golf club shaft’s ability to bend during a swing, affecting the distance and direction. Therefore, getting the right flex in your golf clubs is important.

Why does my golf club feel dead?

You may also find that the club may feel “dead” if the shaft is too heavy or stiff, or alternatively it can feel too soft and weak – both can significantly impact your game.

What shafts do you need for a slow swing?

Slow swing speeds will generally require softer-flex shafts, while high swing speeds need stiffer shafts; due to variations in swing patterns, however, swing speed is only one portion of finding the right shaft. Briand’s recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline.

Can you get fit into a driver shaft?

That’s why it’s best to get fit into a driver shaft under the supervision of a professional fitter. Being that we don’t live in a perfect world, however, the reality is that many golfers will skip the step of getting fit and purchase aftermarket shafts without consultation. Golfers buy certain shafts for various reasons.

Does tipping a shaft change the bend point?

Remember, though, that tipping a shaft will change the bend point, and it’s also irreversible, so make sure you know the purpose behind tipping your shaft. 2. Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex.

Does a high bend point lower or raise the ball?

According to Briand, a high bend point will lower ball flight and a low bend point will raise ball flight. So, if you tend to have a ball flight that’s too high, look for shafts that have a high kick point, and vice versa. It’s important to note that variations in length and shaft tipping will impact the designed bend point of a shaft.

Does a lighter shaft affect swing speed?

As Briand explains, the weight of a shaft has less impact on swing speed than golfers think, but that lighter shafts could increase the rate of closure.