What is a wood in golf?
A wood is a golf club with a large, rounded head, mounted on the longest shaft in the bag. It belongs to the family of distance clubs: it is used for tee shots and long shots on the fairway.
The name has historical origins. For a long time, these heads were carved from wood, particularly persimmon wood (in English persimmon). Metal heads—first made of steel, then titanium—replaced them during the 1980s and 1990s. The term has stuck: we still refer to them as “wood,” even when they’re made of titanium or carbon.
What are the different types of wood?
| Club | Loft (in general) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Driver (No. 1 wood) | About 8 to 12° | Tee shots on par-4 and par-5 holes, ball on a tee |
| 3-wood | About 15° | A cautious start, long shots down the fairway |
| 5-wood | About 18° | Long shots on the fairway, long par-3 holes |
| 7 or more pieces of wood | About 21° and above | Replace long irons, high ball |
These lofts are reference points: they vary by brand and model, and many of the newer woods are adjustable. The basic principle, however, remains the same: The higher the number, the more open the face is, the higher the ball goes, the shorter its distance.
There are therefore two categories: the driver, designed to be played off a tee, and the Fairway Woods (in English fairway woods), which are smaller and more open and can be played directly on the grass.
What are the characteristics of wood?
- A wide, hollow head: Its weight is distributed toward the rear and the perimeter, making it more forgiving on off-center hits. For the driver, the volume is limited to 460 cm³ by the Rules of Equipment.
- A small loft compared to irons, which produces a straighter flight path and more distance.
- A long handle, almost always made of graphite, which increases the clubhead speed. The maximum allowed length for a club, excluding putters, is 48 inches.
- A wide sole, especially on fairway woods, which slide across the grass instead of sinking into it.
Wood, hybrid, or iron: What's the difference?
The irons have a thin, flat head and strike the ball as they swing down. The wood have a wide, hollow head and sweep the ball. In between, the hybrids They take their hollow head and wide sole from wood, and their shorter shaft from iron. They are used primarily to replace long irons.
How do you hit the ball well with wood?
- Advanced Ball In the stance: inside the front heel for the driver, slightly less forward for the fairway woods.
- A wide, sweeping swing: Keep your head close to the ground; don't try to take a divot.
- Let the loft carry the ball, without trying to lift it with your hands.
- Centering Before Applying Force: Hitting the ball in the center of the clubface yields more distance than a forced swing.
How much wood should you put in your bag?
The Rules limit the bag to 14 clubs (Rule 4.1b). The most common set includes a driver and one or two fairway woods, often a 3-wood and a 5-wood, or a 5-wood and a hybrid. Players with a modest swing speed often benefit from choosing wider-face woods (5 or 7) over long irons.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Les Bois au Golf
Why are these clubs called "wood clubs"?
Because their heads used to be made of wood, particularly persimmon wood. They have been made of metal or carbon fiber since the 1980s and 1990s, but the name has stuck.
What is the difference between a driver and a fairway wood?
The driver has the largest clubhead and the lowest loft; it is hit off a tee. Fairway woods (3-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood, etc.) are smaller and have a wider face, and are also hit directly off the grass.
What does a wood number mean?
It indicates its position in the series: the higher the number, the larger the loft, the higher the ball rises, and the shorter the distance it travels.
How much wood can you carry in your bag?
There is no limit per club type, only a limit of 14 clubs in total (Rule 4.1b). Most players have a driver and one or two fairway woods.