What is a 5-wood in golf?
The 5-wood is a Fairway Woods: a club with a rounded head, like a driver, but designed to be played both off the tee and directly from the grass. In the bag, it goes after the 3-wood and before the 7-wood or hybrids.
More open than the 3-wood, it sends the ball a little shorter but higher. It’s often the easiest fairway wood to hit, which explains why it’s found in the bags of many amateurs, female golfers, and senior players.
What are the characteristics of a 5-wood?
- The Loft: generally around 18°, with variations depending on the model. This loft, which is higher than that of a 3-wood (generally around 15°), makes it easier to get the ball airborne.
- The Head: smaller than the one in 3-wood, with a wide sole that glides easily on the grass.
- The handle: shorter than that of a 3-wood, resulting in more consistent contact. It is almost always made of graphite.
When should you use a 5-wood?
- On the fairway, for long second shots on par-5s or long par-4s. That's his favorite kind of course.
- Teeing off from the long par-3 tees, when you need both distance and a ball that lands high enough to come to a stop on the green.
- Teeing off on a short or narrow par-4 hole, as a strategic move.
- In light rough: Its sole glides through the grass better than a long iron. In thick rough, however, a wider-faced iron is a safer choice.
3-wood, 5-wood, or hybrid: What's the difference?
| 3-wood | 5-wood | Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loft (in general) | About 15° | About 18° | Highly variable, often ranging from about 17 to 27° |
| Ball Height | Average | Highest | High |
| Ease on the fairway | Demanding | Easier | Easy |
| Key Strength | Distance | Distance and Height | Replaces long irons |
The 5-wood and the hybrid may have similar lofts. The difference lies in their shape: the 5-wood’s deeper head and longer shaft generally produce a higher, slightly longer shot; the hybrid, which is more compact, is easier to handle in the rough and plays more like an iron. Many players have both, with lofts that don’t overlap.
How do you hit a 5-wood properly?
- Ball slightly forward from the center of the stance, roughly halfway between the position for a mid-iron and that for a driver.
- Sweep the ball: The clubhead skims the ground before and after impact, without trying to take a big divot.
- Don't try to lift the ball: The loft takes care of that. Hands that “rise” at impact cause the ball to be topped.
- A full, fluid swing, at the same pace as an iron: the 5-wood doesn't require much power.
Should you carry a 5-wood in your bag?
It's not mandatory, but it's often a smart move. Long irons (3-iron, 4-iron, sometimes 5-iron) are difficult for most amateurs to hit high. A 5-wood covers these distances with a higher ball flight that lands more gently. You just need to keep in mind the limit of 14 clubs In the bag: Adding a 5-wood often means taking out a long iron or a 3-wood.
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Frequently Asked Questions: The 5-wood at the Golf Course
What is the loft of a 5-wood?
Generally around 18°, with a few degrees of variation depending on the model. It is more open than the 3-wood and therefore launches the ball more easily.
5-wood or hybrid: which should you choose?
The 5-wood generally produces a higher, slightly longer shot from the fairway; the hybrid is easier to handle in the rough. The easiest thing to do is to try them out, and many players end up keeping both.
Does a 5-wood replace an iron?
It generally covers the distance of the long irons, which most amateurs have trouble hitting high. The exact replacement depends on your swing speed.
Can you hit a 5-wood from the rough?
Yes, in light rough, where the sole glides easily. In thick rough, a wider-faced iron or a wedge is a safer choice.