Sometimes, you need to let go of your ego in order to play your best golf.
It could be switching from steel to graphite shafts. Or from blades to cavity-back irons. Or adding more forgiveness to certain clubs. The 7-wood is another popular club.
While 7-woods have been around for a long time, there’s often been a stigma around men using this golf club. It’s definitely been a popular club for women golfers for a long time but a lot of men haven’t gotten on board. This decision could have resulted in a lot of wasted shots over time.
Dustin Johnson has ended the stigma associated with men using this club, as you’ll see in this article. DJ is one the most respected players in the world, and he also loves his 7-wood. If someone like DJ isn’t afraid to use one, then why are you?
Continue reading to find out more about this club and the benefits.
7-Wood: A Secret Weapon?
My secret weapon was my 7-wood in high school. In those days I was very short in stature (not even five feet tall heading into freshman year) and didn’t hit the ball very far at all. If I hit a driver 200 yards it would’ve been a bomb.
Needless to mention, even though I had a short tee ball, it was difficult to hit long shots into par 4s or par 3s. While I tried to hit long irons like everyone else, it was clear my swing wasn’t good enough for them. I was also able to see my competitors and teammates struggle with these types shots.
Hybrids weren’t a thing yet so the next best option was my trusty 7-wood. It was my go-to tool and I always felt confident pulling it out of my bag.
Sure, I got some grief from my teammates for using a high lofted club but I didn’t care, I let the results speak for themselves. This is what I want you to do. It’s time to play the right equipment for your game – whether it’s a 7 wood, a 5H, or cavity back wedges.
The sooner you can let go of your male ego, you’ll be able to play better. Without changing your swing. This club could be the right equipment for your long game.
Let’s get into what makes this golf club such a good idea for most players.
Benefits of a 7-Wood Deck
A 7-wood can make your game more enjoyable by hitting more greens in regulation, and giving you more opportunities to look at brides. But don’t take my word for it, let’s review a study done by Arccos that was documented in Golf Digest.
“The company measured the greens-in-regulation percentage for players using a 7-wood and a 3-hybrid (the most logical comparison club) across handicap ranges (scratch to 25-handicapper) and distances (140 to 220 yards). The 7-wood’s greens-in-regulation percentage was higher in 28 of 40 instances (70 percent).”
For most golfers, a high-lofted fairway wooden is much easier than a 3 hybrid.
Many people compare a 3-hybrid to a 5-wood, but a 7 wood is actually closer to a 3-H in terms of loft. The loft of both clubs varies depending on make and model. Women’s 7-woods have higher loft and can range up to 27 degrees.
Let’s compare the two golf clubs…
7-Wood or 3 Hybrid?
Many amateurs, as well as some professionals, have abandoned longer irons. Some even dropped 4 irons. Hybrids are more common. Hybrids have larger club heads than long-irons, making them easier to hit from the fairway, the tee and in the rough.
A 7-wood is more similar to a 3-hybrid.
Why is a 7W better than a 3 hybrid for hitting greens in regulation? I think it’s for a few reasons…
First, a 3H has a smaller diameter than a wood, making it slightly harder to hit. A 7-wood has more mass behind a ball, which reduces mishits and ensures more consistency. A larger head means more distance on the greens.
A 7-wood is second in that it has a similar turf interaction to a 5-wood, which many golfers use over the years. It’s an easy transition as you don’t need to change much in your swing vs. a normal fairway wood. It’s much easier than hitting a 3 wood.
A higher loft means that 7-woods have a higher launch and ball flight compared to hybrids. This will help you keep the green in play more often, for the average golfer. Professional golfers will find the spin more consistent, which makes it easier to hit long par 5s in just two shots.
7-woods are much easier to hit than other fairway woods. If you add this club to your arsenal, my only caution is to ensure that you space your clubs appropriately to avoid huge yardage gaps.
Should I use a hybrid or 7-Wood?
Remember, a 3 hybrid that is the same loft of a 7W but that doesn’t mean it will go the same distance.
One reason is shaft length – hybrid shafts are about an inch shorter than fairway wood shafts. Another reason is that hybrids don’t have as much mass behind the ball than a smaller hybrid.
A hybrid may be a better choice for accuracy. Since it’s a smaller clubhead, it’s easier to improve your shot dispersion and hit it straighter.
The rough is another place where hybrid golf clubs could be more successful than a 7-wood. A hybrid is smaller so it is easier to make good contact with if you miss the fairway. A hybrid’s shorter shaft length makes it easier to use in difficult spots, such as a fairway bunker.
They’re pretty comparable when it comes to hitting off the tee or from the fairway and neither one has an advantage.
Finally, a hybrid golf club will tend to fly lower and don’t have as much spin as a 7-wood. Some professionals prefer the 7-wood’s higher spin. However, amateurs will find a 7-wood or hybrid more enjoyable than a long iron.
7-Wood Distance
You might be wondering, “How far should I drive a 7-wood?” It’s a good question and will vary depending on the player.
Don’t forget, distance is dependent on one thing above all else – Clubhead Speed. The ball will travel further the faster you swing it.
I was slow to swing in high school, and I used to hit it 150-160yds. Now I can hit a 7 wood nearly 100 yards farther and use it from 235 to 250 yards.
Depending on your clubhead speed and technique, you can expect to hit your 7 wood anywhere between 160-240 yards.
7-Wood vs. Long Iron
A 7-wood is comparable to a 3 and 4 iron depending on the make/model of your irons. High-lofted woods are better than a 3-4 iron for 99% of golfers.
Even elite players like me will abandon these irons in favour of hybrids or high-lofted woods. They just make it easier for you to consistently hit the golf ball on long shots.
Driving irons, also called utility irons are an alternative to long irons. These are easier to hit because they have a larger clubhead. They have different shafts, which are more forgiving and can improve the ball flight.
Click here to learn more about the best driving irons.
Best 7-Woods
Now that you are better informed about how this club can benefit your game, here are some of the best choices:
- PING G425 Max
- PXG 0341 Gen4
- TaylorMade Stealth
- Callaway Rogue ST Max (or Max D)
These clubs are more versatile and have more loft than a 5wood, making them a great choice for beginners. Here are more beginner fairway woods.
FAQs about 7-Woods & Hybrid Golf Clubs
Are you looking for more information about high-lofted fairway woods that can help you hit powerful shots on difficult holes? Continue reading to find out more and see if this is the right club.
How far should I go with my 7-wood?
The average distance is 160-240 yards depending on your clubhead speed.
Senior players may only be able to hit it 150 yards, while scratch golfers are able to hit it 220-240 yard. Professionals with fast swing speeds can hit it 250+ yards, which is quite impressive.
Are there any PGA players who use a 7-wood?
These clubs are becoming more popular with professionals, which is a good thing for amateurs. It was easier for amateurs to try them after the best players in the world started using them.
Dustin Johnson, Max Homa and Adam Scott are just a few of the elite players who use high-lofted fairway woods.
Do I need to carry 5-wood or 7-wood?
Most golfers are familiar with the traditional idea of having a driver and three or five wood. However, hybrids, utility irons and 7-woods have changed the game.
Plus, fairway woods are loaded with so much technology that they’re quite “hot.” Meaning, they tend to go a lot further than they once did.
In most cases, it wouldn’t make sense to have a driver, 3W, 5W, and 7W in your bag. The lofts are very similar from 3W-5W and 5W-7W, so it may not be the best use for your 14 clubs.
One of these ideas might be a better idea:
- 3W and7W plus a driving or hybrid iron
- 4W and 7W plus a hybrid or driving iron
- Mini driver, 5W plus a hybrid driving iron or driving iron
One of the best ways to improve your long game is to give up longer irons in favor of shorter clubs. Just don’t overdo it with too many woods that might serve the same purpose.
Is a 7-wood the same as a 3-hybrid?
A 7-wood is equivalent in loft to a 3H. The 7-wood will likely go farther, but for two main reasons.
First, a fairway wood’s shaft is longer than a hybrid. It measures between.5 and 1.5 inches. A longer shaft can mean more distance, but it may also be less accurate.
Second, fairway woods will travel farther because they have more mass behind their clubhead. A 7-wood is much bigger in terms of cc’s than a hybrid which also increases total distance.
A wood vs. hybrid will generally have a higher flight. A hybrid is better for shaping shots, hitting from the rough, and even using around the greens.
Is a 7-wood equivalent to a heavenwood?
They are not the same club, but they are very similar. The Callaway Rogue ST Max, for example, has both a 7-wood option and a heavenwood option.
The 7-wood has 21 degree loft and measures 42.25 inches, while the heavenwood has 20 degree loft and measures 43 inches. This can vary depending on the manufacturer, so make sure you check the specifications on their website.
Final Thoughts on Fairway Woods vs. a Hybrid Golf Club
You should now be able to understand the benefits of adding the 7-wood to you bag. This club is a great choice and should be considered when choosing a club.
Don’t take my word for it though, just watch professionals like DJ and others who prefer these woods vs. longer irons. Seven woods are great because of so many reasons.
- Improved turf interaction
- It makes it easier to get the ball up and running.
- It is easy to hit the fairway, tee and rough.
- Due to a longer shaft length and a larger head, it travels further than 3H
- According to a Golf Digest article: A hybrid has more greens than a regulation one.
This should give you a lot of confidence in difficult situations. For older golfers, this is especially beneficial as they can hit shots off the ground with ease.
