7 Wood or 4 Hybrid?? What's best?

Pete O'Tube · February 15, 2017

I've been playing golf for 54 years (yes, that's me in the picture!!), and I've played to a 5 -6 handicap for about 40 years. I started with a full set of irons 1 - PW, then moved to 5 wood and 3 - PW, then moved to 5 Wood,4 Hybrid and 4- PW. Now at the age of 63 I'm considering a 7 wood to replace the hybrid. What are the pros and cons of doing this?

All help and advice is gratefully received.

MadGolfer76 · February 15, 2017

No cons really. I love playing a 7 wood although I don't need to. Depending on the setup, it can yield a higher flight than the hybrid and still get out of thicker rough. Nice to use around the greens sometimes too.

semarlor · February 15, 2017

I played one for years in my early 20's and have really considered going back to it vs a 3 or 4 hybrid. Just depends on what you are more comfortable with and what fits your eye. You can keep some street cred by calling it a 5HL ("high launch" 5 wood, lol)

Z1ggy16 · February 15, 2017

There's no right answer, it's whatever you feel is best. Generally between a wood and hybrid at the same loft, the wood will go higher, spin slightly more (usually) and go a little further (longer shaft).

I personally prefer playing higher lofted hybrids than woods because I use them out of the rough and I prefer the interaction between the smaller club head of a hybrid over the larger wood. Some guys don't like hybrids because they are smaller looking, or simply because they grew up playing long irons and woods only. Best thing is to get a 7 wood and a 4h out to the range and see which works best for you.

Bshep0909 · February 15, 2017

i play both , my bag goes 4w 16, 7w 21, 4h 22, gaps are fine for me do to shaft length and obviously my delivery....

Pete O'Tube · February 16, 2017

Thanks for your thoughts, I'll have to get an old Heavenwood and try it out. Maybe I should stick to the 4 or 5 hybrids I own!

platgof · February 16, 2017

I will take the 7 wood, although my 4 hybrid is pretty decent. A low shot gets the hybrid.

Sean2 · February 16, 2017

I am 61, though I have only been playing for 11 years. I have hit both and prefer the 7-wood. I hit it higher and longer.

Howard_Jones · February 16, 2017

I've been playing golf for 54 years (yes, that's me in the picture!!), and I've played to a 5 -6 handicap for about 40 years. I started with a full set of irons 1 - PW, then moved to 5 wood and 3 - PW, then moved to 5 Wood,4 Hybrid and 4- PW. Now at the age of 63 I'm considering a 7 wood to replace the hybrid. What are the pros and cons of doing this?

All help and advice is gratefully received.

I have both in my own bag, a 23* 7W and a 24* 4H, but they are about 1 clubs apart in distance (longer shaft and more club speed on the 7W), but the wood is no good from the rough, then the hybrid is a better choice if i want some distance out of there. The hybrid head come better and easier to the ball when there is some grass, while from the fairway or semi, i prefer the 7W who is my "go to club" no matter "swing of the day", so i would say yes to both for the reason of gapping and how the ball lies, but i only carry 2 wedges on top after PW to make it since i have 3W/15 - 5W/19 and 7W/23 in the bag.