Which one is better a 3 wood or a 5 wood? Which will provide the best distance? If these are some of the questions on your mind then you are at the right place. Golf is a really popular sport in the world which attracts a lot of new players every year.
For a beginner, it is kind of easy to pick up golf but really hard to master as there are so many mechanics involved in this sport. Most people don’t know the 3 wood vs 5 wood distance difference.
If you want to know which one is better suited to your playstyle then you should stick with us. Today we will provide you with a brief comparison of a 3 and 5 wood golf club.
Table of Contents
Why Woods Are Important:
In this day and age, there is a lot of preference for putting more and more distance in a golf game. One of these reasons is that courses are longer than ever now. All of the best players in the sport strive to hit the furthest that they can. In order to achieve this, fairway woods play a very important role. One major advantage of using wood is that it can also be used from the tee as well. You don’t have that many limitations when using wood.
If you aren’t feeling like using a driver, then a fairway wood is a really good complementary to that in regard to the distance. Fairways woods can also be used from a distance for attacking par fives as well. So, if you want to achieve a good amount of distance, you can use fairway wood.
Overview a 3 Wood:
A 3 wood is probably one of the most versatile golf clubs that a golfer has in his bag. The versatility provided by a 3 wood makes it an absolute must for every golf game.
The Distance:
The distance that you can get with a 3 wood is very comparable to that of a driver. That is the reason that most of the fairway wood is also built with the same tech used for making drivers. In the past, there was a clear difference between a 3 wood and a driver when it came to the distance. But with the latest technology, nowadays a 3 wood can hit the ball really far and attain driver level distance.
If you are playing on a golf course that is not that long then you can even use a 3 wood off the tee and get ample distance. This is a really big advantage of a fairway wood as it can be used when playing off the tee.
Accuracy:
Even if you ask any professional golfer, they will tell you that it is more important to hit the ball at the right spot instead of hitting it farther. When using a 3 wood, it is easier to hit the ball in the correct sport compared to a driver. Playing off the tee, the 3 wood is really excellent and should be present in the arsenal of every golfer.
Versatility:
When it comes to why every golfer should carry a 3 wood, it comes down to the level of versatility that it provides. With a 3 wood, you can play basically any type of situation whether it is on the fairway or on the rough side. A driver is not that useful outside of the tee but the same can’t be said for a 3 wood. You can use a 3 wood outside of the tee and this is the quality that makes it very versatile. You can hit long-distance shots on the long par-4s while also reach for the green in two on a par-5.
Additionally, the 3 wood nowadays have a really sleek build to them. Due to their impressive build and design, golfers can easily hit shots in the rough as well with a 3 wood.
Customizations:
Another solid point of keeping a 3 wood with yourself is the level of customizations that you can do. As a golfer, you can customize your 3 wood to the exact specification that you want. All of the customizations that can be done to a driver are now available for a fairway wood as well. This is a very useful feature as with the right modifications, you can make it even better than a driver as well. You also get various options in areas like the grip and shaft as well.
Pricing:
If you are a budget-conscious golfer, then you will be absolutely shocked by the pricing of today’s drivers. This is where a 3 wood shines due to its much cheaper pricing than a driver. If you don’t want to use a driver off the tee then you will be better off buying a 3 wood and save some money.
Overview of a 5 Wood:
A 5 wood is basically more lofted when compared to a 3 wood. The 3 wood is a good alternative for playing off the tee while for a 5 wood, you can say that it is more of a fairway club. Woods are generally shorter in length when you compare them to drivers and that is the reason more people find it easier to just use a 5 wood.
Distance:
You can get a lot of distance from a 5 wood. Nowadays every type of golf club has the latest technology and that is why a 5 wood performs just as well as a driver and even better in some situations. This wasn’t the case before as the drivers came with the latest tech and fairway woods were a bit neglected. Now both of them are on an even level. You can easily get a driver-level performance off the tee from a 5 wood as well.
As a 5 wood comes with more loft than a 3 wood so get better playability on the rough areas but less when hitting from the tee.
Accuracy:
Fairways woods excel in the accuracy department. This is mainly due to the shorter shafts. A 5 wood can be used for hitting shots off the tee as well. As it has a shorter shaft and higher loft, you will get a lot of distance in every one of your shots. With this type of build, you can be more accurate in your shots and there will also be fewer chances for side-spin. If you are struggling with accuracy then using a 5 wood is the best bet for you.
Versatility:
Fairway woods are generally very versatile in their nature. This versatility is what makes them so much effective. A 5 wood continues the same trend and is effective in almost any type of situation. It can be used in more situations than a driver because the driver is not useful outside the tee. As you are getting more loft with a 5 wood then it means that you can also use it as a replacement for your driver as well. This is because you can get a lot of distance by using 5 wood.
Customizations:
A 5 wood is highly customizable nowadays as golf companies offer a lot of different customizations. You can really make the golf club your own by customizing each and every aspect of it. This makes using a 5 wood really useful and even better than a driver in some aspects.
Pricing:
You get the same price advantage that you get with a 3 wood. A 5 wood will be generally cheaper than a driver. In the current market, drivers are so expensive that not many people can afford them. On the other hand, a 5 wood is really cheaper and better value for money than a driver. So, if you are low on budget, you can choose for a 5 wood.
3 Wood vs 5 Wood Distance:
People generally prefer to use a shorter shaft club because that helps them in being more accurate. This is the reason why 3 and 5 woods are so popular among professionals. A 3 wood contains a 42 to 43 shaft length while a 5 wood comes with an even lower shaft at 41 to 42. Both of these are really good and accurate in their own regard.
Beginner Friendly:
If you are new to golf then you should probably start with a 3 wood. It will help you in playing off the club and will also provide you with more confidence in your plays. You can easily use that to play shots off the tee and also get a bit of distance on shorter courses as well. A 5 wood wouldn’t be that useful to you as you always have the option to use a hybrid club which will be better in most regards.
Easier to Hit:
If you have done enough practice then any of the clubs will suit you the best. But if you are a new player and have never played golf before then you should a 5 wood right away. Due to the shorter shaft of a 5 wood, it will be easier for you to hit your shots. You will get better accuracy in your shots. Moreover, a 5 wood comes with a higher loft so you can use it for long-distance shots as well.
Mid-Handicap Level:
If you have played enough golf and are a mid-handicap player, then you should always have a 3 wood in your golf bag. You then have to decide between using a 5 wood or a hybrid but it is mostly according to personal preference. You can also make do with only a 5 wood but it is not recommended for everyone. So, having 3 wood is a must in every case.
Distance Comparison:
If you see a golfer, use a 3 wood off the tee instead of a drive then you shouldn’t be amazed at all. It is really common for people to simply use a 3 wood because it is easier to hit and provides quite a bit of distance as well. The same goes for the 5 wood as well but it provides even more distance than a 3 wood. For an average golfer, you will get more distance out of a 3 wood. If you hit it from the tee, you will get the additional distance.
Off the Tee Performance:
If you are solely focusing on off the tee performance, then a 3 wood is best in that regard. It is because it doesn’t have a high loft as a 5 wood, so you will get more distance out of your shots. A 5-wood due to its higher loft can tend to go straight up in the air which will cause you to lose a lot of distance in the process. But when playing on a long par-3, you can use a 5 wood as well. Some people have problems with the trajectory so they don’t use a 5 wood at all and stick with a 3 wood.
Which Is The Better Choice?
The club that is better for you totally depends upon your needs and playstyle. If you want maximum off the tee performance then there is no point in getting a 5 wood. The same can be said when playing on the rough for a 5 wood. So, a 3 wood is more suitable for playing off the tee while a 5 wood is best to use when approaching the green from the fairway.
But if you want the best distance possible from your fairway wood, then a 3 wood is going to be the better option for you. It has a lower loft than a 5 wood so covers more distance.
Conclusion:
Both a 3 wood and a 5 wood are perfectly suitable for playing off the tee and can be used instead of a driver. There are a lot of factors involved when picking the best one. However, if you are looking for the maximum distance, then a 3 wood is a better choice. So, between a 3 wood vs 5 wood distance, you should choose a 3 wood. In the end, choose the one that you feel is better suited for you.
