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Forum Thread of the Day: “Anyone else ditching fairway woods for low lofted hybrids?”

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Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from Crazy About Golf who has recently traded in his 3-wood in favor of his 16-degree hybrid. The reasons behind the move, according to Crazy About Golf is 

“I’m more comfortable hitting it off the deck and off the tee, and only seem to lose about 10 yards of distance compared to the 3-wood (assuming I strike the 3-wood perfectly). More often than not, I have a slight mishit on the 3-wood and end up short and or offline from where I would have otherwise been with the 16-degree hybrid. I’ve tried out a number of new fairway woods and haven’t yet found anything that has “WOWed” me. With hybrid clubs getting better and better, I’m not seeing much of a downside.”

Crazy About Golf asks fellow members what they make of his strategy and how the approach has worked out for those who have done the same, in what has turned into a very insightful discussion.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire thread and have your say in the discussion at the link below.

  • North Butte: “For quite a while my top-of-bag setup was a 10.5 driver (set to 12 degrees) then an 18-degree 5-Wood and then a 23-degree 4-Hybrid. In my most recent equipment “replacement cycle” (rhymes with “ho”) I’m using driver then 18 and 23-degree hybrids. I’m not sure I’m giving up any distance at all on average with the 41″ hybrid vs 42-1/2″ 5-Wood, and I am certainly gaining consistency and straightness. The trajectory is lower with the hybrid, but it isn’t like I was stopping 5-Wood shots on a dime either. Net benefit isn’t huge, but it’s been a worthwhile change. Plus my 18 and 23-degree hybrids are the same model with the same shaft, so that’s twice as many shots per round with near-identical clubs, helping me even more with consistency and confidence.”
  • gioguy21: “I’m currently on the fence about whether to keep my 3w in the bag or just use my epic 3i w/ hybrid shaft; b/c they’re close in terms of distance, and the driving iron is much more consistent and goes straight as an arrow. the 3w has the extra distance but, it is more workable and sometimes that is good – others it can be bad.”
  • jimb6golf: “Swapped out my 5 wood for a 2 hybrid. The hybrid is much easier to hit off the fairway and especially in the rough. Occasionally put the 5 wood back in on courses where I might use it off the tee a few times though.”
  • NRJyzr: “Currently playing with no 3w, only a TM Stage 2 Tour 2h between my irons and driver. Primarily playing one course that’s par 71 6100/6500 from whites/blues, there’s not much call for a 3w shot off the deck, and shorter tee shots can be handled with the 2h. Other nice aspects… The 2h can also more easily be shafted with a 100g+ shaft than a fairway wood; I’m using an NV105 iron shaft in it. I tend to prefer shorter club lengths than are currently “standard” in drivers and woods; the shorter hybrid length appeals to me greatly. Since making the switch, it’s been working quite well.”

Entire Thread: “Anyone else ditching fairway woods for low lofted hybrids?”

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at gianni@golfwrx.com

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. jc

    Oct 16, 2019 at 4:58 pm

    I used to not like my 3 wood, crooked and low….but after coming back from a stroke and not swinging as hard, I suddenly could hit it pretty well. Guess staying down is the trick. I also have a 4 wood 16.5 and it is almost the same disance so now I rotate my 3,4,5,7 woods with my hybrids….out of the rough, the hybrids are still the club to hit though.

  2. Eric

    Oct 7, 2019 at 12:00 pm

    I am just doing this. Picked up a Cobra Oversized Hybrid to replace fairway. Keep it playable!

  3. Webster

    Oct 1, 2019 at 4:16 pm

    This is really people just realizing that it’s easier to hit shorter length clubs; it’s not the fact that one is a called a FW wood and the other a Hybrid. It’s easier to make solid contact with a similarly lofted hybrid that is around 2″ shorter than the corresponding FW wood. I play my 3w(13.5) and 5w(18) at 41″ and 40″ which is pretty much hybrid lengths. And I play my 3H(20) and 4H(24) with at traditional iron lengths; 38.75″ and 38.25″.

    • Scratchscorer

      Oct 8, 2019 at 3:32 pm

      I agree. I put a 5-wood shaft in the 3-wood head and consistency improved. Cut Driver shaft down 1/2 and inch and got more consistent and longer because I hit the middle of the face more often.

  4. Brett

    Oct 1, 2019 at 10:38 am

    I went the other way. When I was a 20 handicap I “upgraded” from a fairway wood to a low lofted hybrid, rationalizing that it was easier to hit and gave up only moderate distance. In reality, I just wasn’t that good a holler and couldn’t consistently hit either. As I’ve lowered my handicap to a 10, I realize that it didn’t matter which club I hit, if I couldn’t hit the center of the club face consistently, then the result would suck. Learn how to hit the center of the club face and you’ll likely much prefer a fairway wood, which has a bigger, more forgiving face and greater distance and accuracy.

  5. Ray

    Oct 1, 2019 at 7:27 am

    I now use my 3 wood instead of a driver and use hybrids off the fairway.

  6. Alex

    Sep 30, 2019 at 8:40 pm

    Bol playing a 7000 yard course with no 3 wood.

    • Joeoe

      Sep 30, 2019 at 8:55 pm

      Exactly my thoughts.If you want to stay a high handicapper then ditch the 3 wood

  7. John Ponterio

    Sep 30, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    Get a 4 hybrid and a 5 wood for off the tee

  8. Clay Reed

    Sep 30, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    Exactly like the gentleman with screen name NRJyzr
    above. I get a lot of distance with 17 degree hybrid and 19 and 21. I have slightly less distance but the margin of error is almost zero. It takes a horrendous swing to hit a hybrid very bad or off track at all. I also have a bit of a steep swing and I have always been able to hit a driver off the deck with ease. So for anything freakishly long it’s driver, otherwise I am all about consistency and minimizing my bad swings. I been quoted at times as saying hybrids are almost like cheating. There’s not many places that I can’t hit one from and I tend to play hybrids that I derive a ton of feel from. So if I am off in some pine needles, sandy gravel, or any type of rough that’s not high grass there’s a high probability that I can hit a choke down hybrid off of the surface and have the end result be far better than any iron or wedge in my bag.

  9. golfraven

    Sep 30, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    The average Joe is better staying away from a 2 (17 degree) or even 3 (19 degree) hybrid. If you don’t swing it faster than 100 mphs than you will benefit from a 4 or 5 wood. Ditched my 3 hybrid and got a 21 degree one and a 17 degree 4 wood.

  10. Adam

    Sep 30, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    Adam’s Idea Super Hybrids (before Taylormade buyout) are on ebay for less than $50 and they’re the best hybrid you’ll ever hit. I have 2 21, 2 19 and a 15 is on the way. No need for the 3 wood for me, I hit the 15 255

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game. 

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag. 

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026. 

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Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly. 

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
  • MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
  • dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

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Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo.  4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades.  5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft.   Standard Length, Lie and Lofts.  These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me.  Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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