Should I use a three iron or a 5wood?

Question

I have finally learned how to hit a 3 iron consistently. YAY. Thank you OHIO Golfer and X-15-a. You gentleman have been a great help. So my question is which club is more versitile? I hit them both the same distance (209-228). Is a three iron able to be used more often than a 5 wood? is there a case where the 5W is a better option? Is there a case where the 3i is a better option? i know it's tough to help a golfer you can't see, but what advice would you give me>?

Answer 1

It depends on where the ball is sitting. If its in the ruff really dug in I normally try to hit the ball with my 3 iron. If theball is laying on the fairway then I would use the 3 wood. I would say depending on the placement of the ball try both options listed above & get the feel of the turf. Good luck.

Answer 2

There should be some difference in the distance on these two clubs so I would have the shafts checked out. My guess is that you probably havent been fitted for either woods or irons and its a mixed set, meaning the irons are a different brand, so there are length, loft and lie discrepencies. Have a clubfitter take a look at it. I use these clubs mostly for their yardages, but in general the woods tend to have a higher flight trajectory, however the iron is more workable as far as movement left or right. I love my three iron as it gives me lots of options, hit it high, low, punch, fad, draw, well you get the idea. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Ixnaytim -

Wow, hey thanks for the compliment. Glad I was a help to you.

As far as your question goes, there should be a difference in the ball flight when you go from your 5-wood to your 3-iron.

Do you notice the 5-wood going consistently higher on well struck shots? This is normally the advantage of using a wood or hybrid when it comes to full shots....you get a much higher flight and some more forgiveness as well.

However when you do this you tend to sacrafice some playability. By playability I mean it's harder to 'work' the ball with a 5-wood....

My guess is you probably aren't hitting punch cut three irons...so if I were you I'd go with the 5-wood....it will be more forgiving and give you more help....

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I went with a 3 iron hybrid. Much more forgiving with workability

Answer 5

You can get a 5 wood to land a little softer than a 3 iron unless you are able to hit it very high and only the very best players can hit a long iron high enough to land it softly.  Plus, from the rough, it may be easier to hit a 5 wood as well.

Answer 6

5W more control i think

Answer 7

personally, i use a 5w because i can land it softer, i don't always hit a 3iron in the sweet spot, so the 5w is more forgiving in my opinion, its good for hitting over trees and not losing distance. i also have a 7w that i hit about 170 meters, great club, lands and sits down within 12 inches of pug mark,on the green.

ti sum up, if you hit both the same distance, go with the 5w if you hit it cleanly, 3ir, if you have to keep it low out of trouble too, or put your 5w further back in your stance, you probably know all this,

anyway mate, happy golfing, playing in 48 hrs, kangaroo,s and wild birds every where at 7am at my course, cheers bud.

Answer 8

In general long irons give you a lower flight than fairway woods, so it becomes a matter of preference. I always preferred my 3 iron off the tee, and a fairway wood out of the rough, or fairway lie. A fairway head is more forgiving than an equally lofted iron head, but the usual steel shaft in the iron is often more accurate than the graphite shaft commonly used in fairway clubs. I split the difference and use steel in my fairways.

Answer 9

from a "perfect" lie hit the 5wood fron a not so perfect lie use the three iron