3 Wood vs. 5 Wood: What Are The Differences?
Choosing the right fairway wood can be a game-changer for golfers at any skill level. Whether you're navigating tight fairways or looking for an alternative to your driver, the decision between a 3 wood and a 5 wood is crucial. Both clubs offer distinct advantages, but understanding the nuances of their performance can make all the difference in filling the distance gaps in your bag. At Golf Circuit we’ll break down the key differences between these two popular fairway woods, helping you determine which one will best complement your game and elevate your performance on the course.
3 Wood vs. 5 Wood
The #3 wood is traditionally the lowest lofted fairway wood in the bag, with lofts averaging around 15 degrees. It is used for tee shots as well as fairway shots.
The #5 wood has a loft typically between 18-21 degrees. It can be used from both the tee and the fairway.
Knowing the loft difference between a 3 wood vs. 5 wood is important, but it is not the only difference between these two fairway woods.
Distance
When a club has a slightly lower loft, it travels farther. With the #3 wood's lower loft, you can hit the club a bit farther with a solid strike in the center of the face.
Technically speaking, a 3 wood should travel about 15 yards, sometimes farther than the 5 wood. However, it’s important to remember it’s going to take a good swing and a good lie to have this happen.
Loft
With the adjustability found in fairway woods, the loft is no longer one set value for fairway woods; it is more of a range. A strong lofted 3 wood will be around 14 degrees of loft; a weaker 3 wood could be closer to 16 degrees. The standard 3 wood is 15 degrees of loft.
TaylorMade offers #3 woods with their standard 15° loft. However, they also offer a 14° Rocket model for added distance.
For a #5 wood, the standard will be 19°, but you will find #5 fairway woods with a loft range between 18°to 20°.
The higher the loft in a golf club, the easier it is to hit. (Except for a 60 degree lob wedge on a very tight lie!)
If you are a beginning golfer struggling to consistently hit your driver off the tee, a 3-wood can be a good alternative. The 3 wood has a few extra degrees of loft that add in the forgiveness necessary to hit the ball just a bit straighter.
Ball Flight
With the lower loft, and slightly longer length of the club, the ball flight of the 3 wood is a bit more penetrating than that of the 5 wood. If you want to get that lower ball flight that rolls for a long time and will continue towards the target, even on windy days, the 3 wood is a good choice.
A 5 wood can get a bit more caught up in the air, but it’s still a club with excellent distance technology.
Forgiveness
The 5 wood is more forgiving than the 3 wood when comparing two golf clubs of the same model. For instance, if you compare a TaylorMade Stealth 3 wood to a TaylorMade Stealth 5 wood, the 5 wood is more forgiving and a bit easier to hit.
However, you can also compare a player-style small club head 5 wood to a more game improvement or oversized 3 wood and notice that the 3 wood is actually more forgiving.
The key here is to be careful as to what you are considering and what leads to forgiveness.
The 5 wood is slightly shorter, which makes it easier to control, and the overall loft is higher, making it more forgiving if you miss the center of the clubface. For real changes in forgiveness level, pay attention to the specific model of fairway wood you purchase.
Playability
Many golfers who carry a 3 wood or a 5 wood are just looking to hit the ball straight down the middle. However, there are others that will try to hit a draw or a fade to get it as close as possible to the pin.
If you are looking for a more workable club, the 5 wood is a good choice. For golfers interested in more of a distance performance where the ball travels a long way, the 3 wood is the better choice.
If it’s just a bit distance gap to fill, the 3 wood could help you.
Which Should You Choose: a 3 Wood or a 5 Wood?
Now that you have a better idea as to what the main differences are between the 3 wood and the 5 wood, it’s time to see which would be better in your bag. There are a few key considerations to make before you choose one of these two golf clubs.
Club Set Configuration
Your golf club set configuration can give insight into your golf course needs and how these fairway woods could fill the gaps. What does your golf club set already look like? Do you have a 7 wood or a 4 wood in place? Are you even carrying a driver?
The key is to find a golf club that makes sense in your bag. Carrying both the 3 wood and the 5 wood is an option for some golfers, but others will prefer to have a few hybrids or an extra wedge and eliminate one of these fairway woods.
The loft gapping in golf club sets has never been more important than it is today, and this is why fairway woods with a variety of lofts can be such a great option.
Golf Game Strengths
Where is your game the strongest? Do you excel in accuracy and just need help with distance? Where is your game the weakest?
If you looking for an alternative to hitting a driver off the tee?, then 3-wood is likely the right choice. If you are looking for an easy-to-launch and confidence-inspiring club regardless of the lie you are in, the 5 wood is a good choice.
In addition, look at the golf holes you are playing and try to think about how that impacts your game. For instance, are you struggling to get to a long par 4 in two, and you just need a club with a bit more carry than your #4 hybrids? A 5-wood may be the right club for you.
Swing Speed
A golfer’s swing speed needs to be fast enough to support the 3 wood. The 3 wood is a difficult club to hit solidly from a tight lie or any kind of rough, without a lot of club head speed.
Your club head speed can easily be tested, and you can find out if you are in the slow, mid, or high swing speed zone.
The higher the swing speed, the easier it is to get distance and precision from a 3 wood. For golfers with a slightly slower swing speed, the 5 wood and potentially even a 7 wood will be a better choice.
Player Handicap
A golfers handicap should not be used as the only indication of whether to choose the 3 wood or the 5 wood. You can’t decide on handicap alone, but it can factor into the decision.
A player with a lower handicap typically has a faster swing speed and can hit the center of the clubface.
This player can choose either the 3 wood or the 5 wood depending on what they think is the best option for their game. However, golfers with slower swing speed may want to consider the 5 wood.
If you slice your driver or struggle with a shot that fades from the left to the right, also consider the more forgiving #5 wood.
Do You Need Both A 3 Wood and a 5 Wood?
Most of the time, it comes down to choosing whether you need a 3 wood and a 5 wood, but some players have room for both in their bag.
The way we have always determined whether or not a club gets to remain in our bags is to look at the performance of the two clubs and see how they differ. If the distance differences between our 3 wood and 5 wood are just a few yards, one of them will come out of the bag.
However, if we know we can hit my 5 wood high, and it can carry 200 yards, and the 3 wood gets a more penetrating ball flight and goes 215, it could be worth keeping both in the bag.
Whether you opt for a 3 wood or a 5 wood, it ultimately comes down to your individual playing style, swing speed, and the specific needs of your game. Both clubs offer unique advantages, with the 3 wood providing greater distance and a penetrating ball flight, and the 5 wood offering more forgiveness and ease of use, especially for those with slower swing speeds. By carefully considering the gaps in your current club set and the challenges you face on the course, you can make an informed decision that enhances your overall performance. And if you find both clubs serve a distinct purpose in your bag, there's no harm in carrying both to maximize your versatility on the fairways.
FAQs
Can adjusting the loft on a 3 wood make it as forgiving as a 5 wood?
Adjusting the loft** on a 3 wood can increase its forgiveness by making it easier to launch the ball higher. However, it won’t entirely match the forgiveness of a 5 wood due to differences in shaft length and overall club design. The 5 wood’s shorter shaft and higher natural loft inherently make it more forgiving.
** Adjusting the loft on a 3 wood involves using the adjustable hosel, a feature available on many modern fairway woods. Some clubs also allow you to adjust the lie angle independently of the loft, so make sure to explore all options available on your specific club model.
- Check the Adjustability Feature: Ensure your 3 wood has an adjustable hosel. This feature is usually found on the neck of the club where the shaft meets the clubhead.
- Use the Wrench: Most adjustable clubs come with a special torque wrench. Insert this wrench into the screw located on the hosel.
- Loosen the Screw: Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the screw. This will allow the clubhead to move and adjust its position.
- Choose the Desired Loft: Once the screw is loosened, you'll see a series of settings or markings on the hosel. These markings indicate different loft options, such as "+1," "-1," or standard settings. Rotate the clubhead to align the desired loft setting with the indicator line on the hosel.
- Tighten the Screw: After selecting the loft, tighten the screw by turning the wrench clockwise until you hear a click. This sound indicates that the clubhead is securely locked into the new loft position.
- Test Your Adjustment: After adjusting the loft, take the club to the range to test the new settings. Adjusting the loft may also affect the club's lie angle, so it's essential to ensure the new configuration works well with your swing.
Does the type of fairway wood influence shot shape more than swing mechanics?
While swing mechanics are the primary factor in shot shape, the design of the fairway wood can influence it as well. A 5 wood, with its higher loft, tends to produce more of a draw bias, while a 3 wood, due to its lower loft and longer shaft, is more likely to produce a fade if mishit.
Is there a significant difference in turf interaction between a 3 wood and a 5 wood?
Yes, there is a noticeable difference in turf interaction between a 3 wood and a 5 wood. A 5 wood generally has a wider sole and a higher loft, which makes it easier to glide through the turf without digging. This makes it more suitable for hitting from tight lies or rough compared to a 3 wood, which can be more prone to digging into the ground due to its lower loft and narrower sole.
How does a golfer’s tempo affect the decision between a 3 wood and a 5 wood?
A golfer with a smoother, slower tempo might benefit more from a 5 wood, as its higher loft and shorter shaft can help maintain consistent timing and control. Conversely, a golfer with a faster tempo might prefer a 3 wood, which requires a more aggressive swing to achieve the desired distance and ball flight.
Can the ball you use affect the choice between a 3 wood and a 5 wood?
Absolutely, the type of ball you use can influence which fairway wood performs better. For example, a softer ball with higher spin may pair better with a 3 wood to help control the lower trajectory, while a firmer, lower-spin ball might work well with a 5 wood to enhance distance and height. Testing different ball and club combinations can help optimize performance.
