If you are new to golf, you are likely feeling bombarded with technical jargon. Trying to learn the difference between Fairway Woods, Drivers, Hybrids, Irons, Wedges, Putters, the different materials used in shafts and club heads, and whatever the hell loft is, is a daunting experience for any beginner.
This article aims to answer a few questions, what is a Fairway Wood, what is the difference between a 3-wood and a 5-wood, what difference does the club material make, and do you need both types of the club? We will also answer whether or not the material of the club matters.
What is a Fairway Wood?
Fairway Woods are a category of golf clubs used on the Fairway. The Fairway refers to the part of a golf course between the tee and the corresponding green, where the grass is kept short.
What is the Difference Between a 3-Wood and a 5-Wood
So, we have established that Fairway Wood is a category of a golf club. Now, what is the difference between a 3-wood and a 5-wood?
Firstly, a 3-Wood usually has a loft of 15 degrees. On the other hand, a 5-Wood has a loft of 18 degrees.
Back to that question, what the hell is loft? Quite Simply, the loft refers to the angle between the clubface and the ground and will affect the way the ball travels.
The difference in the loft means that with a 3-Wood, the ball will travel more directly at a higher speed but is likely to roll when it lands. Hitting the ball with a 5-Wood will result in the ball having more height, making the ball more likely to stick to the green upon landing rather than rolling.
Furthermore, you can expect more yardage with a 3-Wood due to its longer shaft and lower loft. However, you can expect better control with the shorter shaft of the 5-Wood, as shorter shafts generally tend to result in better accuracy and control.
What Difference Does the Material of the Shaft and the Club Head Make?
In short, different materials result in heavier or lighter clubs. The difference in weight affects things like control, accuracy, swing speed, and distance.
Most shafts these days are made using graphite. This material is more lightweight and is popular in the modern game of golf. However, steel shafts are heavier. They tend to reduce swing speed and, therefore, distance on the shot but may result in greater accuracy.
Furthermore, clubheads also come in a variety of materials. The most common material is stainless steel because it strikes a balance between affordability and structural strength. However, clubheads can also be made of titanium or from multi-material composites. Titanium club heads offer the benefit of being lighter, allowing a faster swing speed. Multi-material club heads are more lightweight again, but as you can expect, they are more expensive than traditional club heads.
3-Wood, 5-Wood, or Both?
The short answer is that both clubs are appropriate in different situations. For example, if you are playing in windy conditions or launching off a tee, then a 3-Wood will be your best friend.
However, if you need to try and get the ball over an object but still want to put distance on the shot, or if you’re taking a shot from the Fairway, use a 5-wood.
However, golf clubs are costly. Costing between £50-£100 each, buying both types of the club may be a little pricy, especially for beginners attempting to dip their toe in the golfing world. So, if you’re new to golf or enjoy playing it casually, you can get by with a 5-Wood. The reason for this is that it’s easier to master with its shorter shaft making it more accurate and easier to control. When considering the club’s materials, a graphite shaft with a stainless steel club head will be satisfactory.
Conclusion
A Fairway Wood is a type of golf club, and the 3-Wood and 5-Wood are variations of that category. The difference between the two clubs is that the 3-Wood is longer and has less loft. In contrast, the 5-Wood is shorter and has a greater loft, and this affects the way the ball travels. In general, beginners will be satisfied with just owning a 5-Wood as it’s more accurate and easier to control. However, more experienced players can take advantage of the extra yardage that a 3-