I usually say I started golfing by accident and just this past week, I played with 3 Wood and have been wondering since if 5 Wood would be better. I was familiar with fairway but hadn’t used a 3 Wood before and because I missed a lot of my introductory golf coaching, I had to remind myself of some basics.
I was able to get a hold of golfers who have both the 3 Wood and 5 Wood and the next section of the article has all the details I have found out.
Table of Contents
What is a 3 Wood?
A 3 Wood is a club with more loft than a driver but less loft than a 5 wood. It’s also known as a “fairway wood” because it’s designed to be used from the fairway.
What is a 5 Wood?
A 5 Wood is a club with more loft than a 3 wood but less loft than a 7 wood. It’s also known as a “fairway wood” because it’s designed to be used from the fairway.
3 Wood vs 5 Wood: Which is better for the average golfer?
The answer to this question really depends on the individual golfer. If you’re a beginner, I would recommend starting with a 5 wood because it’s much easier to hit from the fairway. If you’re more experienced, you might want to try a 3 wood because it will give you more distance. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual golfer to decide which club is best for them.
5 Wood vs 3 Wood: Which is better for distance?
A 3 wood will usually give you more distance than a 5 wood, but it’s also much harder to hit. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend using a 5 wood because it’s much easier to hit from the fairway. Once you get more experience, you can try using a 3 wood and see if you can get more distance with it.
5 Wood vs 3 Wood: Which is better for accuracy?
A 5 wood is usually more accurate than a 3 wood because it’s easier to hit from the fairway. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend using a 5 wood because it will help you stay more accurate. Once you get more experience, you can try using a 3 wood and see if you can get more distance with it.
5 Wood vs 3 Wood-From the tee:
If you’re looking to get more distance off the tee, a 3-wood is the way to go and Jon measured this distance off the tee. His longest hit with a 3 wood was 230 yards and his average across the 10 shots was 214 yards. His longes shot with a 5 wood was 225 yards, representing a percentage increase of just 2.2% in total distance when he used a 3 wood.
The table below shows the 214 yards average distance Jon attained using 3 Wood from the tee.
| Shot | 3 Wood Distance |
| 1 | 210 |
| 2 | 225 |
| 3 | 170 (Snap Hook) |
| 4 | 220 |
| 5 | 230 |
| 6 | 200 (Slice) |
| 7 | 215 |
| 8 | 225 |
| 9 | 225 |
| 10 | 220 |
| Average Distance | 214 Yards |
The table below shows the lower average distance Jon attained when he switched from 3 Wood to 5 Wood from the Tee.
| Shot | 5 Wood Distance |
| 1 | 215 |
| 2 | 220 |
| 3 | 220 |
| 4 | 200 (Slice) |
| 5 | 210 |
| 6 | 220 |
| 7 | 225 |
| 8 | 210 |
| 9 | 190 (Fat) |
| 10 | 215 |
| Average Distance | 213 Yards |
The 3 iron is about a quarter inch longer and has a 3° lower loft and this will lead to a straighter and slightly longer ball flight. From the fairway, it’s hard to tell the difference in distance because the 3 wood will tend to fly lower and roll further than the 5 wood, so they often end up at about the same place.
3 vs 5 Wood: From The Fairway
Jon tried both clubs from the fairway and found that the 5 wood gave him an extra 8 yards of the total distance from the Green. The percentage increase in distance from switching from 3 Wood to 5 Wood fairway was 4.7%.
From his 10 shots using 3 Wood, he had an average of 19 yards.
| Shot | Distance From Green |
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 10 |
| 4 | 0 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 50 |
| 7 | 25 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 9 | 0 |
| 10 | 45 |
| Average Distance | 19 Yards |
Using 5 Wood, he was able to attain an average of 11 yards distance from Green.
| Shot | Distance From Green |
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 3 | 20 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 30 |
| 6 | 20 |
| 7 | 0 |
| 8 | 5 |
| 9 | 10 |
| 10 | 10 |
| Average Distance | 11 Yards |
So, if you’re looking to get more distance from the fairway, a 5 wood is the way to go. It’s also more forgiving than a 3 wood, so it’s a good choice for beginners.
3 vs 5 Wood: From The Rough
The rough is where the 3 wood really shines. Jon’s longest shot with a 3 wood was 195 yards and his average across the 10 shots was 183 yards. His longest shot with a 5 wood was 185 yards, representing a percentage decrease of 5.1% in total distance when he used a 5 wood.
So, if you’re looking to get more distance from the rough, a 3 wood is the way to go. It’s also more forgiving than a 5 wood, so it’s a good choice for beginners.
When is 3 Wood used?
A 3 wood is typically used when you’re looking to get more distance off the tee. It’s also a good choice for hitting from the fairway because it’s more forgiving than a driver.
When is 5 Wood used?
A 5 wood is typically used when you’re looking to get more distance from the fairway. It’s also a good choice for hitting from the rough because it’s more forgiving than a 3 wood.
3 Wood vs 5 Wood: Which is better for beginners?
For beginners, I would recommend using a 5 wood because it’s more forgiving and easier to hit from the fairway. Once you get more experience, you can try using a 3 wood and see if you can get more distance with it.
FAQS
3 Wood vs 5 Wood: Which is better for experienced golfers?
For experienced golfers, I would recommend using a 3 wood because it’s easier to control and you can get more distance with it.
3 Wood vs 5 Wood: Which is better for hitting from the fairway?
For hitting from the fairway, I would recommend using a 5 wood because it’s more forgiving and you can get more distance with it.
Hi there! I am Justin, one of the founders here at Golf Bagsy. I have been golfing since I was 12 and have participated in over 50 tournaments since 2018. When COVID took over the golf tournament schedules during the lockdowns, I spent a good amount of time doing research and writing about golf. I also provide part-time coaching for those looking to learn how to play golf and can be reached at justin@golfbagsy.com.