Hi all

Just wondered if a few wiser heads than mine (not hard!) could advise me as to the relative merits of a fairway wood against a hybrid? I've been looking at replacing my 3 and 5 woods with a single 4 wood to free me up to have a gap wedge in the bag. During my rambles through t'internet I've come across some 17 degree rescue/utility clubs and I was wondering as to the relative merits of each. Would they give different ball flights/lengths/ease of striking etc? I would like to use it both off the tee and also off the deck on the longer holes (obviously!). Which should i plump for do you guys think?

Also, I have been looking at various manufacturers and whilst I'd love a G10 4 wood, I think that budget constraints will prevent it. Therefore I've been looking at the Benross V5 and V6's, both of which tend to get great reviews for budget clubs. However I have no way of hitting either (no dealers nearby), so I was wondering if anyone who has could advise me as to the differences (eg has one got a larger head than the other, is one noticably easier to hit than the other, or are they much of a muchness?!)

Many thanks in advance!

BB

I dropped both my 5 wood and 3 iron to make way for a Benross V5 20deg rescue. I'm now looking to drop my 4 iron and replace it with a V5 23deg rescue. I also have the V5 3 wood. Both current clubs have the Aldila NVS shaft which was recommended for my swing / normal shot type.

It all comes down to your handicap and (mainly) how confident you are of hitting woods off the deck as to whether you plan would suit. As Paul above says, you will loose some distance but will make up in accuracy. Rescues / Utilities / Whatever you want to call them are supposed to be more workable than woods.

I dropped both my 3 and 5 woods to make way for a Mizuno F60 16.5* 4 wood, It was a great move. Distance wise with the 4 Wood I have'nt noticed a big loss from the 3 wood but gained a little on the 5 wood 

I have Also Dropped My 3 and 4 Irons in favour of 19*and 22* Hybrid/rescue clubs. This give me a little more consistancy than the long irons and lots more versitility from the Rough

I replaced my V steel 5 wood and my 4 iron so I could accommodate a Hybrid / LW. I tried a fair few Hybrids last year and bought a Ben Sayers 20*. I then went to a Wilson Demo day this year and tried the 19.5* Fybrid and I got on so well with it so well I bought it on the night.

It’s now my favorite club in my bag. It’s great off the tee on short par 4's and of the deck on par 5's. I probably send the ball 20yds further than my 3 iron and 30yds short of my 3 wood but it’s much easier to hit so it fits in just right.

I kept my 3 iron in the bag for lower trajectory shots as the hybrids I have tried all sent the ball quite high which is not always great in a strong head wind.

My 5 wood is a great club and was good of the tee but much harder to hit off the fairways. I would say that the Fybrid is as good if not better of the tee and for me considerably easier to hit off the fairway / semi rough.