Fairway Wood or Hybrid?
Fairway Wood or Hybrid?

Fairway Wood or Hybrid?

Lee Wilson, based at Horsham Golf, shares his best advice on the differences between hitting your fairway wood and hybrid!

Take a read below and why not let Lee know how you get on!

1. What to Use, Why and When!

A fairway wood is much longer in shaft length and has a larger clubhead. This works well when you have a nice fluffy lie on the fairway (pictured above) or in the first cut of rough. The longer club naturally flattens out the golf swing, helping to ‘pick’ the ball off the turf.

When the lie is not so good in the first cut of rough or on a barer patch then maybe the hybrid might be a better choice. The shorter shaft and smaller head work well to create a slightly steeper entry to the ball, which you’ll need when the ball is sitting down.

1. What to Use, Why and When!

A fairway wood is much longer in shaft length and has a larger clubhead. This works well when you have a nice fluffy lie on the fairway (pictured above) or in the first cut of rough. The longer club naturally flattens out the golf swing, helping to ‘pick’ the ball off the turf.

When the lie is not so good in the first cut of rough or on a barer patch then maybe the hybrid might be a better choice. The shorter shaft and smaller head work well to create a slightly steeper entry to the ball, which you’ll need when the ball is sitting down.

2. Ball Position Differences!

The way we set-up and approach each option is slightly different too.

I encourage players to keep the ball position for a hybrid a bit nearer the centre of your stance – pictured above. If you were to put the ball too far forward it’s entirely possible you may lose your angle of attack resulting in hitting the ground before the ball, which is never ideal.

With a fairway wood you can position the ball a bit more to the front foot to enable a slightly ‘sweepier’ entry to the ball.

2. Ball Position Differences!

The way we set-up and approach each option is slightly different too.

I encourage players to keep the ball position for a hybrid a bit nearer the centre of your stance – pictured above. If you were to put the ball too far forward it’s entirely possible you may lose your angle of attack resulting in hitting the ground before the ball, which is never ideal.

With a fairway wood you can position the ball a bit more to the front foot to enable a slightly ‘sweepier’ entry to the ball.

3. Different Lengths, Different Set Ups!

You will need to make sure you stand far enough away from the ball with the fairway wood. Most clubs are ½ inch apart in shaft length, but a fairway wood is way more than that when compared to a hybrid or long iron. If you don’t adjust enough, it’s possible you may have issues with heel striking. Due to the length of shaft difference, you may find that your ball striking with a hybrid could be more consistently solid but not travel so far.

3. Different Lengths, Different Set Ups!

You will need to make sure you stand far enough away from the ball with the fairway wood. Most clubs are ½ inch apart in shaft length, but a fairway wood is way more than that when compared to a hybrid or long iron. If you don’t adjust enough, it’s possible you may have issues with heel striking. Due to the length of shaft difference, you may find that your ball striking with a hybrid could be more consistently solid but not travel so far.

Interested in lessons with Lee? Click here to learn more about him and book a session!