Difference Between 3 Wood and 5 Wood: Which Should You Use?

Written By: colton draper

3 Wood vs. 5 Wood: Key Differences

Loft & Launch Angle Comparison

The lofts are the main factor separating these two clubs. A 3 wood has about 13-16 degrees of loft and a 5 wood is around 17-19 degrees. This difference of 3-5 degrees has a big effect on launch angle and ball flight.

Lower loft on the 3 wood produces a more penetrating ball flight with less height. Higher loft on the 5 wood creates a higher, softer landing ball flight.

Distance & Trajectory Expectations

Distance differences between 3 wood and 5 wood typically range from 10-20 yards, with the 3 wood traveling farther for most players. But you can only take advantage of this if you’re making consistent solid contact. A lot of golfers will get the same or better results with a 5 wood, because they'll be more consistent.

The 3-wood's lower launch angle creates more roll once the ball hits the ground, especially on firmer fairways. Yardage can surpass 230 for those with better than average clubhead speeds. But distance control becomes more of a challenge on soft courses or ones with elevated greens.

The higher trajectory of a 5 wood increases carry distance and decreases roll. That’s better distance control and a bit to hold greens. The average golfer is able to drive 200-220 yards with good contact, which makes it a great club for approach shots.

Forgiveness & Ease of Use

The 5 wood is significantly more forgiving than the 3 wood for several reasons. The shorter shaft provides better control and makes solid contact easier to achieve. The additional loft helps get the ball airborne even on less-than-perfect strikes.

Since the 3 wood has a longer shaft and less loft, it requires better contact for you to hit it your best. Off-center shots with a 3 wood tend to fly low and weak, carrying little distance. This is a club that needs good technique and fairly consistent ball-striking to achieve its distance potential.

Which Is Better for Beginners, a 3 Wood or 5 Wood?

You’ll want a 5 wood over a 3 wood almost every time if you are new. The increased loft, shorter shaft, and greater forgiveness make it easier to make solid contact. Many beginners struggle with 3 woods because they lack the swing speed and technique to properly launch these lower-lofted clubs.

Ease of Play: Is It Easier to Hit a 3 Wood or 5 Wood?

The 5 wood is generally easier to hit for most golfers. Its higher loft helps the ball get in the air more easily without needing to hit pure or have a high swing speed. The shaft is shorter to increase control, and more consistent to find the sweet spot.

Getting a 3 wood airborne with proper trajectory demands faster swing speeds and proper angle of attack. The 5 wood is more forgiving of swing variations while still producing acceptable ball flights.

3 vs 5 Wood: From the Tee

Which Is More Reliable for Accuracy Off the Tee

Real-world data demonstrates the 5 wood's accuracy advantage clearly. Consider these distance comparisons from actual testing.

The stats tell us that the average distance isn't all that different (214 vs 213 yards), but the 5 wood is a bit more reliable with less extreme misses. The 3 wood's poorest shots (170 yards and 200 yards) were substantially shorter than those from the 5 wood (190 yards and 200 yards).

Consistency matters more than maximum distance for most tee shots. The 5 wood's tighter dispersion pattern keeps you in play more often, leading to lower scores despite minimal distance differences.

Situations Where Teeing Off with a 3 or 5 Wood Makes Sense

Tee off with the 3 wood on long, open par 4s and 5s for maximum distance without risking driver. The lower trajectory works great for windy conditions and hard, fast fairways that offer extra roll.
On those tight driving holes, the 5 wood is absolutely ideal where precision and accuracy can often take preference over distance. Use it on dogleg holes where positioning matters more than maximum length. The higher trajectory also performs better on high tee shots where you need to carry over bunkers or water.

3 Wood Distance

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

5 Wood Distance

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

Does a 3 Wood Hit Further Than a 5 Wood?

In general, a 3 wood goes further than a 5 wood if you hit it well. Lower loft and longer shaft help generate more ball speed and a lower trajectory that contributes to extra roll. But, of course, this benefit applies with solid strikes only.

What Is a 5 Wood Used For?

The 5 wood excels as an approach club on long par 4s and par 5s. The high trajectory and soft landing characteristics make it ideal for hitting greens from 180-210 yards. The club stops nice and quick, which makes distance control even on elevated greens possible.

For women's golf clubs hybrid sets, the 5 wood often serves as a key distance club that bridges the gap between hybrids and driver. Its forgiving nature and consistent performance make it particularly valuable for moderate swing speeds.

Should You Carry Both a 3 Wood and 5 Wood?

Bag setup depends on your skill level and the gaps in your yardage coverage. Carrying both makes sense if you have distance needs and hit each club well on average, it might make sense to carry both. But for you recreational golfers, choosing one fairway wood and substituting hybrids or long irons makes the most sense.

Alternative Options

Hybrids offer excellent alternatives to either fairway wood. They're easier to hit, more versatile from different lies and maintain consistent distance. There are many players who carry a 5 wood and a hybrid instead of carrying both a 3 and 5 wood.

Long irons (3 or 4 iron) work for skilled players seeking lower trajectories and better control. However, these clubs are difficult for average golfers to hit consistently. Modern hybrids generally outperform long irons for most players.

Recommendations by Handicap Level:

High handicappers (15+): Carry a 5 wood and 3-4 hybrids. Skip the 3 wood entirely in favor of more forgiving options.

Mid handicappers (8-14): Consider a 5 wood and 2-3 hybrids, or a 3 wood plus hybrids if your swing speed supports it.

Low handicappers (0-7): Can effectively use both a 3 wood and 5 wood if distance gaps warrant it. These players have the consistency to benefit from both clubs.

Should You Play the Same Shafts in Fairway Woods as Drivers?

There are a few differences between fairway wood shafts and driver shafts. Driver shafts are longer and designed to help achieve maximum swing speed when teeing the ball high. Fairway wood shafts are shorter, heavier and designed for sweeping or slightly downward blows.

Shaft flex should be consistent throughout your set, meaning if you use a stiff driver shaft, your fairway woods should also be stiff. However, the actual shaft model and specifications will differ to accommodate the different swing dynamics and impact conditions.

Direct to consumer golf clubs such as LAZRUS Golf are generally quality products and do come with multiple shaft options when you buy them. Taking advantage of this flexibility ensures your fairway woods complement your driver while optimizing performance.

Choosing the Right Fairway Wood for You

Key Factors to Consider

Swing speed is the primary factor in fairway wood selection. Faster swingers (95+ mph) can benefit from a 3 wood's distance potential. Moderate to slower swingers (below 95 mph) typically perform better with a 5 wood's forgiveness and ease of use.

Matching Woods to Your Skill Level

Beginners should prioritize forgiveness and ease of use. A 5 wood paired with hybrids creates an approachable long game setup. Focus on clubs you can hit confidently rather than trying to carry traditional selections.

Intermediate players can experiment with both clubs to determine which produces better results. Track your statistics including fairways hit, greens reached, and average distance to make informed decisions based on actual performance.

Advanced players have the skill to use either club effectively. Your decision should be based on distance gaps and shot preferences rather than difficulty considerations. Both clubs can play important roles in a well-constructed bag.

Conclusion

The difference between 3 wood and 5 wood comes down to loft, forgiveness, and intended use. The 3 wood offers more distance potential with a lower trajectory, while the 5 wood provides easier launch, better consistency, and enhanced versatility for most golfers.

Quick Recommendations:

Beginners: Choose a 5 wood for its forgiveness and ease of use. Skip the 3 wood entirely until your swing develops.

Intermediate players: Start with a 5 wood and add a 3 wood only if your swing speed and consistency warrant it. Most mid-handicappers benefit more from the 5 wood's reliability.

Advanced players: Can effectively use both clubs, or choose based on distance gaps and course demands. Your skill level supports either option.

LAZRUS Golf offers quality fairway woods at exceptional values as part of their direct-to-consumer model. Whether you choose a 3 wood, 5 wood, or both, proper fitting and testing ensure you select clubs that optimize your performance and lower your scores.