TESTED: Should you use a 7-Wood?

[@davewatts7444]

My late golf partner had a 7 wood from macgreger it was ancient and he rarely missed with it, but he bought a 3 hybrid which he was inconsistent with but felt the 7 wood was only for old men, despite being 74 and able to consistently hit a par 3 at 170 yards with the 7 wood and never got there with that bloody hybrid, hellfire I do miss him

[@marybetheby5184]

😟

[@Huub1e]

I swing at 110 and added a 7 wood to my bag. My 3 wood was just as long as my 5 wood so I dropped the 3 and added the 7. Now I have a club I can attack greens with from 225 out. I’ve also dropped my 3 and 4 hybrids and carry a 5 hybrid instead. Highly recommended.

[@mosshopper7932]

I dropped a 3 wood because it went nearly as far my driver. Now have a 5 wood at 3 wood length and a 5 wood. Then on to 4 iron and up. Great gapping .

[@todaysgolfer]

Great stuff Eric.

[@MrJnholmes1]

Put the G425 7 wood in my bag last year - now my nephew who is pretty good has put one in his bag! Love it!

[@todaysgolfer]

Great stuff John, thanks for your input.

[@ibanezas83]

Unexpectedly came across a mint, used Ping G430 7 wood with stiff shaft. Heard they may be good. Nothing more. Struggled with hybrids and gave it a go. It’s transformed my game. I use it second shot for all par 4 and 5. I should add I’m a lefty gofer and product availability is hard. I’m incredibly appreciative this is in my bag. If you find one try it , you won’t be disappointed.

[@todaysgolfer]

We love hearing stories like this, great to hear.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

I got rid of my 3 wood and now have a 4 wood in the stealth ....am looking at getting the 7 wood and 9 wood in the Stealth 2.......have a 5 hybrid but am suspecting the 9 wood will be about the same in distance.....can't wait for golf season to come ... thx for this review it was perfect for what i was looking for..... cheers from Canada

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks so much for saying so, glad we could help.

[@legend9018]

I did put a 7 wood in my bag (even as a 5.9 handicap) mostly to replace a hybrid I struggled with that had too much of a tendency to go left on me. It was difficult finding one with a stiff shaft though lol.

[@joshuak5757]

Great video Guys. Thanks. As a passionate weekend warrior I took your advice and recently dove into 7 wood territory. It has changed my game tremendously. The results were so great it started a snowball effect. Traded in my three and five hybrid. Made the move to lofted woods. There is currently a g430 seven wood, g425 nine wood, st max 11 wood and a 22 degree callaway super hybrid in the top part of my bag. The st max 11 wood and my st max 6 hybrid go about the same distance for me and are still duking it out for that specific slot in the bag. Both still jockeying for position. I’ve done great things with both. Not sure who will come out on top. The 7 and 9 wood are staying in the bag as they are easy up and easy on. The Ping woods are so dang forgiving it feels almost effortless. Float like a butterfly sting like a bee. No more costly crazy hybrid shanks that would come from my mishits with the long hybrids. Three wood is currently on the bench. I use the super hybrid if I need a low long bomb. All these recent changes in the bag have led to my scores have improving and far less lost golf balls and penalty strokes on approach shots. Less time in the bunkers too.

[@todaysgolfer]

Great to hear Joshua, glad you are working things out.

[@chuckh.2090]

Favorite club without a doubt. Versatility on a dog leg tee shot is the cherry on top.

[@royclose946]

In my junior days I used to use a baffe 5 wood but hybrid style head 😊

[@lkae4]

Switched out my driving iron for an offset Cobra 7 wood last year. Offset makes it ridiculously easy to hit.

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for your input KL, completely agree.

[@cameronloveless1751]

I play a Mizuno JPX 2 hybrid at 16 deg when I want a long low chaser - it’s a bullet, and goes as long as a 3 wood in summer. The shorter shaft helps with centred strike. My main go-to is a 19 degree 5 wood, which I can hit high and even spin it back on softer greens. Then a 4 hybrid at 21 degrees so I still have something I can hit reasonably low from under the trees (too often!), but can also hit it high to hold a green. I’m not a good iron player so 5 iron is my longest iron. The gapping works with this “unusual” setup and very versatile (low and high options). I do gravitate to the 5 wood over the hybrids so I understand the advantage of height, but feel I would lose some versatility with a 7 wood.

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for your input Cameron.

[@TheMuffs2004]

I'm a +4 and occasionally play with a former mini tour player who would probably be about a +7 if he kept an actual handicap. The longest iron he carries is the 5. He games a 7 wood and a 4 hybrid. I have a 3 hybrid I thought was possibly the best club in my bag...until I hit his 7 wood and realized how good it was.

[@todaysgolfer]

Great stuff, they're pretty good aren't they! Thanks for your input.

[@AudreyWalsh-ub8pv]

hi just had a fitting for ping g430 and it was recommended that i would get a 7 wood i looked at your demo and i am not so worried now about the 7 wood. i never had a 7wood i am a senior golfer

[@todaysgolfer]

Great stuff Audrey, Simon loves his.

[@Teadrinker710]

I’m 34 and go: 9* driver, 16.5*HL 3 wood, 21* 7 wood, 25* hybrid, 28.5* hybrid, 6/7/8/9 miura CB801, pw miura TB901, 52/56/60 miura LH wedge series, Ping Sydney putter

[@todaysgolfer]

Great stuff, more of us should look at set-ups like this. #Optimized

[@Murf1802]

nice review men, lot of information, I just purchased a Callaway Rogue st max Heavenwood, the clubs a little strange 20 degree loft but the shaft is as long as a 3 wood shaft , such a long shaft but I can see a bunch of loft at address, idk will see,, fitted the head with. ventus red velocore 5 reg, thinking about taking an inch off but it was very expensive and the story behind the Heavenwood is the longer shaft to possibly get more club head speed, ill game it, see if I can control it, but a beautiful club, Thanks again guys great content!!

[@kevinoneill2170]

Love my 21-deegree Titleist 917F2 7W combined with a 16.5-degree TS2 4W and an old 2005'ish Taylormade Rescue Dual 4 hybrid!

[@todaysgolfer]

Nice set-up Kevin, thanks for your input.

[@craigtalbot9316]

Love my G425 3 wood and was looking at adding a 3 hybrid but after this the 7 wood could be the one! 5 wood and 3 wood always too close so 7 wood good option then??

[@MarvinofMars]

My bag has a 3W 15deg stiff flex (240-220 yards) , 7W rogue X stiff (220-200 yards) and 5 hybrid reg flex. (200-180 yards) Choking up and down the grip you can get 10 yards further or less. But hands down accuracy goes to the 7W it is shocking accurate. 5 Hybrid still has a place , great at under tree canopies bump and runs or 190 yard Par 3, bad lays. 3W really needs to be a well placed fairway 2nd shot or a tight fairway tee shot.

[@todaysgolfer]

Great to hear Oliver, sounds like you know your set-up really well.

[@cosmicheretic8129]

What are the GIR numbers on Arccos of a 7W vs a 4Hyb?

[@kymstock1852]

Older , slower player here. I found my 5 &7 wood gave similar distances, but the 7 wood ( TS2) carried further and stopped better. In my bag I have a Cobra single length 19 hybrid, which is slightly shorter distances wise than the 7 Wood, but better for rough, uneven, ball above/ below feet shots when I need to advance the ball down the fairway. Then I have a 27 degree TS2 hybrid, hybrid -iron Tour Edge E521 6 &7 irons ( 1.5 flat lie angle works well to avoid the lefts), then single length 8-SW irons for scoring inside 115 m. I work on clubs that I can reliably get into the air and give consistent distances on Arcos data,

[@VKBKK]

Been a fan of 7wood since I used the original TM VSteel 21deg 7 wood n paired with a shorten Project X 7c7 70g S driver shaft n got me 200yds carry. Recently found a fantastic PRGR 7 wood same loft n help me gain xtra 12yds carry due its carbon head design n its as versatile. Off the tee if u are able to learn to hit a semi "top' stinger, this rips easy 230yds. Encourage everyone to have 1 in the bag :)

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for your input VK.

[@francisbarden]

Hi have a callaway 7 wood and a 5 callaway heaven wood both excellent both about 15years old..

[@todaysgolfer]

Lovely to hear, thanks for your input.

[@TiAgBlur]

If the pros are using 7 wood, I think a 9 wood is even better for weekend golfer like myself. I have driver, 5 wood, 7 wood, thinking about adding 9 wood.

[@todaysgolfer]

Nice work, what would be your longest iron if you get a 9-wood?

[@alvermeil5884]

Very helpful. It would be interesting if you took a slower swing speed people and compare their hybrids and higher lofted fairway woods. I’m to compare my three hybrids, 19, 23, and 26 verse 5,7 & 9 wood

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks Al, appreciate the feedback.

[@josephdubiel7129]

Great insight gentlemen. Just so happens I have been carrying the Ping G 425 Max 7 Wood for sometime now. I love it but I also own several G 425 hybrids including the 3 hybrid. I think they all have their place in the bag. I would rather be hitting a hybrid out of the rough then a wood. I am pretty accurate with either the 3 hybrid or the 7 Wood. So many different situations can present themselves out on the course. I love them both in varying situations. Other golfers are actually pretty amused that I carry a 7 Wood :). I have not played with anyone else thats carrying one. However I definitely see the value in doing so. Great review and research gentlemen. You both made very valid points.

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks Joseph, really appreciate the feedback.

[@johnnydev9318]

Currently, I have what many people would call an overly-simplistic view on this subject. So, let’s say that my 7 wood and 3 hybrid have similar lofts and I can hit them similar distances. The 7 wood is called a FAIRWAY wood. Hybrids were originally called what ? Oh yes, I remember, RESCUE clubs … So if my target is a similar distance away for each, I ask my little brain : - am I on the fairway ? If so, I use my FAIRWAY wood (7 wood) - if I am not on the fairway, I must be in the rough (or worse), so I use my RESCUE club (because it’s supposed to be designed to RESCUE me from trouble). This club just happens to be more commonly referred to as a “hybrid" these days (I get that) Club selection all through the bag has all of a sudden become so simpler by using this paradigm - just my experience … I almost forgot to say : using the above mentioned philosophy, having clubs with similar lofts in the bag is a non-issue, as long as we recognise that they have differing purposes in differing situations.

[@gothic8]

Why did you exclude the TSR 2 7 wood?

[@todaysgolfer]

This was filmed nearly two years ago, so I can't remember exactly, it was most probably because we didn't have a TSR 2 sample at the time of testing.

[@QuarterOzzy]

I like the shaft length of my 4 hybrid, what’s your thoughts on a 7 wood with a shorter shaft?

[@todaysgolfer]

Interestingly the shorter shaft is a setup some of the pro's use on lofted fairway woods Chris. So long as you get the swing weight right and it goes the correct distance to fill a yardage gap in your bag, it sounds like a great shout.

[@trextrextrex]

Leave it and grip down an inch

[@markprice2225]

It depends on the club! My hybrid 3 is a godsend! And my 3 wood revolutionized my golf game! Taylormade rbx white with the neon green, best club bn fitted&shafted!

[@markprice2225]

Hybrid is a Wilson D300 3i hybrid and its great too! Very light and easy to control. I have the elements shaft in it and it is perfect for me!

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for your input Mark.

[@darkh0st]

Hybrid was too flat attacking the greens. Moved to a 7w and now able to attack with softer landing.

[@todaysgolfer]

There's quite a difference isn't there?

[@chrisengland1]

Can you test a 7W vs Heavenwood?

[@todaysgolfer]

Will see what we can do Chris.

[@gregschulte2953]

tried out a sim2 max 7 wood to compare to my 3 & 4 hybrid. I play the same club in 5 wood and it is great. needless to say, the 7 wood replaced both hybrids. it's very versatile and rarely do I have a terrible shot. I can choke down for shorter yardages (4h). the hybrids for me were just too inconsistant. I always thought the hybrids were more forgiving but not for me.

[@paulentwistle5188]

Like the idea of 7 wood (and possibly 9) to replace my long irons. Would they be better than hybrids on a windy course? Thanks

[@todaysgolfer]

It's a really good point Paul. Of course plenty of golfers asked the same question when replacing long irons with hybrids, but hybrids are now much more prevalent than long irons. Obviously only you can decide how high is too high. We'd be looking at it more from the angle of no matter what, the wind affects all shots, quality of strike is key when playing in the wind, if there's more MOI forgiveness on offer from a fairway wood over a hybrid then of course it's well worth exploring.

[@alisonburgess345]

Chippers will be next ... Interesting video thanks guys. I played with a low marker the other day and she swore by her 7 wood.

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for the feedback Alison, appreciate you taking the time. We surprised ourselves with the results.

[@josephdubiel7129]

Hey Neil and Simon. I love these Ping Woods. I have 3 of the G 425 ones in the bag. I adjusted the 5 Wood one to 16 degrees making it a strong 4 Wood. Its an incredible weapon on the course. I also have it in the 7 Wood and 9 Woods. I picked the Max version over the SFT and am doing well with them. I love your golf channel. Impressive the way you comment back to the majority of the folks. . There's a lot to be said about that. Love your analysis and the way you break it all down discussing the options from various makes. I can honestly say that your golf channel and presentation is the most helpful and interesting out here. Thank you for that and all your efforts. P.S.. I just also added the Ping G 425 # 2 hybrid to the bag. Loving having that option as well. :)

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks too Joseph for your feedback, great to hear you love golf equipment just as much as us. Good to have you along for the ride.

[@josephdubiel7129]

@@todaysgolfer Your welcome. Nothing better than golf and you two help to make it fun. Cheers.

[@leerobinson590]

My Ram 7 wood was a great club. Off the tee and fairway

[@dsloan9561]

Do you guys like certain 7 wood models for stronger, low single digit cappers?

[@todaysgolfer]

This whole idea came about because of the rise in the amount of tour pro's using a 7-wood. Neil's reaction says it all, he wasn't expecting the data to be anywhere near as compelling. They're worth exploring for any ability of golfer, so long as you get the right model to suit your game.

[@sageagbonkhese4091]

Go hit all of them and add a fairway wood shaft you like.

[@MrCookTM]

Modern 7 woods are the new 5 woods. With fairway woods becoming faster and lower spinning as well as balls spinning way less than a decade ago, today a 7 wood has the launch and spin characteristics of a 5 wood from back in the day. In short, yes, 4 wood + 7 wood is the new 3 wood + 5 wood, and yes this is true even for fast single digit players and tour pros, which is why you see more and more 7 woods in pga bags.

[@rikclarke4881]

​@@MrCookTMyou're right 5w used to have 21*

[@leonardcampise8112]

You can both. 7W, 5H

[@stephenbates7955]

No I haven't got one

[@rikclarke4881]

7w is more comparable to 4hy

[@tony.c7824]

First!

[@729pjp]

only irons I play are W, GW,SW everything else is a hybrid or wood type. 11 wood best. club in my bag.

[@todaysgolfer]

Love it, thanks for your input.