The fairway woods have long been an essential partner on the golf course for countless players, and have been around in one form or another as long as the game itself.
In recent years, one fairway wood that’s been storming in popularity is the 7-wood. They’ve been around for a long time too, but picked up massively in sales when they were adopted by tour pros, such as Dustin Johnson and Tommy Fleetwood, in major competitions.
But given they’re closely related to the 5-wood, many players adding the 7-wood to their golf bag often struggle to decide which club to use and when - or, more specifically, why.
If the similarities and differences between the two have you confused, you’re not alone. But Clarkes Golf is here to offer all the info you need, so you can make an educated decision the next time a shot calls for one or the other!
What is a 5-Wood?
With a loft of around 18 degrees, and a slightly shorter shaft than your 3-wood, the humble 5-wood is still a major component of any golfer’s bag, producing a relatively high ball flight and easier hittability compared to the 3-wood and even the long irons.
This is primarily why so many players reach for the club in place of their long irons, which are notoriously difficult to hit. With excellent distance both off the tee and off the deck, and a larger, more forgiving clubhead, the 5-wood is an easy choice if you value a solid combination of distance and accuracy, albeit less accurate than if you catch your long irons perfectly.
What is a 7-Wood?
The 7-Wood takes things one step further, with an even higher loft than the 5-wood (around 21 degrees) and an even shorter shaft length.
The result is a versatile, easy-to-strike wood that’s quickly becoming the weapon of choice on countless fairways the world over.
It may fall slightly short of the distances reached by the 5-wood, and well short of those produced by the 3-wood, but its hittability and forgiveness make it an enticing option in a number of scenarios when there’s still a long way to go to the hole.
5-Wood vs 7-Wood Differences
Loft and Launch
The 5-wood features a lower loft and launch than the 7-wood, but could be a good choice if you want to achieve longer distances in high winds. Having said that, the higher launch of the 7-wood results in a steeper descent angle, for improved stopping power.
Distance
There’s only one winner here: If you’re looking for the longest fairway wood of the two, the 5-wood generally reaches distances up to 30 yards longer than the 7.
Forgiveness
They’re both known as particularly forgiving clubs, especially when compared to the long irons or 3-wood, but the 7-wood is considered the more forgiving of the two thanks to the higher loft and improved striking off the grass.
When to use a 5-Wood
You need maximum distance - The 5-wood is easily the longer club of the two, making it the right club if the green is just within reach.
You need a more penetrating ball flight - Because it produces a lower ball flight, this is a good choice if winds are strong, or if you’re hitting onto the fairway and want to see more roll from the golf ball.
You have a clean lie on the fairway - The 5-wood is a common choice on the fairway when the hole is within reach (less than 230 yards).
When to use a 7-Wood
You need a higher ball flight - If you want to hold the ball on the green on landing, a 7-wood is a fine choice on longer approach shots.
You need to maintain good distance from the rough - Its increased loft makes the 7-wood an appealing option when stuck in the light rough, but you don’t want to sacrifice too much distance.
You have a slower swing speed - Slow swing speeds can make your distance and carry suffer, both of which can be improved with an easy-to-hit 7-wood.
Find the Right Fairway Woods for You at Clarkes Golf
If you’re yet to add a 7-wood to your bag and you’re ready to join the revolution, or if you’re simply looking to try something new, you’ll find everything you need and more at Clarkes Golf.
With a massive selection of fairway woods from the sport’s top brands, and with a multitude of shaft and grip options, you’ll always be able to find the perfect club to meet your needs.
Take a look at our selection of fairway woods for sale at the link above. Or feel free to explore the rest of our catalogue, including iron sets, hybrids, putters and more, for players of all skill levels.
Or get in touch with a member of the Clarkes Golf team if you need some more product-specific info before making a purchase.