Picking between two clubs can be difficult, especially when you don’t know exactly how they differ. At first glance, the 3 Hybrid and 7 Wood might seem like they can be used interchangeably on the course, however they actually provide different benefits and drawbacks depending on what kind of golfer is using them. In this article, we breakdown what the similarities and differences are between these two clubs, as well as what kind of golfers they are good for.
3 Hybrid vs 7 Wood: The main differences between these clubs is that the 3 Hybrid is more forgiving, provides more control & backspin, and has a shorter shaft. The 7 Wood can provide more distance and roll, but is much less forgiving, which makes it more suitable for experienced golfers.
| 3 Hybrid | 7 Wood | |
|---|---|---|
| Good For: | Less experienced golfers Balls with a bad lie Rough or bunker shots | Long-distance Fairway Shots Golfers that can consistently hit shots on-center |
| Loft: | 18°-21° | 20°-21° |
| Clubhead Material: | Stainless Steel | Steel/Stainless Steel |
| Shaft Length: | 39 inches - 39.5 inches | 41 inches - 42 inches |
| Swing Weight: | D0 - D3 | D1 - D3 |
| MOI: | High | Medium |
| Distance: | 2019 yards | 230 yards |
This is just a quick snapshot of the characteristics and capabilities of these clubs. There is much more than meets the eye for these two clubs. Continue reading if you’d like to know more about what makes these golf clubs so different, as well as what kind of golfers they are good for.
Also, can we talk about the 7-wood (vs hybrid or 3/4 iron) phenomenon? Dustin and Louis both carry one. Are hybrids so last decade?
— Jeehae Lee (@jeehaeda) November 15, 2020
Difference In Loft: 3 Hybrid vs 7 Wood
When looking at the loft, both of these clubs have a very similar angle. The 3 hybrid ranges anywhere from 18 degrees to 21 degrees of loft, and the 7 wood ranges anywhere from 20 degrees to 21 degrees of loft.
So what does this mean? This means that both of these clubs will provide a similar amount of lift when striking the ball. More specifically, both club faces are striking the ball at a similar angle, which will elevate the ball at a similar angle. In comparison to many other clubs, the degree of loft that both of these clubs have is quite low, which means the ball will not travel as high into the air, in comparison to other clubs with a higher amount of loft.
This means we should see a similar height and distance, right? Actually, as you will soon find out, these clubs have a few differences in their design which gives the 3 hybrid more height, and the 7 wood more distance.
Clubhead Material: 3 Hybrid vs 7 Wood
Both of these clubs are generally made from the same material, stainless steel. More specifically, many club manufacturers make these clubs with 17-4 stainless steel. Nowadays, most clubs are made from stainless steel as it’s easy to cast and inexpensive to procure. Because both of these clubs are generally made from this material, it is very useful to know that the pros and cons of these kinds of stainless steel clubs are.
Pros & Cons of Stainless Steel Golf Clubs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quite strong and can withstand frequent use Relatively inexpensive (compared to clubs made from other material) due to the affordable price point of raw material | Heavier than titanium clubs Shorter lifespan than titanium clubs |
Shaft Length: 3 Hybrid vs 7 Wood
The next difference these clubs have is in their shaft length. For many 3 hybrids, the shaft length ranges from 39 inches to 39.5 inches, whereas the shaft length for 7 woods ranges from 41 inches to 42 inches. Believe it or not, this difference in length makes a huge impact on your swing.
3 Hybrid Shaft Length: With a shorter shaft length, many golfers will find it easier to be more accurate with their shots using a 3 hybrid, as they will not only hit the sweet spot more frequently, they will have less of an issue slicing the ball. It also has a more firm shaft, which will reduce clubhead movement during the swing. On the other hand, a shorter shaft means that your ball will not go as far.
7 Wood Shaft Length: This club has a longer shaft length, which is generally harder to use for amateur golfers. Because the shaft is longer, there may be a loss in accuracy, which means you’ll have a higher likelihood of landing the ball in the rough. However, with more shaft length, you will see more distance. In fact, it was found that for every 1-inch added to the club, you will get another 10 yards from your shot.
Swing Weight: 3 Hybrid vs 7 Wood
Each of these clubs share a similar swing weight, that being a range from D0 to D3. Most clubs are between C7 and D7, so both of these clubs are a bit on the heavier side. What this means is that these clubs will have a similar amount of speed when swung, and they offer you a similar amount of control as well.
Pros & Cons Of A Heavy Swing Weight
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More control throughout the swing Allows for a more accurate shot | Can cause swing fatigue earlier in a round |
MOI (Moment of Inertia): 3 Hybrid vs 7 Wood
When looking at the more technical aspects of each club, we come across something known as MOI or moment of inertia. This is essentially a measurement of how prone a golf club is to twisting when it is hit off-center.
3 Hybrid MOI: Most 3 Hybrids have a high MOI, meaning that they do not twist as much if you don’t hit the sweet spot. This makes this club much more forgiving, as those who frequently miss the center of the club will benefit greatly. A club with higher MOI, will provide less feedback though, meaning that it will be harder to make certain adjustments in how you hit the ball.
7 Wood MOI: On the other hand, 7 Woods have a lower MOI, meaning that they will twist much more when hit off-center. While this club is much more unforgiving and harder to control (especially for newer golfers), it does provide its benefits.
For players that consistently hit their shots on-center, they will see a bit more distance. Additionally, a lower MOI gives players the ability to purposefully push and slice their shots. This can allow them to carry their ball on a fairway that has something like a dog-leg right/left. This is a feature that a club with high MOI can’t provide.
Distance: 3 Hybrid vs 7 Wood
When hit by the average golfer, the 3 Hybrid generally carries the ball about 219 yards, whereas the 7 Wood carries about 230 yards. This leaves a difference of about 11 yards between these clubs. Despite having a similar loft, the 7 Wood clearly gets much more distance, this is due to a couple of reasons.
Center Of Gravity: The center of gravity for each of these clubs differs pretty substantially. In a 3 Hybrid, the center of gravity is located lower (towards the sole of the club) and towards the heel (back of the club) this means that the shot will have more height, spin, but less distance.
A 7 Wood has a center of gravity that is higher up and more towards the front of the club which means less height, less spin, and more distance. In general, the center of gravity for a 3 Hybrid makes it a bit more forgiving and easier to control.
Spin & Roll: Because of where the center of gravity is located in a 3 Hybrid, the ball has more height and backspin. This means that you will see much less of a roll when the ball hits the ground, resulting in less distance. On the other hand, a 7 Wood hits the ball much lower, and with less backspin, so you should see much more roll and distance when using this club.
Which One Should You Pick?
Whether you are looking to purchase one, or want to know which one is best to use during a round, there are plenty of situations and factors to consider. It’s best to understand what kind of golfer you are, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. With this being said, below are some instances in which you should pick one over the other.
| When Should You Pick A 3 Hybrid | When Should You Pick A 7 Wood |
|---|---|
| If you are an amateur golfer and tend to hit the ball off-center If you are on a bad lie If you are want a higher probability of hitting an accurate shot down the fairway | If you are an experienced golfer who can consistently hit the club on-center If you are on a par 5 or long par 4 and need to get a lot of distance |
Once again, it’s really dependent on what kind of golfer you are, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. These are just some common recommendations based on what most golfers experience with these clubs. The best way to know if you should use/buy a 3 Hybrid or a 7 Wood is by testing them out on your own and figuring out the most beneficial way they work for you.