5 Wood vs. 3 Iron: The Best Uses of Both and the Difference Between Them Explained

In-detail comparison of 5 wood and 3 iron clubs, covering the difference between them, and overview of pros and cons of both
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Phillip Ortiz
Phillip Ortiz
Expert Consultant
Phillip is a professional golf player who knows exactly what features to look for if you need perfect gear. Apart from golf, Phillip is fond of fishing and hunting.
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Suzanne Holley
Suzanne Holley
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Suzanne is a talented news reporter. She's also a freelance writer with our site being her major and most loved project. In her free time, Suzanne loves reading utopian nove read more
Last updated: August 10, 2023
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Golf can be an interesting game to play during your leisure time. Some people also play golf professionally, helping them earn extra income. However, if you want to become a successful golf player, you need to have the right set of golf clubs in your bag.

On average, golf players carry about 14 golf clubs in their bags when they go for matches. Nevertheless, choosing the right golf club set to help you achieve long shots consistently can be difficult, especially when it comes to the 5 wood vs. 3 iron. However, a few things can make the process a bit easier. Read on to understand.

5 Wood Overview

A 5 wood golf club is among the longest golf clubs a player can carry around. It has an 18-degree loft and an oversized head.

Most players like this club since it can hit the ball up to a distance of 200 yards. This club is also an excellent choice for approaches to the green from the semi-rough or fairway.

Additionally, if you want to achieve more height to help you approach a difficult green, the 5 wood will come in handy. Finally, this golf club helps your ball land softly with more spins, keeping the ball on the dance floor.

Clubhead

5 Wood vs. 3 Iron: The Best Uses of Both and the Difference Between Them ExplainedA Clubhead refers to the part of a golf club that hits the golf ball. A 5 wood comes with a thinner and compact clubhead. Additionally, the head is circular. This feature makes the club produce a fast ball speed. As a result, your ball will go farther when you hit it.

Although most players like it when the ball travels a longer distance, reduced forgiveness can lead to nasty hooks or slices, especially if you don’t hit the ball properly. According to most reviews, the golf club that offers more forgiveness is the X HOT 5 Fairway Wood, Stiff Flex from Callaway since it has a forgiving head shape

Shaft

A 5 wood shaft is about 42.5 inches long. This length offers a steep shot-stopping angle, faster ball speed, and more spin. This means that the 5 wood produces a sharp descent for maximum shot stopping power and a higher launch for greater carry distance.

Your golf club’s shaft length also affects where you place your golf ball and stance Trusted Source How do I Get My Golf Stance Right | Topgolf UK Stick with the tips here and you’ll be able to strike the ball more powerfully and accurately than ever, while protecting yourself from injury. topgolf.com . Generally, you should place the ball closer to your front foot when using the 5 wood. This is because the club flies longer and stops quickly, allowing you to control a long game easily.

Loft

A 5 wood has an average loft angle of 18-21 degrees. A loft angle refers to the difference between the wood and fairway.

The 5 wood’s loft angle allows you to get the ball airborne easily. Moreover, this angle allows you to see a large clubface surface.

A bigger clubface surface gives players confidence when playing since it makes them think they can hit the ball easily.

Usage

The 5 wood golf club is perfect for all players, including beginners and experienced ones. However, this club best suits beginners, especially if they can use it to strike long and straight shots.

Advantages

  • Higher loft
  • Easy to hit
  • Suitable for beginners
  • It maximizes the carrying speed
  • Ideal for long 5’s par and 4’s par

Drawbacks

  • The club can fly too high, especially on windy days
  • You cannot use it from the tee

3 Iron Overview

The 3 iron golf club comes in various styles, including distance irons, player irons, and game improvement irons.

This golf club suits players working the ball with a draw or fade. Most times, golf players use the 3 iron golf club on par 3s, shots from about 180 yards to the green and light to mid rough.

Another important thing to note is that the 3 iron’s flight path is quite low and long. As a result, this club can be suitable for windy conditions since the ball cannot be carried away easily. Finally, you can use the 3 iron as a driving iron.

Clubhead

5 Wood vs. 3 Iron: The Best Uses of Both and the Difference Between Them ExplainedThe 3 iron comes with a long, slender, and compact clubhead. This feature makes the golf club suitable for players seeking precision when hitting the golf ball towards the green.

Shaft

The 3 iron comes with a shaft that is about 39 inches long. Although this length is enough, the golf club produces low ball flight. This shaft length also makes your golf ball spin less. Finally, it makes your ball produce a shallow descent.

Loft

The loft angle of a 3 iron golf club ranges between 19 to 21 degrees. Therefore, you need to choose the clubs carefully, depending on your skill level. Choosing a golf club with a loft angle that suits your skill level allows you to enjoy the game. Additionally, it can enable you to beat your competitors.

Usage

The 3 iron is ideal for precision strikers, especially those who can bring the golf ball closer to their target. The best 3 iron golf club for precision strikers, according to most reviews, is the SIM Max DHY Utility Iron 2020 from TaylorMade, thanks to its ultra-thin face. This club is also ideal for pin hunting, provided you can hit the golf ball well.

Advantages

  • You can use it even during windy weather
  • Excellent accuracy
  • Low ball flight
  • Long range
  • You can add a draw or a fade
  • Excellent off the tee on par’s
  • Strong

Drawbacks

  • Low loft angle
  • Thin face
  • Hard to hit

5 Wood vs. 3 Iron: In-detail Comparison

The 5 wood and 3 iron are the longest golf clubs in a golf bag. Often, players use these clubs on second or third shots to the green.

The main difference between these golf clubs is how they are struck. When it comes to the 3 iron, you’ll hit a down, compressing the golf ball. On the other hand, a 5 wood produces a sweeping shot, lifting the golf ball off the ground and directing it towards your target.

The 3 iron is generally a little more difficult to hit and is a better option for players with faster swing Trusted Source How to Swing a Golf Club | Instruction | Golf Digest Learn how to swing a golf club by taking a frame-by-frame look at the basic golf swing & the basic positions you need to know www.golfdigest.com speeds. Players who have the ability to release the ball high can also use this club.

Generally speaking, higher handicappers prefer the 5 wood over lower handicappers who prefer 3 irons.

Here is a detailed comparison of the 5 wood vs. 3 iron.

Distance

5 Wood vs. 3 Iron: The Best Uses of Both and the Difference Between Them ExplainedThe 5 wood and 3 iron are designed for long distances. On average, a 5 wood can hit a golf ball over a 216-yard distance. However, it can range between 200-240 yards. The 3 iron is capable of hitting the golf ball between 125 and 250 yards.

However, the distance you hit the ball greatly depends on your skill level. Beginners hit the golf ball over a short distance compared to experienced players. Another factor that determines the distance you will hit the ball is the weather. During rainy weather, the air becomes heavy, preventing the ball from traveling farther. On the flip side, the air is lighter during warm weather, allowing the ball to travel over a long distance.

Finally, whether you are using a golf tee or not determines the distance the golf ball will travel. Using a golf tee can help you increase the driving distance. However, you need to use it correctly. Also, consider using a higher tee since it gives you a chance to hit the top of the clubface, launching the ball higher while producing fewer spins. Few spins allow your ball to roll, increasing the distance further.

Speed

A 5 wood drives the ball at a speed of 152mph, while the 3 iron produces a speed of 142mph. However, you can increase this speed if you use the correct grip. Trusted Source How to Hold a Golf Club: The Proper Golf Grip - GOLF.com Holding a golf club sounds like the simplest aspect of golf, but it’s not. Get down to the bottom of your grip by following these simple ‘rules.’ golf.com A correct grip gives you more control over the club head, allowing you to release the club properly. As a result, the ball will roll at a fast speed. Another factor that helps you increase your ball speed is your body position. Finally, your swing speed also matters.

Spin RPM

Golf spin rate refers to the number of spins a golf ball produces after a player hits the ball and separates from the clubface. The spin rate of a golf ball can be calculated by drawing an imaginary line and observing the ball’s rotation during impact and its journey in the air.

The average speed rate of a 5 wood is about 4350 rpm. The 3 iron, on the other hand, produces a spin rate of about 4630rpm.

Flight Trajectory

Generally, the 5 wood and the 3 iron are designed for long approaches to the green. However, the 5 wood ball flight will be much higher compared to that of a 3 iron. The higher ball flight will enable you to achieve more distance. Although the 3 iron does not offer higher ball flight, it gives more accuracy.

If you cannot find a 5 wood but want to achieve a higher ball flight, there are several best blade irons golf clubs that you can consider.

Accuracy and Control

The 3 iron offers more accuracy compared to the 5 wood. Additionally, this club is easy to control. Therefore, if you want to hit a shot towards the green, make it stop easily, and stay, consider the 3 iron. The 5 wood is quite difficult to stop, and it can run through the green to the back, especially if you fail to hit it correctly.

Forgiveness

In golf, the term forgiveness refers to golf club design elements that mitigate the effects of a bad ball contact or a poor swing. If you want a golf club that offers more forgiveness, consider the 5 wood since it has a higher loft angle. Additionally, this club has a larger sweet spot, making it quite easy to hit.

Other than the 5 wood, you can consider cavity back irons golf clubs. If you are looking for the best cavity back irons golf clubs, there are several brands you can choose from.

Comparison Table

The 5 wood and the 3 iron have several differences, as shown in the comparison table below.

 

5 Wood

3 Iron

When to Use
  • If you are a beginner
  • When you want to hit a golf ball over a longer distance
  • During calm weather
  • During windy weather
  • When you want to achieve accuracy
Advantages
  • Higher loft angle
  • Easy to hit
  • Maximizes the carrying speed
  • It hits the ball over a long distance
  • Easy to control
  • Offers more accuracy
  • Strong
  • Long range
  • You can use it even during a windy weather
Drawbacks
  • You cannot use it with a tee
  • Hard to hit during the windy weather
  • Hard to hit
  • Thin clubface
  • Low loft angle

 

Which One to Pick Depending on Your Skills?

The 5 wood and 3 iron golf clubs can improve your game, allowing you to have fun on the golf course. To enjoy the game more, choose a golf club that suits you according to your skill level since some clubs are suitable for low handicappers, mid handicappers or high handicappers.

High Handicappers

High handicappers are players who play off a 19 and above. This is the widest range of handicaps, as it includes golfers with handicaps of up to 54.

Generally, high handicappers like using the 5 wood compared to the 3 iron. If you are a high handicapper, there are several best fairway woods for high handicappers brands that you can choose from.

Mid Handicappers

A mid handicapper Trusted Source What is a Good Golf Handicap? What is a Good Golf Handicap? In short, your handicap is a numerical measurement of how skilled you are as a golfer.  golfersauthority.com refers to a golf player who plays with a handicap between 11 to 20. This means that you can shoot in the 80s in each round and easily break 90 in each round.

If you are a mid handicapper, you will most likely benefit from a 5 wood. However, if you are a mid-handicapper and still struggle with the 5 wood, you may consider using the 3 iron. However, you cannot use it consistently.

Final Thoughts

Determining the ideal golf club that allows you to enjoy your game and become an expert can be difficult. Therefore, you may need to play for some time and eventually discover the golf club that suits your needs.

After analyzing the features of the 5 wood vs. 3 iron, it can be quite challenging to establish which club is better than the other. If your main aim is to hit the golf ball over a long distance, the 5 wood can be an excellent choice. For players who want to achieve accuracy, the 3 iron is ideal.

Nevertheless, the 5 wood is better between the two since it is versatile. Additionally, this club offers more forgiveness.

References

1.
How do I Get My Golf Stance Right | Topgolf UK
Stick with the tips here and you’ll be able to strike the ball more powerfully and accurately than ever, while protecting yourself from injury.
2.
How to Swing a Golf Club | Instruction | Golf Digest
Learn how to swing a golf club by taking a frame-by-frame look at the basic golf swing & the basic positions you need to know
3.
How to Hold a Golf Club: The Proper Golf Grip - GOLF.com
Holding a golf club sounds like the simplest aspect of golf, but it’s not. Get down to the bottom of your grip by following these simple ‘rules.’
4.
What is a Good Golf Handicap?
What is a Good Golf Handicap? In short, your handicap is a numerical measurement of how skilled you are as a golfer. 
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