Equipment
9-wood vs 5-hybrid? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been weighing up having a 9-wood in the bag against a 5-hybrid. WRXer ‘aoo’ kicks off the thread with the question:
“Recently purchased 4 wood and 7 wood to replace my 3 wood, 5 wood and 4 hybrid. Was going to maintain my 5 hybrid but am now intrigued by going with a 9 wood to replace the 5 hybrid.
Has anyone done this? Or have any thoughts about going this route?”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and own experiences in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- animalgolfs: “Play both – few more yards carry with 9wd…..stops quicker – 5h rolls out little more, better into strong wind…better for punch outs.”
- Ca3l: “Might as well see how you like the 7 wood before you decide. If you feel like you don’t get enough launch or can’t hold greens with the hybrid then the 9 wood is probably in your future.”
- Nickb333: “I used a 9w for a short time. Super easy to hit but always felt like a one trick pony to me. 5h is more versatile for me.”
- tbowles411: “I play both now. It’s just easier to get the ball in the air. I found the 9w to be a bit easier to use around the greens because of the loft getting the ball in the air and rolling. Takes some practice, but it’s cool to use.”
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
Imafitter
Apr 18, 2025 at 11:01 am
I traded my Ping 4-5-6 hybrids two years ago for a Ping 7 & 9 fairway. Best move I made as they are easier to hit, and distances are similar to the hybrids. I also carry driver, 5W, 5i-SW. I’ve always believed when in the rough hit out with an iron, which is where my 5i is used, including low punch-out’s.
Gil Bloomer
Apr 18, 2025 at 10:58 am
I’ve been playing an old model Cleveland Launcher, steel 9-wood, for what seems like forever and I just love the club. Easy to hit and the compact head is a plus. I would suggest giving a 9-wood a try.