Hyperthetical situation/question

[One Planer]

Hyperthetical question for the knowledgeable amongst us, probably in a similar vein to Imurg's Driver 3 wood thread.


Two golf clubs, A & B.

Club A is a fairway wood. Has 18* of loft and a 42.5" shaft (68g shaft).

Club B is a hybrid. Has 17* of loft and a 40.3/4" shaft (82g shaft).

Both shafts are the same manufacturer, model and flex.

Would you expect to see a noticable difference in distance between these 2 clubs?

If so, what makes the difference? loft, shaft, or a combination of the two?

 

[USER1999]

It depends on the swing of the person hitting them.

The hybrid will be longer for a faster swing speed, the fairway longer for a lesser swing speed. So it depends on how fast you swing the club, and what flight you are looking for.

 

[Monty_Brown]

Only one man was going to St Ives.

I am far too dumb to know this one...

 

[One Planer]

It depends on the swing of the person hitting them.

The hybrid will be longer for a faster swing speed, the fairway longer for a lesser swing speed. So it depends on how fast you swing the club, and what flight you are looking for.

Sorry Murph. Assume swing speeds are equal (I know, I know) and both shafts are mid launch.

Only one man was going to St Ives.

I am far too dumb to know this one...

:rofl: Monty

It's from a discussion 2 lads were having last night at the range. I was just curious to see what the knowledgeable folk on here would make of it.

 

[USER1999]

But are the equal swing speeds fast or slow?

It is impossible to answer the question. The answer depends on the swing speed.

 

[One Planer]

But are the equal swing speeds fast or slow?

It is impossible to answer the question. The answer depends on the swing speed.

For arguments sake. Lets say slow.

 

[timchump]

for me personally the fairway wood goes further.

i much prefer the longer shaft that allows for a more around the body sweeping style swing.

i really don't get on with hybrids,

sorry probably doesn't help, my 2ps worth

 

[USER1999]

For arguments sake. Lets say slow.

Then for a slow swing speed the fairway would be longer.

 

[One Planer]

Then for a slow swing speed the fairway would be longer.

Thanks Murph.

Just for my own curiocity. Why would the Hybrid be longer if a faster swing speed is applied?

 

[USER1999]

Due to the higher centre of gravity in the hybrid (fairways are weighted to get the ball airborne quickly) it will launch lower and with less spin. For a more powerful player, this will carry ok, and roll out a bit.

For the fairway wood, they are designed to produce back spin from the low c of g, and a higher ball flight. So the higher swing speed will impart too much back spin, and it will baloon, and drop like a dead hamster.

For the low swing speed player, the hybrid won't carry enough, and the fairway will have a nice high launch and a decent carry. The longer shaft will help with the club head speed.

Obviously you can buy a players fairway, like a Titleist 906F, which is a git for most players to get off the ground.

 

[One Planer]

Thanks again Murph.

The basis for the quesion is this. At the range last night the guys in the next 2 bays were having a discussion about distances / club. The chap hitting the balls was obviously a good, low H/C player and said to his friend

"Going to ditch the 5 wood as I hit my hybrid the same distance" or words to that effect

Just seemed strange to me that a club that is 1.3/4" shorter, although a degree stronger could actually be just as long/er, but what you say makes perfect sense as regards how he clubs are designed to affect the balls flight.

He had a pretty brisk swing, definatley faster than mine. That would make your comments correct, where as with my swing speed the fairway would be a better option with maybe a hybrid (If I could bring myself to buy one.... Don't like 'em) to bridge any gap between the wood and the 3 iron.

Thanks again Murph.