3 Wood vs 4 Wood – Which Club Should I Use & When

3 Wood vs 4 Wood – Which Club Should I Use & When

If you’re looking for an alternative to using a driver from the tee, or if you want a different option from the fairway on those longer holes do you have to use a 3 wood, or are there other options available?

This was the question that I recently asked myself. You see it on the PGA Tour, and up and down the country – golfers typically have a driver in the bag followed by a 3 wood. However, what about a 4 wood, yes, they do exist, but what is this club, can it help my game, and where is the best place to use it?

Why not continue reading if you want to know more about some alternative options and if a 4 wood could be the answer to improving your game.

 

Intro To the Clubs and Why the Right Choices Are Important

Both the 3 wood and the 4 wood have very similar characteristics, but also slight changes. A 3 wood has a loft of 15°-18°, and a graphite shaft length of 42-43 inches.

It is appropriate for tee shots and seconds shots on longer par 5s. The average shot distance varies between 190 and 235 yards. While a 4 wood has a loft of 16°-19°. Its shaft length is 41-42 inches. It is one inch shorter than its predecessor.

4 wood covers an average distance of 180-220 yards. These distances are subject to your ability and how well you hit the ball. 

 

Overview Of 3 Wood vs 4 Wood

The 3 and 4 wood belongs to the fairway wood family. They both usually have graphite shafts. The clubhead size of the 3 wood is approximately 155-260 cc, so much smaller than the size of drivers.

The loft on the 3 wood varies between 15°-18°. Its standard shaft length is 43 inches. The average distance of a 3 wood is between 190-235 yards.

Whereas, a 4 wood has a loft of 16°-19°. Its standard shaft length is 42 inches, one inch smaller than 3 wood. The average distance of a 4 wood varies between 180-220 yards.

 

Key Differences Between 3 & 4 Wood

 

There aren’t many differences between a 3 wood and a 4 wood. The former has a slightly lower loft of 15°-18° and the latter has a slightly higher loft of 16°-19°.

One of the key differences between them is the cubic centimetres (cc) of the head. A 3 wood has more cc than a 4 wood. This means the clubhead is bigger.

The shaft length is one inch shorter in 4 wood. Other minor differences include slight changes in ball flight, workability of the ball, carry distance, and control. Although there might only be minor differences, a 3 wood is more common among professional golfers. 

 

Loft & Distance & Performance Comparison Table

	3 Wood	4 Wood
Loft Degrees	15°-18°	16°-19°
Distance Yards	190-235	180-220

 

When Should I Carry a 3 or 4 Wood?

This is a tough decision, but a 3 wood is more common among professional golfers. Since a 3 wood is often used for tee shots and long approach shots on par 5’s, it is the most popular choice of top golfers.

However, if a golfer has a distance difference of 15-20 yards between the two clubs, he can carry both fairway wood. Due to the influence of professional golfers, most average club golfers will carry 3 wood and 5 wood. 

However, PGA Professional Justin Leonard has used a 4 wood in his bag as a good gap between his 3 wood and 3 iron.

 

What Kind of Shots Do They Produce?

When hitting a 3 wood and 4 wood you will find that they produce similar shots with only slight differences in distance, ball flight, control, and spin.

Due to the loft design of the clubs, a 3-wood has a lower ball flight and longer coverage of distance compared to 4 wood. Typically, a 3 wood is used for tee shots, long approach shots to par 5 holes, and through the first cut of rough.

Whereas a 4 wood is commonly used for approach shots to long par 4 holes, and recovery shots from the light rough. 

 

Pros And Cons & Characteristics of A 3 Wood Over The 4 Wood

Following are the pros and cons of a 3 wood over a 4 wood:

Pros

• Longer Distance Coverage
• Lower Ball Trajectory
• Longer Ball Roll
• Good Performance in Rough

 

Cons

• Low Spin
• Slightly Less Control
• Slightly Less Accurate

 

This is explained really well in the video below by Professional golf coach Michael Newton.

 

 

What Hybrid Does A 3 Wood Replace?

If you prefer to use a hybrid club then the 2-hybrid is the perfect substitute for a 3 wood. They have a similar loft degree. The distance of a 2-hybrid is slightly less than a 3 wood but hybrids are more accurate and easier to hit for all golfers.

Both clubs can be hit off the tee, off the deck, and from the rough. However, for added distance and forgiveness professional golfers tend to stick to 3 wood. 

 

Hybrid Vs 3 Wood – Which Should You Use?

If you’re looking to improve your game which type of club should you use a hybrid or a 3 wood? If 3-hybrid is compared with 3 wood, then the 3 wood offers better distance, a lower ball flight, and reduced spin. 3-hybrid has a loft of 18°-20°.

The shaft length is 41 inches which are shorter than the 3 wood, so can be easier to control. Due to this, the 3-hybrid is more accurate and easier to hit for all levels of golfers.

Both the 3-hybrid and 3 wood can be hit from the tee, off the deck, and from the rough. I would advise using a 3 wood due to its ability to be more versatile and able to be used in all areas of the course.

They can even be used for putting, such as when Si Woo Kim broke his putter at the US Masters and was forced to putt with his 3 wood!

 

What Iron Does A 3 Wood Replace?

The 3 wood replaces the 1 and 2 iron in terms of loft degrees. However, the distance, ball flight, control, and accuracy of a 3 wood is easier to achieve than using these irons.

These irons are notoriously difficult to hit and even Professional golfers rarely carry these irons. They have decided to stick to using a 3 wood and I would also advise using the 3 wood over longer irons.

 

Iron Vs 3 Wood – How Do They Compare?

If we compare a 3 iron with a 3 wood, there are a lot of differences. 3 iron has a loft that varies between 19°-21°. The shaft length is 39 inches.

This shaft length is 3 inches shorter than the 3-wood shaft. The average distance of a 3 iron is 170-220 yards, depending upon the skill set of the golfer. However, only 20% of the professional golfers carry a 3 iron.

 

Which Hybrid Club Does A 4 Wood Replace?

If you’re looking for an alternative to the 4 wood, the 3-hybrid is the perfect substitute. Firstly, these clubs have a similar loft. The loft degree of a 3 hybrid is 19° whereas the loft of 4 wood is between 16°-19°.

The distance of a 3-hybrid is slightly less than a 4-wood due to the trajectory and ball flight, but hybrids are more accurate and easier to hit for all golfers due to the smaller head size and shorter shaft length. Both clubs can be hit off the tee, from the deck, and out of the rough. 

 

Hybrid Vs 4 Wood

The 4 hybrid has a higher loft than its counterpart 4 wood. The hybrid has a loft of 22°, whereas a 4 wood has a loft that varies between 16°-19°.

The average distance of a 4 hybrid ranges between 160-200 yards. Golfers prefer to carry a 4 hybrid over 4 wood due to its ability to be used in the fairway and from the rough. 

 

What Iron Does A 4 Wood Replace?

If you’re looking to replace the 4 wood then the 2 Iron is the perfect replacement. However, the distance, ball flight, control, and accuracy of a 4 wood are different from the 2 iron.

Due to the design of the 4 wood club head, and the lower center of gravity it produces a higher trajectory with the ball flight. The workability of a 4 wood is better than a 2 iron as the longer irons can be particularly unforgiving and difficult to hit by less experienced golfers. 

 

Iron Vs 4 Wood

How do irons compare to the 4 wood? If we compare a 4 iron we will see many differences. It has a loft of 22°-24°. The shaft length is approximately 38 inches.

The 4 iron is known as a utility iron. Many professional golfers use it as a driving iron for shorter par 4’s because of its ball flight and distance coverage. A 4 iron should cover a distance of between 165-and 205 yards.

Whereas a 4 wood has a loft of 16°-19°. It is typically easier to hit higher lofted clubs as described by Golfible. Its standard shaft length is 42 inches, one inch smaller than 3 wood. The average distance of a 4 wood varies between 180-220 yards.

 

Do I need a 3 and 4 wood At the Same Time or Just 1?

Since there is only a slight difference between the club specifications. It is recommended to only carry one fairway wood. Most professional and amateur golfers carry 3 wood due to the versatility in use around different parts of the golf course. 

 

Which Is Better from The Fairway and What’s Better from The Rough?

So where do you use each of these types of clubs? I’ve found that the 3 wood is better when used off the tee and from the fairway. It produces a lower trajectory ball flight with better distance coverage than the 4 wood.

It is also can be good in light rough when you are off target from the tee on longer holes. However, due to slightly higher loft degrees, and smaller head size the 4 wood is the best club to hit from the second cut of rough due to its ability to move through the long grass.  

 

What do I need in my bag – woods, irons, or hybrids?

If you are an amateur golfer, you should carry a 3 wood, 4 and 5 hybrid, mid irons, and wedges. Try to steer clear of longer irons as these can be very difficult to hit.

However, professional golfers and better players carry 3 and 5 wood, rescue club, utility irons, and wedges. The right mix varies from golfer to golfer and I would recommend testing out different types of clubs before making a purchase. 

 

What Gives Most Accuracy, Feel, And Control?

• Most Accuracy: Hybrids and Irons
• Feel: Irons and Hybrids
• Control: Irons

 

Overall, hybrids offer better ball control, accuracy, and feel. Fairway woods are preferred for longer-distance coverage where the margin of error with the landing zone is larger. 

 

Favorite 3 Fairway Woods 

Following are the best 3 fairway wood:

 

Callaway Rogue ST Max

Pros

• High Ball Speed
• Forgiving
• Draw Bias
• Longer Distance
• Aesthetic Design

Cons

• Non-Adjustable Head

Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Titleist TSi2

Pros

• High Ball Speed
• Forgiving
• Longer Distance
• Premium Design

Cons

• Small club head

Score: 90/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

TaylorMade Stealth

Pros

• Longer Distance
• Better Accuracy
• Premium Design

Cons

• Non-adjustable head

Score: 90/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Favorite 4 Fairway Woods 

Following are the best and most forgiving 4 fairway woods. They are from the same series of fairway woods as I have discussed above.

However, the only difference between 3 and 4 wood is loft and distance coverage. The 3 wood has a low loft and carries a longer distance. The 4 wood offers a slightly higher loft and less distance coverage.

 

Callaway Rogue 

 

 

Pros

• High Ball Speed
• Forgiving
• Draw Bias
• Longer Distance
• Aesthetic Design

Cons

• Non-Adjustable Head

 

Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Titleist TSi2

Pros

• High Ball Speed
• Forgiving
• Longer Distance
• Premium Design

 

Cons

• Small club head

 

Score: 90/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

TaylorMade Stealth

Pros

• Longer Distance
• Better Accuracy
• Premium Design

Cons

• Non-adjustable head

Score: 90/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed reading about the similarities and differences between the 3 wood and the 4 wood clubs. You will have seen that they are very similar in design and use, but that they can be suitable for use in different circumstances on the golf course.

Although the 3 wood is the most popular choice among both professional and amateur golfers I was surprised to see that I could consider a 4 wood as an alternative.

If you’re looking to further improve your golf why not have a look at our other articles on which are the best golf clubs to use, and also how high bounce or low bounce wedges could improve your short game.