7 Wood vs 4 Iron – Which Club Is Better To Carry

7 Wood vs 4 Iron – Which Club Is Better To Carry

 

Long irons vs fairway woods. It is a topic I often discuss with higher handicappers who are not sure which is best. Of course, that depends on you and your ability. 

On average, I have seen that most golfers get the ball consistently airborne with a fairway wood or hybrid compared to a long iron.

What about a 7-wood vs 4-iron? I carry both, but I use my 7-wood more than most clubs in my bag. However, this is not about me and my preferences.

In this post, we are looking at which club is better for who? We will cover the features and benefits of both. As well as help you determine whether a fairway wood or 4-iron will bring you the consistency needed for your game.

Club Overview And Why The Right Choices Are Important?

We generally use a 7-wood or 4-iron off the tee on par 3’s or from way back in the fairway on par 4’s and 5’s.

As Golf.com’s Jonathan Wall explains, a 7-wood aids you in getting the ball in the air and traveling to achieve consistent distance. Plus, it lands softly into greens where needed.

Even if you do not strike your ball in the sweet spot, you will still enjoy moderate carry and distance.

A 4-iron delivers a lower launch. But it offers superior ball strikers more control when working your ball into the green.

The downside of a 4-iron is that the short clubhead leaves less room for forgiveness. Any off-center strikes will invoke unwanted vibrations and significant loss of distance.

 

The Key Differences Between 7 Wood and 4 Iron

As the team at TXG explains, a 7-wood goes high and straight off of any surface. The fairway wood also delivers a straight ball flight and bites quickly into the green.

Conversely, a 4-iron promotes a lower launch, ideal for players with a faster swing tempo or lower handicaps who prefer a more controlled flight and increased workability.

While there are game improvement irons that contain a lower CG designed to help you with your launch. The average player will enjoy more consistency in terms of distance and accuracy with a 7-wood.

 

What’s Better Off The Deck?

A 7-wood is easier to hit off the deck.

The club promotes a higher launch which also enables you to stop the ball quickly on the green.

Even if you don’t connect it, you will still get your ball airborne and carrying consistently.

The 4 iron on the hand is more consistent, accurate and workable for better players. 

If you are trying to get close to the green, the 7 wood is great. If you are trying to get close to the pin, the 4 iron is the club.

 

What’s Better From The Rough?

From 27 years of experience, I can confidently say that a 7-wood is better to hit from the rough than a 4-iron.

Golf.com’s Jonathan Wall confirms this, as he says that even elite players turn to the 7-wood to get them out of the rough.

It is for this reason that he believes a 7-wood still has relevance.

 

Which Club Is More Accurate?

Data collected by Arccos Caddie Smartgrips identified that zero to five handicappers hit 46% of fairways with a 4-iron.

Compare that to the 33% of fairways hit by 20 plus handicappers, and we see that it is a different ball game for the average golfer.

Furthermore, lower handicap golfers hit 21% of greens in regulation with a 4-iron, while higher handicappers only hit 8%.

Although there is limited data on a 7-wood, it provides more consistency when it comes to launch, carry, and distance and combines with a straight ball flight to keep you on target.

 

Which Club Is More Versatile?

A 7-wood is far more versatile than a 4-iron.

You can use it off the tee, from the fairway or the rough, and land it softly on the green.

 

Which Club Is More Workable?

Strikes with a 7-wood tend to go high and straight, leaving little room for workability. Conversely, some 4-iron designs promote maximum workability, such as blades.

Cavity back irons manufactured with game improvement features also have reduced workability, given the higher degree of offset and the promotion of straighter ball flight.

 

How To Make Sure There Are No Distance Gaps In Your Bag?

My number one piece of advice to eradicate any gapping challenges from your game is to get fitted for clubs.

Without the guidance of actual data and a professional hand, you will endure much frustration and wasted time on the course.

 

Which Club Is Easiest To Hit?

A 7-wood is an easier club to hit than a 4-iron.

The launch assistance offered by the fairway wood provides you with consistent carry, distance, and forgiveness, even on a mishit.

 

Our Favorite 4 Irons 

TaylorMade Sim2 Max 4-Iron

Key Features

• TaylorMade Trademark CapBack design
• Fitted with an Echo Dampening system
• Fast clubface
• Inverted Cone Technology positioned is positioned in the face
• Thru-slot speed pocket
• The CG is positioned ultra-low

Pros

• Stable frame for superior feel
• Prompts accelerated ball speed
• Reduces unwanted vibrations on off-center strikes
• Flexible face helps to deliver faster ball speed
• Incredible forgiveness
• Low CG promotes a consistent launch
• Loft and lie is adjustable to your needs

Cons

• The strong loft of the iron may make it challenging for slower swinging golfers to get their ball airborne.
• It is difficult to 

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Cobra Radspeed 4-iron

Key Features

• The weight is positioned on the extremes of the heel and toe
• Forged PWRSHELL clubface
• Carbon fiber topline
• Low CG

Pros

• Low spin for added distance
• Stable frame
• Exceptional forgiveness
• Flexible face and sole promotes faster ball speed
• Designed to deliver a high launch
• Excellent distance

Cons

• Strong lofts may not suit golfers who struggle to generate clubhead and ball speed.
• The 4-iron is only available in stock sets with stiff shafts, making them more suitable for faster swinging players.

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Favorite 7-Woods – Mini Review With Pros And Cons

Titleist TSi2 Fairway Metal Wood

Key Features

• Customizable loft with the SureFit hosel
• Excellent face flexibility
• Low CG
• Stable frame

Pros

• Adjust the clubhead to your preferred loft
• Promotes accelerated ball speed
• Delivers a high launch
• Low spin for increased distance
• Forgiving
• The lighter design provides increased clubhead speed

Cons

• The high ball flight will cost some golfers distance
• Some players risk ballooning their shots
• The face does tend to mark easier than other fairway woods

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Callaway Mavrik Max Fairway Wood

Key Features

• I Flash Face
• Contains Jailbreak technology
• Geometric leading edge
• Customizable launch angles
• Large head design

Pros

• Delivers maximum ball speed
• Promotes increased distance
• Prompts a high launch for consistent carry and distance
• Exceptionally forgiving

Cons

• The oversized head profile may be off-putting for some players
• The high launch may cause players with faster swing tempos to sky their shots and lose distance.

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Conclusion Of A 7-Wood vs 4-Iron

So, what is it going to be for you? Are you the type of player who needs help to get your ball airborne? Or are you a superior ball-striker who prefers a more controlled launch and the ability to shape your shots?

 

My recommendation to the average golfer is to leave your 4-iron at home and add a 7-wood to your bag instead. Its versatility allows you to play it off the tee, from the fairway or the rough, and it lands softly onto greens.

 

If you desire a 7-wood, it is worth taking the Callaway Mavrik Max 7-wood for a test drive.