4-iron vs 5-hybrid vs 9-wood | Which Golf Club Should You Play?

This test includes an in-depth comparison of a 4-iron vs. 5-hybrid vs. 9-wood. Perhaps the most common dilemma in 2nd Swing Tour Van fittings is filling the gap between a player's longest iron and fairway wood(s) in the bag. In 2021, our fitters have noticed that 7-woods and 9-woods have performed really well for players because of the high launch and steep landing angles they provide.

While many golfers don't think of putting a 7-wood or 9-wood in the bag, it very much could be the best club for their game.

In this video, 2nd Swing's Drew Mahowald and Thomas Campbell compare the performance of a 4-iron vs. 5-hybrid vs. 9-wood with Trackman technology. Should you be gaming a high-lofted fairway wood, such as a 9-wood?

[GregSmith-pbgh]

Great comparison guys. I've put my 4 iron in the closet and started to use a hybrid this year and I'm seeing good results and shaved 2 or 3 strokes off my score.

[markmendelson]

Most golfers have slower swing speeds and most videos have testers with high swing speeds..we need to see how the
Clubs perform at lower speeds if we are considering buying a club!!

[johnpravato]

I play the ping g425 3-wood, 5 wood, 7 and 9 wood the 5-wood is replacing my 4-iron the 7-wood is replacing a 5-iron and the nine wood is replacing my 6-iron I keep my 5 wood at 19 degrees, 7 wood at 22 degrees and the 9 wood at 25 degrees for the gapping... absolutely love the 7 wood and 9 wood super easy to hit love the way it lands on the Green no way I could have an iron stop on the green like the 7 wood and the 9 wood

[jacobmccain]

I play 4 wood-7w-4h-5h-T100 6-PW. I'm a 5 handicap. My scores are better with this setup therefore I adopted it. I'm I'm low ball hitter.

[johngoes]

It would be nice to have this comparison with someone who has lower swing speed. I dropped my 5-iron for a 9-wood three weeks ago and, boy am I happy! Swing speed in the mid-80's and poor contact resulted in a 5-iron I hit inconsistently between 130 & 160 yards. With the 9-wood I'm hitting 145 carry off the deck (trackman) and in-round distances between 155 & 165 yards (shotscope V3 data). I was planning to pick up a 7-wood too, but after gapping my clubs in trackman bay, I found out I now have a 20 yard gap between 6-iron and 9-wood carry distance. Plan to get a 5-hybrid and crank the loft to split the difference between 6I & 9W lofts to fill the gap.

[MrWubzHD]

Every time I see these comparison videos they talk about hybrids being better for slower swing speed golfers but never test it on slower swing speed golfers it’s always golfers who swing the club 90-100+ mph… where’s the video with a golfer who has a 60-70mph swing speed

[michealhudson]

I really thought a 7 wood would've been more comparable at the beginning but the 9 wood really surprised me. My bag is 5-pw with 3hybrid 5hybrid and 6hybrid. Getting away from long irons really helped me. I'm older now with slower speed and inconsistent, and the hybrids really helped

[kourt]

I'm a scratch golfer with plenty of speed (124 mph driver) and picked up a ping g410 9 wood earlier this year. Never liked the looks of a hybrid for some reason and loved the look of the 9 wood. It feels like cheating, it's become one of my favorite clubs ever. High and dead straight. Perfect into par 5s

[peterbanton]

Thanks for the comparison. I, along with many other viewers have a swing speed closer to that of Jackie Johnson. Would it be possible to see Jackie repeat the same comparison?

[cameronloveless]

Would love to see all 3 clubs at the end of the vid swung at 15mph less. It’s not like I don’t believe you Thomas 😉, but would actually love to see if the 4 iron does fall out of the sky, and see if the 5H & 9W are still so similar. Even though I’m not slow, I play a 5W rather than 3W as I feel more confident in hitting tight fairways, so I’m on board somewhat with your thinking. Cheers!

[natskis]

I just picked up a 7 wood. The flight is amazing. I'm swinging that club head over 100mph as well. Its glorious.

[colinmorgan]

You need to get this related to lower swing speeds where they can’t get launch and height with 4 iron

[SvingitGolf]

Just bought a King Utility 4 iron. Really love it.

[Swedeg]

Interesting video. If you go shopping for a 9 wood, you'll find lofts from 23° to 27°, and also the club lengths vary also. If we're going to talk about 9 woods, maybe a comparison of both ends of the spectrum of loft and length would be more helpful. Also watching a tour level golf swing is entertaining, it can also be a bit discouraging. Most of us are having a good day if we can get 230 yards from our drivers...

[danielkelly]

The thing is you can flight any club, like the tiger woods 7 iron stinger shot that's on YouTube. If you lead with the hands and saw off the follow through with ball slightly back in the stance and practice that shot on the range, you can flight a 7 or a 9 wood lower. Same way with a lot of modern irons like the hollow long irons you can flight them a lot higher if you want and learn how to do it. I really think 7 and 9 wood can be a really versatile club. Because it's going to be very easy out the ruff also which a 3 iron isn't going to be even possible. Flighting the ball is something I wish people would demonstrate when looking at the different club choices and higher lofted woods.

[No_Fear_]

My carry's at the top: 5 hybrid for my 180, 7wood for my 195, 5wood for my 205, 3wood for my 225.

[josephdubiel]

I see your points. I have a 7 Wood Ping G 425. Love it!!!! Thinking of adding a similar 9 Wood too. Great review. I really like where you two are going with this.

[Goldsilver]

9 woods have enough spin for a legitimate 3/4 swing also. 165y 3/4, 195 full like clockwork. Forgiving like nothing else.

[brodygoalie]

You guys are just tremendous. You need a shop in Boston area!!!!

[gt-fhsq]

great subject and very actual. one of the best golf channel