As a golfing beginner, it is important to know what clubs to use and when. It is also equally important to know what clubs are good for beginners, and which aren’t. When it comes to fairway woods, there are many factors to consider. Let’s take a look at these factors, and go over whether or not they’re good for beginner golfers.
When you’re on the fairway, you will typically use either your driver or fairway wood. Most of the time which option is better depends on what you’re more comfortable with, but generally speaking, a high-lofted driver should be chosen over a fairway wood. That said, some people prefer using fairway wood if they feel the shaft of their driver is too long. The shorter shaft and higher loft of the head can allow you to hit further in some circumstances.
There are also hybrid clubs, which many professionals use. By combining design elements from irons and woods, a hybrid allows a skilled golfer to enjoy a sweet spot between the two. Beginners may also prefer hybrid clubs if they feel the shaft of wood is too long, and negatively impacts their accuracy.
Generally speaking, a hybrid will sacrifice distance for accuracy, while a driver will do the opposite. Generally speaking, once you’re able to hit your tee shots using a hybrid, switching to a fairway wood can be a good idea. Likewise, if you’re having trouble using your driver to tee off, then using a 3 or 5 wood might be a better option.
One thing to keep in mind is that distance is better than accuracy, up to a certain point. If you’re landing your shots in course hazards or the rough, then you need to put more emphasis on accuracy, even at the cost of distance. However, once you feel comfortable with your accuracy, you want to work on mastering clubs that allow you to hit the ball further.
Golf is just as much a mental game as it is physical. If you don’t have self-confidence, your performance will suffer. A big part of having self-confidence is using a club that you’re comfortable with. This means that there is nothing wrong with using a hybrid until you feel that you’re ready for a fairway wood.
On the other hand, some beginner golfers are more comfortable using fairway woods from the start. If this is the case for you, then you may not need to use a hybrid. Even so, there’s nothing wrong with trying out hybrid clubs just to see if you are more comfortable with them.
In the end whether or not you should use fairway woods will be a matter of trial and error. Try out different clubs, and see which ones you’re most comfortable with, and which ones get you the best results. There are no strict rules as to whether or not beginners should use fairway woods, it all comes down to personal preference.