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Are hybrids better for golfers over 50 than fairway woods? This 2 hybrid vs 5 wood review answers the questions specific to your swing speed, forgiveness, launch, and distance requirements.
At the end of this review, you will know whether a 5 wood or 2 hybrid is better for low, mid, and high handicappers.
In addition, I reveal which golf club delivers greater total distance, turf interaction, and a higher launch for the average golfer.
⛳️ Read Next: 13 Absolute Best Hybrid Golf Clubs For High Handicappers
5 Wood vs 2 Hybrid Overview
A 5 wood is a weaker lofted fairway wood, which bridges the gap between a 3 and a 7 wood. Most golfers find its higher loft and long shaft deliver the ideal launch and distance to use off the tee and the deck.
Thanks to its longer shaft, most players will generate accelerated clubhead speed with the 5 wood over the 2 hybrid. Conversely, the 2 hybrid has a shorter golf shaft, which costs golfers swing speed, but improves your club control.
As a result, players may produce a cleaner strike with the hybrid, resulting in a higher smash factor and superior coefficient of restitution. This translates into optimal energy transfer at contact for rapid ball speed, controlled spin, and a higher-flying golf ball that lands softly.
2 Hybrid vs 5 Wood Comparison Chart
| 2 Hybrid vs 5 Wood Chart | 5 Wood | 2 Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Average Loft | 17 degrees | 18 degrees to 20 Degrees |
| Average Distance Off The Tee | 165 yards | 168 yards |
| Average Distance Off The Deck | 157 yards | 165 yards |
| FIR % | 30% | 32% |
| GIR % | 11% | 10% |
Key Differences in the 5 Wood vs 2 Hybrid
Shaft Length
The shaft length is a clear difference between a 2 hybrid and 5 wood, with the latter carrying a longer shaft than the hybrid. For example, the Cobra AeroJet hybrid measures 41.5 inches, compared to the 42.75-inch Callaway Paradym X Fairway Wood.
The longer shaft on a 5 wood is ideal for accelerating clubhead speed and maximizing energy transfer at impact. On the other hand, it is more challenging to control and deliver clean, consistent contact with the golf ball.
Therefore, the average golfer over 50 will find they deliver a higher smash factor with a hybrid, thanks to the enhanced control. I would rather have a consistent smash factor than accelerated swing speed and enjoy optimal ball flight and carry distance.
Accuracy
Although tour-inspired hybrids carry limited offset, most designs for the average golfer offer an element of draw bias. This helps golfers minimize sidespin and lower the impact of a slice for straighter flight and improved accuracy on approach.
You do find draw bias fairway woods like the Callaway Paradym X, but I find it is moderate compared to a hybrid.
Head Design
The next difference between the 2 hybrid vs 5 wood is their clubhead designs. The hybrid is an iron and fairway wood combination, while the 5 wood features a regular fairway wood crown.
While both golf clubs are built to perform from the tee and deck, I find the slimmer hybrid more effective and brushing through thick rough.
🏌️♂️Read Next: 13 Best Golf Clubs for Seniors in 2023 [Expert Buyers Guide]
2 Hybrid vs 5 Wood: Which is Best Golf Club for Seniors?
After testing multiple 5 woods vs 2 hybrid golf clubs, I feel the hybrid is better for most seniors. They generate an effortless launch, impressive forgiveness, elevated ball flight, and increased control on approach. Overall it keeps straight and boosts carry distance.
2 Hybrid vs 5 Wood | Pros and Cons
If you’re still undecided on which golf club is best suited to your game, here is a quick pros and cons box to help you decide.
2 Hybrid
PROS
- Forgiving
- Higher launch
- Versatile club
- Clean turf interaction from the thick rough
- Encourages straight shots
CONS
- Reduced clubhead speed
- Traditionalists may not appreciate the design
5 Wood
PROS
- The longer shaft accelerates the swing speed
- Forgiving
- Crisp turf interaction off the short grass
- Easy launching club
- Used off the tee and the deck
CONS
- The longer shaft causes players to relinquish an element of control
- The oversized head struggles for velocity in thick rough.
Best 5 Woods on the Market in 2023
Wilson Dynapower Fairway Woods
Updated on 2023-03-20
5 Wood
Wilson released the Dynapower in March 2023, one of their best creations ever. It contains a classy, tour-inspired head, which follows the trend of carbon crowns to save weight and reuse it low and deep in the sole.
Besides its gorgeous appearance, the Wilson Dynapower Fairway Wood offers solid leniency with an AI-optimized clubface. It’s built with varying degrees of thickness across the surface to explode ball velocity and lower spin for a high launch. The variable face thickness expands the sweet spot to deliver consistency on mishits.
Lower handicappers will enjoy the tour-inspired profile, which sits directly behind the ball with minimal offset. Despite the flatter profile, the fairway wood contains a low CG to promote higher launching shots from the tee and the deck.
Finally, the 18-degree 5 wood is fitted with a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX, available in a senior, regular, or stiff flex.
PROS
- Incredible look
- Fast clubface
- The clean, flatter profile
- Clean turf interaction
- Launches higher shots
CONS
- Expensive
- Limited stock shaft alternatives
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Callaway Paradym X Fairway Woods
Updated on 2023-03-25
5 Wood
The Callaway Paradym X ticks all the boxes for mid-handicappers in 2023, providing forgiveness, stability, and distance. In addition, it lowers spin and explodes the ball off the clubface while combatting slices with its draw bias ball flight.
As a mid-handicapper, I appreciate leniency, and the Paradym X reaffirmed this assertion. When I struggled to square my clubface at contact, the offset aided my cause and reduced the damage dealt by a slice.
Next, the Jailbreak Batwing structure provided perimeter weighting to enlarge the sweet spot to aid the rapid clubface. Callaway engineers threw Forged Carbon into the mix to further bolster the MOI. As a result, the Paradym X retained ball speed and lowered spin on all strikes for a consistent launch.
I also appreciated the inclusion of a Tungsten Speed Cartridge, which pushes the CG low and increases launch. Lastly, Callaway offers multiple stock shafts for the Paradym X, but the Ascent 50-gram most likely suits the average golfer.
PROS
- Draw bias flight combats slices
- Encourages elevated launch
- Produces consistent distance
- Adjustable hosel
- Crisp turf interaction
CONS
- Premium price
- Some mid handicap golfers will not enjoy the higher launch and draw bias.
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Best 2 Hybrids on the Market in 2023
Titleist TSR3 Hybrid
est $299.99
2 Hybrid 19°
The Titleist TSR3 delivers low-handicap players a tour-inspired profile, superior workability, clean turf interaction, and accelerated clubhead speed. In addition, it offers a SureFit Adjustable CG Track System to prepare your desired shot shape.
From an aesthetics perspective, I thoroughly appreciated the compact Tour-Inspired shape, and many low handicappers will feel the same. Furthermore, its lower offset content promotes neutral flight and allows improved shot shaping for straight shots.
Another welcome feature is the slick turf interaction, which proved effective in thicker rough. Titleist engineers left a reduced surface area for the grass to cling to, accelerating the sole through the turf.
Titleist attaches one of four stock shafts to the TSR3 hybrid, ranging from the HZRDUS Red 4G HY, Tensei AV Blue With Xlink Tech HY, HZRDUS Black 4G HY, Tensei 1K Black HY. The first three suit most golf swing speeds, while the latter is set up for higher club head velocity.
PROS
- Generates neutral flight
- Encourages workable shot shape
- Exceptional turf interaction
- Produces a medium launch
- Adjustable CG weight track
CONS
- Premium price
- Some seniors may struggle for consistency with the lower launch profile
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Cobra AeroJet Hybrid
est $279.99
2 Hybrid
My final 2-hybrid recommendation for 2023 is the Cobra AeroJet, which is ideal for mid and high handicappers. It offers the perfect dose of accuracy, higher ball speed, forgiveness for longer distances, and a soft landing on approach.
Cobra engineers added a PWR-Bridge weight to the 17 degree hybrid to maximize clubface flexibility on all strikes. In addition, the more mass Cobra engineers saved from their advanced design, the lower they managed to place the CG.
The Cobra AeroJet Hybrid also enjoys a substantial sweet spot, which features variable face thickness, known as a H.O.T face. It contains spin and accelerates ball speed on all shots for improved carry distance on approach.
Finally, the stock shaft for the AeroJet is the KBS PGI, which is structured in a senior, regular, and stiff flex to fit slow, medium, and higher swing speeds.
PROS
- Explosive ball speed
- Produces consistent carry distance
- Crisp turf interaction
- Launches high
- Suits mid and high handicappers
CONS
- High price tag
- Only one stock shaft brand is offered.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What hybrid is equivalent to a 5 wood?
A 2 hybrid is equivalent to a 5 fairway wood containing a similar loft of 17 to 18 degrees. Both golf clubs are ideal for tee shots and strikes from the fairway and rough.
Will a 2 hybrid go as far as a 5 wood?
Yes, a 2 hybrid will go as far as a 5 wood, especially on courses with a limited run. The ease of launch, consistent ball speed, and accelerated clubhead speed help casual golfers produce greater length with the hybrid.
However, if the course delivers supreme roll on all shots, the 5 wood will give you more distance after landing.
5 wood vs 2 hybrid: Which club is better for high handicappers?
High handicappers are better equipped for the forgiveness, consistency, high flight, and soft landing produced by the 2 hybrid. In addition, the offset and draw bias designs work to keep high handicappers straight and accurate.
What is the average 5 wood loft?
The average 5 wood loft is 17 degrees.
Final Thoughts on the 2 Hybrid vs 5 Wood
After reviewing the 2 hybrid vs 5 wood golf clubs, I am confident that most golfers over 50 are better suited to the 2 hybrid over a 5 wood. The 2 hybrid provides more distance, and impressive turf interaction and ability from the rough.
However, the accuracy and straight ball flight of the 2 hybrid won me over. Keeping straight may appear tedious at face value, but golf is more enjoyable when carding pars and not looking for lost golf balls.
Golfers over 50 searching for a reliable, long, straight, and forgiving hybrid should consider testing the Cobra AeroJet in 2023.
