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5 Wood Vs 7 Wood (Loft, Distance, Specs)

When it comes to the 5 or 7 wood in golf, you will have a decision to make.

You will need to pinpoint which golf club is going to be included in your golf bag and/or when you are going to use the golf wood.

It is not always easy and beginners will often get confused as to what to do on the golf course. Don’t get confused and figure out what is the right option when looking at a 5 wood vs a 7 wood in golf.

A 5 wood is a golf club designed to work well off of a tee, offer more distance, and provide a reduced loft of 18 degrees. In comparison, a 7 wood in golf is a club that will offer a more accurate shot with an increased loft of 21 degrees.

Both types of golf clubs have their role on the golf course. It’s simply important to know when to use a 5 wood and when to use a 7 wood.

This includes learning more about the 5 wood yardage in golf and the 7 wood yardage in golf. This will let you decide as to which golf club is right for you in the situation you’re facing.

This guide is going to compare a 5 wood to a 7 wood in golf, when to use these golf clubs, and what the pros or cons are.

5 Wood Vs 7 Wood Loft Chart

Type Of WoodLoft Degree
5 Wood18
7 Wood21
Whether it is the 5 wood loft or the 7 wood loft, it is essential to be aware of these details as you pinpoint which golf club to use on the golf course.

The difference between the 5 wood and the 7 wood loft is going to be a mere three degrees but it might be enough to make a real difference in your shot.

5 Wood Vs 7 Wood Distance Chart

Type Of WoodDistance (Yards)
5 Wood200-240
7 Wood170-230
As you look at the 5 wood distance and the 7 wood distance, you will realize there is a noticeable difference between the two.

Comparing the 7 wood to a 5 wood in golf is going to always come back to the distance on the golf shots.

It will be an almost 30-yard difference, which is significant for those who are looking to be accurate with their golf shots.

What Is A 5 Wood In Golf?

The 5 wood is a type of golf club aimed at being used for tee shots and added distance when hoping to get the golf ball past the 200-yard mark. It is commonly seen being brought out of a golf bag due to its added distance along with the 18-degree loft.

Using a 5 wood in golf is common and it is an integral golf club type to have in your golf bag.

As you figure out how far you can hit a 5 wood in golf, you will realize this is one option that is going to add value to your golfing.

5 wood vs 7 wood

What Is A 7 Wood In Golf?

The 7 wood is a type of golf club that is designed to be used for precision shots and tends to work well with its loft degree of 21. It is commonly used for shots that are in the 170-200 yard range.

This type of golf club is a great option for those who want as much control over their golf shots as possible.

This is key as you pinpoint how far you can hit a 7 wood in golf.

Benefits Of A 5 Wood For Golf

1. Improved Distance On Golf Shots

When looking at the 5 wood average distance, you are going to see the golf ball travel a lot more than the 7 wood.

This is a major difference and it can lead to a 30-yard boost assuming all other variables are kept the same.

The 5 wood distance is going to offer a lot of value to those who are playing a tee shot with the 5 wood in golf.

It is going to get the golf ball to where you want it to go.

2. Versatile Setup

As you look at using a 5 wood for golfing, it is important to also consider versatility.

You will want to make sure the golf club is usable in a wide array of situations. It is not just about using it in specific situations but also knowing it is going to work well off of a tee. You can use a 5 wood with a tee and feel good about how well it’s going to work.

This is what makes it one of the most flexible golf clubs on the market for you to own.

3. Good Off A Tee

Playing with a 5 wood for golf is all about understanding how you are going to get the most out of the golf shot.

For this specific type of golf club, you are going to enjoy teeing off with it.

Playing off of a tee with a 5 wood is a common option. If you are looking to settle around the 200+ yard distance, the 5 wood is going to be good for your setup.

It’s going to provide you with the distance you desire.

This is important when it comes to playing a tee shot. The 5 wood is good for golfing due to this benefit.

5 wood vs 7 wood

Cons Of A 5 Wood In Golf

1. Can Be Erratic

For the negatives of a 5 wood, it is going to come down to control.

This is one issue that is common for those who don’t have a lot of experience as a golfer. You may be going to lose control or shape on the golf shot as soon as impact is made.

This is not a good sign.

An erratic golf shot is the last thing you are going to want to deal with. It’s important to take your time working at the driving range as a golfer to make sure you are ironing out issues with your golf technique when using a 5 wood.

This is a must.

2. Requires More Practice

As mentioned before, using a 5 wood as a golfer is all about practice.

Professional golfers can get away with a lot more than the average golfer. This is going to matter when you are attempting to improve your golf score and don’t want to make mistakes along the way.

Choosing new golf clubs such as the 5 wood is just one step.

You also need to know how to get the most out of it and that is only going to happen through golfing drills and also learning more about how to use a golf wood.

Benefits Of A 7 Wood For Golf

1. Ideal For Accurate Golf Shots

The 7 wood for golfing is going to be accurate.

This is important when you are a beginner or someone that keeps making mistakes when it comes to hitting golf shots.

You don’t want this to happen when using a new golf club and it won’t as long as you are sticking to the 7 wood.

Using a 7 wood for golfing does make a difference.

You are going to have a much softer landing on the golf shots, which ensures the ball does not speed away when it shouldn’t.

2. Ideal For The Rough

Playing with a 7 wood for golfing is also going to come down to the situation in front of you as a golfer.

You will want to take the time to play out of the rough the right way.

Some people are going to stick to other types of golf clubs and that might work. However, the added control of the 7 wood is beneficial.

It tends to work well out of the rough and that does happen when you are on the golf course.

This is one option you are going to want to have in your golf bag due to this reason alone.

5 wood vs 7 wood

3. Good Loft

The 7 wood loft degree is set at 21. This is useful for those who are looking to maximize how the golf ball lands, especially when hitting it out of the rough.

The reason this works has to do with how it manages when handling the rough.

The added loft is going to make it easier to control how the golf ball travels. This is imperative when it is time to golf with a 7 wood.

Cons Of A 7 Wood For Golf

1. Less Power

When it comes to the negatives of a 7 wood in golf, it is going to come with a lack of power and that’s a real concern for modern golfers.

Pro golfers don’t like the 7 wood due to this reason because the lack of power is a real concern.

You will want to make sure you are getting as much power out of the golf swing as possible. This is more likely with a 5 wood than it is with the 7 wood.

The lack of power means a lack of distance and that is not a good sign.

2. Not Good Off A Tee

With the 7 wood vs 5 wood debate, you are going to also need to think about overall versatility.

Which golf wood is more versatile?

The 5 wood is more versatile because the 7 wood is not good off of a tee. This means you are not going to have a chance to use it off of a tee to get started.

This is a concern for those who want to make sure the golf club is versatile.

The 5 wood is more versatile and that is one of its major advantages, which you are not going to see here with the 7 wood.

How To Choose Between A 5 Wood And A 7 Wood In Golf

1. Type Of Surface

To choose between a 7 wood and a 5 wood, you will want to begin with the type of surface in front of you.

Is the golf ball in the rough?

Is it set on a tee?

If the golf ball is on a tee then it is best to use a 5 wood. If the golf ball is in the rough then it is best to use a 7 wood.

As you can see, there are scenarios where each type of golf club is going to do justice to its spot in the golf bag.

2. Distance

The distance of a 5 wood and the distance of a 7 wood is going to matter.

You are going to get far more distance on a 5 wood than you are going to get with a 7 wood. This is why it’s important to think about which type of golf club you are putting to use and how it is going to work for you in the situation in front of you.

When you need to tee off, it is best to use a 5 wood.

This is going to give you more distance and you are going to enjoy the added power of the 5 wood in golf.

3. Experience

Another detail to think about will be your overall experience as a golfer.

A 5 wood is better for those who are looking to use as much power as possible on a golf shot.

You are going to get more distance on the golf shot and that is key with the power you’re using. This is not the case with the 7 wood, which means it is not going to be as effective in delivering positive results.

The 7 wood tends to be more about control, which is good for beginners.

5 Wood Vs 7 Wood Shaft Length

The 5 wood golf shaft is commonly 0.5″ longer than the 7 wood golf shaft. This is done to increase the power of the golf club. However, a shorter golf club tends to do a lot better out of the rough and when needing more control.

The length of the 5 wood shaft is designed for its benefits while the length of the 7 wood golf shaft is also purposeful for more control.

5 Wood Vs 7 Wood – Which Is Better For Beginners?

The 7 wood golf club is best for beginners. The reason it is the right option for a beginner has to do with the amount of control you’re going to get with the 7 wood. It is not going to offer as much distance, but it has a softer landing, which works well for beginners that don’t want the golf ball to speed away upon landing.

It is these elements that matter for those who want the right type of golf club for the situation they are in.

5 Wood Vs 7 Wood Handicap

It is recommended for high-handicappers to use a 7 wood for golf shots. It offers more control, accuracy, and a softer landing. On the other hand, pro golfers or those with a low handicap should be using a 5 wood.

The 5 wood is good for pros because it offers more power and their technique can ensure the accuracy is as good as it needs to be.

Why Does My 7 Wood Go Further Than My 5 Wood?

The 7 wood goes further than the 5 wood because it is 0.5″ longer and also is aimed at offering more distance. It is designed to go for around 200-240 yards, which is far more substantial than a 5 wood.

How Do You Use A 7 Wood?

To use a 7 wood in golf, it’s recommended to aim for shorter distances or shots out of the rough. It will not work well off of a tee and it is not designed for long-distance golf shots on the green.

Can You Tee Off With A 5 Wood In Golf?

Yes, you can tee off with a 5 wood in golf. It is common for golfers to use a 5 wood off of a tee because it offers exceptional distance and ball flight upon impact. It is capable of going for between 200-240 yards.

Do You Use A Tee With A 7 Wood?

No, you do not use a tee with a 7 wood as a golfer. It is not designed to be used off of a tee as it will not offer the appropriate distance and/or ball flight. Instead, it is best out of the rough or in tricky situations where a softer landing is required.

When Should You Use A 5 Wood In Golf?

You should use a 5 wood in golf when you are playing off of a tee, looking for more power on a golf shot, or attempting to increase the distance on a drive. The 5 wood will help with this and is going to maximize your golf swing’s potential.

When Should You Use A 7 Wood In Golf?

You should use a 7 wood in golf when you are playing out of the rough or looking at a trickier situation where getting a softer landing is a must. This is why beginners will often use a 7 wood.

What Iron Is A 7 Wood Equal To?

The 7 wood is equal to a 3 iron in the golf bag.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to learn more about the different types of golf clubs, especially when you are comparing a 5 wood vs 7 wood in golf.

A 5 wood golf club works well off of a tee, provides good versatility, and tends to have a loft degree of 18. It also goes for up to 240 yards. In comparison, the 7 wood is great out of the rough with a loft degree of 21 and works well across shorter distances.

Just like adding a new wedge to your golf equipment, it’s also important to choose the right golf woods too. Take the time to analyze everything including the flex of your golf irons.

Also take the time to read more about comparing a 5 wood golf club to a hybrid and a driving iron to a 3 wood.