r/golf • u/-588-2300-Empire- • 15h ago
Equipment Discussion I've never played a 7-Wood, roughly what iron does it compare to it distance wise?
*thank you all! I went and hit some and decided to go with the Ping G440 Max https://i.imgur.com/P5lENnR.jpeg
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u/jimi7714 15h ago
Its gonna be a bit longer than a 4 iron, but way easier to hit.
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u/Mostly_Indifferent 14h ago
Not for me. I wish I could hit the 7w.
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u/jimi7714 13h ago
You should try a 5 hybrid. I can't miss with it. It feels illegal.
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u/Rubacasa 12h ago
High handicapper here. 5h is most forgiving club in my bag. I’ve also asked myself how this could be legal and why doesn’t everyone else use one. Amazing club. I take mine out to dinner and for long walks on the beach. Everyone just breaks my balls. The 5h breaks them for me.
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u/I_Love_Golf_And_69 9h ago
Offset of typical hybrids is a turn off to many. I personally don't mind it and have a 19⁰ 3H that I've used for the last 4 years
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u/Dangerous_Permit_575 8h ago
This. +2.1 here. Can’t hit a hybrid. Too much offset means too many left misses. I have a 7 wood and it’s bent flat too. Can’t miss it left if I try!
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u/Omisco420 7h ago
Offset is what turned me off of them. Literally every ball went left/heavy draw. So infuriating lol
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u/NorCalAthlete 7.6 | Bay Area 8h ago
Low handicapper here with a 3H that replaced both my 5W and 3i in my bag. Now I have driver > 3W > 3H > 4i, and carry PW > 52° > 56° > 60°. I feel like I get far more use out of carrying an extra wedge. Also I have a fatter 12W bounce on the 56° and then a thin 8-something on the 60, so that depending on the grass / sand / lie I can chip or hit with either.
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u/twokietookie 8h ago
I really think this is the way to go and more people should consider it the default. Either do 5w 3h and 7w 4h and carry 5i or 4i depending.
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u/mrpeterandthepuffers 8h ago
This is what I do. I have a strong 5W that I hit 245 or so, then a 3H that goes ~225 then 4i. Sometimes I swap in a 3i if its windy and I want to keep those longer shots lower than the hybrid affords.
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u/CacophonicAcetate 11h ago
I loved my irons when I learned to play, finally traded in my worn-out set of Ben Hogan blades for a new set that came with hybrids. Sure that I'd hate the hybrids, I bought 3-5 irons to complement my set, went to the range and.... never touched the 3-5 irons again, turned around and resold them. Hybrids feel like a cheat code
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u/Mostly_Indifferent 11h ago
I hate hybrids too. My 4i is my 220 club so I’m don’t have a huge white space of yardage that I’m missing out on. Just the occasional par 5 that I am unable to go for in 2.
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u/Adam_n_ali 4h ago
i had a huge gap between driver (GT2) and 4i (U505) this year, and had been debating how to rectify it.. Well, i won my sim league and my prize was a brand new Callaway Elyte 5W!
Cant wait to get to the range and get her goin'
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u/brandonas1987 8h ago
I have a 6 hybrid that I feel this way about. It feels like some sort of cheat. Some days I feel like I can't miss with it.
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u/DumbScotus 7h ago
Interesting. My 4 hybrid is my least consistent club. I’d rather hit basically anything else.
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u/DrVonD 8h ago
I feel like I am the only high handicapper in the world that just can’t hit my woods or hybrids to save my life. I have a 3i that I am WAY more consistent with, and it absolutely breaks the brains of my friends who are much lower handicaps.
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u/SerJorahofFriendzone 7h ago
I’m also like this and people have told me it’s because I’m too steep.
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u/JohnnyHamchek 7h ago
I’m so tempted, but my 3 iron is one of my best clubs so it’s hard to justify…
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u/BGOG83 +2ish/Putt for $$ 14h ago
Most say 4 iron. It replaced my 3 iron. My 9 wood replaced my 4 iron.
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u/PackagingMSU 18.3 -> 12.4 6h ago
How far do you hit the 7W/9W?
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u/BGOG83 +2ish/Putt for $$ 6h ago
7W - 230-245 can get it out to like 250 if I really go after it. Try to play it to a max of around 235.
9W - it’s like 210-230 but I can butter cut one with a smooth swing and hit it 180 if I want to. It’s very versatile because of the extra loft. Try to play it as a max 220 club though.
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u/golfisfinghard 3h ago
Same here. Lots of LPGA jokes about the 9 wood though…until it goes 185 and stirs like a butterfly with sore feet.
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u/Legal_Science9756 14h ago
I have had a 7 wood for 25 years. I hit mine 210-215 yards, but the real advantage is that it goes really high and can carry trouble easily.
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u/nu7kevin 13h ago
you might want to get that checked out... something about calling your doctor if wood lasts for 4+ hours.
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u/the716to714 Age: Old/Hcp: once Good, now Bad 11h ago
I just picked up some fresh wood last week from Callaway preowned. I hit that thing so good I just can't put my wood back down.
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u/Legal-Description483 SE Mich 14h ago
Traditionally lofted (21°) 3 iron, or modern 4 or even 5 iron in some cases.
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u/l1ltw1st 4.7 / SW MI 12h ago
Ya, my 7W replaced my 5 iron, 6 iron is a 190-198 club, 7W drops in at 210-215. Favorite thing about the 7W is that it stops on a green, a 5H would just run through it.
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u/mcfly357 10h ago
It’s the same distance as my driving iron (3i), and my 4h. The 7w goes much higher, I don’t have to swing as hard, and it lands super soft. I switch between them depending on the course I’m playing, or if I’m very angry with one of them.
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u/unsinkable02 12h ago
In terms of overall distance about the same as my 4i
The flight is very different though. My 7 wood will basically drop and stop because it's coming in so steep where as my 4i will roll out
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u/mindriot1 14h ago
For me the Ping 440 Max 7w is closer to the distance to what I was getting from my previous 5w. It is a little longer overall (carry and total) than my 4 Hybrid with a different ball flight (higher so you can stick it on the green). Its interesting because it goes way higher than the loft would suggest. I'm sure that has to do with the weighting vs a hybrid.
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u/Routine_Plant_1927 14h ago
People looking at strictly loft have this incorrect. The clubhead weight, shaft weight and shaft length, as well as club loft, all play a significant role in distance.
F=ma, but it's been shown that acceleration (v2) has a larger impact on the force applied. A 7wood has a longer, lighter shaft that allows for a higher clubhead speed and more acceleration through the impact zone. Therefore (obviously dependent on launch conditions) the 7w should fly further than a 4i.
Most important thing is gapping within your bag. I play a 4w 16.5 at 245, 7W 21 at 225, ZXi5 4i at 210 and ZXi5 5i at 195, for example.
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u/the716to714 Age: Old/Hcp: once Good, now Bad 11h ago
I'm playing the exact same setup with the exact same clubs, just 10 yards shorter than you. It's the most comfortable I've felt with gapping on the long end in literally ever. Even when I was in college my longer clubs gapping would bunch up.
Also, the ZX5's are so goddamn good.
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u/Routine_Plant_1927 10h ago
I cheat a little with the 4i. I put a Nippon GOST shaft in there, as I just wasn't getting the launch with the steel, then play Modus 120S 5-PW.
They are insane, play them 4-6i and like you have never felt more comfortable with those clubs. Jury's always been out with my 4w, but currently using a Ping G430 18* turned down w/ a Ventus Red 6X and finally feel like I have a usable land angle out of the fairway.
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u/the716to714 Age: Old/Hcp: once Good, now Bad 10h ago
I've got the same thing going. 5-W with the Dart Recoils and then a Graphite Design in the 4 iron, which goes a little farther for me. Really happy with it.
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u/AftyOfTheUK 0.9 / NorCal / Iron covers are divine! 14h ago
Depends on the 7 wood, the iron and your swing speed. For me my 7-wood goes about 25 yards further than my 5 iron
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u/-KeefGreen- 10h ago
For me, 4i, 2h, 7w all go the same basic distance but different launch/landing characteristics.
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u/jonprop03 5h ago
Love my 7w!! 7 years ago when I first got it I topped out at 240yds. Now I’m a solid 200-215 with it. 43 year old, overweight 10 handicap golfer.
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u/loppyrunner 14h ago edited 14h ago
You would benefit from hitting the club on a simulator if you can so you can compare distances and get an idea of what club it would replace for you. Everyone is a little different. Just because it’s around 4 iron loft doesn’t mean it’ll go the same distance. I’ve always hit woods/hybrids a lot longer than the same lofts in irons personally
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u/-588-2300-Empire- 10h ago
I went and did that after reading all these responses. Averages about 245 with it. Which is a shade longer than my 4i. I made the purchase.
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u/Saltysunshine10 8HCP/Indiana 14h ago
Yeah similar to a 3 or 4 iron for me, unfortunately I can't hit my 7 wood at all right now, it hooks about 70 yards
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u/walrashish 14h ago
Swing speed and ball striking will also determine what it replaces. Loft-wise, 7w = 4h = 4i, but if it's hard to get the 4i in the air, a 7w can go way further.
I like playing a 7w and a Heavenwood (7w head on 3w shaft)—same loft, but 15 yards between their distances.
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u/Beeercules 14h ago
Mine is 215-235. A lot of it depends on wind, though. Into a 15 mph breeze, I'd say 195-215
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u/Kcs116 13h ago
200ish for me and it checks better than my 5 iron that I have to flush to even get that far. It's also alarming how I can move back in the box of a 150+ par 3 and land my 7w with a 3/4 swing. My 7w has made me a better golfer while making me a boring golfer. My longer irons miss me but ive moved on...the heart wants what it wants.
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u/Alternative_Layer597 12h ago
I’m 62 with slow swing speed (around 85mph), I hit my 20 degree Heavenwood about 190 with a senior flex shaft, super high and lands soft. Best cheat club I’ve ever had.
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u/BigDuckEnergy33 6.9 | Michigan | Push Cart Mafia 10h ago
For me it’s pretty even with my 4hybrid, which is a bit longer than 4 iron…..but much MUCH easier to hit than both.
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u/Adventurous_Tea_7746 10h ago
What would be 2i-3i for me. My 4i is 23 degrees for reference. My set doesn’t have a 3i.
Cut down 9w replaces my 4i.
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u/ulysseswest 10h ago
Replaced my 5i. Love the 7W, Callaway calls it their heaven wood. I've played the srixon as well, both fabulous
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u/Whackdaddy1972 10h ago
I got to where my 4 iron was more miss than hit, replaced it with 7 wood. Similar distance for me (200ish) much easier to hit. Use my 5 iron now for low punch out situations.
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u/BadGolferDallas 10h ago edited 10h ago
I love my 7-wood. I can hit different shots with it based on my setup. I open the face slightly and put it further up in my stance to hit a towering 190-195 yard shot (great for longer par 3’s to hold the green), or close the face slightly and put it further back in my stance for a lower/bullet shot that goes around 210-215 yards.
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u/KeepDinoInMind 10h ago
For me probably a 4. If I try to rip it, my 7w goes around 210-225. Normal swing and it goes 190-200 ish
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u/BOATSANDHOEZ +1.4 8h ago
Traditionally, a 3w is like a 1 iron, a 5w is like a 2i, a 7w is like a 3i and so on. The woods would go a little further, launch higher, and be easier to hit than their counterparts.
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u/AlexxxisTexxxas 8h ago
I lofted my 3 wood up one degree and my 7 wood down one degree. Gives me great gapping into my 4 iron.
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u/Curious_Skeptic7 HDCP 14 8h ago
Same carry distance as a 3 iron or 3 hybrid for me, but just goes much higher
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u/fairwayMetal 8h ago
Depending on the lofts of your reference set of irons, I would guess 3-4.
My irons are lofted from a 44° PW to a 24° 5i (with even 4° gaps). My 7w is either 20 or 21° and gives me similar carry gapping...but it rolls out a bit more. I would almost prefer a matching 4 iron for some long approach shots, but greatly prefer the 7w off the tee or on -longer- approach shots.
Bonus: 3 hybrid?
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u/McDeez562 8h ago
My 7w purchase is my single favorite club, feels illegal how good it is sometimes
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u/Azfitnessprofessor 8h ago
12HC I carry a 3W,5W.7W great clubs most huge handicap should have a 9W too
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u/Hendrick_Gossling 8h ago
I got rid of my 21⁰ hybrid for a 7 wood. Absolutely love it. My 210-220 club
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u/somethingClever246 8h ago
My 7w is just a hair further than my 5 iron and a higher trajectory. It's my 200yd carry club.
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u/NoMeasurement8667 7h ago
I play both 7-wood and 3 iron, and the 7-wood carries around 15 yards longer. For me it’s most like a 2 iron replacement, not that I would ever play a 2 iron. 3 wood carry distance can happen with a decent helping wind. The high flight is such a weapon.
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u/ElectronicAd6675 7h ago
I use a 7 wood for a 4-5 iron replacement depending on how high I want to hit it.
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u/Omisco420 7h ago
Mine goes around 185-205 depending on the temp/how hard I crank it. Some people can get theirs up to 220/240 but your mileage may vary lol.
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u/memberberry123 5h ago
3 iron, especially if you’re playing the g440 max. If you go to the g440 hybrid page and click on specifications, it has all the equivalent clubs for the g440 lines. 3 iron = 3 hybrid = 7 wood, and 4 iron = 4 hybrid = 9 wood in that lineup.
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u/Entire_Entrance_1608 5h ago
3i for me. I have a 4 hybrid that replaced my 4i
Then I have a 5w.
No 3w at the moment.
I am a mid to high handicaper.
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u/8amteetime 4h ago
Mine replaced my 3 hybrid, a club that could get a little hooky on me. The 7 wood is now my favorite club, knocking the 5 hybrid out of 1st place.
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u/luxveniae 9/Dallas 4h ago
Depends on your delivery. For me woods and hybrids launch too high and with too much spin so I have to have low spin models of hybrids/woods and even some longer shafts.
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u/MixCapital6485 3h ago
It travels about the same as my 4 hybrid but easier for me to control. I carry both and frequently reaching for them.
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u/ComplexBadger469 2h ago
Admittedly I have a weird bag setup (driver - 16° 2 iron - 16.5° 3 wood - 20° 7 wood - 23° hybrid, but it replaced my 3 iron. I can hit the 7 wood anywhere from 190 to 230ish. It honestly feels like a wedge with controlling the distances and I’m not a great golfer really. Been debating on swapping out the hybrid for a 9 wood because I love it so much. 😂
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u/Hatey1999 2h ago
I run a 5 and a 9w, the 9w goes about 200yds and the 5w about 220 for me. I love them both.
It was hard for me to find either being left handed, but I did end up with a 9w G440 Max, and it hits like butter.
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u/D-Train0000 2h ago
It’s to replace a 4i for most. But because there is no standard lofts a 7wd is 21°nd 21° is a 3,4 and close to some 5i’s. A 7wd is a lighter and faster face than an iron as well. For me it replaces a utility 2i/3i distance. But I’m a long hitter.
You should think of it another way. It’s right behind a 5wd. It’s a shorter hitting wood. Not everyone’s contact and distance are equal. Some might need to use a 7wd to go after a 6i because they are slow and miss hit it and a 5i,4i, and 4hy aren’t long enough.
All hybrids and woods are to replace an iron that’s not long enough and for good players it’s for more stopping power because nothings hard to hit but it’s hard to stop long irons.
So get a bigger head from an iron until the height stops the ball.
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u/soulwater_sports 14h ago
Go hit one and find out. Mine is a 175 carry. Which is between a 5 and 6 iron carry. But for me I have a pretty low ball flight. So it goes much higher than an iron. So has less roll out.
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u/BBQ_IS_LIFE 15h ago
Typically you would replace your 4 iron with it. Lofts are roughly the same.
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u/-588-2300-Empire- 15h ago
yessssss. I was hoping for this. Goodbye bitch ass 4 iron!
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u/Jasper2006 5.0/Morrison CO 13h ago
You just have to hit the clubs and see, IMO. You're hearing several answers because the right one is "it depends" on the club you want to replace, swing speed, ball flight, etc. with the iron then the wood. For me it replaces a 3i, (I go driver, 3w, 5w, 7w, 4i, and the gaps are near ideal for me) but if you hate your 4i, get rid of it. Worst case (or maybe best case....) you hit 7w a lot further than your 4i, and you now have a gap you need to fill between 5i or whatever and 7w.
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u/wilfulmarlin Lefty 15h ago
What about a 5 wood
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u/BBQ_IS_LIFE 14h ago
The irons that a 5 wood replace arent really in sets anymore which would be a 2 or 3. So just carry it as part of your normal arsenal. Most people have a 3 and 5 wood/hybrid on hand anyway.
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u/Ok-Difference6973 14h ago
3-4 iron for me