7 wood vs 4 Hybrid: Which One Should I Carry?

Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Matt

You might be struggling with your longer irons right now, but there is no need to anymore with hybrids and fairway woods making life much easier.

In fact, there are two easy to hit, long iron replacement clubs in the 7 wood and 4 hybrid.

Which one should you play? 

In this guide we will break down the pros and cons of the 7 wood and 4 hybrid. At the end you should have a better idea which club will find its way into your golf bag. (Editor: I play the 7 wood)

7 Wood vs 4 Hybrid which club should you carry?

The basic function of the 7 wood and 4 hybrid is the same for both clubs: They replace the 4 iron in your golf bag.

I play a 7 wood and advise everyone who plays golf that the 7 wood is the ultimate 'cheat club'. 

It's easy to hit off the tee, easy off the fairway and flies high with a soft landing onto greens.

The look of a 7 wood suits my eye when it sits behind a golf ball. It may be very different for you if you look at a fairway wood vs a hybrid, so always keep YOUR feeling and preference in mind.

This is how we will break this assessment down:

• Key differences between 7 woods and 4 hybrids
• 7 wood vs 4 hybrid distance
• Pros of a 7 wood and pros of a 4 hybrid club
• Which golfers should use a 7 wood or 4 hybrid

What's the difference between a 7 wood and 4 hybrid?

Differences

Similarities

7 wood vs 4 hybrid distance

You would think that as the loft of these clubs will be similar, then the distance you hit the golf ball would be the same.

This isn't always the case.

A typical 7 wood or 4 hybrid will have a loft angle of 20-23 degrees, depending on the manufacturer.

Most golfers with an average swing speed would be hoping to hit these clubs between 170 to 210 yards. The same golfer can expect to carry the 4 hybrid 10 yards shorter than a 7 wood. 

The 7 wood goes longer than the 4 hybrid in moderate swing speeds, because the shaft is longer in the 7 wood which creates more swing speed.

It is really key here to differentiate between moderate, average swing speeds of the average golfer of around 90 mph with the driver and a fast swinger.

A fast swinger over 100 mph with the driver, will hit the 7 wood and 4 hybrid the same carry distance because of the excess speed.

The Benefits of a 7 wood and 4 hybrid

7 Wood Benefits

I got a 7 wood because I wasn't happy with my 2 iron as an approach club, and I struggle to hit hybrids.

I use this club off the tee, for long approaches on par 4s and par 5s, and for tee shots on long par 3s. It's a great club for the purpose that it serves: a go-to tee club and a long approach club, especially if i need shot shaping over or around obstacles. 

The bigger club head and deeper face make this golf club more forgiving on off-center strikes. 

The size of the head is also gives you more confidence because you can see a lot of the face when you look down at the club, which makes you feel like you can make consistent contact. You will also launch the ball much higher than an equivalent long iron.

To summarize you will get:

• More distance on tee shots
• More swing speed
• More forgiveness

4 Hybrid Benefits

JMac from my YouTube channel carries a 4 hybrid and he uses it for lots of different shots. This one club is one of the most versatile clubs in his bag because he can use it for so many shots.

You can use this club for tee shots, your second shot (or third or fourth) from the fairway when approaching the green.

You can use it from the rough or fairway bunkers.

Hybrid clubs were known as "rescue" clubs and are made to be easy to hit from bad lies everywhere on the course.

It's easier to get the golf ball up in the air compared to the 4 iron, because the high loft combined with the more flexible face and encased body of the club creates more trampoline effect. 

The shorter shaft on a hybrid may be something that you prefer, especially if your swing is steeper - meaning you take deep beaver divots. The sweeping motion needed to hit a 7 wood might not suit steeper swings and can produce a lot of backspin, ballooning the ball in the air. 

I would recommend that the average golfer carry a mixture of hybrids and fairway woods. 

To summarize the pros of a 4 hybrid you will get:

• A higher ball flight
• A more versatile club
• Straighter shots
• More options for an approach shot
• A club for punch shots under trees

Which golfers should use a 7 wood or 4 hybrid?

If you're a mid to high handicap golfer, you could benefit from carrying at least one hybrid in your golf bag.

That could be the 4 hybrid but it may be the 3 or 5. Whichever you choose, will determine your fairway wood or vice versa. A 7 wood and 4 hybrid in the same bag might be redundant so pick one of the teo and build your fairway wood and hybrids around that.

But if you want to choose between a 7 wood and 4 hybrid you can consider:

Who should play a 4 hybrid: 

1. Golfers who struggle to hit an iron longer than a 4 iron but like the look and feel of an iron at address.
2. Most hybrids pull the ball right to left so if your ball flight is left to right, the hybrid can straighten your shot shape. 
3. If you're in the rough a lot, and need to hit punch shots or long low shots, the 4 hybrid will work for you.
4. Players who like a shorter more upright club as the hybrid has a shorter shaft
5. If you want to chip from dodgy lies much easier around the green, the hybrid played toe-down, with a putting stroke is great.

Who should play a 7 wood:

1. Golfers who like fairway woods but have trouble with 3 and 5 woods, and don't like long irons.
2. Players who like to adjust the loft - you can get adjustable models by certain manufacturers
3. Golfers looking for a go-to tee ball instead of a driver on tighter holes
4. Anyone who prefers a larger clubhead at address for extra confidence instead of smaller hybrid heads

We should get the most out of our 14 permitted clubs to allow us to score better and have fun on the golf course - always improving. Here's how you could add hybrid golf clubs or fairway woods to your bag depending on your skill level.

• Tour Professional: (1-2 clubs) 3 wood and a 3 hybrid/5 wood.
• Lower Handicap: (2-3 clubs) 3 wood, 3 hybrid, 4 hybrid
• Mid handicap and high handicap: (3-5 clubs) 3 wood, 5 wood, 7 wood or 4 hybrid, 5 hybrid
• Beginner: (5-7 clubs) Combination of fairway woods and hybrids, with irons starting at 7 or 8 iron

Conclusion

If you are a new player looking for the easiest way to enjoy the game more and lower your scores, both the 4 hybrid and 7 wood are easy to hit clubs, 

You can now buy a complete golf club set with a 4 hybrid included and it will be a great way to learn the game without having to hit long shots with temperamental iron clubs.

A 7 wood is always a good choice and you can purchase one separate to your set. Subscribers on my Youtube channel send me messages all the time about how much they love the 7 wood I suggested they get!  

Give both a try by hitting some blls with a friends club or at the shop - you never know, you might just find your favorite club of all time. 

You can't go wrong with either of these two clubs so get out on the golf course and see which one works the best for you.