4 Hybrid Vs. 4 Wood Comparison Overview
We know what you are probably thinking just from the title, ‘where would I even find a 4 wood?’ While 4 woods aren’t the most common sight on the course, some would argue that they have a place in most players’ bags.
We wanted to see for ourselves what the merits (if any) were of a 4 wood when compared to a 4 hybrid in particular – a very versatile and much more common golf club. Take a look at what we found in the following overview.
4 Wood Overview
Many would argue that a 4 wood is actually more useful to have in your bag than a 3 wood.
And that may very well be the case depending on the type of player you are. Still, when we tested a 4 hybrid against a 4 wood, we could see why the 4 wood was the far less common club. Yes, the 4 wood is easier to play off the deck than a 3 wood – but not easier than a 4 hybrid.
Really, you would use a 3 wood for distance and not so much for help on the fairway. The 4 wood is better for long fairway shots and it even has much higher launch than a 3 wood. But all of these advantages can be had with a 4 hybrid which is by and large, the more wieldy club.
4 Hybrid Overview
Essentially, the 4 hybrid does almost everything the 4 wood does but in an easier and more forgiving package.
Yes, the 4 wood will have a larger head than a 4 hybrid which may make it look better for beginners and high handicappers but the 4 hybrid offers more balance and forgiveness. A 4 wood will also play longer than a 4 hybrid by about 20 yards but will be harder to work off the fairway.
The 4 hybrid is also better to use in the rough and from tough lies. While you give up distance, you get better consistency and accuracy from a 4 hybrid.
A 4 wood is in a weird area caught between a long fairway wood and the forgiveness of a hybrid. But it’s for that same reason that it doesn’t perform as well as either a 3 wood or a 4 hybrid. In the end the 4 hybrid does a better job of everything except pure distance.
But if pure distance is what you really need just use a 3 wood and forget about the 4 wood entirely.
4 Hybrid Quick Facts
Category – Long Hybrid
When To Use: Fairway, Light To Heavy Rough
Average Distance: 180
Longer Hitter: 195
Shorter Hitter: 160
Typical Loft: 22 Degrees
Club Importance: 94/100
4 Wood Quick Facts
Category – Longer Club
When To Use: From Fairway, Tee Or Light Rough
Average Distance: 205
Longer Hitter: 225
Shorter Hitter: 185
Typical Loft: 16.5 Degrees
Club Importance: 89/100
4 Hybrid First Impressions
A 4 Hybrid is an alternative to a long iron which many beginners struggle to hit.
As the name suggests the Hybrid mixes the large head of the fairway wood with the undercut and large face of the iron and the result is consistently straight, long and high shots which are high arching.
The 4 Hybrid is incredibly popular these days and it’s even solid off the tee if you could believe it, it’s extremely versatile and exceptional and getting the ball out of the rough consistently.
the 4 Hybrid very forgiving overall due to it’s large sweet spot and produced very high launch angles.
One Hybrid Down – 3 Hybrid
The 3 hybrid will be a good club to have for long fairway shots. The generous loft will also make it easier to stay on fast greens. A 3 iron can also be useful off the tee on shorter holes.
One Hybrid Down – 5 Hybrid
The 5 hybrid is also very popular as part of beginner sets and with pros alike. It has a shorter and higher flight than the 4 hybrid.
4 Wood Overview & First Impressions
If the 3 wood is a bit big a daunting for yo, the 4 wood is very similar but it is more compact and possibly less daunting for some.
The 4 wood is often overlooked and the 3 wood is preferred instead in combination with the 5 wood but there is no one size fits all and many golfers will prefer to carry a 4 wood as their solo fairway wood or in combination with a 7 wood.
Those with slower swing speeds might have 12 degrees of loft in their driver and the next logical progression for them will be the 4 wood.
It is easier to carry and wield for those with slower swing speeds and it might be used as a solo wood for a fast swinger looking to carry an extra hybrid or a chipper for around the greens.
Whatever your circumstance is, you should carry clubs that suit your game optimally.
The 4 wood has a higher, shorter flight path with less roll out than the next club down in the 3 wood, which it will almost always replace.
The club is used effectively off the tee on par 3’s or dog legs and also off the fairway and in the light rough.
Golf is a game of tradition but you shouldn’t hesitate to break that if a 4 wood will be beneficial to your game.
One Club Up – 3 Wood
The 3 wood is longer, heavier and produces a longer, lower flight path with more roll out. It is far more popular and the 3 + 5 Wood combo is the one we see most often, especially in average and above swing speeds.
One Club Down – 5 Wood
You would almost never carry a 3 and 4 wood together, they are too similar. When carrying a 4 wood, you may be better off carrying an extra hybrid or a 7 wood over a 4 wood. A 5 wood produces a higher, shorter ball flight with less rollout than a 4 wood.
Benefits of Using a 4 Hybrid
- Long and forgiving club
- Better distance control
- Consistently straight shots
- High launch angles
- Can be used from the tee
- Good distance
4 Wood Selling Points
- Excellent For Slower Swing Speeds
- Can Be Used As A Replace For 3 And 5 Wood
- Easy To Hit From Good Lies
- Versatile Club From Tee Or Off The Deck
- More Precise Than A 3 Wood
Who are 4 Hybrids Good for?
If you are looking for a club to use strictly for long fairway shots and approaches, you may want to consider a 4 hybrid.
The 4 hybrid is also great if you are someone that tens to end up in the rough off the tee due to the sharp edge’s ability to get you out of trouble effortlessly.
In general, 4 hybrids play a few yards longer than 4 irons on approaches whether you are a low or high handicap player.
Better players will also get good performance from this type of hybrid from the tee.
A Good 4 Hybrid to Check Out – Cleveland Launcher XL Halo 4 Hybrid
What we liked right off the bat about this 4 hybrid was the massive head. You get the look and feel of a driver with the forgiveness and launch of a hybrid.
The Launcher XL Halo 4 Hybrid also features 3 bottom rails that help stabilize the head when your chopping through gritty rough so it made for a pretty good rescue hybrid as well.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 92/100
Feel and Control: 91/100
Forgiveness: 93/100
Overall Rating: 92/100
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Who Are 4 Woods For?
A 4 wood is not as popular a club as we feel it should be.
It’s excellent for slower swing speeds who find a 3 wood more difficult to wield.
It’s also perfect for those looking to carry a 4 wood + 7 Wood combo and those who want to carry 1 solitary wood in favor of an extra hybrid or iron.
A very similar club to the 3 and 5 wood and there is no reason it shouldn’t used more if it fills the distance gaps effectively.
Our Favorite 4 Wood – Cobra Men’s Fly Z
Cobra have made big progress as a golf brand in recent years and our preferred 4 wood right now is their Fly Xl model from 2021.
The club is light and easy to strike and it also has an adjustable loft which means you can switch it from a 3 Wood to a 4 wood easier with the use of an allen key.
The club itself is well priced and has a ton of distance and forgiveness features included.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 93/100
Forgiveness: 92/100
Feel and Control: 91/100
Overall Score: 93/100
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