When I first started playing back in the days of horse and buggy, it wasn’t uncommon for recreational golfers to carry a seven-wood.
With the invention of hybrids and driving irons however, seven-woods quickly fell out of favor.
In recent years however, they’ve again risen in popularity. In fact, many of the world’s best players now have one in their bag.
Why? Because they’re easy to hit and quite versatile.
Let’s take a closer look at seven-woods, or as some golfers call them, heaven woods.
What’s a Seven-Wood?
A seven-wood is a form of fairway wood. But it has more loft and is shorter in length than a three-wood or five-wood.
Because it’s a fairway wood, it has a larger head than a long iron or hybrid. As a result, it’s a lot more forgiving.
Seven-woods have lofts similar to three-irons, usually 21-23 degrees.
Shaft length is roughly an inch shorter than that of five-woods. But even though the shaft is shorter, the clubhead is usually 10 to 15 grams heavier.
How Far Do Seven-Woods Go?
Tour players hit their seven-woods a lot farther than most amateurs. It’s not uncommon to see a Tour Pro take this club out from 250 yards or more.
Studies have looked at the average seven-wood distances for amateurs of all abilities, from seasoned players to rank beginners. It’s been found that amateurs average somewhere between 170 and 190 yards with their seven-woods.
Top Three Reasons Why a Seven-Wood Can Help Your Game
Bigger Clubhead
Golf clubs with larger clubheads have bigger sweet spots. Bigger sweet spots equate to more forgiveness. It’s as simple as that.
In comparison to hybrids and long irons, seven-woods offer a lot more forgiveness.
Versatility
Long irons are hard for golfers to hit off a good lie in the fairway. Out of a bad lie in the rough or fairway bunker, they become infinitely more difficult to strike consistently.
Because of their larger clubhead and short length in comparison to other fairway woods, seven-woods are easy to hit out of almost any lie.
More Loft and Mass
There’s no question that hybrids have made it easier for golfers to get long shots up in the air. However, the loft and extra mass of seven-woods makes it even easier than hybrids.
When you hit a seven-wood solid, you can count on it to fly high and stop on the green.
When Should You Use a Seven-Wood?
You can use a seven-wood from just about anywhere.
Of course, this club is a great option from the middle of the fairway when you need to hit a shot both high and long.
But they’re incredibly useful in other situations too:
- Off the tee on par threes that require a long carry.
- Off the tee on par fours and par fives with tight fairways.
- Out of the rough when you’re a long way from the green.
- Anytime you need to elevate the ball quickly to clear a tree or other obstruction.
- Whenever you need to carry a bunker or water hazard.
- When you need to land the ball soft on the green from a long way out.
Seven-Wood Frequently Asked Questions
A lot of golfers aren’t familiar with seven-woods and naturally have some questions. Below we’ve done our best to answer some of the most common ones.
How Far Does a Seven-Wood Go On Average?
We touched on this above, but it’s worth reiterating.
Professionals hit seven-woods a lot farther than most amateurs. It’s not uncommon for the world’s best players to hit this club from 250 yards or more.
On the other hand, studies have found that most male amateurs hit their seven-wood between 170 and 210 yards. Female amateurs hit seven-woods anywhere from 120 to 170 yards on average.
What Club Can Replace a Seven-Wood or What Club Can a Seven-Wood Replace?
The closest club to a seven-wood is a three-hybrid. Both clubs have similar lofts and travel similar distances.
Conclusion
If you’ve never tried hitting a seven-wood, it might be a good idea. Even though this club might not be the best option for everyone, you never know what you might find out.
Seven-woods are considerably easier to hit than long irons, more versatile than hybrids, and offer the forgiveness all too many golfers are looking for from their long clubs.
Do you have a seven-wood in your bag or ever considered trying one? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments down below.
