Wood
A wood is the English term for the wooden club — the long clubs designed for maximum distance.
The wood is the classic among clubs and gets its name from the days when the heads really were made of wood, usually hard Persimmon. Today the heads are made of titanium or steel, but the name has stayed. In the bag, the Driver counts as the 1 wood, followed by the fairway woods numbered 3, 5 and sometimes 7. With little Loft and a long shaft, they are built for the greatest distances: from the tee or for the long second shot on long holes.
In practice you need the wood mainly in two situations. An example: a par 5, your drive is well placed, but 210 metres are still missing to the green. The 3 wood or 5 wood from the fairway gets you within range. Second situation: tight, short par 4s with out of bounds right and a bunker left. From the tee, the 5 wood is the safe alternative to the driver because it is shorter and easier to control. The calm, sweeping contact counts for more than power here.
The most common mistake is trying to force the wood from poor lies. From deep rough or a divot, the long shaft with the shallow face is barely controllable, and the result is usually a top or a mishit. Many amateurs today play a Hybrid instead of the long woods, because the more compact head is far more forgiving. But anyone who masters the wood has the most effective weapon in the bag on long holes.
FAQ
When is it better to play a fairway wood from the tee instead of the driver?
Whenever control matters more than maximum distance: tight holes, out of bounds on one side or short par 4s. The 5 wood flies shorter, but lands on the fairway far more often. The driver only pays off when the course offers width.
Can I play the wood from the rough?
From short, flat rough it works; from deep grass or a divot, the long shaft with the shallow face is barely controllable. The result is then usually a topped ball or a mishit. In such lies, the more compact hybrid is the safe choice.
Why is the wood still called a wood even though there is no wood in it?
The name comes from the days when clubheads really were made of wood, usually hard persimmon. Today the heads are made of titanium or steel, but the tradition has stayed. The numbering such as 1 wood, 3 and 5 also comes from that era.