3 wood vs 5 wood: which should you carry?

A 3-wood is about 15° and needs real speed to launch. Testers note that golfers who swing a driver under about 90 mph often hit a 3-wood low from the fairway.

A 5-wood is about 18°. Its extra loft and shorter shaft make it easier to get airborne and to stop on greens.

Keep a 3-wood if you swing fast, use it mostly off the tee, or need it to reach long par 5s in two.

A 16.5° 3HL is a middle ground. TaylorMade's Qi4D and Callaway's Quantum Max and Max D offer one.

Space woods about 3° to 5° apart in loft. That usually gives 15 to 20 yards of carry between clubs.