Do you remember when the first pros were putting 7-woods in their bag? The club, typically reserved for high handicappers and beginners, was suddenly in Tour bags. Then every amateur had to have one too. Now, 7-woods aren’t quite as surprising as they once were. But there’s a new kid in town: the 9-wood.
What is a 9-Wood?
A 9-wood is a high-lofted fairway wood. It typically has around 23 to 26 degrees of loft, depending on the manufacturer. That puts it in similar territory to a 4-iron or 5-hybrid. With a shallow face, high launch characteristics, and more forgiveness than a long iron, it’s designed to send the ball up fast and land it softly.
In terms of shaft length. The 9-wood is shorter than other fairway woods in the bag. This is partially what makes it easier to swing.
Why Tour players are using 9-Woods
While still not common in a Tour professional’s bag, the 9-wood is starting to make quite a wave. Adam Scott was seen with one at the Memorial, alongside Ryan Gerard.
Sahith Theegala has been carrying a 9-wood regularly for some time now, showing that it’s not just a short-term experiment.
Tommy Fleetwood has used one in the past, particularly in firm conditions or setups that demand height into tucked pins. Even Dustin Johnson has had a 9-wood in the bag at times during LIV events.
Collin Morikawa was quoted as saying that he felt as though carrying a 9-wood was like “cheating”. He has one in play at the U.S. Open to try and tackle the thick rough.
These are elite ball strikers choosing a club that helps them attack long approach shots with more control and confidence.
What does it replace?
To make room for a 9-wood, most pros will drop a long iron or a hybrid, typically a 4-iron or 3-hybrid.
The 9-wood is commonly used when golfers have to deal with thick rough and with fast greens that need softer landings on approach shots. For golfers who don’t naturally hit long irons with enough loft, the 9-wood becomes a good alternative.
If you’ve ever held a 9-wood in your hands, you’ll also quickly realize there is a confidence factor here. The top-down look of the 9-wood induces more confidence than that of a 4-iron.
Should you try a 9-Wood?
If you struggle to launch long irons, or you’re looking for something that flies high and lands soft, the 9-wood is worth a look. It’s ideal for:
- Slower swing speed players
- High-handicappers who need help from the rough
- Better players who want an easier (higher lofted) approach into par 5s and longer par 4s
- Golfers replacing inconsistent hybrids or irons
Don’t write it off just because the 9-wood doesn’t seem like a Tour club. Because, now, it is.
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