You can go ahead and tag me lightly if you must. A couple of months ago, I bought a non-compliant driver I saw it on a Facebook ad.
Well, I went and did it again.
But it’s not my fault. People in Performance golf bombarded my timeline with ads for the 357 Fairway Hybrid. The reason I bombed can be traced back to an old colleague named Billy Holliday (really!). He messaged me on Facebook a few months ago, asking if I knew anything about this 357 thing. At the time, I didn’t. But apparently Zuckerberg’s algorithms took over and made sure I at least got a chance to learn.
Since it was on sale for Christmas, I spent $150 and got it what the hell. How bad can it be?
Turns out it’s not bad at all.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the few “infomercial” clubs that actually does what it claims to do.
Do I have your attention?
What is a 357 Fairway Hybrid?
According to Golf Performance Websitee, the 357 is designed specifically for older players who struggle with standard fairway woods and hybrids. The name itself, again according to the website, means it combines the hold of a 3-wood, the shaft length of a 5-wood and the loft of a 7-wood. Two of these things are definitely true. You’ll need some statistical semantics to make all three true.
Performance Golf (less about that company) says the 357 21-degree is made for older players who struggle from 150 yards plus and for whom fairway woods are, at best, a scary proposition.
Chris McGinley, a 35-year industry veteran, designed the 357. McGinley spent over 20 years at Titleist, working on woods, irons, Vokey wedges and Scotty Cameron barrels. He also served a stint with Honma as VP of Product and GM of North America.
The 357 features what the company calls “Tri-Fusion Technology.” As far as we can tell, that’s the key word for that 3-wood/5-wood/7-wood mix. It also features an “Advanced Face Bulldozer Design”. The 357’s face is larger than what you’d find on a normal fairway wood or hybrid, which the company says will push grass out of the fairway for cleaner contact, even in the rough.
It also features a “Power Release Crown”, a recessed crown that lowers the center of gravity. Many OEMs do something similar, but the 357 takes it to an extreme. After all, the lower the CG, the easier it is to get the ball in the air. Combine that with a 7-wood loft and you’ve got a club that’s stupid, easy to carry in the air.
Does the 357 Fairway Hybrid work?
In a word: Hell, yes.
OK, that’s two words, but I have to tell you, this thing surprised me.
However, you need to understand a few things. If you’re younger than me or if you still have some swing speed, this club will do the job, but it’s probably a job you shouldn’t be doing. Second, you must understand that this club is not magical. It won’t transform your wood game from a round killer to something Rory or Scottie would be proud of.
However, it does exactly what it says it will do.
During several range sessions, I found the 357 to be the dumbest and easiest club to get a ball in the air in the general direction of my target that I’ve tried in a long time. While you can still mishandle it, this thing takes off fast, flies high and straight (with the sweetest baby drawing you’ve ever seen), and lands, as Lee Trevino would say, like a butterfly with sore legs.
In other words, gently. Very soft.
I finally scored some monitor time for the GC Quad launch. During the session (with an average swing speed of 89 mph), I saw the following:
Carry: 178 meters
Total: 184.5 yards
Launch angle: 19 degrees
Descent angle: 47 degrees
Rotation: 5500 rpm
Ball speed: 122 mph
For fun, I tried to hit a simulated 18th green to Pebble from 180. Not to brag or nuthin’ but this old man has peppered the peg with arrow after arrow (maybe a little bragging). That’s a 6-iron distance for me normally, but I’m pretty sure my 6-iron strike rate wouldn’t have been that high.
Where does the 357 fit in?
The claim that the 357 carries as much as a 3-wood doesn’t count. For me, at least, the distance lies between my 5-iron and my 6-iron. However, what I can and will enjoy is the 357’s durability and forgiveness.
Could I see the 357 and its taller sibling, the 359, replacing my 5 and 6 irons? Yes, but only if I checked my ego at the door first. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but as the guy who sees the 357, he’s kind of busy looking (and that’s putting it kindly).
I hope you like orange.
As for the ego, I’m just not mentally ready to add more headgear to the bag. I know Fred Couples does and I need to get over my damn self, but I’m just not there yet. A few broken long irons, though, and I might change my mind.
As for that claim that the 357 plays as long as a 3-wood? This is semantics, given the intended golfer. If your typical recreational player hit 10 shots with his or her 3-wood and 10 shots with the 357, they would likely get more consistent and usable shots with the 357. The best shot for the best shot would not be the comparison, but the overall average? 357’s consistency is likely to win out.
Or at least, be more satisfying.
Is the 357 Fairway Hybrid worth it?
For the old golfer with no ego, absolutely.
As mentioned, this is one of those rare computer-type clubs that does exactly what it says it does for its intended audience. It’s easy to hit, launches high and lands soft. Are there other fairway woods that would be better than the 357? Can you fit a 5-wood shaft into a 7-wood head? Absolutely. but not for $149. Current price in Golf Performance Website it’s $249, but they always seem to have some kind of deal that will get you there buy now.
That might be the only problem I have with the club. There’s always a little doubt when the website lists the club at $399, puts a line at that price, and gives you a price of $249 in bold. It’s like the club is forever for sale.
Furthermore, right below the price is a message asking you to hurry up and claim a 50 percent discount plus free bonuses. This seems a bit disingenuous.
It is also important to note that Performance Golf is a subscription-based video golf instruction provider. The company works with some of the game’s most popular teachers, including Hank Haney, Nick Bradley, Martin Chuck and David Leadbetter. When you buy a 357, you get free temporary access to Performance Golf offers. After the free trial ends, you should make sure to officially cancel all those subscriptions. if you don’t want them. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying a monthly fee you’re not aware of.
Also, be prepared to be inundated with follow-up phone calls, emails, and texts to make sure you stay signed up. The sales associate I spoke with was helpful, canceled my subscriptions with no problem, but still tried to keep me in the program.
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