Closing the gap...3 wood question

**Crey23** · March 23, 2009

Ok So from my sig, you can see that I carry no fairway woods. I have a dilema....I was wondering how people are setup? I was recommended to stay away from 3 woods, as they are hard to hit off the grass, and that I should consider low lofted hybrids.

I was looking at Cobra Ballefs DWS or TWS, as it seems that they are pretty good. But in talking to a golf pro, he suggested to go for the 3 wood.

The first pro's apprach was "how many times have you had to use the 3-wood and not had i't?" to which I said not many..nor do I have had the need to reach for a 2-h or something l ike this. I hit my driver about 260, and my 3-h about 190-210. I have choked up or softened up my swing with the driver to reach 220 -225 sitations.

so the question is, should i consider a 3 or 5 wood, or a high lofted hybryd?

uuassistant2009 · March 23, 2009

i would like to think hit the ball fairly well and i carry a 5w instead of 3w for 2 reasons. 1) the 3w is very had to hit off the ground and 2) i hit my 5w 230-250 depending on the course conditions.

The other thing for me is that i never tee off with anything other than my driver. i don't really spray it much so i don't have the need to hit a shorter more accurate shot.

hopefully this helps

In My Bag:

fspeed 9.5, stiff flex
980f 5W
TA2 irons 3-SW
52 58, both 588's
newport 2 33"
PV1 and PV1x

**ks8829** · March 23, 2009

I also would consider the 5 wood since it is easier to hit than the 3 wood. the acid test is to go to your local golf store and trying hitting both clubs and see what works for your swing. Ask for help in picking both clubs and don't be afraid to try several different companies and different loft for both the 3 wood and 5 wood, since the 3 wood comes in a 15, 14 and 13 degree lofts.

**Ian** · March 23, 2009

i like the 3 wood more, when going uphill for a long par 5 you might need that extra distance, and since i hit my 3 iron 190-200 i need the 3 wood for uphill 200 yard+ par 3's, or i need the wood to leave myself a full wedge for short par 4's, as i would rather hit a full wedge than a half wedge.

March 23, 2009

hey im trying to find the tip diameter of a titleist 907D2 driver head. my shaft broke at the hosel and looking at getting a new shaft. anyone know??

**Ian** · March 23, 2009

hey im trying to find the tip diameter of a titleist 907D2 driver head. my shaft broke at the hosel and looking at getting a new shaft. anyone know??

hijack his thread?

I think your query belongs in the equipment thread..

**Dub** · March 23, 2009

Ok So from my sig, you can see that I carry no fairway woods. I have a dilema....I was wondering how people are setup? I was recommended to stay away from 3 woods, as they are hard to hit off the grass, and that I should consider low lofted hybrids.

Such a great question....one that we all have to decide, ultimately, for ourselves.

Would the 5 W distance overlap your 3 H too much? Is the 3 W gonna be easy enough off the deck? I stuggled with this too.....still don't really have an answer for myself...simply a compromise......compromise is one of the theories my game seems to be based on right now anyway.....

I recently read some club reviews and came accross an Adams 3 W that they claimed was engineered to swing with the ease of a favorite hybrid, yet yield the distance of a 3 W. It was designated as a 3 Wood, also. I'm not sure of the model number....but it was a recent release from Adams. Sounds interesting.

xLoBoB · March 23, 2009

For the longest time i carried no fairway woods or hybrids simply for the fact i did not need them i was long enough with my irons that i could go for about any par 5 in 2. Three shoulder and one knee surgery later i find myself in the similar distance range as you. I picked up only a three wood at first then the five. I still dont carry hybrids because i dont like the way they look when i stand over them. I find haveing the fairway woods help me beable to go at par fives. and are particulary helpful on courses in the 7200-7400 yard ranges where par fours may require 210+ approches and par threes can get in the 230 range. but as everyone says its ultimatly up to you.

**PiKapp23** · March 23, 2009

A 4 wood (around 17*) may be the perfect solution for you. They are almost as long as a 3 wood, but with a smaller head so they are easier to hit off turf. Nike Dymo has one that is really a nice size and design (available in square or round). Ping and several other manufacturers also make them. They could have a loft from about 16* to 17.5*.

uuassistant2009 · March 23, 2009

i am currently using a 17* titleist 980f 5W. if you're looking for a forgiving fairway metal with some distance i'm sure you can pick this up for fairly cheap. ebay has one on there now for about $60.

**Chilli Dipper** · March 23, 2009

Like others have mentioned, I would suggest adding a 4-wood or strong 5-wood (about 17°) to your bag. I carry an extra gap wedge in my bag, and I didn't like the distance gap between my 3-wood and 3-iron, so I just ordered a Nike 4-wood to replace my existing fairway wood. I can't wait for it to get here.

**becksfan2185** · March 23, 2009

Agree with a few of the above posts... it all comes down to what situation you will use it for the most. If you could have unlimited clubs in your bag, you could carry 3 fairway woods and 4 hybrids and have a club for every situation - but you can't... it's a comprimise. Figure out what distance gap you are trying to fill, whether it is off the tee vs the turf, rough, etc. Fill the yardage gap and address your biggest need.

I know for me, my biggest need is an alternative off the tee. My 3 wood is a great for that - I use it several times a round. I'm not as confident off the fairway with the 3w as I am my hybrids, but I personally don't find myself needing to hit that shot very often - the hybrids fit the bill from the fairway maybe 90% of the time. For me, a 5w would be a waste, because I wouldn't use it off the tee and there just isn't much difference in distance from my 2H.

**mirv** · March 23, 2009

i have trouble hitting both 3 and 5 woods off flat, hardpan style ground, but if the ball is sitting up at all, even 1/4 of an inch, i can typically get ahold of it pretty well. my 3 wood is my most trusted club in my bag.

**DJYoshi** · March 23, 2009

if the ball is covered in grass...and in the rough... i'm not gonna use the 3 wood...and if it's a good enough lie in the rough..then i'll break out a 2 hybrid which is basically a 5 wood to me. (220) or so.
the 3 wood, i'll use on: shorter par 4's, long par 3's, and rarely will i take it out on a par 5 unless i'm <240 and i'm confident that I can get on the green
my risk/reward assessment.

it's a good club to have in the bag....but i'll use it maybe 4 times in the round.... 6 - 10 if it's a tight course and i want to make sure that i can control the ball the best.

the driver's much hard to control IMO.
but like everyone said go hit them...it's the only way to install confidence in your clubs...

**Crey23** · March 23, 2009

All thanks for your thoughts!!! I really appreciate it!
Most of the courses that I have played are in the 6800/6900 range, and I think one was upto 7100 from the back tees.

I will look into a couple of wood options.

The thing that has me all confused, is the loft of my 3h, it's a Wilson Pro Staff with 17* of loft, and 40.25"of legth (Regular shaft). I guess the difference would be in nearly 2"more that a 3 wood may have, not to mention the extra weight....

ok confusion is taking over.....what if equally long 2h (to 3w) with 18*.....who would that compare??

Again thanks for the feedback!!!

**DJYoshi** · March 23, 2009

i've always seen the 2h similar to a 5w.
but easier to hit....

i think the 3 woods only come in 13 & 15 degree loft. anything higher than that would be more like a 4 or 5 wood??? I think my 2h is 19 degrees. just double checked.. yup 19 degrees is my 2h...best part is you can choke down on it....control it and hit it the same distance as a 3 iron..but with different flight characteristics..and it's much easier to hit than a 3 iron.

**lumpuckeroo** · March 23, 2009

I think that is really a pesonal question, I tried the hybrid route and just did not like them, could not him them to save my soul. I stayed with the fairway woods, I hit them so much better. I guess my swing is just more suited to a fairway wood.

**Crey23** · March 23, 2009

Ok...so I have done some research...this is what I am thinking

I have read about a few woods...I'm between a 3w and a 4w. My new dilema is TM burners do not come in 4w, only 3w. I've read some reviews on the Mizuno F-60 FW, and it seems preety darn interesting. Specially the 4w @ 16.5*.

But I am a TM fanatic. I have tried the TM Burner ('08) 3w, and got some not so great results.....about 180 - 200 yrds, without loosening up, and a stiff back. Pretty straight down...maybe 10 -15 yrds off center.

Price point is about $30 difference, with the TM being more expensive.

Any thoughts?????

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Closing the gap...3 wood question

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