Hybrid 18* vs 20*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald 

I am currently using the Cobra Baffler Pro 3/R 20* instead of a 3 iron ..... my 4 iron Cobra S2 has a loft of 22* ..... """yes that is about the loft of a normal 3 iron """ ........ so very few people use the Cobra S2 3-iron (18*).

 

The gap between the S2 4i and the 3/R 20* is about 15 yds.

 

I am no great fairway wood player (just not my thing) and I wonder if adding the 2/R 18* will bring enough gap or would it be better to forget about the 2/R and go for the 1/R 16* Pro Hybrid to replace a 3 or 4 wood.

 

Please advise......

Driver, 3H is a hefty gap. My 15* 3-wood distance is exactly half way between my 19.5* hybrid and my 10.5* driver. I'd recommend a 3 or 4 wood because the longer shaft is more versatile. You can always choke up (i.e. "grip down" in golf terms) but you can't make a club longer. This is important when the ball is below your feet (like when try and play safe, but peel one right into the rough, just short of a fairway bunker).

What do you have in your bag for woods?

I just bought a 3h 20 to go with my 2H 18.  It will be here in a couple of days.  I carry the 2h 225 and my 4i 200 so I am hoping I get 210-215 carry out of the 3h knowing that I can grip down to take off a few yards.  I went online and saw the WITB for Rickie Fowler and Rory Sabatini and they have similar set-ups and get 15-20 yards between each so I would be happy with 12.  I will report back this weekend if it shows  up in time.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald 

I am no great fairway wood player (just not my thing) and I wonder if adding the 2/R 18* will bring enough gap or would it be better to forget about the 2/R and go for the 1/R 16* Pro Hybrid to replace a 3 or 4 wood.

 

Please advise......

I will throw in a little different twist but it may help your decision...I hate drivers (see sig) as I hit a TEE strong 3 wood (13 deg) off the tee (avg 250 and that is not internet distance...ha! ha!) ...so when I had a gap between my 3 iron and strong 3 wood I thought about getting 4 wood...but just like you I really do not like hitting clubs that are too big for the job (might be my mental problem with drivers as I hate the 460 size)...anyway I decided to buy the TEE 2H (16 deg)...it has the same shaft as my 3 wood and it has a smaller head then most hybrids...and I LOVE this club...it was a great addition to my bag and gives me more versilitily then a  4 wood can...just my 2 cents!
 

Just a general thought here.  You say you never go for a par 5 in two.  To my way of thinking, you are automatically giving up 4 chances for birdies and, at your handicap, you need more birdies to drop down toward scratch.  I would suggest you find a 3 wood (or 4 wood) that you can get comfortable with.  Getting another hybrid that will get you from 210 to 220, maybe, won't do much for your score.  Finding a FW that gets you to 235-250 consistently will definitely lower your scores. Plus, it may help you find more fairways on tight driving holes.

You say fairway woods aren't your thing.  My recommendation is to make them your thing.  I think your game will be better for it.  Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TourSpoon 

I just bought a 3h 20 to go with my 2H 18.  It will be here in a couple of days.  I carry the 2h 225 and my 4i 200 so I am hoping I get 210-215 carry out of the 3h knowing that I can grip down to take off a few yards.  I went online and saw the WITB for Rickie Fowler and Rory Sabatini and they have similar set-ups and get 15-20 yards between each so I would be happy with 12.  I will report back this weekend if it shows  up in time.  

I just got my 20* and it is 2* weaker and an inch shorter than the 18*.  I hit them both on a launch monitor and my 4i iwas 200-205 carry, the 20* was 215-220 carry, the 18* was 230, and the 3w was 245 so I think I have it covered. 

I've gone down this road before. I tried a TM 2h with a steel shaft and a Cleveland Halo 2h. I actually found them harder to hit the a 5w. One thing you may consider is a shortened 5w. You'd have to weight the clubhead to get the swing weight up. You know your game better than us, so it's just an option.