What Callaway Driver and 3 Wood to Buy Given My Age, Skill, Level Etc?

[RWold]

I picked up my woods at the PO today and fooled around a bit at home. I don’t know how long my shots were but I do know I’ve never hit that far and for some reason my slice was absent. Just straight, nice trajectory, and long.  That and the sound of that big driver - all very satisfying. They are Callaway ERC Fusion 1, 3, and 5. Around 2004 as best as I can tell. Regular flex. Lesson tomorrow with a well recommended instructor and back to the range on Saturday. Very encouraging so far.

[ChetlovesMer]

9 hours ago, RWold said:

Lesson tomorrow with a well recommended instructor

Good idea.

Good luck with the new weapons. Let us know how you get on. 👍

[RWold]

On 3/27/2025 at 6:15 AM, dennyjones said:

A guy in my group has added a 7 and a 9 wood to his bag instead of a hybrids.   That's another option.

I’ll just stick to the basics for now - got enough to work on…

this is my home practice range. The little clearing in about the center of the photo is roughly 200 yards. 

[xrayvizhen]

$50??? You're not serious, I'm sure. The only thing a $50 driver will be good for is to whip your horse  as you're rounding the far turn heading into the home stretch.

Seriously, go to a big box store. They all have used clubs up the wazoo and you should be able to find clubs at a reasonable price. Also, talk to the guys there. You'll be able to tell just by conversing with them which ones are interested in helping you and will provide good advise. Those companies are usually pretty good about weeding out the bad apples who are only interested in making a quick sale. The commission the big box stores pay is so miniscucle anyway that sales guys are usually brand agnostic.

[RWold]

15 hours ago, xrayvizhen said:

$50??? You're not serious, I'm sure. The only thing a $50 driver will be good for is to whip your horse  as you're rounding the far turn heading into the home stretch.

Seriously, go to a big box store. They all have used clubs up the wazoo and you should be able to find clubs at a reasonable price. Also, talk to the guys there. You'll be able to tell just by conversing with them which ones are interested in helping you and will provide good advise. Those companies are usually pretty good about weeding out the bad apples who are only interested in making a quick sale. The commission the big box stores pay is so miniscucle anyway that sales guys are usually brand agnostic.

By today’s standards that’s certainly true, but they weren’t having any trouble hitting golf balls in 2005 so I’ve equipped myself with what was among the very best equipment around that time for a very reasonable investment. If I get to the point where I feel like I’ve outgrown that stuff, I’ll reward myself with something more current. But for now I don’t need adjustable loft and lie and modern head shape, just a good quality, proven club with a clean club face. For now I’m going to concentrate on the basics. I know you can get more yardage with newer woods, but I don’t care about distance nearly as much as consistency, and you can’t buy that for any price. 

[RWold]

On 4/4/2025 at 4:49 PM, xrayvizhen said:

$50??? You're not serious, I'm sure. The only thing a $50 driver will be good for is to whip your horse  as you're rounding the far turn heading into the home stretch.

Seriously, go to a big box store. They all have used clubs up the wazoo and you should be able to find clubs at a reasonable price. Also, talk to the guys there. You'll be able to tell just by conversing with them which ones are interested in helping you and will provide good advise. Those companies are usually pretty good about weeding out the bad apples who are only interested in making a quick sale. The commission the big box stores pay is so miniscucle anyway that sales guys are usually brand agnostic.

Ok you’re right I’m wrong. After beating myself up trying to do well with my 20 year old ERC Fusion 10° driver, I bought a used Paradym driver 10.5° currently set to 11.5° (2023 technology) and what a difference. Not to drag out an old cliche’, but what a game changer.
 

After a rough day at the range (with Top Tracer) I picked up my new driver from the PO, drowned my sorrows a bit over lunch, and brought the new club home. I hit a couple balls on my home range and was more than pleased. Redeemed actually. Farther, straighter, and less effort. I’ll have to get used to the new lie angle, but I think it will make it easier, not harder.  
 

And the best part - I only paid $110 for this unit (ok, the best part is how it launches the ball). It was a little rough in appearance, not that it matters, but I was a bit concerned. Turned out to not be so bad and with some Flitz and a little elbow grease, I have it looking quite spiffy.  Club face is nice too but the file was too big so that pic didn’t post.

 

And BTW X-ray, we sold the horses, so the old one isn’t even good for that!

Edited April 25 by RWold