Anyone carrying a 3 iron just for tee shots?

[Stacey_E]

Between my 4 hybrid and Driver I have one club, a 17* strong 5 wood. This club fills the distance gap perfectly. But I really don't use my 5 wood. In the past 10 or so rounds I may have hit it 5 times. And only once that stands out as spectacular.

I don't go for par 5s in 2. I'm just not long enough and I don't want to throw good shot after bad. I had been using the 5 as a 2cd driver, but find I virtually never pull it out since I hit 70% of my fairways and average 240 or so with my 44" 12* driver (or THRIVER if you will). Often times when I do pull the 5 wood it feels awkward at address and I hit a high pull, most noticable on my 18th par 4 where there is an OB and boundary net down the left.

I'm thinking of adding my 3 iron back to the bag just for tees shots. I've hit a few shots with it off the tee and notice 3 things.
1) when I nut it, I hit a mid trajectory 180 carry and 200-210 total shot straight or with a slight cut
2) when I hit it very poorly it goes low about 140 and rolls some 60 or 70 yards
3) I NEVER HIT IT HIGH LEFT

Long thread I know, but is anyone else carrying the 3 iron just for tee shots? Mine seems like it has a built in "stinger" shot. I'm thinking this is the backup tee club for me, more to elimate then negatives than to accentuate the positives.

[goblue107501]

I use a 2-iron. It is an old Ping ISI that I got from a friend. Usually hit it real good off the tee. Typically, I will use it on any hole that is less than 350 and tight. I can also hit it from the fairway if I need to. Also great for hitting a low shot under a tree limb or something like that.

[Gone.Golfing]

I use my 3 iron and can hit it 220-230 if pure and 210 if so-so

[cwcaesar]

I hit my 3 iron about 200-210 yards. I normally don't pull it on par 4's, but I do hit it off the tee as there are a couple of long par threes at a local course. Most of the use is out of the fairway on Par 5's, or to punch under trees. The three is a very versatile club in my bag. I have even considered getting a 2 iron, but I can't decide which club to drop if I did.

[Stacey_E]

Also I should have made it clearer that I will never, ever hit my 3 iron off the deck. I just do not have the clubhead speed (95-100 max w/driver) or launch conditions for this. My 4 hybrid is undoubtedly my longest and safest club off the deck. So keep in mind, I'm thinking of taking up a slot in the bag for nothing but tee shots. Still wise?

[FlopShotArtist]

No. You don't need a backup driver in your bag.

[cwcaesar]

I recently got rid of some hybrids when I got my new irons. I could hit my 4 hybrid as far as I could a 3 iron, maybe further. And I hit my 3 hybrid almost as far as my 3 wood. I would think that maybe a 2 or 3 hybrid would be a good club for you. I think that you could get the extra distance that you are looking for as well as some forgiveness and consistency over a 3 iron.

[GaijinGolfer]

I guess Id really have to question why you dont carry a 3-wood. IMO, a 3-wood would serve you better in this instance than a 3-iron.

[BaronV]

I just started carrying a Ben Hogan Edge CFT 3 iron, give me leeway between my TM Rescue mid 3 & 4.

[Blades4me]

Not only do I have a 3i, I also have a 1 & 2i in the bag. I'll hit them off of the deck or tee'd, but get more distance off of the tee.

[Dub]

I still carry and routinely use my 3 iron....both for tee shots and off the deck. I struggled with poor driver for a while and left myself a lot of long shots into greens. I had to call upon my long irons way to often. I'm hoping the new driver will help take this pressure off by giving me better leaves in the fairway.


Your clubhead speed with your driver is much higher than mine. I would think that you'd be able to hit long irons just fine if you wanted to.

Those are some excellent driving stats you are achieving. I sure wouldn't worry about carrying any club as a 2nd driver. Drop the 5W and pick up that 3I again. It sounds like it would fit in nicely for a strategic tee shot on your course.