Distance

[King Norre]

What is your (average) difference in distance when hitting a driver compared to a 3-wood? I'm just asking because I have no driver and I'm trying to figure out if I really need one

Thanks in advance,

KN

[DJYoshi]

I'll take my 3 wood up to 240 and my driver will avg 265
Have you tried going to 1 of the stores and checking your ss? swing your 3 wood. then try swinging a new driver. it'll tell you the ss and distance.

[JimmyDoesGolf]

Buying a driver isn't necessarily a matter of distance. Modern drivers are much more forgiving and easier to hit. It's better to get one sooner than later in my opinion.

[leftypro]

I never hit my 3 wood but when I do its about 235. I'm not to good with accuracy with it off the ground without a tee. My driver is about 275+. What club did you want to get or what were you looking for?

[mdrengl]

I hit my driver average 280. My 3 wood goes 240+

[Aetsh]

I hit mine about the same, slightly more controlled with the 3

[907golfer12]

I hit driver, on average, 240 and I hit 3 wood, on average, 215-220

[$2 Nassau]

3wood: 230-240

Driver: as far as I can without losing control.

[whoathere]

I'll let you know today... just ordered a new 3 wood yesterday that is 13* just for those days when I'm not hitting driver well, I'll still be able to get a few yards off the tee. Generally, I carry the ball 290+.

[King Norre]

Sorry for the late reply, I kinda forgot about this thread
It seems for most people there's a difference of about 30 or 40 yards ... if you can hit your driver straight
Today I met someone who said he didn't use a driver untill he reached hcp 20. So I guess for a high handicapper, like myself, a driver isn't really necessary. I can hit my 3-wood straight (more or less) from the tee, but not further than 200-220 yards. On the other hand I can't hit my 3W from the deck, so maybe I'll be better off dumping my 3W and get a driver and 5W (for more consistency off the deck) instead.

[jambalaya]

I'll let you know today... just ordered a new 3 wood yesterday that is 13* just for those days when I'm not hitting driver well, I'll still be able to get a few yards off the tee. Generally, I carry the ball 290+.

That is pretty much a 2 wood.

[Smallville]

I hit my driver 20 to 30 yards on average SHORTER than my 3 wood. I was considering getting a 13 degree "driver"/2-wood but haven't done it yet. I'm short one club anyway since I don't carry my driver. I think my problem with it may be the dirver shaft is too long (as I am 5' 7") but have never decided to cut it down yet. Maybe I should.

[jaggy13]

Sorry for the late reply, I kinda forgot about this thread

Off a tee I am only about 20 yards further with my driver than 3 wood.

Keep hitting the 3 wood, you'll be very happy with it later.(eat par 5's for lunch) I would also recomend demoing some of the square drivers or others with the same idea. I think You'll find that even your misses are enjoyably playable. Sometimes I choke down on my driver for a layup shot instead of swing 3w off the tee just because its so easy to hit.

[csalcedo_tw]

driver: i usually hit a little fade off the tee about 250 which is pretty accurate, but when i really need distance i can hit a nice draw with about 275yds carry.

3wood: 235-250yds

[allin]

I only carry 3wd about 15 yardd shorter, the driver rolls out 15-20 but my 3wd rolls out 10-15 so total difference is about 20 yards.

[oreodawg1]

I carry my driver on average 275 and my 3 wood i really only hit about 240 on a solid shot...i hit my 5 wood about 225 so i rarely use my 3 wood.

I would say get a driver and you will be at least a few yards closer to the whole on those long par 5's

[yeis20]

3w carry 260 easy

Driver 275+

Been forcing myself to hit more woods off the tee due to carry and straight (read: less spin)

driver gets boomed when there is safety involved to either side.

[NBGC]

Driver: 285
3Wood: 240

Be careful waiting til you're a 20 hdcp before learning/getting a driver, it'll kill your long game for awhile. IMHO, if you plan on using a driver in the future, I'd start learning it now.