I finally gave in I got a hybrid... do I need to get a 4-wood to replace 3-wood?

[onthehunt526]

Well as many of you in the forum know... I'm one of those lower handicappers that hadn't made the switch to hybrids yet...

I took a trip up to Dick's Sporting Goods here in Ithaca, and bought me a Nickent 3DX 20 degree hybrid to maybe replace my 2 and 3-irons, I also bought a 64 degree wedge (normally I don't go to Dick's for clubs, but in this situation, I made an exception) I only paid $80

Anyway, The 3DX is definitely not a 5-wood on steroids even at 20 degrees... I get a weird gap between my 4-iron and the hybrid, but it covers what 2 clubs used to cover, I hit the hybrid about 230 to 235 which covers the effective 2 and 3-iron range so it was worth yanking two clubs, and I'm more consistant with the hybrid than I am with the chicken sticks... I still haven't figured out how to work the ball with it, but I got the 4-iron for that... So anyway... hybrids are great I added a fourth wedge for 60 to 80 yard shots...

OK, here is the major question, I hit the 3-wood about 270 and the hybrid 230.. should I replace 3-wood with 4 or 5 wood to shrink the gap between the fairway wood and my hybrid or is it good where its at?

[Dub]

No help here......I'm still drooling at the 270 yrd 3 wood....it's like a line from the medieval spoof movie, "I've been measured, I've been weighed...and I've been found lacking" or some such mess.

[RocketSauce]

thats a tough one. that is a pretty big gap there. i would say go ahead and buy a 4 wood and just use it on certain courses that you think it might work better than a 3 wood (thats what i do)...but then again, you are a +3 handicapper & i feel stupid giving advice to someone with your skills, cuz im sure you would know better than i would. good luck!

[SandyFeet]

No help here......I'm still drooling at the 270 yrd 3 wood....it's like a line from the medieval spoof movie, "I've been measured, I've been weighed...and I've been found lacking" or some such mess.

I'm with this guy!

Would you be trading in to get the 4 wood? If not, keep them all and take the one that fits the course, if that makes any sense...hahahaha

[Gioguy21]

If i were you i would either get a 4 or a strong 5 wood to at least make up for some of that gap, I hit my 5 wood about 245-250 and it's over 8 years old. Unlike most people i carry a 3,5 and big bertha warbird heaven 7 wood in the bag instead of the hybrid or 3 iron. I think if i were going to go to a hybrid to replace the 7...it'd have to make a SIGNIFICANT difference in performance for me to swith. anyway sorry i was ot, but i'd suggest the 4 or strong 5 since there is such disparity between your longer clubs, ESPECIALLY if you hit that 3 wood so nice and purdy

[dmband8985]

the 250 yard shot is pretty important i think...my comfort zone to wedge in to the green is like 80-100 yards, so i can take a normal swing and not have to worry about how much to take off it to get the distance i want. so on short par 4 or unreachable par 5 i like to go 250 off the tee.

is your 270 with a full swing or relaxed 80% type swing? if it's the latter, then i'd pick up the 4 wood to close that gap. if its a full swing, maybe you could get away hitting and easy 3 wood to go 250 when you need that shot...but at the same time i wouldn't go below 3/4 swing to get there.

[bIGwIRE]

Do you play many par 5s that run around 600 yards?
Otherwise the 270yd 3 wood seems a little overkill. A good drive on a 550 yd hole would leave you with only 220-250 to the pin, still reachable in 2 with a 4 or strong 5 wood, even your new hybrid could carry the load there.
Ever think about ditching the 3 wood for a 15-16 degree hybrid? I'm guessing you tee off with the 3 wood on tighter holes, but a 17 dergree hybrid would probably go around 250 yds for you, 20 yds less, but with a softer landing than the 3 wood, and less risk imo.

[dmband8985]

onthehunt, i forgot to ask...i see your avatar is of techpower forged irons...did you used to play those before you got your vr's? i assume they treated you well considering your low handicap...i'm looking for a clubmaking project to build a set of players irons and stumbled across those heads for a decent price, but can't find any good technical reviews on them

[onthehunt526]

They are actually ZX-20s if you wanna know pm me

[pjsnyc]

...OK, here is the major question, I hit the 3-wood about 270 and the hybrid 230.. should I replace 3-wood with 4 or 5 wood to shrink the gap between the fairway wood and my hybrid or is it good where its at?

Have you considered getting a 4 or 5 wood with a longer shaft?

[onthehunt526]

I have but it just seems like it would be the same distance.

[pjsnyc]

I have but it just seems like it would be the same distance.

Seems like you're in a pickle then aren't ya?

At this point I guess I would just try to get some demo clubs to try at the range, -maybe even try a 3 wood with a shorter shaft? -or a 7 wood with a longer shaft? -or just say screw it and get yourself a 70* wedge :P

[onthehunt526]

Seems like you're in a pickle then aren't ya?

what about the 16 degree hybrid?

[pjsnyc]

what about the 16 degree hybrid?

I was under the impression that you were against hybrids. Now you want two? I mean hey, whatever works right? Personally, I love hitting woods just as much as hybrids. OK, maybe I like hitting woods a little more heheh.

Honestly, I would just stick with one hybrid (especially considering your level of play) and also stick with the 3 wood you currently have. The distance gap between these two clubs shouldn't matter as much as the new wedge you just added. If you want to hit your 3 wood shorter, you could always just choke down on the grip :) Edit - unless you meant replacing your current hybrid with a 16 degree? That might do the trick.

[onthehunt526]

well that is a possibility too... but choking down is cheaper lol

[Crey23]

... The distance gap between these two clubs shouldn't matter as much as the new wedge you just added. If you want to hit your 3 wood shorter, you could always just choke down on the grip :) ...

I am no position to be giving you advise, but I agree with this statement. I think, that a gap in distance that you have can be solved with either choking down or swinging slower 10 to 15% max.

Like I said, I am no expert, but this has actually worked well for me. my gap between the 3w and the 3h is only about 25 - 30 yards, but between my driver and 3w is about 40 - 50 yards. When I need a little more than what I can deliver from my 3w, I take my drive and "take a little off the top". It works fine! Good luck!!!

[pjsnyc]

well that is a possibility too... but choking down is cheaper lol

Just throwing ideas out there heheh

Hope it helps!