Fairway Woods

[Reid Jones]

Why is it that i can never hit with a 3 wood off the fairway, but i can hit the ball great with my 5 wood. They're the same brand and model of clubs. I seem to sometimes chunk the grass about 5 inches behind the ball sometimes when hitting with my 3 wood. and with my 5, i never have this problem. Can somebody tell me what i'm doing wrong?

[Fore Right!]

There are a few reasons that I can think of...one that I struggle with is wanting to swing the 3 wood faster than the 5 wood because it's 'supposed to go farther.' I also think the loft of the 5 wood gives you more confidence when you step into the shot and the fact that you "know" you hit the 5 wood well doesn't hurt at all. Try to swing smoother and a little slower with the 3 wood...maybe even a shorter backswing to start, like "bunting" it and then work your way up to fuller swings but with the same smooth smooth and slower tempo.

[AlCzervik]

My problem was always topping the ball with a fairway wood on a fairway. I had to concentrate on making sure the club comes in contact with the grass on the swing.

[BallStriker]

My guess is that your swing with the 5-wood is much like a long iron (descending blow to the ball) and that your swing with the 3-wood is much more like a driver (you are trying to sweep the ball off the ground, which requires a very shallow path into the ball -- this is why you hit behind the ball).

Next time out, try and concentrate on swinging the 3-wood with more of a descending blow -- go ahead and take that divot with the 3-wood.

[bogeyhitter25]

You're trying to crush it. If you hit it good it'll go.

[deafheaven]

3 wood is longer. Harder to control. I've beeen tempted to purchase a 4 wood for this reason.