Can't hit my 3 wood for crap...

[Alohaed]

both from the fairway and off the tee. Anyone have any tips? I really don't want to go to a 16* 1 hybrid(3 wood is 15* - 15.5*), because after reading some threads here, I won't get anywhere near the same distance.

[skagen]

Well, a well hit hybrid is gonna go further than a duffed 3 wood any day. Plus at your handicap, if you're out 200 yards from the pin, it's probably better course management to hit PW twice onto the green since it's gonna take you 2 shots anyways. Not a lot of people hit the greens from 180-200 in one shot at our handicaps.

Having said that, swing the woods like you swing the driver. Sweep it as oppose to hitting down on it.

[Leftygolfer]

Get a five wood. I hit mine just as fair as any 3 wood. I hit it higher, carry it farther.

[bodmanza]

Get a five wood. I hit mine just as fair as any 3 wood. I hit it higher, carry it farther.

This. I crush my 5 wood higher and farther than I did with my Cleveland HiBore 3 wood. Swoop hook it every now and then, but that is just my swing!

[unkle_77]

i love my cobra speed pro 3 wood it is one of my favourite clubs i trust, although it is very tight to look own on, i had an md players 3 wood with a much bigger head and found myself struggling to hit it any further than my 20d hybrid with a very ballooning flight. I think especially off the fairway you need a 3 wood which looks like it can comfortably strike the ball

[yellowvette]

Where do you play the ball in your stance? I find that when I start hitting my 3 wood bad it is poor ball placement rather than my swing. Try placing it just forward of center, but farther back than your driver. Your swing may be bottoming out too soon. Too far forward and you can top the ball, too far back and you won't sweep the ball. Slow down your swing and let the club do the work, and KEEP YOUR HEAD STILL. Make contact before looking up. To keep your head still try this swing sequence...left shoulder to chin, right shoulder to chin, then look up. Take three times as long for the backswing as the downswing. With a 30+ handicap don't worry about changing equipment. You need to concentrate on making good contact. I have a good friend that hits the ball 290+ with a $35 Rawlings driver....I didn't even know they made golf equipment until he bought it. The point is don't worry about buying a hybrid or distance, hit the fairway consistently first.

[kevinbomb123]

at your handicap 30+ u need to be working on the basic swing rather then going on a golf course

[shankapotamus]

I guess he can't work on his swing on the golf course?

[Alohaed]

Thanks all for your input. You guys are right. I think I will take my 3 wood to the range. And maybe take a lesson to hit this club, let the instructor critque my stance, ball placement, etc. I am out of work again and am not about to buy new clubs. My $30 MG 2 wood should be almost as good as a $180 wood, for my skills.

[shades9323]

I couldn't hit my 3(strong) so I took it out of my bag and put in a 5 wood. If I am that far out though, I will usually lay up and hit a wedge into the green.

I am thinking of throwing a 4 wood in my bag and a 20* hybrid and see what happens.

[Alohaed]

I've been laying up too, in order not to use the 3w. Yet on long par 3s, I would need it. Not to mention I should learn to hit the thing off the fairway anyway.

[Sandwedge74]

I am of the opinion that it's more or less the same swing for every club - driver thru wedge. If your mechanics are sound with an 8 or 7 iron they will be with a 3 wood - there some difference ; hitting down vs. sweeping - the basic mechanics are the same. $$$ spent on a lesson is the best "equipment change" hand down in my opinion.

[n8ron]

See handicap for relevance.

I agree with everyone so far.

Since fixing my swing which was way too flat, I occasionally have problems with my 3 wood and to a lesser extent, my driver. What I've found is that I'm getting too steep of a swing plane with D & 3w. Flattening that out and swinging around the body a bit more seems to correct that.

It's my understanding (makes sense if you look at the clubs) that the wedges will have the most upright swing and then the plane progressively flattens out as you go through the longer ones. Sure, the mechanics are the same, but a longer shaft will have to be taken into account.

[Leftygolfer]

I am of the opinion that it's more or less the same swing for every club - driver thru wedge. If your mechanics are sound with an 8 or 7 iron they will be with a 3 wood - there some difference ; hitting down vs. sweeping - the basic mechanics are the same. $$$ spent on a lesson is the best "equipment change" hand down in my opinion.

That is speaking the truth. A good swing can use any equipment with good results.

[lumpuckeroo]

Maybe it's just a mental thing, tell yourself you are the best fairway wood player in the world and you will be. Also, only play it when you know you will have success hitting, like off a perfect lie in the fairway.

[HSip]

both from the fairway and off the tee. Anyone have any tips? I really don't want to go to a 16* 1 hybrid(3 wood is 15* - 15.5*), because after reading some threads here,

I think you've got

a solution to your problem. If you can't hit your 3 wood from the fairway or tee for crap - Hit the hybrid - it won't be the same distance, it will be farther (if you can hit the hybrid.) In other words, a well struck 16* hybrid will go further than a poorly hit 15* 3 wood every time. Avoid the frustration and work on the 3 wood at the range not on the course. Good luck.