I'm taking the 3 iron out of my bag; help me pick a replacement!

[dag2000]

After 22 years of not being able to hit a crisp, straight 3 iron, I've decided to take it out of the bag. It's a blow to my ego, but then again so was that 96 I shot today.

Right now, I play:
Driver (2007 TaylorMade Burner)
3-Wood (old Callaway Hawkeye)
3-SW (Callaway X-14s)
Callaway low bounce sand wedge
60* lob wedge

I bought the Callaway wedge because the X-14 sand wedge just seemed to have such a massive flange that I would blade the ball out of the bunker in anything but very soft, fluffy sand. However, because the low bounce wedge was a stock shaft (not + 1", 2* upright like all my other irons), I couldn't use it as the next shortest club after my pitching wedge. So, I have two 56* sand wedges, one used only in bunkers and for chipping and the other used usually for a full swing.

I just bought a new Titleist Vokey Chrome 56* 8* bounce. It will replace the Callaway. Since I order the new club to my specs, there is a chance that I could retire the X-14 SW, but I won't know until I play with it for a while.

But I'm ready to get rid of the 3 iron. I hit my 4 iron about 190. So I need a replacement. I haven't had a 5 wood in 20 years. And I've never owned or even swung a hybrid.

What would you recommend to a) replace the 3 iron with no other changes and b) assume I can take the X-14 SW out of my bag, what two clubs would you add?

[Golfaway]

Mizuno MP Fli Hi 21* hybrid iron (designed to replace 3 iron)

[TheWarHound]

Mizuno MP Fli Hi 21* hybrid iron (designed to replace 3 iron)

I agree . . . a Hybrid.

[dag2000]

Mizuno MP Fli Hi 21* hybrid iron (designed to replace 3 iron)

Why is this easier to hit? It has about the same loft.

[Lemay427]

Get a seven wood or eleven wood and then trade your pants in for some skirts!!! LOL

Just kidding...

Get a hybrid.

[II Aequitas II]

Taylormade makes good hybrid/rescue clubs. I use the 4i Hybrid now after taking my 3 iron out of my bag. The only time I ever wish I kept my 3 iron is when I need to hit a punch shot or some such, but a closed down 4 iron works just as well for me.

[Golfaway]

Why is this easier to hit? It has about the same loft.

More offset, wider soul, hollow club head.

[MI Rob]

I would go with a hybrid. They seem to be much easier to hit to me then a long iron.

[cinabnitt]

+1 on the hybrid... most of the name brands (or the ones i have tried anyway) are just stupid easy to hit

[Caddyshack]

Why not swap the 3i for one thats easier to hit? as in a GI or SGI 3 iron? a lot of the pros do it , Ogilvy, Harington, Angel, Boo Weekly, Cink just to name a few.

[Greg]

Go with a hybrid, I'm a pretty high handicapper and I can usually hit pretty decent shots with my hybrids(i have a 3, 4, and 5). Theyre easier to hit out of bad lies and rough.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I recommend the hybrid as well. I play two of them and am very pleased. The key is to swing them like an iron, and not a fairway wood.

[JPBayern]

I agree completely with the statements given here before mine; a hybrid is definitely the way to go. Similarly, I have a difficult time making consistent shots with my three iron. Some of the time I don't make good contact, other times I blast it 200 yards; usually the prior.

To correct this I picked up the Taylormade Burner Rescue 21* 3 Hybrid and I to this day think it was one of the best purchases I've made yet. It swings much like an iron, but is the equivalent of a 3 iron and has the carry of a lower fairway wood (a 5 FW if I recall correctly).

It is so easy to hit, and when you connect well with it there is a high trajectory with great carry and a soft landing with just a bit of roll to it (unlike the long flight / long roll of fairway woods). Great for making shots where controlling distance is paramount.

[deadsolidperfect]

I agree the hybrid is the way to go. I can hit my 3 iron fairly consistantly, but I just added a 3 and 4 Adams A3 boxer hybrids and they are crazy easy to hit. Ball flys high and far and you get much more carry than with an iron. Great for the short rough, fairway and long par 3's. Many good options available out there for reasonable prices.

Good Luck

[jyxart]

any 18-19º club would work. For example Cobra baffler Pro

[dag2000]

Get a seven wood or eleven wood and then trade your pants in for some skirts!!! LOL

I'm experiencing more along the lines of trading in my 3 iron for an early AARP card.

I've never heard of Miura clubs before. Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between the 202s and the blades?

[zubiq]

Any TaylorMade Rescue would be a good purchase. They are forgiving and easy to launch high. Cant go wrong

[dag2000]

Any TaylorMade Rescue would be a good purchase. They are forgiving and easy to launch high. Cant go wrong

Bought a 2007 19* Burner Rescue hybrid. Used it today and loved it. Saved me twice, I also used it a couple times off the tee.