Driver Vs. 3 wood, having a hard time...

[bIGwIRE]

That's crazy... as a 7 capper you should have the swing to play driver with some level of consistency... or at least get good distance.

I'm just over a 5, and the driver is moody for me, too.

The more I learn about this game, the less I'm concerned with driver distance. Hitting a 7 iron to a consistent distance is far more important. I think 250-260 down the middle every time is better than 5 at 280 and one ob.

[hamletsdead]

Funny how these threads crop up all of a sudden. I just bought a Bridgestone J33P head (375 cc) today because I'm hitting my 3-wood as well as my driver (250-260) and wondered what would happen if I went to a small(er) head driver on a cut-down shaft. I'm betting a 10.5* head on a long 3-wood shaft will be a bomb.

Why did the 460 cc head ever become the ONLY driver option? It would be really nice if you could pick up a 300 cc driver without having to hunt through eBay and garage sales for heads that are 8-10 years old. Just tee it low and use the 3-wood swing and Bam! with no more trouble. There must be 100,000 great driver heads gathering dust in closets and attics across America.

[Zeph]

Why did the 460 cc head ever become the ONLY driver option? It would be really nice if you could pick up a 300 cc driver without having to hunt through eBay and garage sales for heads that are 8-10 years old. Just tee it low and use the 3-wood swing and Bam! with no more trouble. There must be 100,000 great driver heads gathering dust in closets and attics across America.

Only America?

I agree, I'd really like to see some drivers with a smaller head. If I could get a club where I had to sacrifice a couple of yards to gain accuracy, I'd take it.

[Grndslmhttr3]

Only America?

Don't some Nike staffers use like a 385cc Dymo?

[Big_M]

Why did the 460 cc head ever become the ONLY driver option?

Because most golfers benefit from the increased sweet spot and head volume. Most golfers (including many pros) have better misses and similar good shots. There just isn't a significant amount of people who want something smaller.

Don't some Nike staffers use like a 385cc Dymo?

Yes, it is 3-something (385 sounds about right)...

The only reason I can see for a smaller head is more workability... and honestly I don't work the ball that much with my driver... I just play my fade unless I need a draw... then if there's room I'll try to draw the driver and if less room I'll pull 3-wood (which I can turn however I need). I play smart and hit 3-wood when needed, but I am easily 20+ yards longer with driver, and pretty straight (small fade by choice) and consistent. I played an old school oversized driver from 1995-2005 (maybe 250cc) and when I bought a new one in 05' I couldn't get comfortable with the 460's in the store. I bought a 360, and it lasted one year before I switched up to 460... which I wouldn't trade for anything.

[Zeph]

Everyone use a 3 wood when they can't afford missing it to the left or right, yet the difference in distance is not always significant. Why would not a 1 wood, like a 3 wood, only with the loft of a driver, be easier to hit straight than a 460cc driver? If you can hit a 13º or 15º wood straighter than the driver, should you not be able to with a 10º wood, which also gave you more distance?

I haven't tried such a club, so I'm not going to say it'll work, but it sure would be interesting to try. The reason why it's not on the market is probably because it's already been tested and found to be harder to hit or less accurate than a 460cc driver, I'd still like to try it.

[sean_miller]

Everyone use a 3 wood when they can't afford missing it to the left or right, yet the difference in distance is not always significant. Why would not a 1 wood, like a 3 wood, only with the loft of a driver, be easier to hit straight than a 460cc driver? If you can hit a 13º or 15º wood straighter than the driver, should you not be able to with a 10º wood, which also gave you more distance?

So, you do want a 460cc driver?

[Zeph]

No, I already have a large headed driver, I would like to try a driver with a smaller head, or a 10º wood, which essentially is pretty much the same thing. I'd like to see if it was easier to swing. I find my 3 wood way easier to swing and control than my driver. They are not too far apart in shaft length, but the head on the driver is heavier and larger. The 3w feels much easier to control. The driver feels whippy, while the wood feels more solid.

[misty_mountainhop]

Only America?

Why would you sacrifice any yardage? if you hit the sweet spot it'll go pretty much the same distance regardless of head size. The large heads are supposed to be more forgiving on the mishits; personally they just make me sloppy. My 385E is as big as I'm going.

Interestingly, I believe a number of pros (and manufacturers?) are investigating smaller heads again.

No, I already have a large headed driver, I would like to try a driver with a smaller head, or a 10º wood, which essentially is pretty much the same thing. I'd like to see if it was easier to swing. I find my 3 wood way easier to swing and control than my driver. They are not too far apart in shaft length, but the head on the driver is heavier and larger. The 3w feels much easier to control. The driver feels whippy, while the wood feels more solid.

I don't think there's a great deal of difference in head weight between 3w and driver. The driver head is bigger but the weight isn't a great deal different. The 3w "feels much easier to control" I would bet because typically they have a heavier shaft than a driver. 3w shafts are also shorter.

[anthony]

I don't think there's a great deal of difference in head weight between 3w and driver. The driver head is bigger but the weight isn't a great deal different. The 3w "feels much easier to control" I would bet because typically they have a heavier shaft than a driver. 3w shafts are also shorter.

Driver head on a 3w shaft. You might have something there!

[enduro]

Why did the 460 cc head ever become the ONLY driver option? It would be really nice if you could pick up a 300 cc driver without having to hunt through eBay and garage sales for heads that are 8-10 years old. Just tee it low and use the 3-wood swing and Bam! with no more trouble. There must be 100,000 great driver heads gathering dust in closets and attics across America.

You can definitely find them. But because of light metals there aren't many great reasons to not use a larger head since the benefits out-weight the liabilities. You'll get more club head speed with a smaller driver head I believe, but that's about it.

Honestly though, for most golfers I can't think of a great reason why they shouldn't use a 460. You can find plenty of 420 or whatever they are out there as well.