new player - 3I vs 3W

[glueguy]

As a new player, do I need to carry both a 3W and a 3I? When / how do I use one instead of the other? Whenever I have a long fairway shot, I grab the 3W.

Thanks for being patient with a newbie.

[alomar123]

Well the 3 wood has a 15 degree loft and most 3 irons have around a 20 degree. Thats 5 degrees so they really should not go the same distance. I hope that answers your question

[is2linda]

3i and 3w are completely different clubs.

depending on your distance:
Average distance
60 - 80-90
56 - 100
52 - 110
P - 120
9i - 130
8i - 140
7i - 150
6i - 160
5i - 170
4i - 180
3i - 190

5w - 220
3w - 240
Driver - 265

It can be about 40-60 yard difference between your 3i and 3w. So it would be little smart to carry both. But your only allowed 14 clubs, so you decide what is best for club set make up.

As for hitting, 3i you hit it like an iron, except you move the ball a little bit left of the middle of your stance, and 3w like a driver aligning it with your left heel.

[glueguy]

Thank you!

[trjohnson2]

You need a hybrid/rescue, around 20 degrees most likely. Much easier to hit than a 3i.

[WUTiger]

glueguy,

Once you decide which clubs to carry, put them into your signature line. this appears at the end of your posts. That way, your fellow posters can tell how you approach the game.

As for the 3 iron, many iron sets start with the 4 iron or even a 5-iron these days. You want to start with a 3 hybrid, which probably be easier to hit.

If you start playing golf regularly, and your swing starts to settle in, you will likely switch clubs after a couple of years. When you make the switch, you might test-hit a 3 iron to see how it feels, see if it might be useful.

But for the early going, I would avoid a 3 iron. You need a well developed swing for it to work.

[Shindig]

3i and 3w are completely different clubs.

Umm.... that's maybe average for TST, but not average by any stretch of the imagination. The USGA, when determining the expected scratch golfer score (course rating), assumes driver average of 250. I suspect most beginners' average PW is closer to 90-100, or maybe 110 if they're athletically inclined or started with lessons (and thus avoided ingraining bad habits early). But that's another thread for another time... As a very general rule, though, the X iron and the (2X+1) wood are interchangable for distances, but not flight characteristics.

[elvis14]

As a beginner, you should take the 3i and the 4i out of your bag (maybe even that pesky 5i) IMHO. As someone else pointed out, hybrids are easier to hit anyway.

I eventually took the 3w out of my bag, the risk/reward just wasn't worth it for me.

[mellojoe]

As a beginner, you should take the 3i and the 4i out of your bag (maybe even that pesky 5i) IMHO. As someone else pointed out, hybrids are easier to hit anyway.

This, except, take out the Driver and leave the 3w.

That's my beginner advice... or what I do as a beginner. I gave up hitting the Driver off the tee for a while, and I instead use my 3w. Easier to be more consistent for now while I work on the "scoring" aspects of the game (wedges, short irons, etc). Eventually I'll go back. I do have a 23* hybrid that I use for some of those longer fairway shots. I also have a 5w as well. Don't need a Driver, don't need a 3i.

[flanagan]

Everybody's swing and ability is different, so that is why you may get a lot of different answers.

I suggest most would agree in the new equipment era, no reason for a beginner to carry a 3 iron. I used to play a 3 iron and 4 iron and not horribly, but have abandoned them for hybrids for all of the reasons others will tell you and you can find by doing a little research.

As for a driver, get fit for a driver and get one with enough loft and not too long and I think you'll have no trouble hitting it and may find more margin for error than with a 3 wood off the tee. You may find skipping a 3 wood altogether a benefit, depending on how you like other fairway woods/hybrids and whatever yardage gaps you are wanting to address.

Anyway, another opinion.

[elvis14]

I gave up hitting the Driver off the tee for a while, and I instead use my 3w. Easier to be more consistent for now while I work on the "scoring" aspects of the game (wedges, short irons, etc). Eventually I'll go back.

Everybody's swing and ability is different, so that is why you may get a lot of different answers.

These two responses really tell the story. As flanagan mentions we are all different. I have always had better luck hitting a driver than a 3w. My R7 460 has a big forgiving face and as long as I remember not to over swing, it really does a nice job of keeping me in the fairway. Sounds like mellojoe is the opposite of me when it comes to the Driver. That's cool, the many variances make this game fun! One thing it seems most agree on, however, is that for a beginner the 3i (and even the 4i) just aren't a good idea (heck I've been playing for years and have no intention of ever putting a 3i back in my bag).

[Grndslmhttr3]

Get a hybrid.

[Buster]

I agree with losing the driver, starting out.
I have hit my 3 wood 244 yds. (good day, Wheaties, etc.).
I keep the 3I in my bag, for those pesky putt/chips, just off the green and for shooting under pine trees.

I need all the help I can get, and always have 14 clubs to choose from.