Considering a Four Wood

[TheLauncher]

I've recently began playing a three hybrid (as seen in my signature) that I seem to hit as far as my five wood, with a little more consistency and a better (lower, more penetrating) ball flight. I find the hybrid to be a more versatile club and I haven't really used the five wood since I've had the hybrid in my bag. At this point in my game I'm not really comfortable hitting a three wood off he deck, and I'm wondering if a four wood would be a good club to fill the gap between the three hybrid and driver. Anyone with any experience with four woods, or who can recommend a couple of makes and models to consider?

[Taylor Shrake]

Callaway is the one company thats known for consistently making 4 woods. Its a decent club if the 3 wood is too much for you off the deck, but it makes par 5s seem that much longer.

[enis750]

i use a Mizuno (as in my sig)
absolutely love this thing - but I can also hit it 230-240 off the deck, w virtually no roll
it just sticks
FOR ME - its a good gap between the driver and 4i

[WUTiger]

What specs does your current/former 3-wood have as for as clubhead loft, and the shaft? A 3-wood might work off the deck is you had the right shaft.

Also, look back a few days ago. We had a multi-response thread on 4-woods.

[TheLauncher]

Thanks for the recommendations. I am already carrying a three iron, and that too may soon be cancelled by the hybrid, leaving two open spots in the bag. Really all the three iron is good for over the hybrid is low punches. A good three hybrid is going 220-230, and a good five wood is only a little more than that on a good shot, which are more infrequent.

Barring the three wood, I really not sure what to add to my bag. I really don't feel like I need any more options from 120 yards in, so I don't think I want another wedge. Anyone else feel like they only regularly play 12 out of their 14 clubs, or am I not getting the most out of my bag. Oh and please, no one mention adding a chipper.

[TheLauncher]

  WUTiger said:

What specs does your current/former 3-wood have as for as clubhead loft, and the shaft? A 3-wood might work off the deck is you had the right shaft.

See sig for specs on my three wood. I just can't seem to get it in the air.

And thanks for the heads up on the thread. Sorry I missed it.

[hamletsdead]

I have a Tour Edge Exotics 4-wood that I play in my travel bag instead of a 3-wood. I got it a few years ago from a friend, and he'd shafted it with a great Rombax shaft, and for about a year I just used my 3-wood as my driver and my 4-wood off the deck. Worked great. Frankly, I don't think you'll be losing too much distance swapping out your 3W for a 4W -- maybe 15 yards -- and if you are cold-topping your 3W off the deck now then you will actually be gaining a whole lot of yards, plus the confidence of grabbing a club out of the bag you know you can hit.

Don't know if you're looking for recommendations, but I do like the TE a lot. Small, compact head, and goes forever.

[Island Par]

i just recently started using a Macgregor 4W in stiff flex shaft and just found it great off the tee and off the deck. Plus at the price i purchased it, $49.99 brand new, its a steal!

[allin]

  TheLauncher said:

Thanks for the recommendations. I am already carrying a three iron, and that too may soon be cancelled by the hybrid, leaving two open spots in the bag. Really all the three iron is good for over the hybrid is low punches. A good three hybrid is going 220-230, and a good five wood is only a little more than that on a good shot, which are more infrequent.

I carried a four wood seven wood combo for several years, since I am a short hitter the extra height made hitting them into par 4 greens a better proposition. If you hit your driver reasonably well and can't reach par 5s with a three wood then a three wood is a great option. I went back to the 3 wood now because I hit the one I am playing well, even out of light rough. For most golfers who are not in single digits going for a par 5 with a three wood is high risk anyway. Unless you can reach it with a 4 or 5 wood, laying up and hitting a full wedge still keeps birdie in play and takes big numbers off the board.

On your second part, thats why my five wood left my bag. I just never seemed to be at a distance or need it most rounds. I added the gap wedge, it is probably my lowest use club, but when I need it, nothing else works as well.

[R7Player]

I have kept a 4 wood for 30 years in bag.
a solid wood with red face plate. I still rely
on it to get the ball high, straight, and 225 yds.
Its a low profile compact and gets out of the rough
nicely. It sits next to my Taylormade Burner 3W.
Good luck with your 4 wood.

[Happy Dragon]

In your bag, the 3H and the 3I are not redundant. I'm very familiar with your 3H as I have one in my bag and it adequately covers the distance between my 3I and 3W. The 3H is more like a 2I.

To be frank, at your playing level, gaps of 10-15 yards between your longer clubs doesn't really make a difference. Even with my game, the longer clubs aren't hit with a ton of consistency. This yardage differential becomes significant when you can trust that you'll flush your 3I 8 out of 10 strikes. At an 18.8, you're probably not hitting a lot of GIR's when you're outside 150 yards. You're probably not hitting a lot of GIR's, period.

Your set looks fine, go out and have fun.