Transition to longer clubs

[Keith412]

I am becoming more and more comfortable with my hybrids ( i have a 3, 4 & 5 in place of my long irons). I struggle a bit with my 3 and 5 wood and REALLY struggle with my driver. Is it better to try to work my way up to the driver? The length difference between my 3 hybrid and 3 wood is about 4 inches. What accounts for my inability to hit the woods but ability to hit the hybrids solidly? (i push slice frequently)

I have been taking lessons and my instructor told me to keep using my 3 hybrid off the tee but we haven't really discussed moving up in clubs

[jambalaya]

The length of the club accounts for a lot. The club head travels in a longer arc and one has to keep the club head on plane and in sync with the body for a longer time. In other words timing is more of a challenge. Small mistakes get maginified because you are applying more power. Working your way up to the longer clubs is a good idea espeically if your just playing recreational golf. What club are you hitting off the tee on the 4 and 5 par holes?

[Keith412]

my hybrid 3 , i can hit it around 190 to 205 and much more often in the fairway than my 3 wood

[mdl]

At a 30+ handicap, I think it's an excellent idea to stick with the 3 hybrid off the tee, given what you've said. I used to struggle a lot with my driver too, especially compared to my other clubs. I was stubborn and kept hitting it until I got more consistent, but I think the rest of my game would have improved more quickly if I'd had a real second shot more often.

If you push/slice your driver into the trees on the right on 8 holes, then that's 8 second shots you don't get to work with. It's good to work on your punch outs and knock-downs and all, but if you can put a 3 hybrid 200 off the tee, it's only going to be the long par 4s that you can't reach in 2, and you can use those holes to work on your pitches and chips, and try to get up and down.

I think you'll improve game-time play more quickly sticking with your pro's advice. Fix the shots that you just know have no chance of being consistent yet on the driving range.

[jambalaya]

my hybrid 3 , i can hit it around 190 to 205 and much more often in the fairway than my 3 wood

That is about average for that club. Nothing wrong with that. I am here to testify that losing a ball in the woods and starting a hole with a stroke and distance penalty is a killer. Think of yourself as being 200 yards and one stroke ahead of that scenario.

[Keith412]

I felt comfortable enough at the practice tee that i used the 3 wood on some of the longer par 4's and the par 5's. Felt great and i hit 3/6 fairways that i used the club on and didn't hit any in the woods or put myself in a position where i had to pitch out

[jdjanda]

I think I'm going with the advice next time out.

I'll play my 3H on the Par 4's and save my inconsistent driver with the Par 5's.