Wood loft to fill gap?

[USA 79S]

Currently have a set of hybrid irons with a 5-PW, and an 18* 3h and a 21* 4h. I am looking for a new Driver and wood, but my question is what #wood and loft would best fill the gap between the driver and hybrids? I am expecting the driver to be 10 or 10.5 degrees.

[joepro23]

Since you have an 18* in the bag I would think a slightly strong 3-wood at around 14 degrees would be a pretty good fit. Anything between 13 and 15.5 degrees would work though and give you enough distance over your 18* 3h to make it worth adding.

[jpalermo]

Depends on how far you hit the 18*. I would say 15* would be a good starting point. I had a 13* 3 wood and had a hard time with it. Hit a few see which one you like the trajectory and distance of and buy it. You know your game alot better than we do.

[USA 79S]

I am a beginner with about 60-75 holes exp. I am looking at a spring time newbie deal with 4 group lessons, 1 solo lesson, and 2 9-hole rounds. Would you guys recommend that I do those, and then see what my distance looks like with my driver and hybrid?

[sean_miller]

I am a beginner with about 60-75 holes exp. I am looking at a spring time newbie deal with 4 group lessons, 1 solo lesson, and 2 9-hole rounds. Would you guys recommend that I do those, and then see what my distance looks like with my driver and hybrid?

Pick up a 3 wood. Just a regular 3 wood. Don't worry about drivers yet. If you feel self conscious about no driver in the bag, don't be. For every person that would judge a new golfer for not carrying a driver right away, there would be two dozen low handicappers applauding him.

Drivers are expensive - get a 1/2 decent swing first then you'll only have to buy one driver.

[Fatphil]

Depends on how far you hit the 18*. I would say 15* would be a good starting point. I had a 13* 3 wood and had a hard time with it. Hit a few see which one you like the trajectory and distance of and buy it. You know your game alot better than we do.

yeh this is a tricky question even for a regular player.. I have a 16.5* 4 wood (210yds) and a 17* hybrid (195). You would think because of the loft they are almost the same thing but the bigger head on the 4 wood produces another 10 yds.

I hear your comment on a 13* 3 wood...I was thinking to go that route but I think you are correct it's probably a hard lie to get off the ground.

[jpalermo]

yeh this is a tricky question even for a regular player.. I have a 16.5* 4 wood (210yds) and a 17* hybrid (195). You would think because of the loft they are almost the same thing but the bigger head on the 4 wood produces another 10 yds.

I hated the 13*, that was a few years ago and may not be so bad now but I hit my 15* very well, I also have a 17* 904F with the Proforce V2 HL that I will throw in the bag on a regular basis to use as a wood/hybrid. I had the shaft cut down to a 2h length and I absolutely love it. My first beginner set was some Wilson Ultra Oversize something or other and it had 1-3-5-7 woods and 3-pw irons. I played them from 12 to 19 worked very well for the learning process. I think a lot of beginners over think their set makeup and should concentrate more on grooving their swing than equipment. I would definately do the lesson thing.

[Wahoo]

Currently have a set of hybrid irons with a 5-PW, and an 18* 3h and a 21* 4h. I am looking for a new Driver and wood, but my question is what #wood and loft would best fill the gap between the driver and hybrids? I am expecting the driver to be 10 or 10.5 degrees.

You should consider the fact that any fairway wood will have a longer shaft than a hybrid with the same loft, so something like a 17 degree 4-wood may actually be better than a 3-wood (really depends on how well you hit your hybrid). The same analysis applies when looking at the gaps between your hybrids and irons (hybrids will have longer shafts).

[WUTiger]

...

Sean Miller... Pick up a 3 wood. Just a regular 3 wood. Don't worry about drivers yet.

Suggest you try a 15* 3 W, save driver to later. Use it off the tee, and from the fairway. The 15* would probably give you at least two clubs lengths distance over the 18* H, since the 3W would have stronger loft

and a longer shaft. Also, you can make better use of your practice time, and hit more fairways, if you focus first on a 3W.

[Fastrack]

I think 15* 3W would be good choice to fill the gap between driver and 18* 3H. You can add 5W or 7W if you have room to add later on.