Strong (13.5º) or Regular 3w (15º)

[enis750]

lookin at bagging a 3w this year
should a guy be bagging a strong 3w, as i also carry a 4w (17.5º)
I am thinking strong @ 13 or 13.5º

thoughts??

see sig for my current set up

[kpaulhus]

Im making the move from a 15 to a 13.5. I dont want to flirt with 13 because I want to be able to get the ball up off the deck.

[ry1808]

I suppose the question is under what circumstances would you need a 3 wood or a 3 + wood? My last three fairway woods have been 13.5 15 and now 17. I feel that my course is short enough that when I do need to hit a 3-wood (well the 17 is more of a 4-wood) then I will be hitting one more club and not missing out too much, or if I am going for a par 5 in two then I have a bit more height and stopping ability. Now if you course is long or you struggle with the big stick then I think a 3 + is maybe the way to go. But they you have to pull something out the bag. For me playing a short course, I pulled the 3 wood & 5 wood for a 4 wood for I could carry an extra wedge as that will save me more shots in the long run.

[enis750]

the nice thing about the 4w is that it comes in high and soft....like a 6i or something similar
i dont get much roll out of it at all
thinkin about those long par 5's and being able to get to them a little closer
the 4w is about a 225-235 club for me

[ry1808]

thinkin about those long par 5's and being able to get to them a little closer

Trying not to play devils advocate here but; I would say stick with the 4-wood and get an extra wedge, that will benefit you on the par 5's and short 4's and give you that extra creativity around the greens. Just my opinion but I am starting to appreciate the importance of short game over hitting the odd par 5 in two.

[walfice]

I tried a 13 degree 3 wood last year and couldn't get the ball up off the deck. I was getting 190--200 max carry (about the same as my hybrid). I switched to a 15 degree and it goes much further (220ish carry), so less loft doesn't always mean more distance. On the plus side it was almost as long as my driver off the tee.

[kilbyman]

You could always put a 3w shaft in your 4w.

[ry1808]

You could always put a 3w shaft in your 4w.

It's a bit like the old Strong 3-wood, they had a 2-wood loft (13ish) 3 wood head size and 4 wood shaft length.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I use a 13.5 too. With the shaft i have in mine (adlilla vs proto) the only different between that an a 15 is the trajectory. I carry both lofts about the same distance, but the 13 will come in hotter and roll out more.

[sean_miller]

the nice thing about the 4w is that it comes in high and soft....like a 6i or something similar

Can you wait until the new driver - to see what gap you need filled.

[chriskzoo]

Right now I use a 13* Taylor Made TS TP that I can hit about 240-250 and also have a 16.5* Tour Edge Exotics that I generally keep out of the bag which I hit around 220-230. I like the 13* because I can hit it on pretty much any hole under 400 yards with trouble off the drive, get a little more control, and still have 160 or less to the green.

I will agree with the above that on approach shots it doesn't come in as high as I like, but I don't think I can get that distance AND come in soft.

I tried to put the Exotics in the bag my first round this year, but was hooking it quite a bit - not sure if it was the shaft (I haven't play it that much) or my swing was just off. I think it was a ball placement issue since it was coming off more like a pull-draw.

It sounds like we hit it similar distances, so you can probably go either way. I still waffle back and forth on the 4-wood vs. 60* wedge as my 14th club and haven't convinced myself that the 16.5* is a better option than the 13*.

[Elvisliveson]

I have a TM Tour Spoon (13*) in one bag and a TM Tour Launch 3 wood (14.5*) in the other. Predictably, I like the *13 off the tee and into the wind more and the *14.5 off the deck.

[ry1808]

It sounds like we hit it similar distances, so you can probably go either way. I still waffle back and forth on the 4-wood vs. 60* wedge as my 14th club and haven't convinced myself that the 16.5* is a better option than the 13*.

Yeah, I guess it depends on your course. For me only 1 par 4 is over 400yards so I can, and regularly do play when I only hit a wedge or less on all par 4's and 5's.

[enis750]

You could always put a 3w shaft in your 4w.

I run my 4w at 43" already...but i like to choke up about an inch on it when i use it

Trying not to play devils advocate here but; I would say stick with the 4-wood and get an extra wedge, that will benefit you on the par 5's and short 4's and give you that extra creativity around the greens. Just my opinion but I am starting to appreciate the importance of short game over hitting the odd par 5 in two.

no need for a wedge over 58º

I actually changed my wedge set up this year went from a 47/52/56º to 48.5/54/58º set up - this will cover all gaps just fine

Can you wait until the new driver - to see what gap you need filled.

more than likely

wasnt planning on purchasing today, just a thought for now would be nice to have something for tight par 4's, or getting to the long par 5's in two, w some roll the 4w is nice to bring in nice and high w no roll from the 225-235 distance (no wind)

Yeah, I guess it depends on your course. For me only 1 par 4 is over 400yards so I can, and regularly do play when I only hit a wedge or less on all par 4's and 5's.

most par 4's are a driver than short iron in (wind dependant)

but as stated above, would like something for tight par 4's, or when the big stick is causing me grief was lookin at another Mizuno F-50....can get em for like $50 brand new still on ebay i love my 4w, figured the 3w would be as good

[braveheart]

I second ChrissZ's view on Tour Edge Exotics 3w... my 15* CB2 is long, true and easy, giving even a hi-cap like me a shot at the 510-25 par 5s. Mine also often doubles as driver on tight tracts or when my D confidence sags. TEE CB2 & CB3 worth your consideration.

[Gebus]

With some of the new courses I am playing I am in the process of removing a wedge and switching to a 13.5* titleist F2 and a 18* F3 because I am lacking the distance on some of the longer par 5s and am confident enough with my short game that I could live without my 52* wedge.

[enis750]

well ebay got the best of me last night
I was watching 3 different F-50 3w's last night and they all sold
I found one more so i decided to pull the trigger and get it

BRAND new Mizuno F-50 13.5º 3w is now in the bag....well it WILL be in about 3 days
my 4w is so solid that it only made sense to get the 3w as well
stock shaft in it, but after i test out the FUBUKI in my driver a bit, it may get replaced as well....but time will tell

[enis750]

had some time to test out the new 3w....wow
this thing is wicked - it fires laser beams just like my 4w
awesome off the T, and actually really easy to get off the deck - AND STRAIGHT

the stock EXSAR shaft is nice too - don't mind it at all
it definatly shaved a few off my game bagging this club

now the wedges....thats another story
my new course requires quite a few shots around the 110-120....which was a perfect gap wedge for me.....but i went to a 54/58 set up this year
just couldnt make it work and to boot...the 54 was actually bent at 55.5 and the 58 was almost 60!!!! NO WONDER!!!!
and this was right off the rack too!!!

so i had them bent to my liking again - the 54 is now a 52 and the 58 is now a 56.....thinking of ditching the 3i for a 60 wedge now......as someone mentioned earlier
GT had the Callaway X-Tour Forged on for $60 or the Nike SV Tour's for $60 as well
don't think I will use it a tonne, but it might just come in handy over a 3i......really never felt the need to ever pull it