Do I really Need a 3 wood?

[RyanR]

It helps, and if you're a 17 handicap, you would probably be able to hit one fairly well. But if you aren't comfortable hitting it, you may as well stick to a hybrid club or a 2-iron!

Good luck,
Ryan

[powerfade]

If you have a 40-50 yard difference between the hybrid and driver, I'd give the 3 wood a try. You may find you'll like it off the tee for the shorter par 4's where accuracy is key.

[RX Phoenix]

I was pull hooking my 3W (there is no worse shot in golf) because of too much swing speed for the shaft, it's easy to get too fast with a 3W. So I just got a new 3W Taylor Made TP 15* with an X shaft. At least I won't hook this one no matter how hard I swing, and lets face it, we often swing the 3W real hard to try and reach the par 5's.

So the 3W is now back in my bag and expect to use it when the weather allows golf.

[hypergolf]

I currently use my 13 degree (3+ wood) as a driver off the tee and on fairways as well. When I used to have my driver, I would use it to get it on or close to the green on par 5's. I also think 3 wood is useful when it comes to tight fairways and strong head/cross winds compared to the driver.

As for my 16 degree hybrid, I use it more often in the roughs when distance is needed. I don't know why but I can't seem to use the fairway wood in the rough. I also use it off the tee on long par 3's sometimes.

If you have a 16 or 17 degree hybrid and really would like to try the fairwaywoods, I would recommend a 3+ wood to cover the blind spot in between your hybrid and driver. Hope this helps.

[Jenananda]

I think so. I actually hit my #3 wood almost as far as my driver and with better control so on long par 5's it's great. This year I'm hoping to try to the new Tour Edge CB2 #3 fairway wood and play it on tour (amatuer).

[whatuveheard]

i use my 3 wood once a course at the most. i like my hybrid's most of the time

[Q.Q.Quillume]

That's one of the beauties of golf. You get to pick 14 clubs of your choosing. I think most people could survive nicely without a 3-wood. Are YOU one of those people? Nobody can answer that question for you.

[Shindig]

  fckwhatuveheard said:

i use my 3 wood once a course at the most. i like my hybrid's most of the time

Yeah, when playing today, I used my 3W and 5W once apiece, second shot on par-5s. Hit from the fairway into the rough both times. After that, I just started going for my 4H instead. I'm really tempted to pick up 2&3H to replace the woods in the bag.

[vkosek]

  BogeyGolfer said:

I am pretty decent with the driver and I am surgical with the Heavenwood off a the tee.

Nothing says surgical like a 17 handicap.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

It really boils down to this - you only need the clubs you hit well and are confident with. Do you need a 3 Wood? Who knows, probably not. Personally I need a 3 wood as I use that quite a bit off the tee but if you prefer a 4 or 5 wood or a hybrid as a driver sub then by all means use those.

[Shindig]

  Cleveland Gunmetal said:

It really boils down to this - you only

That's the kicker - I'm more accurate off the tee with my driver than with anything this side of a 5-iron. I get to long par-3s and think "there goes the score." I managed to play the back par-3s at +1 total (par and bogey) yesterday and was excited (then angry when I realized I hit both greens and three putted one)

[Shindig]

  vkosek said:

Nothing says surgical like a 17 handicap.

Some high-handicaps are great off the tee and bad around the green. And some low-handicaps play army golf off the tee. I saw a guy a few months ago make par on a bunch of par-4s after horrible tee shots. He got the second shot near the green and was quite skilled at the ups-and-downs.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

  Shindig said:

That's the kicker - I'm more accurate off the tee with my driver than with anything this side of a 5-iron. I get to long par-3s and think "there goes the score." I managed to play the back par-3s at +1 total (par and bogey) yesterday and was excited (then angry when I realized I hit both greens and three putted one)

Hey, then by all means keep hitting the driver and don't worry about a 3 wood. If you ever start having trouble with the driver then look at getting a 3 wood. I sure wish my driver was straighter than my 3 wood

[Shindig]

  Cleveland Gunmetal said:

Hey, then by all means keep hitting the driver and don't worry about a 3 wood. If you ever start having trouble with the driver then look at getting a 3 wood. I sure wish my driver was straighter than my 3 wood

When I say that my driver is my straightest club, it's like saying that I'm the valedictorian of summer school.

[I slice with my putter sometimes ]

[lucky13]

This is a tough one.. Carrying a 3 wood gives you the choice to hit the fairway more often on those tight holes, It allows you to play more causious and play safe. But if you are an excellant driver and hit most fairways a 3 wood is almost useless unless you go for the par5's in 2 with it alot.
Personally i alter between a 2 iron and 3 wood as my course is not very long for me and i do not need a 3 wood.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

  Shindig said:

When I say that my driver is my straightest club, it's like saying that I'm the valedictorian of summer school.

lol.... that was pretty funny. Good luck to ya!

[Shindig]

  Cleveland Gunmetal said:

lol.... that was pretty funny. Good luck to ya!

I'm glad you liked it.

I returned the 2H... I must've gotten one with too long a shaft. I traded it for a King Cobra F-speed 3W. It felt good at the store's hitting mats, gonna give it a try tomorrow. It's second shot on par-5 material for me. I used my 5W and 4H for those today. By hole 3, I effectively took the 2H out of the bag.

[solid_ONE]

  Q.Q.Quillume said:

That's one of the beauties of golf. You get to pick 14 clubs of your choosing. I think most people could survive nicely without a 3-wood. Are YOU one of those people? Nobody can answer that question for you.

+1 different strokes for different folks.