How wide does a fairway need to be before you pull out your driver.

[GolfBear]

The course where my league plays is really narrow.   On some holes, the fairway is about 30 yards and it's lined by trees on both sides.   The course isn't overly long so from a course management perspective I'm contemplating taking the driver out of play.

How wide does a fairway need to be before you'll pull your driver?

[Paradox]

fairway width isn't really a concern to me..its how far do I need to be to put myself in a position to hit the approach shot I want.  My aim is to be 165 or in and have 8 iron or less in my hands.  If its just a ridiculous fairway or something I'll pull out a hybrid and with a good swing hit it around 220 or so and thats good enough on all but the longest par 4's.

Fairways at my homecourse are about in the 25 yard average range with a couple that are a little over 30, the widest is 44(par 5) and the smallest landing area for my drive is 14 yards. I hit driver on all these holes unless I'm just totally unconfident some day.

if your course is tight and short then taking the driver out might be a good option unless you feel really good about it.  Maybe your 3 wood will give you enough control and still good distance with it being 13 degrees

[Kieran123]

Width isn't is much as an issue as to what trouble I would get in if I missed left or right.

If the fairway is 20 yards wide but only has average rough wide of it, I will probably hit driver

20 yards wide and thick trees? Not so much

[ochmude]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

Width isn't is much as an issue as to what trouble I would get in if I missed left or right.

If the fairway is 20 yards wide but only has average rough wide of it, I will probably hit driver

20 yards wide and thick trees? Not so much

That's my thinking as well.  Regardless of club selection, it's a rare treat for me to end up in the fairway off the tee.  Rough is no big deal.  Thick trees or OB will definitely result in clubbing down.

[saevel25]

It doesn't matter for me, i can hit the ball left and right with any club if i miss swing, so i might as well hit on long, and get as much distance as possible. I really only irons or my 3-wood is when i have a dog-leg, or harzard in my landing area.

[Gioguy21]

the fairway for me isn't the issue but as others have noted, it's the trouble/position you'd be in on your second shot. there's a fairway on our 445 yard par 4 14th hole that has a 50 yard wide fairway...why? b/c at 265-280 out there's a creek...and the creek is what would be the break in the slight dogleg right...trees line the fairway to the creek on both sides. i COULD hit driver here and challenge the creek but for me, if i hit a 3W to 10 yards out from the creek...i'm still in good shape. all about course management...