Am I stupid to buy a RBZ 3w?

[Chris Stewart]

I've been working on replacing my bag and it has happened a lot faster than I expected. I'm down to 2 clubs, my 3w and 5w. I have the TM Superfast 2.0 driver (used) and was thinking about getting matching woods (also used) to finish my bag. However, I found GlobalGolf to be out of 3w in that model, and since I'm getting back a huge tax return, that led me to consider getting a new RBZ 3w ($229) and the used Superfast 2.0 5w ($95). That said, I don't want to be "that guy" who is working hard to improve but isn't quite breaking 100 yet on a 72 and has some fancy new 3w. I hit my current 3w and 5w well, and they're a solid 15 years old now. Given how infrequently I hit a 3w doing a round and my current handicap, I question if buying that club makes sense.

[Mr. Desmond]

No -- it does not make sense off the deck. Off the tee, you can probably hit it well. Still, it's 43.5 inches off the deck on a low lofted wood that is more likely to go sideways.

[Chris Stewart]

I think I'm going to head over to Golf Galaxy at lunch today with my current 3w and see if I can get some numbers. I hit my current 3w and 5w well off the deck, never really hit them off the tee. My new driver is quite long and I've adjusted to that well. Maybe getting some numbers will add some context about my swing.

[johnclayton1982]

I don't think a beginner should worry about "looking silly" because he has a new club in the bag that is heavily advertised.  I've seen people complain on here about people who "think they're tour pros" but arn't very good, but I totally disagree that is something to get upset about.  As long as you have good etiquette and keep up with the group in front, play clubs that let you have FUN!

So, I would ask myself:

1.  Can I afford it?

2.  If yes, will it make me excited to go to range / course and practice?

3.  Will I have more fun with this club in the bag?

If the answers to those questions are yes, go for it.  I'm not a tour pro, but I play with an expensive, fitted Edel putter.  It gets some looks sometimes and once even got an eye roll.  But I really like it, it feels right, I make putts with it, and it makes the game more fun.  Maybe some would say why spend $600 to shoot in the 80s, but if it helps you have fun, its worth every penny IMO.

Go hit it!  If you like it, pick it up.  Playing around with new equipment and finding something that feels right is one of the many great things about playing golf.

[johnclayton1982]

Quote:

My new driver is quite long and I've adjusted to that well.

I cut my 4w down 1.5" and added a small amount of weight to the head to keep the swingweight the same.  There is no reason you have to play the club at the length they made it.  I hit my 4w just slightly less than before it was cut, but it is way, way more accurate and consistent at -1.5".

[bobsuruncle]

why not forgo the 3W and get the 4W.  It's a great back up driver and you can actually hit one off the deck (vs a 3W).  I believe the RBZ does come in a 4W (16-17 deg) loft?

[Chris Stewart]

I went to Golf Galaxy today and tried the RBZ 3w. I didn't have a great store experience as I sat and waited for the guy in the repair area (no one was by the driving area) to tell the story of Callaway to the guy in front of me, while 4 people were standing in line. He said he'd get someone up to help me, and no one showed. Then someone came up with a customer to the driving area to try out a new driver. So I waited there to be next to get some help with what I should be looking for. The customer was an older woman and she went back and forth between her driver and a new driver, hitting at least 40 balls, all about 100 yards. There was nearly no change between the two clubs, but she just kept going and going. 45 minutes after arriving, I was able to get some assistance and even then, the guy just handed me a club and walked away. I took two swings with my current 3w: 176y and 183y. Then I hit a few with the RBZ 3w (regular flex, don't know the adjustments that had been made before me): 204y, 201y, 210y, 212y. I didn't warm up so I'm basically doing that as I'm hitting these first few shots. I picked up my 3w again and hit a few now that I'm feeling good: 190y-200y. I hit the RBZ a few more times and was ranging 220y-230y and even hit one in the 245y range. I kept swapping a bit and did hit my current 3w in the 220y range once. Comparing the two, my current 3w just feels dull when it comes off the face. The RBZ felt much better and was a lot lighter, which took a few swings to get used to. I think I could hit the RBZ a little further than I was today as I get more comfortable with hitting it, much like I have with my new driver. Overall, I really liked it. I'm not sure it's worth the $229 price tag for me. I'm curious to try it against the Superfast 2.0 fairway wood as I can find one of those used in the $95 range.

[marcv68]

I agree withjohnClayton that said I redid my whole bag this year.Got last yrs. R11 driver,RBZ 3-wood and Tourpreferred CB,s.I,ve since swapped out shafts and put in AXE shafts from Arthue Extreme Sports and have,nt looked back.I,m hittin nice baby fades with the driver and I also cut the 3wood down from 43.5 to 43 and have no issue striking it off the tee or on the ground.It is good that u got on a launch mon. and saw the improvement now I think the price of the 3wood is not too bad I say if u want it go for it.

[dmnoland]

The real beauty of the RBZ 3 is that it really is the best launching FW off of the deck. Unfortunately the thing is so long it just doesn't fit my needs as far as distance gaps go. If I needed a new 3 or 4 wood I'd be all over it.

[Mr. Desmond]

According to the opinions of the knowledgeable, the shafts on the SF 2.0 are crap and crappy - crappier than the RBZ stock shaft. In fact, most have to go up a flex to get the same flex in the SF 2.0 if they are keeping the same shaft length. And then, you don't get the benefits of the speed slot in the SF 2.0. TM wanted to make a fairway that is hotter than they had previously made - the R11 and SF 2.0 did not approach max COR.

Of course, you can purchase your normal flex, and cutting it down will get you a stiffer flex, but affect the swing weight.

If you only purchase fairways every 10 years, I'd suggest the RBZ - if you don't purchase often, get the latest technology. Or you can try the Adams fairways with their speed slot technology - the first generation is now on sale ... since they are into the second generation.

I don't like to buy often, so I find a trusted fitter, put on a custom shaft, get the length of shaft that fits me, the right grip size and swing weight, and keep it awhile. But that's me. Everyone is different.

good luck in your search. I find fairways to be the toughest clubs to like.

[breaking80plz]

I just purchased the rbz 3 wood. I love it. I played Titleist woods for the last couple of seasons made the switch and love them. I did have the 3 wood cut down an 1.5". Felt better to me. If you hit it and liked it and can afford it go for it. Good luck.

[Titleist72]

I would buy it if i could afford it.  I hit my FW a lot though.. try to hit it on the course as much as possible.  My sister has a RBZ FW4 and it looks and feels great.  Confidence plays a huge part for me and looking down at that thing couldn't hurt