How many leave the driver at home?

[School Yard Pro]

I tend to slice my driver so it stays in the trunk for now.  I'm quite happy with the distance and accuracy of my 3 wood right now anyways.  Hell, I'm out driving my buddies with my 3W :)

[GJBenn85]

I used to leave the driver in my bag, and even started a thread on here wondering how many other people do not play their drivers.  I started taking lessons and now largely have a proper swing that allows me to get desirable results with a driver.

[JCoop]

I recently replaced my old Orca with one of those new-fangled over-sized, light weight drivers. First time on course I could not get a ball in the fairway. It was very frustrating. So I spent about 4 hours over the next couple weeks hitting that driver into my backyard net until I felt I was making good, solid contact.

Next time on the course I was hitting the longest drives ever, and over 50% in the fairway. In fact, I have begun to figure out how to induce a little draw into the stroke.

Daily practice, even a little, and slowing down my back swing have made all the difference. So the driver is staying in my bag, especially since a really nice drive pisses off my friends who have been playing for decades longer than I have.

[Mobey]

I have a buddy who plays a 3 off the Tee every time every hole and plays quite well that way.  However I think he does suffer as I have yet (in three years) shave a single stroke off his average.  But on that same note...he's happy with his play so.....

[Mobey]

Originally Posted by Mobey

I have a buddy who plays a 3 off the Tee every time every hole and plays quite well that way.  However I think he does suffer as I have yet (in three years) shave a single stroke off his average.  But on that same note...he's happy with his play so.....

3 iron I mean....

[GolfBear]

I think there's a lot of golfers that leave their driver home and have more success off the tee with their 3w because they're playing the wrong driver.   I'm not talking about any particular brand but rather a driver that doesn't fit them well.   I think a lot of golfers are obsessed with hitting it longer and foresake accuracy for distance.    If you look at the lengths of the modern driver is there any wonder why balls that used to go slightly off line now wind up in different zip codes?

From my personal experience, I recently played a round at a course in Las Vegas and I decided to rent rather then schlep my clubs through the airport for just one round.   So I wound up using a Nike Driver, not sure which model, but I do remember it had a Fubuki shaft.   I was saddened to find out it was 10.5 degrees and only a regular flex.    I mentally prepared myself for a bad driving day.   I was SHOCKED to find myself hitting the ball longer and straighter than I've hit it in the last couple of years.   High straight bombs seemed to be absurdly easy to hit.  Fast forward, after a few range sessions with my own driver this week I'm really struggling with the driver and the long high bombs are gone.   I'm starting to realize that my 9 degree driver with the extra stiff shaft just doesn't fit me anymore.

As much as I hate to admit it, at 45 I'm just not generating the same clubhead speed I did when I was 35 and my 9 degree days might be behind me.

[gloomis29]

Last year I played in my first City Golf tournament - for 2 straight weeks before the event my driver was TERRIBLE - poor contact, hitting big blocks/push slices, so I decided to try my 3w only (I had banished my old 3 wood the year before after it suddenly turned into a low hook machine - then I got my  hybrids and fell in love with them)........anyways, play 2 practice rounds, hit my 3wood great, hit it 210-230 off the tee (occasionally get one 240+ if I get a nice draw and roll on it), but in my first tournament golf experience, I made it to the 4th round (16 guys left) and I got to play on the local CC......on the 2nd day of qualifying I shot an 82, lowest score ever , and was with a guy who shoots high 70s all the time and wasn't worried that he was hitting it 250+ every hole.......but now I have a new driver and I am in love with it (typical I know LOL)........but if it gets cursed, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to the 3wood - its all about confidence for me!