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3 Wood (Steel vs. Graphite)


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I have gone through several drivers, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters over the last decade that I started playing golf.  The only clubs that I still have in my bag are my original 3 wood (I went back to my original putter).

My 3 wood is a Sonartec ss-2.5 15* 3 wood.  It is a steel head and I love it.  I understand that everyone wants a titanium driver, but why does no one sell steel 3 woods anymore?  I don't know how long a three wood should last, but I'd like to keep mine for the long haul.  I guess when the grooves are gone I'll have to bite the bullet and get a titanium 3 wood.

Do any of you guys still use a steel 3 wood?  I know the V-steel from Taylormade was very popular.

I guess the market as dictated that "no one" wants a steel 3 wood anymore.  If you are supposed to gain distance by switching to titanium I find that hard to believe in my case.  I consistently hit my steel "antique" 3 wood within 10-15 yards of my driver distance.

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I thought I was the only one who still uses a steel shafted 3w-  a King Cobra 3 wood with S300 steel shaft.  I think it was the model Tiger Woods used back in the mid 1990s.  I have tried many other 3 woods through the years thinking it will be better,  but I keep coming back to this one.

For some reason, I can keep this 3 wood low and boring or tee it up a tad and hit a nice high shot when needed. I definitely don't see many steel shafted 3 woods and I play a lot of golf with different golfers in my local tournaments in the Atlanta area.

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^

The head is steel, but the shaft is a Project-X 7C3 6.0

If I thought all the clubs on e-bay were legit I would stockpile the sonartec head and I would never play a different 3 wood.  E-bay is the only place you can still find steel heads for three woods...at least that has been my experience.

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Originally Posted by RGoosen

I have gone through several drivers, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters over the last decade that I started playing golf.  The only clubs that I still have in my bag are my original 3 wood (I went back to my original putter).

My 3 wood is a Sonartec ss-2.5 15* 3 wood.  It is a steel head and I love it.  I understand that everyone wants a titanium driver, but why does no one sell steel 3 woods anymore?  I don't know how long a three wood should last, but I'd like to keep mine for the long haul.  I guess when the grooves are gone I'll have to bite the bullet and get a titanium 3 wood.

Do any of you guys still use a steel 3 wood?  I know the V-steel from Taylormade was very popular.

I guess the market as dictated that "no one" wants a steel 3 wood anymore.  If you are supposed to gain distance by switching to titanium I find that hard to believe in my case.  I consistently hit my steel "antique" 3 wood within 10-15 yards of my driver distance.

Excuse my ignorance, but how relevant are grooves on a fairway wood? I seem to recall seeing some that have no grooves.

Yours in earnest, Jason.
Call me Ernest, or EJ or Ernie.

PSA - "If you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!"

My Whackin' Sticks: :cleveland: 330cc 2003 Launcher 10.5*  :tmade: RBZ HL 3w  :nickent: 3DX DC 3H, 3DX RC 4H  :callaway: X-22 5-AW  :nike:SV tour 56* SW :mizuno: MP-T11 60* LW :bridgestone: customized TD-03 putter :tmade:Penta TP3   :aimpoint:

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My R11 3 wood is not titanium.... TM offered a titanium version as well. So that begs the question, are all TM fairway woods made of steel unless designated differently??? What about Rocketballz fairways.... Steel or titanium??? Probably wrong thread, but curious nevertheless....

In the bag:

TaylorMade R11 Driver (10.5 stiff stock shaft)

TaylorMade R11 3wood (15 degree stiff stock shaft)

Adams IdeaPro 3i hybrid (20 degree)

Titleist DCI 4-PW (photo)

Cleveland CG15 wedges (52, 56, 60)

Odyssey White-Hot 2-Ball (Superstroke oversize grip)

Bushnell Tour V2 Rangefinder

Ping Hoofer 2012 Bag

 

 

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Steel went out of favor because its heavier and doesnt have as much of a trampoline effect as titanium does.  With titanium you will get more clubhead speed because its lighter and that, combined with the trampoline effect raises the smash factor.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

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Excuse my ignorance, but how relevant are grooves on a fairway wood? I seem to recall seeing some that have no grooves.

I don't know that it does. My 3 wood definitely has grooves on it. I asked the local pro shop how long it would last. They said "a long time". I asked if forever was possible and they said no it will wear out. I know titanium drivers wear out when the face no long protrudes forward/anterior. Who knows about a steel 3 wood. I was just speculating.

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The grooves dont really do anything, theyre just there for looks.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

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  • 2 months later...

Maybe you didn't find the right "new" model 3-wood.  I used to love my Titleist 983F with a steel shaft.  Then I hit the 910F.  Didn't know what I was missing.  My 3W is now consistently 250-270 off the tee, and I can work it both ways.  I used to have a tough time fading the 983 consistently without losing distance.  I think the difference is with the hotter face I can get more ballspeed without releasing the club hard, which tends to promote a draw for me.

Kevin

Titleist 910 D3 9.5* with ahina 72 X flex
Titleist 910F 13.5* with ahina 72 X flex
Adams Idea A12 Pro hybrid 18*; 23* with RIP S flex
Titleist 712 AP2 4-9 iron with KBS C-Taper, S+ flex
Titleist Vokey SM wedges 48*, 52*, 58*
Odyssey White Hot 2-ball mallet, center shaft, 34"

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Not sure what you're looking at, but I'd say the majority of fairway woods are still steel.  Taylormade R11 and Rocketballz are steel.  Titleist 910 is steel.  Cobra is steel.  Adams Fast 12 is steel, only the XTD is titanium.  Pings G20/i20 are both steel.

Driver: i15 8* UST Axivcore Red 69S
3w: CB1 15* Grafalloy Prolaunch Platinum 75s
5w: G10 18.5* UST V2 HL
3h: HiFli CLK 20* UST V2 Hybrid
4h: 3DX 23* UST V2 Hybrid5i-pw: MX-23 TT Dynalite Gold S300GW/SW: RAC 52*and 56*Putter: SabertoothBag: KingPin

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Note: This thread is 4247 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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