3 Wood (Steel vs. Graphite)

[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.

[Bookin Weasel]

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.

[RGoosen]

^

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.

[Ernest Jones]

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.

[showtime583]

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....

[GaijinGolfer]

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.

[RGoosen]

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.

[GaijinGolfer]

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

[HackerUpNorth]

I have a apollo steel shafted 3wood I like usually, and a graphite one thats fun to hit, for the extra distance but not as accurate( at least the miss hits aren't)

[k-troop]

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.

[chilly]

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.