Help with 3 wood slice & poor distance

[Crusher47]

Hello everyone,

I'm having an issue playing my 3 wood from the fairway....seems I get hardly no distance from it, maybe 100 yards or so and normally if I don't "top" the ball like a dumbass and do get decent contact on it, the ball flight will start fairly straight for the first 50 yards or so, then slice left a good 10-20 yards killing my distance and getting me into hazards/out of bounds.

I know I have fairly slow clubhead speed (tested at Golfsmith the other day) so I know I'll never get 300 yard shots from the club, but if I could at least get about 150 yards nice and straight, I will be happy with that.

I did take lessons about 3 years ago and that helped get my overall score down from 120-130 to about 100-105 and I have had a couple of rounds in the 90's already this year just by playing a little more often, but I'm looking to get over the hump so to speak.

Thanks for your help!

[MasonAsher2014]

Can you post a swing video? Where's the ball in your stance?

[Crusher47]

I don't have a swing video, but will try to get one.  I play the ball a little further up in my stance like I'm using the driver.

[MasonAsher2014]

Think about moving it back a little to the middle because you might be swinging over it and contacting the ball on the upswing

[dpgator33]

Originally Posted by MasonAsher2014

Think about moving it back a little to the middle because you might be swinging over it and contacting the ball on the upswing

I agree with the move, but not with the reason why.  I would move the ball back in the stance because it's naturally more difficult to come across the face of the ball from the outside if the ball is back in your stance.

[MasonAsher2014]

That also.

[hedge ky]

i just started golfing a couple years ago and picked it up pretty quickly(with a good deal of help from a friend who helped me with the fundamentals) anyway something i did to get good contact with my 3 wood when i started was to put an exaggerated amount of weight on my front foot but not necessarily leaning forward. this helped me get good straight contact!

[WUTiger]

Is your 3W the only club you slice like that?

Consider taking a tune-up lesson. The pro can tell you if you have a swing flaw, or if the club just doesn't fit you.

If it's the club, two possible problems:

• Shaft is too stiff, and you can't get through the ball squarely.
• You have lower clubhead speed, and might benefit from a 4W.  Studies indicate that the average golfer can hit a 4W better than a 3W - the extra loft helps.

Anyway, a pro probably could help you solve the riddle.

[MacDutch]

Well, this will be guessing, because there is no info on the swing itself.

1. I would say, try to keep your swing going after hitting the ball. Most high handicappers stop their swing at impact (or even before).  It will help you get your weight more on your right foot at impact (for a lefty that is!!).

2. stop using your 3-wood from the fairway, this is a much to difficult club for a high capper. Better use a hybrid 4.

Oh and better to post this kind of questions over here:

http://thesandtrap.com/f/6/instruction-and-playing-tips

[Crusher47]

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it.  I'm hoping to hit the driving range tomorrow and get some practice in.