New 3 Wood?

[BufflaoJones]

I have been thinking about getting a new fairway wood for awhile, I have a 910F right now. I feel like I just don't hit it solid. There are several that I'm thinking about. Cleveland Classic XL, Srixon Z-Star, Adams Speedline Super XTD, Ping Anser, and Exotics CB4 Tour. I was wondering what you guys think would be the best choice?

[WUTiger]

The Tour Edge Exotics have two versions you might consider:

• CB4 Tour: slightly higher Center of Gravity to lower the spin rate / offers mid- to heavy-weight stock shafts (Also check new CB5 FWs)
• XCG5 and XCG6: slightly smaller heads with lower CoG / offers light to mid-weight stock shafts

For details, check out the TE site: http://www.touredge.com/index.asp

IF you're having trouble with solid hits, you might also try the two Exotics 4Ws (16.5*). At a recent demo day, the fitter steered even some long-ball hitters to the 4W, due to their swing dynamics. Just something to consider.

[Motown88]

Check out some nike clubs...The 3-wood I have (look below) is the best 3-wood I've ever hit. Nike has really upped their game when it comes to golf in recent years, they're clubs in my opinion rank up there with the leaders in the industry.

[LuciusWooding]

I love my 13.5˚ mizuno mp650. It's titanium and launches like a 12 degree because it sits open, I reshafted it with a 90g X stiff shaft and I hit it great both off the deck and off the tee. Out of all the clubs in my bag, it has the best sound. Plus it's a little under 43" where so many come in over 43.5 inches these days.

Of the ones you mentioned, the adams and tour edge ones might be the best because they're titanium and I feel the 3w makes best use of that material next to the driver. I also like my adams hybrids and the slot tech is really helpful, plus adams has great stock shafts. Get fitted to something that suits you with the shaft, weight and flex and profile wise, get the right length and the best loft for your swing, but the head really isn't that big of a factor IMO. It may help you if it's more forgiving than the titleist or you just like the look better, but distance wise the loft and material make the most difference, though the newer steel fairways with the slot have gotten pretty close to titanium.

That said, I know you're a 5 handicap, but you should probably learn to hit the one you have better if you can't trade it in. I don't think a new model or even a new shaft can help anyone much if you can't hit it solidly. The 3w is probably the hardest club to hit efficiently off the deck, you just have to present a lot of loft and swing really shallow and it is tough for many to generate the clubhead speed to get it in the air.  Personally when I'm off I struggle with leaving the ball too far back and too close to my body with too strong a grip. You're better off hitting it with a lot of loft presented to the ball because of how powerful the club is compared to an iron. But it's a club you use maybe a few times a round, and usually doesn't lead to good things when you need it. In the grand scheme of things it's never going to make or break your score.

You can also consider what you really want the 3w to be used for. I chose mine primarily as my longest fairway club for when I just need to advance the ball a long way, but it's also great as my driver in the wind or if I don't want as much length, and a really solid anti hook option. I could play a 15 or 17 degree and get more versatility and be able to draw it, but I might hit it way too high, especially off the tee, and my 17 degree hybrid takes care of everything I'd imagine ever hitting at a green so I'd seldom be trying to stop the ball upon landing with my 3w. I'd have to give up distance off the deck on really long shots where I need it the most, and I don't need the versatility or temptation to be playing fancy shots when I'm that far out. Obviously if I were hitting it off the tee all the time and needed great performance in that area foremost but didn't care about versatility, maybe I'd go for something low spinning and designed for use off a tee.

[Hardballs]

Take a look at the Geek Golf DotComThis fairway woods, they do a 3,5 & 7, They're a great design! Slim enough for fairways shots and big enough off the tee! Quite a bit of weight in them too! Paired with the right shaft they're absolute rocket launchers!