Driver that plays like the RBZ 3W

[1484]

I have the RBZ 3W HL and the RBZ driver (the first model, not the newest one).  I have had really great results with the 3W both off the deck and off the tee.  So much so that for several months I stopped hitting the driver altogether because I was better off in the fairway with less distance than vice versa.  In any case, I'm not super knowledgeable about club design and specs and am wondering how to translate what I like about the 3W into the search for a new driver.  In other words, what is about the 3W (COG, weighting, etc) that makes it so sweet.  Both my teaching pro and some of the forum posts I've read seem to confirm that the RBZ 3W is a better club than the driver from that line.  How do I find those same characteristics in a driver and get back that lost distance!

[WUTiger]

If you hit the 3W really well, a stronger 3W you use just off the tee might work for you.

Some have developed a driver-length 3W, which has been called a thriver, and Hireko golf actually makes one.

Or, you might stay in the RBZ family. The original RBZ Tour and Tour TP models came with a TS 13* and a 14.5* 3W. Same with the RBZ Stage 2 Tour (Rocket Fuel S shaft at 70 grams) and Tour TP (Matrix RUL 80 S shaft at 80 grams). All these come at 43.5" length shaft as standard.

Not sure what shaft flex you use, but you might get a stronger head and pair it with the shaft you need. A strong 3W you play mainly off the tee might really work well, if you generally hit good FWs.

This would be similar to the Callaway XHot Pro 3Deep that Phil Mickelson plays off the tee. (3Deep has deeper face then the RBZ Stage 2 line, which has a lower profile than the original RBZ). 3Deep comes with lofts of 13* and 14.5*.)

TM might be able to give you a slightly longer shaft, if they could rebalance the swingweight at the factory.

If you now have the standard RBZ with the stock 45-gram shaft, the RBZ Stage 2 may feel heavier when you swing them.

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Note: I used the standard RBZ 3WHL last season, but for every good shot I got a hook miss (often disastrous). The 45-gram shaft was just too light. Switched to Tour Edge Exotics XRail 4W with a heavier shaft - works much better for me.

[MEfree]

I have a related question- are their club design limitations (rules) that may work to limit the distance of Drivers more than they would limit the distance of a 3W?  i.e. is it possible to design a 3W with more of a trampoline effect than a legal driver?

This could explain why 'hot" 3Ws are becoming the new driver for some??

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by MEfree

I have a related question- are their club design limitations (rules) that may work to limit the distance of Drivers more than they would limit the distance of a 3W?  i.e. is it possible to design a 3W with more of a trampoline effect than a legal driver?

This could explain why 'hot" 3Ws are becoming the new driver for some??

Don't know the answer to your first question.

As far as 3Ws go, the extra heat has to do with the synergistic positioning of multiple materials in the heads. Examples from Callaway and Tour Edge:

• Callaway X.Hot family... "We’ve fused our Forged Face Cup with our Speed Frame Face." For details, see: http://shop.callawaygolf.com/fwoods-x-hot-2013/fwoods-x-hot-2013,default,pd.html
• Tour Edge Exotics family... The XCG6 combines titanium, lightweight steel and a tungsten sole plate the heat up the clubface. For details, see: http://www.touredge.com/products/exoticsxcg6fwy.asp

The XCG6 further offers both lightweight AD40 and midweight Matrix Ozik shaft options.