Bag Setup Suggestions

[LordStark11]

I have taken my driver out of my bag.  I am looking to add a replacement club.  I currently have a 3 wood-2hybrid-3-PW-50*-56* and putter of course.   What do you guys think i should add?  was thinking of adding a 5 wood, but not sure it will be much different than the 2 hybrid.  Suggestions?  Thanks in advance.

[David in FL]

Welcome to the site! You're an 8 hcp. Is that right? Why in the world would you take driver out of your bag?

[Brian W]

I would suggest not pulling the driver.  If it is frustrating you, spend some more time on it.  At your handicap you should be able to use it to your advantage.  It is the most difficult club to hit in the bag, don't give up on it

[LordStark11]

I took it out because of struggles off the tee.  I hit my 3 wood just as far due to issues flipping my driver thus rarely if ever hitting it flush.  I have spent hours hitting it and am unable to use it to my advantage so i thought why not just take it out and add a club that could help my game.  The courses i play here at home are not really long so I dont think carrying it will help me.

[David in FL]

I took it out because of struggles off the tee.  I hit my 3 wood just as far due to issues flipping my driver thus rarely if ever hitting it flush.  I have spent hours hitting it and am unable to use it to my advantage so i thought why not just take it out and add a club that could help my game.  The courses i play here at home are not really long so I dont think carrying it will help me.

I guess my question is, do you want to get better, and, do you want to be able to play longer courses to your handicap?

If the answer is yes to either or both of those questions, you really need to become comfortable with the driver.  A driver is just too powerful a weapon for an 8 hcp to completely give up on.  Pull it out for a certain course or set of conditions, maybe, but not permanently.

Regardless, to answer your question, you've got plenty of long clubs.  Maybe consider an LW.....?  If it were me, I'd keep the driver, dump the 2h and put in the LW.

[Brian W]

I understand your problem but agree with @David in FL , you are just leaving too much on the table.

If you absolutely couldn't get by without pulling the driver, I would suggest a 5 wood and ditch the 2h for a 3h.  I know you already have a 3i but the longer shaft will give you a bit more distance and should close the gap.  If not that, just go for the lob wedge if you are comfortable with your current wedge setup

[Jim260]

I don't understand how an 8 handicap is having trouble with the driver, but that aside, if you are frustrated with your driver try the new TaylorMade Mini Driver. I have one and love it. It is a 260cc head (a three wood is 160cc) and a three wood shaft. I hit it 220 to 230 yards but more important, straight. It has helped my game. BTW I do not use it off the deck as some suggest you can, I use my three wood for that. Just a suggestion.

[tefunk]

I'm not an 8 HCP, but not far off... And I totally understand the struggle with the driver (and my 3W this past year or so). When I'm having a bad day with the driver, I choke up to get more control and just deal with losing some distance those days (at least I try, sometimes I'm stubborn too)... Maybe worth a shot if you haven't tried that out yet. I agree with the suggestion of a LW... I use mine all the time, would be tough to not have it in the bag. And maybe leave the driver in the bag for the days you are hitting it well... And just ignore it on the days you're not. ... Now that I've read my response, I guess I could have just said "yea, what David said" haha

[Pretzel]

I struggled with the driver up to the start of this season (as a 4 handicap, but on less penal courses than I play now) and getting it under control was the biggest factor in me playing better. Go to the range and find out how to hit it consistently. Not straight, because I guarantee you can't hit it perfectly straight every time, but make it a shot shape that does the same thing every time. I play a large draw, but I know that it will always come back around and my only miss is to the left which is a huge advantage over people who miss both ways.

[westcyderydin]

The driver will allow you to attack holes from better distances.  Learn to hit it so it is a weapon and not a liability.

[Tailgater]

Are your driver and 3W the same brand and model?

[Nomo]

How about on the scoring end, adding a 60'ish wedge?