3 Wood off the tee setup

[stevobetteros]

Hi

I'm currently Scoring low 90's every time i play - Which is bang on my handicap so all good at the moment..

My problem is - I'm struggling with my 3 wood and driver - spedifically how i set my body up to the ball..

My irons are ok - And i'm teeing off with my 3-rescue on the long holes - Which is working out ok as it go's just over 200 yards and usually quite straight.

Now i position the ball one ball forward of centre for my 3-rescue - very similar to my irons - so my setup routine is the same - so i'm comfortable with that.

However - obviously you put the ball more forward for a 3- wood - and this is what i'm struggling with - my body feels all wonky when i tilt back, my weight isn't in the correct place, and my 3 wood shots (and driver shots) are all over the place - due to the fact that i'm having trouble setting up properly..

I can feel the club too forward, my arms are wrong, my body and shoulders aren't in line and it doesn't feel right!

Anyone got any good drills, routines, tips etc for 3 wood setup (and/or driver setup - the ball nearer left foot than middle) - as my body is all over the place and wonky so i know i'm not doing it right!!

I'd rather hit a good 3-rescue than a bad 3-wood or driver - but this is costing me distance and probably stopping me from getting slightly lower scores!

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers

[Triggers]

Interested to see the replies to this, I feel about the same as you.

Ended up hitting long irons off the tee a lot last round :)

[saevel25]

I would check out this thread,

However - obviously you put the ball more forward for a 3- wood - and this is what i'm struggling with - my body feels all wonky when i tilt back, my weight isn't in the correct place, and my 3 wood shots (and driver shots) are all over the place - due to the fact that i'm having trouble setting up properly..

For me the ball position is probably an inch inside my left foot.

If you are struggling with hitting the 3-wood because it's forward in your stance, then it's something in your swing. If I had to guess, a lack of key's 1 and 2, steady head and weight forward at impact,  making it hard to get key 3, flat left wrist at impact, for where the ball position is at.

[vangator]

Your post says you "tilt back". I do this for my setup. The common reference is a "reverse K". This is OK at setup, but don't sway back on your takeaway. Rotate your upper body around your spine. I try to keep my left shoulder (lead for righties) from opening up too soon. Kind of like when you're throwing a baseball. Follow the links provided above. Start with small swings and build up. There are a lot of moving parts to get in sync. Start with Key 1.

[Gator Hazard]

I am a beginner and have trouble as well with the longer clubs.  I too have teed off with my 3 hybrid instead just so I can get it out there, figure its better to hit it short than to dribble it out there (that still happens too).  My playing partner has forced me to use my driver more often though, even saying that the drivers now days are far more forgiving than they were.  I tend to end up with my weight on my back foot, and that is probably due to me having too wide of a stance.  I have tried tightening up my foot position so I can get better hip rotation, that and teeing the ball up high with the understanding that supposed to hit the ball on the way up with a drive has helped for me.  The last drive I hit my driver I actually hit it straight and out drove my playing partner who has been playing for some time.

I am looking forward to some actual lessons, just have to set them up, that will be coming soon for me so they can tell me all the other things I need to work on.

[MrDC]

I hit my 3W well off the tee, it's become my go to shot for must have fairways.

What got me going with the club was to keep my feet closer together, about shoulder width, not the big driver stance, and no spine tilt, also tee the ball up about an inch, not too high, then swing easy, it's amazing how far the ball goes off a FW metal face when hit on center.

[stevobetteros]

Hi

Thanks for the tips and info so far..

What i was really looking for was a setup drill - or similar..

Obviously when the ball's in the middle of my stance (or slightly forward - i.e. 6, 7 iron, 3 rescue) - I just stick my bum out, bend at the hips - and the rest seems to take care of itself.

And like i said - I'm hitting my irons and rescue ok..

It's just when the ball's forward - then i have to tilt, and bend, and i seem to be having problems doing this..

My spine go's one way, my hips go the other way, my arms feel too far forward , and the shots are not very good!

The odd beauty - the rest terrible..

Any drills or tips specifically re tilting or bending when the ball is further forward in your stance?

Cheers

[3Mulligans]

I stand with feet close together and the ball in the center. I then move my rear foot back while leaving my lead foot in place.

[mvmac]

I would check out this thread,

Yeah do this. Set-up will be similar, just move the ball a little further back.