Should Slower Swingers Hit 3W Instead of Driver?

[Mr. Desmond]

I wil say that shortening length by cutting at the butt will not stiffen much if you are talking .5 to 1 inch. More than .5 inches and swingweight or balance is affected more. Swingweight is about balance/feel for the head although I think swingweight can be overrated (would not worry about grip weight or counterweights). Not too concerned with .5 inches of butt cut, but at 1 inch of butt cut with a lighter balance, the efffect of balance and "stiff" is increased. You can overcome balance issues with compact tungsten weights (at golfworks) or lead tape at strategic places on the sole. What most of us have learned is that everyone is different as to feel. Cut a little and you can cut more if needed. Cut a lot at first and you've screwed yourself.

[boogielicious]

16 hours ago, saevel25 said:

Slower swing speeds can't produce the amount of backspin required to keep the ball in the air long enough. That is why more and more people are getting fitted for higher lofted drivers today with the lower spin designs. 

It use to be PGA tour players required 4-7 degree drivers. Now they are hitting 9-11 degree drivers. 

Amateurs should really be looking at 12-14 degree drivers if you swing slower. 

The issue with using the 3-wood is that the sweet spot is much lower. So your more likely to lose ball speed on average from mis-hits. 

I say get fitted for a driver before ditching it for a 3-wood. 

I agree with Matt. I switched to a 12 degree driver a couple of years ago. My driver SS is around 95. I don't find the 3W more accurate or forgiving either.

[arturo28mx]

I'm 58 years old. I used to play a 10.5 degree driver with a Regular flex shaft. For two years I tried to master my 3 wood off the tee thinking it would give me more distance and accuracy. It was a complete failure. The 3 wood was very difficult to hit well for me.

I changed to a 12 degree driver with a regular flex shaft and I'm hitting better than ever. I don't carry a 3 wood any more. If I don't want to use the driver I'll use a 5 wood.

By the way, I tried the 12 degree driver with a senior flex shaft and the ball ballooned too much. I guess I still have enough swing speed for a regular flex. But the change to 12 degrees was key.

[Mike Boatright]

When pga tour pro's or teachers say these things it really refers to very slow swingers like seniors swinging sub 80 mph or ladies. The average male is at 90+ and would benefit from a reg flex 10.5 degree driver. More loft yes but a forgiving big headed driver will be easier to hit as long as it's the right shaft and not to long of a club. Id rather have a 460 cc driver 43.5 inches with more loft than a tiny 15 deg 3 wood of the same length.