3 wood recommendation

[LeftyGolfSB]

 

First off, I am a scratch golfer in need of a solid 3 wood.  I used to play a big draw, and now like to fade the ball most of the time.  I'd like a 3 wood to hit off the tee as well as the deck, (wouldn't we all).  These days even if I'm 260 out I'll hit my 3 hybrid and come up maybe 20 yards or so short of the green due to lack of a reliable 3 wood.  All the 3 woods I have tried recently seem to set up with a closed face.  I have no problem buying a used model that is a few years old.  Any recommendations would be great. Thanks for the help guys!

[freshmanUTA]

Just recently bought the BombTech Grenade 3 Wood. I definitely recommend it based on the price. It performs basically as well as all top model woods, just half the price maybe even less. There are always sales on it, and the shafts are stiffer than "stock" flexes. I bought an X-Stiff and it ended up being like a metal pole so i had to drop down. 

Aside from that my 5 wood is a Ping i25 and i swear by it, i hit it off tees, off the ground, out of the rough, etc. It's very good. Jetspeed, M1, M2, all very good. The big bertha's are bombs, but i don't really like the feel.

[WUTiger]

You might try the Tour Edge Exotics Ex9 Long 3W.  You can adjust the hosel to change loft and lie; has weight kit also. Comes in both 15* and 13* heads, adjust from there.

Stock shafts: several Aldila Rogue and Mitsubishi Diamana models, no upcharge. 

 

[Valleygolfer]

I don't know how far back you want to go but I love my fairway woods. I have 17, 15.5 and 14 degree Ping G10. Mine play a gentle fade. I only have one in the bag at a time and I may pick up another 17 degree since I use it the most. The TFC 129 shaft is really buttery too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ping-G10-Fairway-3-Wood-15-5-Stiff-Left-Handed-Graphite-Golf-Club-3521-/381704543750?hash=item58df5d1e06:g:Ix4AAOSwsFpWTVpC

 

[onthehunt526]

3 hours ago, WUTiger said:

You might try the Tour Edge Exotics Ex9 Long 3W.  You can adjust the hosel to change loft and lie; has weight kit also. Comes in both 15* and 13* heads, adjust from there.

Stock shafts: several Aldila Rogue and Mitsubishi Diamana models, no upcharge. 

 

I second that... If you dont mind spending a few bucks, I would look at the Exotics CB Pro Fairway Woods which feature the same slip stream sole as the EX9 Long as @WUTiger pointed out... There is also the EX9 Tour which I believe comes in 15 and 17 degree models... I personally carry the standard EX9 4-wood.... Just something to consider a lot of Tour Players play Exotics fairways.... rumor has it Vijay has a couple in the bag...

[David in FL]

You're a scratch golfer and are asking us for a recommendation for a "reliable" 3-wood (whatever that means)....?  

My recommendation is to get to a qualified fitter and find the head/shaft combination that's actually right for you.  Not what someone else might guess is right based on nothing more than personal preference.

[WUTiger]

15 minutes ago, David in FL said:

You're a scratch golfer and are asking us for a recommendation for a "reliable" 3-wood (whatever that means)....?  ... 

A local teaching pro I know went 2 years without a FW he really trusted. Despite all the choices, finding "the FW" remains a challenge for many better golfers.

They're willing to take outside advice. Remember, I was a pretty good caddie, and I feel comfortable offering better players things to consider.

[David in FL]

10 minutes ago, WUTiger said:

A local teaching pro I know went 2 years without a FW he really trusted. Despite all the choices, finding "the FW" remains a challenge for many better golfers.

They're willing to take outside advice. Remember, I was a pretty good caddie, and I feel comfortable offering better players things to consider.

I consider you to be one of the more knowledgeable club guys on this site, but you've got to admit that every quality head and shaft can/should be considered.  That's far different than a recommendation based on actual knowledge of an individual's unique game and swing.  Hence a need for an actual fitting.  Especially for a scratch player looking for the best possible option.

[ZappyAd]

5 hours ago, David in FL said:

My recommendation is to get to a qualified fitter and find the head/shaft combination that's actually right for you.  Not what someone else might guess is right based on nothing more than personal preference.

Agree with this - I think the real question is where is the best fitting centre within travelling distance for me!  If you can get the range of stock and time on a trackman or gc2 etc with someone who knows what they are doing fitting wise then I think that is worth its weight in gold.  (Maybe there should be a thread of recommended fitters somewhere?)

fwiw I like the Callaway XR 3w - liked it so much I'm buying the 5w.

 

[pganapathy]

Fitting is key.  For me, the biggest thing is will you like the head shape and how it plays.  I have a couple of 3 woods at home that I cannot play because I am uncomfortable with the head shape.  I have a 5 wood of the same set and am perfectly able to hit that.  Don't ask.

So to be simple, get yourself fitted and most importantly feel comfortable with the club selection.  There are lots of options even if budget is a constraint.

[WUTiger]

14 hours ago, David in FL said:

 ... you've got to admit that every quality head and shaft can/should be considered.  That's far different than a recommendation based on actual knowledge of an individual's unique game and swing. ...

I intended it as a recommendation to try, not to buy. If the try-out and fitting works, he might buy it.

The E9 is adjustable for loft and lie. A flatter lie can help a club toward square, or slightly open, face. (He's avoiding draw bias, I believe.)

[newtogolf]

Of all the clubs out there, I find 3W to be the most personal after putters.  I'm far from a scratch golfer but I have tried and bought a lot of 3W's because I read how easy others said they were to hit off the deck and found that wasn't the case for me.  

I like the Callaway XR16 3W, I can hit it off the tee or deck with good results.  As @David in FL stated, find a qualified fitter and test them all.  Even if you hit them off the tee and mat well on a simulator in a golf store you'll still want to test them on the course.  

[IndianaDundee]

I am far from a scratch golfer so feel free to discount what I say.

I used to fight a slice until I bought a steel shafted Turbo Power Kevlar 3wood.  It became the most consistant club  my bag until I started developing real power (3 wood out to 250 yards) and drawing all my clubs.  I picked up a Cleveland HiBore XLS 3 wood to get more distance but the little head never gave me the consistency that I wanted.  I started looking for a big head 3+ wood to give me both consistency and length.  I ran across Bang SF fairway woods in a local golf shop.  I replaced all my woods, hybrids, long irons, and even my short irons with Bang fairway woods.  Now that I am taking the game up again I am wanting to replace a couple of clubs but the shop I found mine at is closed.  I may have to buy them blind from a web site now.