For the mid to high hcp'rs ... 5w vs 3w

[Jeremie Boop]

I never used to be able to use a 3 wood until this year. A combination of swing improvements and trying every 3 wood that my local pro shop had until I found one I was successful with has helped me a lot. Over the off season I'm actually planning on replacing my 3 hybrid which is 18* with a 17.5* Cobra F6 Baffler. The shaft is a bit shorter than the 3 hybrid to compensate for the slightly stronger loft and when I compared the two the average distances were the same with a much tighter dispersion on the Baffler. With that replacement and picking up a used matching vokey 56* wedge my set should be finished. The only possible exceptions are if I decide to replace my driver and/or get a custom fit putter. However, with the plans of buying a house I doubt either of those two things are going to happen.

[paininthenuts]

Following somebody's suggestion earlier in the thread, I am awaiting delivery of a new grip which I shall fit to my 3 wood which I have shortened to the length of my 5 wood. You see, I have a 5 wood I hit quite well, but would like that extra bit of distance. I am absolutely hopeless with a 3 wood, and despite trying a few different ones, I still make a hash of nearly every shot. On the very occasional time I have struck the ball well with it, the ball does travel about an additional 20 yards. We have a few holes on my course where a 5 wood just isn't enough off of the tee, but a driver is to much. Anyway, it's worth a try 

[newtogolf]

10 hours ago, gregsandiego said:

I have a slogan (complaint) that "I hate anything with a 3" when I'm on the fairway. Even my 3 hybrid pisses me off. 

Regarding the 5 wood am I wrong that these aren't the most popular club anymore? When I walk into my favorite GolfSmith for practice, they have several groups of demo clubs out. Plenty of drivers, and "3/4 hybrids". A few 3 woods. I've never found a 5 wood in what they are pushing.

Hybrids have filled the gaps that 5W used to fill, so I'm not shocked that golf stores don't keep many in inventory.  

[Groucho Valentine]

18 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

Hybrids have filled the gaps that 5W used to fill, so I'm not shocked that golf stores don't keep many in inventory.  

True. I use a 18 degree hybrid in that hole, too. I see a lot of guys doing the same. I think hybrids a little more versatile than a traditional 5 wood. 

[dchoye]

I have a fairway wood with adjustable head that I set at 19 degree  

I prefer the slightly longer shaft of fairway wood to a hybrid 

The 5 wood is the only club that I "work" left to right or right to left. The other clubs go fairly straight 

[dave s]

15 hours ago, gregsandiego said:

I have a slogan (complaint) that "I hate anything with a 3" when I'm on the fairway. Even my 3 hybrid pisses me off. 

Regarding the 5 wood am I wrong that these aren't the most popular club anymore? When I walk into my favorite GolfSmith for practice, they have several groups of demo clubs out. Plenty of drivers, and "3/4 hybrids". A few 3 woods. I've never found a 5 wood in what they are pushing.

Exactly.  From what I read here, and with some of my golf buds, the setup for more guys is starting to look like this:

1. Driver, 4-wood, 3 hybrid, 4i - wedges;

2. Driver 4-wood, 7-wood, 4 hybrid, 5i through wedges

I don't know many that have the standard driver, 3- and 5-wood setup anymore.  Most of my buddies have a 3-hybrid that if you look closely, has cobwebs and virtually no wear on the face or sole.  I don't know if these are 'specialty clubs' used only on par-3s of a certain length or what. OTOH, some guys use a 3-hybrid religiously from the rough on long holes.  My league partner is deadly with his 3-hybrid.  Probably the most consistent club in his bag.

Personally, I don't like have 'specialty clubs' or clubs that don't get used in my bag.  I've gone down to 13 clubs this season and they ALL see playing time.  5- and 7-woods get the bulk of the work on 2nd shots on par-5s and long par-4 holes.  I have a 5-hybrid on the 160 or so yards par 3 holes.  Anything shorter than the hybrid, I know each club's yardage designation.  I also carry 4 wedges for shots 115 and in so I can use a full swing with each.

Don't need no steenkin' THREE WOOD!

dave

[gregsandiego]

15 hours ago, newtogolf said:

Hybrids have filled the gaps that 5W used to fill, so I'm not shocked that golf stores don't keep many in inventory.  

Most the hybrids I see are 3's or "3-4's".

[paininthenuts]

Before I start, I know full well the tricks golf clubs can play on a golfer, and I know all about honeymoon periods.

I have never been able to hit my 3 wood, whether it be off of the tee or fairway. Somebody on this thread mentioned shortening theirs, so I gave it a go. I just took about half an inch off of mine. I played 9 holes today and used it 5 times. 

1) First hole, off of the deck. 190 yards straight line

2) Third hole, par 3 off of the tee. 170 yards on an incline against the wind. Ended up 5 feet from the pin for a birdie

3) 4th hole off of the deck. 180 yards, ended up just to the right off of the fairway. None the less, a decent shot

4) 6th hole off of the deck. 180 yards in a straight line.

5) 8th hole. 190 yards slight fade off of the deck, but left me with a short chip to the green.

I don't know if this is because of the shorter shaft, or because it is in my head. That said, I am only 5' 7" and the shortening may have helped. 

Edited October 14, 2016 by paininthenuts

[gregsandiego]

27 minutes ago, paininthenuts said:

Before I start, I know full well the tricks golf clubs can play on a golfer, and I know all about honeymoon periods.

I have never been able to hit my 3 wood, whether it be off of the tee or fairway. Somebody on this thread mentioned shortening theirs, so I gave it a go. I just took about half an inch off of mine. I played 9 holes today and used it 5 times. 

1) First hole, off of the deck. 190 yards straight line

2) Third hole, par 3 off of the tee. 170 yards on an incline against the wind. Ended up 5 feet from the pin for a birdie

3) 4th hole off of the deck. 180 yards, ended up just to the right off of the fairway. None the less, a decent shot

4) 6th hole off of the deck. 180 yards in a straight line.

5) 8th hole. 190 yards slight fade off of the deck, but left me with a short chip to the green.

I don't know if this is because of the shorter shaft, or because it is in my head. That said, I am only 5' 7" and the shortening may have helped. 

Good work.

For the rest of us - what is it that makes that 3 wood so damn hard to hit ? It's shorter than a driver to start right?

[sirhacksalot]

hybrids come and go for me, I currently can't hit useful hybrids.  Meaning I can hit a 4h or a 6h, but i hit irons fine (better) in that area.  but a 2 or 3 hybrid to fill the gap of the OP, i could only use to get out of trouble below trees at the moment.  I have taken just the 19* to the range and hit full buckets, changing address, AOA, path, and i can only seem to hit low , like really low , short worm burners, or high pushes (blocks) or slices.

 

Getting back to topic, the weird thing is that these are my usual shot shapes with a standard or strong 3 as well. Which has led to current set up of a 17* fairway and a 21* fairway, i guess that wood be in the 4 wood strong 7 range, their length keeps me shallow enough on AOA so that their loft can do it's job. This puts me in about 15 + or - yard gaps to my old loft 3 iron. 

[RussUK]

Never been a fan of the 3w, just never got on with it.  I have a 5w and a 3h. Hybrid is a John Letters TR47 and is a great looking club, just cant hit the damn thing (need more time with it, only been in the bag a month). My 5w is a Dunlop NZ9 and its a little cracker off the tee for short/narrow par 4's

[paininthenuts]

1 hour ago, RussUK said:

Never been a fan of the 3w, just never got on with it.  I have a 5w and a 3h. Hybrid is a John Letters TR47 and is a great looking club, just cant hit the damn thing (need more time with it, only been in the bag a month). My 5w is a Dunlop NZ9 and its a little cracker off the tee for short/narrow par 4's

Strange that. I had tried several 5 woods with know luck. I had an old Dunlop 5 wood which I could hit well, but sold it as part of a set. I eventually ended up buying a Dunlop 65 5 wood for £2  from a bricabrac sale, and have got on with it brilliantly. 

[newtogolf]

4 hours ago, paininthenuts said:

Before I start, I know full well the tricks golf clubs can play on a golfer, and I know all about honeymoon periods.

I have never been able to hit my 3 wood, whether it be off of the tee or fairway. Somebody on this thread mentioned shortening theirs, so I gave it a go. I just took about half an inch off of mine. I played 9 holes today and used it 5 times. 

1) First hole, off of the deck. 190 yards straight line

2) Third hole, par 3 off of the tee. 170 yards on an incline against the wind. Ended up 5 feet from the pin for a birdie

3) 4th hole off of the deck. 180 yards, ended up just to the right off of the fairway. None the less, a decent shot

4) 6th hole off of the deck. 180 yards in a straight line.

5) 8th hole. 190 yards slight fade off of the deck, but left me with a short chip to the green.

I don't know if this is because of the shorter shaft, or because it is in my head. That said, I am only 5' 7" and the shortening may have helped. 

I mentioned it and it's worked for me well past my normal honeymoon stage.  I don't know why it works, but it does for me.  I hope it continues to work for you as well.    

[inthehole]

On ‎10‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 9:13 AM, Groucho Valentine said:

True. I use a 18 degree hybrid in that hole, too. I see a lot of guys doing the same. I think hybrids a little more versatile than a traditional 5 wood. 

Funny, I played an 18° hybrid from 2013-2015 ... loved that club.    But for me an 18° 5 wood is much longer - if I were to average the two (not taking best of either club), the 5 wood is 20 yards longer than the 18° hybrid.   And even with the longer shaft, I hit it just as reliably.   

Disclaimer ... I don't hit the 5w from the rough much, but I never had a lot of luck with the 18° hybrid from the rough - I rely 100% on my 4i & 21° hybrid for hitting out of the rough.

In my experience, I just don't see a hybrid and fairway wood of the same loft as being interchangeable...

[Kalnoky]

^^^ this is my experience as well. 4H from the rough, 3H from the tee, but with a clean lie I always hit 4-5W (18.5*). Very reliable club, maybe my favorite. 

[Mr. Desmond]

Have a 3 wood collecting dust ... If I ever use it, will install a liteweight high launch, mid spin shaft to play at 42.25 inches.

Went to a 4, 7 wd combo and enjoy it. But what made the difference recently was playing them at a  length that leads to better shots and greater consistency.

Both woods have a high launch, mid spin liteweight shaft (45g and 55g) with a 42 in and 41 inch length respectively. My clubmaker adjusted the swingweight/balance to D2.

Good luck.

[Groucho Valentine]

17 hours ago, inthehole said:

Funny, I played an 18° hybrid from 2013-2015 ... loved that club.    But for me an 18° 5 wood is much longer - if I were to average the two (not taking best of either club), the 5 wood is 20 yards longer than the 18° hybrid.   And even with the longer shaft, I hit it just as reliably.   

Disclaimer ... I don't hit the 5w from the rough much, but I never had a lot of luck with the 18° hybrid from the rough - I rely 100% on my 4i & 21° hybrid for hitting out of the rough.

In my experience, I just don't see a hybrid and fairway wood of the same loft as being interchangeable...

Yeah, they're not. Im longer with a 5w too. But like you mentioned, i never found much use for a 5 wood from the rough or bad lies. I hit my 18 degree hybrid pretty well from the rough, though.  Good for low punches, too. I'll give up that extra 10-15 or so yards i would hit a 5w to get the extra versatility. I fly my 18 degree 225-230, so thats a i really all i need from that slot. 

Edited October 19, 2016 by Groucho Valentine

[natureboy]

On 10/14/2016 at 9:34 AM, gregsandiego said:

Good work.

For the rest of us - what is it that makes that 3 wood so damn hard to hit ? It's shorter than a driver to start right?

It's closer to the ground. It's slightly easier to hit an iron off a tee too even if it's only up 1/4"

On 10/13/2016 at 6:04 AM, paininthenuts said:

Following somebody's suggestion earlier in the thread, I am awaiting delivery of a new grip which I shall fit to my 3 wood which I have shortened to the length of my 5 wood. You see, I have a 5 wood I hit quite well, but would like that extra bit of distance. I am absolutely hopeless with a 3 wood, and despite trying a few different ones, I still make a hash of nearly every shot. On the very occasional time I have struck the ball well with it, the ball does travel about an additional 20 yards. We have a few holes on my course where a 5 wood just isn't enough off of the tee, but a driver is to much. Anyway, it's worth a try 

Knowing that manufacturer's add shaft length for marketing purposes, I had my shaft cut down so the driver would be 44.5" and hit it pretty well. I recently started gripping down so it's 43" and have not lost any significant distance and have been making more consistently solid contact.