Four Wood revisited

[Hacker James]

Having ditched my 3 wood in favor of 5 wood, I decided to experiment a bit and place a four wood back in play. By wood, I mean "real" wood. I have a set of Ben Hogan Speed Slot woods that I fool around with from time to time. I find that when my game is on, the older woods work pretty well. I like the small heads although there is no margin for error. The only concern I have, and not really one that I  am too worried about, is using the older woods with modern/Surylyn or Urethane covered balls.  So far, I have not noticed any nicks or anything, but then again, they have not been hit all that much. I thought about buying a box or two of Balatas, but if you go Titleist, they are a bit pricey.I have not tried the other brands such as Top Flight Z, Dunlop, Maxfli,  Wilson which are a little less expensive.

[Mr. Desmond]

As a mid capper, I suggest a modern 4 wood - I use an XR16 4 wood - cup face - but the shaft is only 42 inches, and the shaft is only 45g. Ball go far for my capability and launches well, and forgiveness, well, it is a given - Callaway.

Edited October 29, 2016 by Mr. Desmond

[WUTiger]

Lots of past 3W vs. 4W discussion. Just google within TST.

[Hacker James]

35 minutes ago, WUTiger said:

Lots of past 3W vs. 4W discussion. Just google within TST.

I know. Actually I did type in "four wood" in the search box, and it did not return anything specific in the titles, but all the same, I know they are there. I will try a bit harder next time, sorry. Not much different than "Oil" threads in a motor cycle forum. Or old ball flight vs new ball flight rules here. They just keep on coming.

[Lagavulin62]

I'm not sure if you're worried about the club or ball.  Ha! 

As long as it's legal and the club(golf course) doesn't object for some reason, why not play whatever fills a need? I love the respect for the old ways, even though you're giving up distance. 

 

 

[Hacker James]

5 hours ago, Lagavulin62 said:

I'm not sure if you're worried about the club or ball.  Ha! 

As long as it's legal and the club(golf course) doesn't object for some reason, why not play whatever fills a need? I love the respect for the old ways, even though you're giving up distance. 

 

 

ha...its the club. The course would not care. I would not be giving up any distance (other than what I've lost owing to the aging process). I did not even start using "modern" equipment until maybe 15 years ago and never really liked the 460cc drivers.  I've been around for awhile, but not long enough to have been using hickory, but Persimmon and Laminated, hell yes. 

[Lagavulin62]

I'm with you on the new stuff. My woods/drivers date to about 2004. So my current driver head is like 300 cc's I think. But at the time it wasnt the largest head. I still play with early 80's irons and have no intention of changing them. Just bought a 460cc driver head and had it shafted, but the manufacturer said the diminsions are more like 400cc. So going to see how it works in a few hours.  Another shocker was the ball changes. I went in one time years ago looking for balls after a 3-4 year absence from course playing. (I have always been a range hitter, even though I have had periods where I didn't play on the course, mainly due to not having any friends interested in the game) I look around, don't recognize anything and ask the guy for a certain compression ball. He looks at me and sort of laughs, then states, "you've been out of the game a few years". : )    Funny......This game is crazy and as much as I hate to say it I understand why people have such negative feelings about it. And I'm just touching on equipment. I don't understand the marketing and it bothers me with some of what I feel is just dishonest. But a lot of it is just my opinion too. Regardless, I still love the game and within reason the new technology is exciting to a degree. .... oh back to the 4 wood, I need to shaft one I bought the same time I bought that driver in 2004. I'm getting back in to this so may as well use it before it goes obsolete. 

[Hacker James]

@Lagavulin62 yah, that's a whole different argument. One side says that using the older clubs that one becomes more proficient owing to the feedback from a mis-hit, (stinging, vibration, and result), while the other side espouses the benefits of modern technology.  The former claim it allows you to "work" the ball better, the other side claims the new stuff takes into account, different course lengths, different ball technology, ability to spin or not e.t.c.  Just like Taylormade coming out with "new and improved" a couple of times a year just to boost their sales knowing full well the average golfer is going to buy into it rather than spend money on instruction. That being said, I am still struggling with the notion of getting fitted for a set of Wishon Irons. I also am realizing that the fitting is just as important, if not more so, than the "new" clubs.  OTOH, I am noticing improvements in my own ball striking with what I have, as I am playing a bit more often, sticking to a consistent practice regimen, ignoring all the latest "tips" you see online, and in the daily emails from the Hank Haney's, Golf Revolution, e.t.c. 

Still, the idea of having a brand new, custom set of irons as my last purchase  (I am 74) appeals to me. I am even considering the Wishon Sterling single length, but also leaning towards his traditional, forged sets.  In any event, back to the OP, the four wood is working very well for me so far.
 

[dbuck]

Most modern balls will not hurt the older clubs per se, assuming the club is in good condition.

There are no new true balata balls being manufactured as far as I know. I have heard of using new old stock balatas with varying success.

I like ProV1s about as well as anything with wooden heads. I have noticed no problems with persimmon nor with my PING laminated maple. I am not expert, but I do hit it on the insert most of the time. Many modern balls including ProV1s, Callaway Chrome Soft, Wilson Duo, and others are actually softer than the Titleist 100's we used back in the day. I don't use  range balls with my woods.

[Hacker James]

21 minutes ago, dbuck said:

Most modern balls will not hurt the older clubs per se, assuming the club is in good condition.

There are no new true balata balls being manufactured as far as I know. I have heard of using new old stock balatas with varying success.

I like ProV1s about as well as anything with wooden heads. I have noticed no problems with persimmon nor with my PING laminated maple. I am not expert, but I do hit it on the insert most of the time. Many modern balls including ProV1s, Callaway Chrome Soft, Wilson Duo, and others are actually softer than the Titleist 100's we used back in the day. I don't use  range balls with my woods.

that's really good to know. For awhile, I was ordering DT wound online. I recently tried the so called "free" golf balls from Warrior Golf. Their SS are supposed to be a balata blend, while their distance ball has Titanium. I like the SS balls for stopping/spin action. In any event, no problems using with my Hogan 4 wood (to stay on subject).

[Mr. Desmond]

On 11/4/2016 at 11:50 AM, Hacker James said:

that's really good to know. For awhile, I was ordering DT wound online. I recently tried the so called "free" golf balls from Warrior Golf. Their SS are supposed to be a balata blend, while their distance ball has Titanium. I like the SS balls for stopping/spin action. In any event, no problems using with my Hogan 4 wood (to stay on subject).

Try the Snell GetSum at about $15/dz.  www.snellgolf.com

Hit a couple of Callaway Steelheads and Steelhead Hybrids on a sim -- can you say big and forgiving? Got 157 with the stock 7i steel shaft on a monitor, which usually translates to one more club on the course.

 

Edited November 6, 2016 by Mr. Desmond

[Brian W]

I play a 4w over a 3w even with a 19* 3 hybrid

I currently hit a cobra as you can always change back to the 3w if you feel like it.  I hit the bio cell better than any other 3w or 4w I have ever had the pleasure if swinging