Another fitting question

[TN94z]

We had Jacob (now 15) fit last year for a set of PING G30 irons and driver. It was suggested that he not get a 3w at that time. Now, he has a pretty big gap between his 3H and driver and could really use a 3w. Do I have to take him back to get fitted for the 3w or can I just order one with the same type shaft (I know it won't be the same)?  It's about a 2 hour drive to get to the fitter we used (which was a MUCH better experience than we would get locally).

[WUTiger]

Get him a 4W, or a 5W. The original fitter may have had concerns about his clubhead speed (needed to launch most 3Ws), or simply his swing didn't work with fairway woods yet.

You might call the fitter and ask advice. Find out why he didn't fit your son with a fairway wood.

Or, your son could try out used 4Ws and 5Ws and see if there's one he can hit. If he wants Ping, plenty of G and G30 FWs showing up used in my area.

Edited July 31, 2017 by WUTiger
Used Ping line.

[TN94z]

36 minutes ago, WUTiger said:

Get him a 4W, or a 5W. The original fitter may have had concerns about his clubhead speed (needed to launch most 3Ws), or simply his swing didn't work with fairway woods yet.

You might call the fitter and ask advice. Find out why he didn't fit your son with a fairway wood.

Or, your son could try out used 4Ws and 5Ws and see if there's one he can hit. If he wants Ping, plenty of G and G30 FWs showing up used in my area.

Yeah, I have thought about that as well. His swing wasn't as good then as it is now and the fitter thought, at the time, that his swing did not fit a 3w. So he went from 3h to driver. He is dead set that he wants it to match his set regardless of the fact that his hybrids are Titleist...haha

[Typhoon92]

If the fitter knows your son or has any notes, it'll be a help.  Like WUTiger suggested, go with a 4 wood or 3HL.  17 degrees is a better option.  I think Ping has an adjustable hosel on the Fw's so that'll be a plus.  

[WUTiger]

11 minutes ago, Typhoon92 said:

 I think Ping has an adjustable hosel on the Fw's so that'll be a plus.  

For Ping, hosel adjusts and you can go +1 or -1 in degrees of loft.

Older G30 has 5W in 18°, and newer G has 17.5°. Son could bring loft down to 17° and 16.5° respectively, or could just keep the stock loft.

Besides extra loft, the Ping 5W shaft is a half-inch shorter than the 3W; this increases control.

One of our long-hitting local pros used a 5W as his sole fairway.

If he's not set on Ping, other companies have 4Ws or 3HLs, as Typhoon mentioned.

[TN94z]

15 hours ago, WUTiger said:

For Ping, hosel adjusts and you can go +1 or -1 in degrees of loft.

Older G30 has 5W in 18°, and newer G has 17.5°. Son could bring loft down to 17° and 16.5° respectively, or could just keep the stock loft.

Besides extra loft, the Ping 5W shaft is a half-inch shorter than the 3W; this increases control.

One of our long-hitting local pros used a 5W as his sole fairway.

If he's not set on Ping, other companies have 4Ws or 3HLs, as Typhoon mentioned.

I found some left handed 5w on 2nd swing. I may just get one and let him try it out. That way, I'm not out brand new money if he can't hit it yet.  I'll also call his fitter first and ask their opinion. I didn't do that first because I assumed their answer would be to bring him down for another fitting. In all honesty, that may be best just to check his current clubs and make sure they are still good to go. Thanks for the suggestions.

Edited August 1, 2017 by TN94z

[TN94z]

I got him a 5w from 2nd swing with the Ping TFC 419F regular flex graphite shaft for 82.00. I figure that's cheap enough for a test run. It's the 18* model.

Edited August 4, 2017 by TN94z

[WUTiger]

On 8/4/2017 at 3:34 PM, TN94z said:

I got him a 5w from 2nd swing with the Ping TFC 419F regular flex graphite shaft for 82.00.

Good job. I may call you for help in finding bargain clubs!