Can older fairway woods still be good to game?

[RussUK]

I currently dont use a 3 wood in my set and my 5w is dangerously close to getting ousted as i use my 19* hybrid more. So i decided to look at a 4 wood to replace the 5w. Not wanting to drop a sizeable chunk on a decent newer one and regret it later (if i cant hit it for toffee) i was looking at the likes of Adam Tight Lies 2, Callaway Big Bertha, Warbird etc. as being old(er) they are dirt cheap.

Does anyone still game an older fairway? Do you have any recommendations or comparisons with newer clubs?

Im a budget minded golfer so may faint if you suggest anything too pricey

[mcanadiens]

The best club in my bag is my Taylormade Burner Bubble 5W. I'm guessing it goes back to the mid to late 90s. 

As far as comparisons to new clubs, I can't help you there. I never use new clubs.

 

[Hacker James]

Thrift Shop

 

[RussUK]

3 minutes ago, Hacker James said:

Thrift Shop

 

Was thinking about trying the charity shops. My local recyling site has opened a onsite shop that according to a mate had a "wall full of clubs". Might have to wander in sometime.

[Hacker James]

yep, "Buy, Try, Re-Donate".  If it works, you didn't spend a lot of money. 'sides, new clubs lose their value rather quickly. Often times, you can find a real "gem".  I have also had pretty good luck online with places like Global Golf, TGW,  If you do not mind a few very minor dings and scratches, you can get some of their "value" priced clubs. They play just fine, and "have character".

[Vinny Cap]

Russ - I game some old Callaway Big Bertha's.  I actually have the 1,2,3,4,5 & 7 woods.  Wanted the whole set.  I have the 5w in my bag every round.  Works great!

[RussUK]

22 minutes ago, Vinny Cap said:

Russ - I game some old Callaway Big Bertha's.  I actually have the 1,2,3,4,5 & 7 woods.  Wanted the whole set.  I have the 5w in my bag every round.  Works great!

I was looking at the old bertha's. Can get them in decent condition for less than £20.

Quite like the old tight lies too. Simple looking clubs, no frills.   

[Vinny Cap]

A friend gave me his 3 & 5 woods.  I liked them so much I found someone selling the 1,2,3,4,5 & 7 for $25 so I scooped them up.  All steel shafts with sweet grips on them.

I gave the 3 & 5 my friend gave me to my son to use when he was learning.

Good bang for the buck!

[joro]

Just shows that smart people play with what works and they like and that newer is not always better.    

[Typhoon92]

I read somewhere, and it's true, if u have a 3 wood u hit well...never get rid of it.  I went through a bunch before I found a ping tisi Tec and used it for years.  I still have it but moved on to an M1 3hl.

I also read where if u look in the bag of a lot of Tour pro's, the 3 wood is the oldest club in the bag....for the reason stated above.

[phan52]

I was changing 3 and 5 woods like underwear for a couple of years and then got a couple of Adams Speedline woods and I stopped looking. When I make a good swing they do exactly what I want out of them.

Recently I started having difficulty hitting my 5-iron and decided to try out some hybrids. About a month ago I went to the pro shop and asked if they had any demos and they had sent them all back! That afternoon I went into my club bin in the basement and found an old 25 degree TaylorMade Rescue that I probably hadn't used in 7-8 years. Took it for a test drive in my next round and it has successfully replaced my 5-iron. If the pro still had his demos I probably would have bought a new one, but I'm happy with the old club.

[nevets88]

I'm very slow in upgrading to new equipment in my bag, but I really like the newer fairway woods and hybrids compared to the old, it's not even a question to me the new big heads off the ground are so much better than the old, JMO.

[Jackal1966]

 I have  15°- 2014 Big  bertha. It is set to 16° loft. This is my favorite  club. The price was $45 free shipping. 

 My Son is now using my old Cobra Amp Cell 15° wood. It is also set to 16° and he loves it .

 

[WUTiger]

Try the TM RBZ Stage 2 / 3W.HL (high launch) a 17* FW. This has the orange trim. (The original RBZ had way too light a shaft, and the head was top-heavy).

[joro]

Personally I used to love a 14 degree 3 I hit a mile, but as I got ancient I need more loft to get it, (the ball) up.    I like the adjustable cause I can have a BB 3 and set it at 17 and find it is perfect.   I since have followed suit on the 5 and 7 and even the hybrids to cut down on Irons.    Before that I played an old Burner for years.    I even upped me BB Driver to 12 and it is better.     As you age and get shorter height is your friend.

A little side story about 3 woods is that back in the 70s when I was making all the custom Woods at Cobra, I mean real Wood.    I made a lot of different Woods for a lot of Tour guys and was making a couple of Drivers for Jack Nicklaus and we were talking about clubs and I asked him what club he dislikes most and he said "3 Wood",   I asked why and he said because it was his feeling that it is the club you are trying to hit a  long way and not always off a good lie.    He said he would rather hit the 1 Iron because he knew he could hit it out of a tough lie.     In fact when the Pros were coming in most of them were after a good 3 Wood, it is a tough club to hit or at least was in those days.    But, today they are killing it.