3 wood ? and purchase help

[cemeb4dk]

First off thanks for taking the time to read my post, and offering anyhelp you can.

I am looking into getting a new 3 wood. I currently have a Callway X 3 wood ( not the hot, the original "06 I believe) I like it off the tee but could never hit it off the deck. I know the response will be go to your pro shop and hit a bunch, and I will but I have some questions as I am not an equipment expert. Also my local golf shop that fitted me for everything has just gone out of business as he could not compete with the internet and the larger box stores I guess.

One question is am I looking for a shallower face to help me get it up in the air, and easier to hit? Right?

I currently have a Ping G10 driver in 10.5 * with a stiff v2 shaft. my swing speed is 98-100 mph. I really like the ping driver except I am not liking the v2 shaft as I believe it is ballooning on my too much as the ball just launches too high and drops staright down. BUt thats another story. I don't get much roll out of it. So with having this driver I am leaning towards the ping G10 3 wood, and also the taylormade burner. The burner has me a little skeptical regarding the light shaft. I have read complaints about this causing a high ball flight.

I will be traveling to a golfsmith and trying out these clubs, are there any others I should be looking at. My old pro knew me and my swing and would make suggestions and then we would try it out. I don't want to seem like some yahoo off the street.

Thanks for any help or tips in making my purchase easier. Man I really miss the local guy that just knew me and said here this might work for you here try it...

[Crafty]

I would try the burner or the r7 titanium fairway. Both have a shallow face and are quite forgiving.

[shortgame85]

I had the same Callaway 3 wood and never really got it off the deck, either. I then went to a low lofted hybrid with great success. But I lost a little distance for which I continued to search.

A few months ago, I read on this web site about Titleist's new 906F4 3 wood. I went to my pro shop to give it a try. It was 15.5 degrees and had a very shallow face. There was an old fashioned look to it that really appealed to the retro side of me. However, the best aspect of the club proved to be the ease with which I could get it up and how easy it was to hit it straight. Even off the tee ( one must use a low tee set up with this club, I guess like a hybrid ), I found the club the easiest to hit 3 wood I've tried. As you can see, I bought one and it continues to earn a place in my bag.

You may wish to give one a try. I ordered mine with the Aldila NV shaft, like those I have in my hybrids. I also liked the Graphite Design YS-6 shaft.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[Gapwedge]

First off thanks for taking the time to read my post, and offering anyhelp you can.

Two that come to my mind if you can still find them is the Callaway Steelhead III 15* and the TaylorMade V Steel 15*. I think you will like either of these. The V Steel may be easier to find than the Callaway, but both are great heads. The shaft is more personal. I have the stock System III Firm in my Callaway and the Proforce V2 in my V Steel.

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks for the replies, still undecided. Gapwedge can you still get those new or do I have to look for a used one.

[ScottySnapps]

Let me offer a couple suggestions:
(1) If getting the ball up from the deck is your main objective, my first suggestion (and I expect some snickers from the gallery) is to try one of the old Orlimar Trimetal fairway woods. The have a very low profile, and were originally marketed as being a fw wood that you could get in the air. YOu can get them on ebay for less than $50 each.
(2) Another "used" option is the TaylorMade r5 series of fw woods.

I have used both of these with great success from the fairway.

As far as new options are concerned, Im currently using a Callaway Big Bertha 3 and 7 wood, and like them from the deck. I also agree with the post regarding the new Burners - they are nice. Finally, the Burner hybrids completely ROCK - I have 2 in my bag now, and they are the BEST hybrids Ive ever hit (very FW wood "looking".

Hope that helps...

Snap

[Gapwedge]

Thanks for the replies, still undecided. Gapwedge can you still get those new or do I have to look for a used one.

EBay is selling both right now. I picked up a new TaylorMade V Steel 15* 3w for $45.00 off Ebay. I am going to change out the shaft that came with it to a Proforce V2. It will be tougher to find a new Callaway Steelhead III. Check on Callaway PreOwned's website also. Both heads are easy to hit off the deck.

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks Guys, going to the golfsmith tonight and see what I like if not I will check the other suggestions. Its middle of winter so no big rush except for the florida golf trip the first week of Feb. But if I don't have a new 3 wood by then no biggie.

[SirMilton]

I have the R7 Titanium 3 wood, and I bought it after I fell in love with the R7 Titanium 5 wood. I find it very easy to hit and I never use my 3 wood on the tee (I can hit my driver where I want), so mine has never seen a ball on a tee.

The steel version is supposed to be equally good and much less expensive. From a reliable seller on eBay expect to pay (with a winning bid) about $220-250 for a new Titanium 3 wood (cheaper ones are probably chinese fakes), and less than $100 for a stainless steel version. I doubt you would notice the difference in performance.

PING's G10 driver tested better than all competitors in last month's Golf Digest so I would give the G10 3 wood a shot.

I have been a TaylorMade wood and PING iron guy now for over 20 years, so I won't suggest any other brand.

[Jack_2251]

Try the G10 fairway, with a 4 wood loft (17*) My brother is demo-ing one at the moment, and he loves it good off the tee outta rough and off the deck in the short stuff.

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks that was my first choice was the g10 4 wood, but none of my local GS or Golf galaxies carry it, they say its a special order. Where as they have 3 and 5's on the rack.

[hawkeye]

i'll third the first couple of R7 titanium 3 wood recommendations. nice big face on it - titanium being lighter than steel, they can have a bigger clubhead with the same weight. They R7 steel is smaller and not as forgiving. The Titanium is great out of the rough too.

Cant go wrong with the G10 either from what i hear.

[Fourputt]

Thanks that was my first choice was the g10 4 wood, but none of my local GS or Golf galaxies carry it, they say its a special order. Where as they have 3 and 5's on the rack.

Look at the Mizuno F60.... they have a 13.5 and a 15 degree 3W, as well as a 4W. I have the 15 degree 3W and I love it.

[ElTigre]

I recommend that you get the Burner 3 wood and then re-shaft with a Pro-Launch Redline

[pt71658]

I recently purchased the Burner. All of my shots from the deck have been from tight winter lies but I have hit it from the tee several times and have been satisfied with the trajectory. I am not a long ball striker. I do not recall all the data on the monitor when I tried the club out but the total carry and roll was between 210 and 220. I am hitting it 200 - 210 on the course. I really like the way the club looks at address. Try one out.

[TourSpoon]

I had tried the Callaway X and ended up with the X Tour in 15 degrees because I nail it from the turf. I had trouble off the tee, so I just tee it like I would an iron shot and problem solved. It has a different flight than the regular X and with a 97 mph swing, the Tour Platform stiff was just right for me. The profile of the X tour reminded me of my old TM Burner TourSpoon, just a few hairs bigger, but smaller than most modern 3 woods.

[cemeb4dk]

those that are suggesting the r7 are you saying last years or the new CGB one. Price wise I hope your suggesting last years model. LOL

[hawkeye]

i'd recommend 2-3 years ago model - R7 Titanium. It's more expensive than the steel model though. Last years was the R7 draw i think - though not sure on when it was out. I have the R7 Titanium nearly 2 years. Might be getting rid of it soon - or rershafting.