GBB Warbird 3

[fishgolf]

Anyone else still playing this club?  Having recently upgraded from its counterpart driver and seeing appreciable improvement in both distance and forgiveness, it has me wondering about my 3 wood. have there been advances in 3 wood design that compare with driver changes?  I hit my 3 wood pretty well and can usually rely on it getting 200-220 yards, and a fairly reliable flightpath. It does have a stiff Graphalloy shaft that is probably not correct for my swing speed - not sure if that's a big deal?

[billchao]

Short answer is yes, technology has improved in fairway woods as well. You should go demo some and compare with what you have. 

[1badbadger]

In my opinion, the advances in fairway wood technology don't compare to the advances in drivers.  Have fairway woods improved since the GBB was released in '95?  Of course.  But drivers are what get the lion's share of R&D money because it's one of the main clubs in just about everyone's bag...they hit the ball long, they are usually the most expensive single club, they are used on most holes and to a large percentage of players it's a sexy club.  Fairway woods not so much.

But, anyone who has played golf seriously for a significant amount of time knows a good 3 wood is the hardest club to find.  When you finally get a good one, lock it in.  My current 3 wood has been in the bag about 19 years.  I'll replace it if the head cracks or it gets stolen, but otherwise I have never considered getting a new one.

You mentioned in your post that you typically hit your 3 wood good most of the time, you have confidence in it, and it has a consistent trajectory.  Here is my rule-of-thumb...never jack with a club you are hitting well.  This applies to any club.  I have seen it too many times.  A guy has a club he hits good 90% of the time, and he'll want to reshaft it or trade it in on a different one to try to make it better.  I look at it like this...there is a 10% chance a new club or modifying the old one will be an improvement.  There is a 90% chance of making things worse.  Consider replacing a club or making changes to it are when you don't hit it well or can't hit it consistently.  I have nothing against getting new gear...there is nothing more fun than acquiring new clubs.  Many people do it for no reason...they just feel like it.  I don't have a problem with that.  But you are looking to make a change hoping for better performance.  Based on the information you provided, I would recommend hanging onto your current 3 wood.  Never mess with a club you hit good!

[fishgolf]

On ‎6‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 1:31 PM, 1badbadger said:

In my opinion, the advances in fairway wood technology don't compare to the advances in drivers.  Have fairway woods improved since the GBB was released in '95?  Of course.  But drivers are what get the lion's share of R&D money because it's one of the main clubs in just about everyone's bag...they hit the ball long, they are usually the most expensive single club, they are used on most holes and to a large percentage of players it's a sexy club.  Fairway woods not so much.

But, anyone who has played golf seriously for a significant amount of time knows a good 3 wood is the hardest club to find.  When you finally get a good one, lock it in.  My current 3 wood has been in the bag about 19 years.  I'll replace it if the head cracks or it gets stolen, but otherwise I have never considered getting a new one.

You mentioned in your post that you typically hit your 3 wood good most of the time, you have confidence in it, and it has a consistent trajectory.  Here is my rule-of-thumb...never jack with a club you are hitting well.  This applies to any club.  I have seen it too many times.  A guy has a club he hits good 90% of the time, and he'll want to reshaft it or trade it in on a different one to try to make it better.  I look at it like this...there is a 10% chance a new club or modifying the old one will be an improvement.  There is a 90% chance of making things worse.  Consider replacing a club or making changes to it are when you don't hit it well or can't hit it consistently.  I have nothing against getting new gear...there is nothing more fun than acquiring new clubs.  Many people do it for no reason...they just feel like it.  I don't have a problem with that.  But you are looking to make a change hoping for better performance.  Based on the information you provided, I would recommend hanging onto your current 3 wood.  Never mess with a club you hit good!

That sound you heard was the air leaving my balloon . Good put, and that same thought has crossed my mind. The changes in driver technology are quite obvious - visually for starters.  I certainly wouldn't get rid of the current 3 wood until any switch has me never looking back but just wondering if, like my positive driver change results, I'm not taking advantage of technology. 

[1badbadger]

4 hours ago, fishgolf said:

That sound you heard was the air leaving my balloon . Good put, and that same thought has crossed my mind. The changes in driver technology are quite obvious - visually for starters.  I certainly wouldn't get rid of the current 3 wood until any switch has me never looking back but just wondering if, like my positive driver change results, I'm not taking advantage of technology. 

Aw Dude...I'm sorry!  I didn't mean kill your buzz.