Fairway Woods on a budget... Think I found a bargain

I'm pretty much a beginner golfer. I've played a lot but was terrible with some casual lessons and now I'm getting worse before better getting formal lessons from a really good coach. This was expected but I'm on the right track for sure and starting to hit the up slope, striking the ball really sweet on good days. My best rounds would be around 20 over (if I'm hitting it well, my chipping or putting lets me down and vice versa)!!! I'm learning the right way and getting better. O.K. Enough about me.

I've seen this, in my opinion, amazing deal on a Taylormade RBZ 3 wood. It's not a stage 2 from what I can see and it has HL (High Launch/High Loft?) in the description? I think I should jump on this. I'm probably not going to notice the difference in this years model compared to last years or the year befores (I think the first RBZ is 3 years old, maybe 4 now? I know they have a compeletely new 'Speed' model these days).

Here's the link to the club. Limited details: (with regards to price. 1 Euro = 1.37 Dollars)

http://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/taylormade-rbz-3hl/6291360

Is this a good buy? I'm worried that this club may be for lower handicap golfers. My coach recommended a Taylormade RBZ but I think it was the Stage 2 which has that speed pocket. No pictures of the bottom of the club and I think this one doesn't have that speed pocket? What do you think? I'm currently using a very old set of Irons, a 12 deg Cobra driver, Vokey wedges and an Odyssey putter. I inheritted all but the wedges and putter. I'm building from the bottom up but don't have a fairway wood in the bag. I think this is a great buy. Would a hybrid be better? Maybe something like this?

http://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/taylormade-rbz-3-hybrid-quick-sale/6194498

I would really appreciate any advice on this.

Thanks,

Dave

At that cost, buy it, if it doesn't work, sell it for far more than you paid. They are really good woods, you won't do any better in the newer clubs.

[quote name='DC300' timestamp='1390872430' post='8547091']
At that cost, buy it, if it doesn't work, sell it for far more than you paid. They are really good woods, you won't do any better in the newer clubs.
[/quote]

Thanks mate. You're probably dead right actually. I can't afford to buy both at the moment though. I have a Cobra 12 deg driver, 3-52 deg old irons, 56 and 60 deg Vokeys and a putter in the bag. I reckon a 3 wood first. That 3 hybrid seems to be filling a gap I don't plan on needing? I would get more use off the tee with the 3 wood and it would be almost as good off the fairway/rough. Am I right? If I got the 3 wood and then got a higher loft hybrid and got rid of the 3 iron that would be my 14 clubs. Once I get this 3 wood I'm looking at getting a set of decent irons. Budget is miniscule so I'm trying to carefully plan the bag I'll have by the end of the season!

I personally would think you would get more from a 3 wood than hybrid, and its not likely to get knocked out for any gapping reasons inthe future. HHybrids need to go with your iron gaps and I am of the school of thought, if you need a 3 hybrid or 3 iron to reach it, you probably shouldn't be going for it. Even if you get the distance, you will miss the target 90% of the time. 3 wood gives you options to stay in the fairway off the tee and you could use it on long, open wholes from the fairway, again if we are trying to score, you probably won't hit it where you want anyway, be smart.

I agree with the info you have received thus far. Get the 3 wood and get a higher lofted hybrid when it is reasonable for you. Look out for the Adams hybrids, A12 pro is a great stick you can get for $50 in the states. Only thing I would mention, is that no, a 3 wood is not nearly as easy to get out of the rough compared to a hybrid. Hybrids and "rescues" were originally the same club, the name "hybrid" stuck better, but it basically means it is easier to hit from varying lies compared to a traditional wood or long iron.

Also, the original RBZ is not nearly 3-4 years old, yes 3-4 launches of "new" merchandise old, but only released in 2012.

Little more info, The original RBZ does have the slot in the bottom as well, but it is not adjustable like the stage 2. Also, the estimated resale value in the US is $55. Not sure how that translates for you, but you may try and talk him down a bit!

Good luck!