Jump to content

I think my 3W needs to go ... but now what?


Little Ned

Recommended Posts

I was fitted for a 3W but if I'm honest with myself, I cannot hit it. Things seem fine at the range. It's on the course that is a different story. When the lies aren't flat, I have trouble. I usually see low line drives that lack consistency. I'm better with my 4 & 5 hybrids and even my 5W. FWIW ... I've never tried my 3W off the tee.

 

Anyway, since I only pull it out once or twice a round (if that), I just feels like I'm wasting a club in my bag. I could make more use of something. I just don't know where to go. Another fairway wood? Hybrid?

 

Thanks for your help and let me know if you have any questions!

Ping G400 Max 10.5*
Cobra F8 7W
Cobra F8 4H
Mizuno 919 Hot Metal 5-GW
Callaway MD3 54*
Callaway MD PM 58*
Ping Sigma G Tyne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @"Little Ned" said:

> I was fitted for a 3W but if I'm honest with myself, I cannot hit it. Things seem fine at the range. It's on the course that is a different story. When the lies aren't flat, I have trouble. I usually see low line drives that lack consistency. I'm better with my 4 & 5 hybrids and **even my 5W**. FWIW ... I've never tried my 3W off the tee.

>

> Anyway, since I only pull it out once or twice a round (if that), I just feels like I'm wasting a club in my bag. I could make more use of something. I just don't know where to go. Another fairway wood? Hybrid?

>

> Thanks for your help and let me know if you have any questions!

 

Become a master of a 5-wood.

  • Like 1
Unseen, in the background, Fate was quietly slipping the lead into the boxing-glove.  P.G. Wodehouse
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A quick and easy experiment would be to see if choking up on your 3w an inch or even an inch and a half makes a difference in your reliability of getting a clean(er) strike. If so, that'll tell you something useful. It could be as simple as cutting the shaft (and maybe adding a little lead tape, if you're worried about swingweight - to a lot of golfers it's a minor factor) or steer you towards another shorter club e.g. 4/5w or 2h.

 

I do think the relatively small clubface and relatively longer length of a typical 3w is what makes them problematic for many golfers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When in doubt, add loft.

I feel your pain. May want to first try the Cobra F9 3-4 wood, which has restored my confidence and is adjustable to boot. So easy to launch I haven’t even changed from the factory 14.5 loft setting, which by past experience I assumed I would.

Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 10.5 w/Diamana TB 60S

PXG GEN6 5 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Yamaha RMX VD 7 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Callaway Mavrik Pro hybrid (22) w/Aldila Tour Blue 85 stiff hybrid

Wilson Staff Model CB 5-G w/DG s300 shafts

Edel T grind 54 w/Nippon 125 wedge shaft

Fourteen RM-12 58 w/Dynamic Golds400

Axis1 Rose putter, 34 inches

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @dubbelbogey said:

> A quick and easy experiment would be to see if choking up on your 3w an inch or even an inch and a half makes a difference in your reliability of getting a clean(er) strike. If so, that'll tell you something useful. It could be as simple as cutting the shaft (and maybe adding a little lead tape, if you're worried about swingweight - to a lot of golfers it's a minor factor) or steer you towards another shorter club e.g. 4/5w or 2h.

>

> I do think the relatively small clubface and relatively longer length of a typical 3w is what makes them problematic for many golfers.

 

I think there could be something to your last comment. I don't hit it a mile, but I can hit the fairways with my driver and I'll take that any day. I wish that was the same story with my 3W. I'm just at a loss as to a "good" fairway wood/hybrid. I was fitted for the G's but tried the Epic on a whim. So I'm not loyal to a specific brand. I just want to play good golf.

Ping G400 Max 10.5*
Cobra F8 7W
Cobra F8 4H
Mizuno 919 Hot Metal 5-GW
Callaway MD3 54*
Callaway MD PM 58*
Ping Sigma G Tyne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I ditched the 3 wood a while back. My swing speed isn't terrible but anything with less than 16* of loft seems to be a problem. I see your playing PING G woods (which I love the G/G400 line!)....One option would be to do what I have done which is ditch the 3 wood, get the G/G400 5 wood which comes stock at 17.5* and turn it down to 16.5* or 16.9* and play it like a 4 wood.

PING G410 LST 10.5* --- Project X Evenflow Blue 55-S

PING G410 17.5* & 20.5* FW --- Aldila Tour Blue 65-S

Titleist 818H1 23* Hybrid --- Project X Evenflow Riptide 80-6.0

PING i210 5-UW --- Nippon Modus 105-S

PING Glide 3.0 Eye2 54* & 58* --- Nippon Modus 115 Wedge

L.A.B. DF3 --- Accra x L.A.B.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A couple of questions you need to ask.

 

Do you need 3-Wood length off the fairway where you play?

Do you get within a country mile of the green when you’re 200+ yards away with anything?

Do you need a club that’ll give you another, better option off the tee instead?

Would an extra wedge in the bag benefit you more?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to add to that, for me it depends on the season. On hard ground I don’t need that extra long club, but a 64* wedge is just magic with a bit of practice, the ability to flop a shot and stop it dead from 30 yards is wonderful, and not that difficult.

 

In winter, that’s not really needed, an extra long club benefits more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @"Little Ned" said:

> I was fitted for a 3W but if I'm honest with myself, I cannot hit it. Things seem fine at the range. It's on the course that is a different story. When the lies aren't flat, I have trouble. I usually see low line drives that lack consistency. I'm better with my 4 & 5 hybrids and even my 5W. FWIW ... I've never tried my 3W off the tee.

>

> Anyway, since I only pull it out once or twice a round (if that), I just feels like I'm wasting a club in my bag. I could make more use of something. I just don't know where to go. Another fairway wood? Hybrid?

>

> Thanks for your help and let me know if you have any questions!

The thing I am focusing on while rebuilding my bag this season isn’t filling yardage gaps, but filling purpose gaps. For me, on my home course from my regular tees, a three wood makes the most sense on most of the par fours and one par five. So I need one to hit off the tee.

I’d say figure out what you need and get that.

 

As of  10/11/2021

9 Callaway Mavrk Sub Zero with Ventus Black 7X

13 Degree Srixon 3 wood Project X Black 6.5

19 Degree Sub70 939 Pro with Proforce V2

4 Utility Sub70 699u 22 degree Proforce V2

5-GW Srixon Zx5 with Project X 6.5

Sub70 286 54

Sub70 JB Low Bounce 58

SeeMore milled Tri-Mallet fit and built at SeeMore 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @Joelsim said:

> A couple of questions you need to ask.

>

> Do you need 3-Wood length off the fairway where you play?

> Do you get within a country mile of the green when you’re 200+ yards away with anything?

> Do you need a club that’ll give you another, better option off the tee instead?

> Would an extra wedge in the bag benefit you more?

 

I should have explained a little better. Right now, I’m just trying to make par. So I’m not hitting 3W on a par 4 and definitely not on a par 5. I’d love to be but that’s just not my reality right now. So after a drive, I usually follow up with the club I’m most confident in - sometimes a hybrid, sometimes an iron, and a couple times a round a 5w. I find it more important to stay on the fairway than 30 yards closer and in the bushes. I hit my 7i 140 usually.

 

Ping G400 Max 10.5*
Cobra F8 7W
Cobra F8 4H
Mizuno 919 Hot Metal 5-GW
Callaway MD3 54*
Callaway MD PM 58*
Ping Sigma G Tyne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @Myherobobhope said:

> The thing I am focusing on while rebuilding my bag this season isn’t filling yardage gaps, but filling purpose gaps. For me, on my home course from my regular tees, a three wood makes the most sense on most of the par fours and one par five. So I need one to hit off the tee.

> I’d say figure out what you need and get that.

>

That’s a great point. It has me wondering if something like a 7w is what I should look at.

 

Ping G400 Max 10.5*
Cobra F8 7W
Cobra F8 4H
Mizuno 919 Hot Metal 5-GW
Callaway MD3 54*
Callaway MD PM 58*
Ping Sigma G Tyne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @nicholasriehl said:

> I ditched the 3 wood a while back. My swing speed isn't terrible but anything with less than 16* of loft seems to be a problem. I see your playing PING G woods (which I love the G/G400 line!)....One option would be to do what I have done which is ditch the 3 wood, get the G/G400 5 wood which comes stock at 17.5* and turn it down to 16.5* or 16.9* and play it like a 4 wood.

 

In my opinion, modern day drivers have limited the effectiveness of the traditional fairway wood. Back in the day, you needed a 'safe' option off the tee to keep it in play. Now drivers are so (relatively) forgiving that a FW from the tee is purely a distance choice. I played a 4-wood for years. When PING stopped making them, I was initially disappointed. I eventually just bought a 5-wood and it's been fantastic. I turned it down to the little - setting. It's even easier to hit off the deck and gives me all the distance I need when laying up off the tee. I'm not expecting to hit a target from a 3-wood distance out. And if I'm a club or two further out laying up off the tee, it's normally not a big deal...especially now that hybrids are as easy to hit as mid irons.

PING G430 Max 10.5 

Cleveland Launcher XL Hy-wood 18*
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo 4H

Cleveland XL Halo 5H

Srixon MKii ZX5s 6-PW Modus 105s

Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore 48*

Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore 52*
Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore 56*

PXG Battle Ready 'Bat Attack' 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks. This thread has been incredible so far. I’ve decided to take the 3W out of the bag and go with something I can get more use from. Now what that is becomes the million dollar question. You guys have made great arguments for another wood or even a lower hybrid.

Ping G400 Max 10.5*
Cobra F8 7W
Cobra F8 4H
Mizuno 919 Hot Metal 5-GW
Callaway MD3 54*
Callaway MD PM 58*
Ping Sigma G Tyne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @"Little Ned" said:

> Those Cobra fairway woods must be good. I’ve seen more than a few posts about them.

 

Very good. I was fit into the F9 3W and 3H. While I've had the occasional spat with the 3W, took it out to the range last weekend and worked out some kinks. I'm running it at 14.5*. The rails work for me, especially on the hybrid.

AI Smoke Max Tensei Blue 55R | Cleveland Halo XL HyWood 3+ Tensei Blue 55R

G430 4-5H Alta R | Srixon ZX4-5 7i-AW Dart 65R

Glide4 Eye2 56 | Vokey 60 M | Ping Anser 2023

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was inconsistent with 3 wood on fairways until I got a Ping G. Not a strong 3W at 16 degrees, but manageable off the deck most of the time. This improved even more when adjusted to 17 degrees, effectively making it a 4W. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it.

Adams Speedline 9088UL 10.5* AXIVCore 69 Black (S) Ping G SF Tec 3W, 5W Alta 65 (R) Ping G 4H,5H Alta 70 (R) Ping G 6-U TT XP 95 (soft R) Ping Glide 54*, 58* WS TT XP 100 (R) Ping Darby Sigma G

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have had several t.e.e 4 woods over the years.Tried a 915 4 wood recently but it was 44 long...just sold ping i25 3 wood also...grab an xcg6 4 wood! Its within 15 metres of driver distance but in the centre. I just landed a cally mini 1.5 so looking at 13 degrees there then maybe 21/7 wood again!

2020 18 July mid winterNZ
Ping Rapture 2006 10.5
Nike VrS 3wood
Callaway Razr Edge5 wood

MP100=33 9876 5/mp63
54     RTX2
60     RTX2
ProPlatinum NewportTwo
2002 325gram +8.NewGrip
Dont hesitate to buy one!






 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So my 4 hybrid is 22* and my 5 wood is 18*. I’m kinda confused here because I looked up the F8 woods and a 7-8 wood is 21-23.5*. Does that overlap in lofts work for me? Might be a stupid question but does a wood hit further than a hybrid at the same loft? FWIW, a 3-4 wood is 13-15.5*.

Ping G400 Max 10.5*
Cobra F8 7W
Cobra F8 4H
Mizuno 919 Hot Metal 5-GW
Callaway MD3 54*
Callaway MD PM 58*
Ping Sigma G Tyne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hate my 3 wood. We are not friends, but some reason i keep it around...

Driver: Paradym 3D Ventus black TR 6x

3 wood: Paradym 3d Ventus black TR 7x

19 degree UW: Ventus black TR 8x

Mizuno Pro Fli Hi 4 utility Hazrdus black 90 6.5 X

5 -PW: Callaway Apex MB, KBS $ taper 130X

Wedges - Jaws raw 50, 54, 59 KBS $ taper 130x

Putter- Mutant Wilson Staff 8802 with stroke lab shaft
BALL; Chrome Soft X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @"Little Ned" said:

> Thanks. This thread has been incredible so far. I’ve decided to take the 3W out of the bag and go with something I can get more use from. Now what that is becomes the million dollar question. You guys have made great arguments for another wood or even a lower hybrid.

 

I’ve been testing a TEE EXS 4w and an Epic Flash 5w lofted down to 17* and think both could fit what you’re looking for. Getting slightly more ball speed from the Epic, so carry distance is about the same despite the 5w being a touch shorter, but the EXS is stupidly easy to hit from both the tee and the turf and the price tag is appealing at $229 vs. most of the other new stuff at $300+. I’m torn, so in true WRX’er fashion, I will likely buy both.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Discussion and links to Photos
      Please put any questions or Comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Thorbjorn Olesen - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ben Silverman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jesse Droemer - SoTX PGA Section POY - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      David Lipsky - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Martin Trainer - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Zac Blair - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jacob Bridgeman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Trace Crowe - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jimmy Walker - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Daniel Berger - WITB(very mini) - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Chesson Hadley - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Callum McNeill - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Rhein Gibson - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Patrick Fishburn - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Peter Malnati - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Raul Pereda - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Tom Hoge's custom Cameron - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Piretti putters - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ping putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Kevin Dougherty's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Bettinardi putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Tony Finau's new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
       
      • 7 replies
    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies

×
×
  • Create New...