Best 3 wood to play strictly as a driver

[miket_81]

I have a Callaway X2Hot 2 deep. I didn't really like the stock shaft so I put a DI7S in it and it is absolute money. It's not super easy to elevate especially off the ground but it isn't much if any shorter than my driver and is so low spin that it might be longer into the wind. It hits and absolutely runs forever. It's not the best in soft conditions found in the spring here but come just it is a fairway finding beast.

 

I'll also add for more of a traditional 3 wood I haven't found one better than the Adams XTD ti. It is very long and point and shoot. I've tried to upgrade from it but haven't found anything close to better and they can be had for peanuts.

I'd trust it to hit a fairway over my 5 iron.

[JAMH03]

These are the things I'd look for.

Highest Cor.

Titanium face.

Longish length so 43 or 43.5"

Maybe deeper face?

[Cwebb]

> @Moxley said:

> Consider mini drivers, which are a mix of the 2 and typically play like a strong 3 wood.

>

 

I think the term you were looking for there is "2 wood"

 

 

[Bobb3rdown]

I'm picking up a 910fd. Only because the adapter is the same as the driver shafts. The changed them starting with the 913. Getting a 13.5. Gonna drop the loft and run a driver shaft. Should play around 44 inches.

[mogc60]

> @gwelfgulfer said:

> > @mogc60 said:

> > The rapture is a cannon...

>

> Really wanted to love this one over the years as I've had 3 at various times (with like 5 different shaft combos). Seemed easiest to get distance from with a smoother swing, but as soon as I tried to step on it, spun too much (wether I changed the dynamics that much doing so idk). Also tested it against the G stretch for like an hour on the range going back and fourth, was only like 2-3 yards longer at best, but was better sounding/feel as the G was more metalic to me.

 

I used it as a 3 wood and not a driver replacement. I agree on that it spins more than most “mini” drivers but it feels fantastic and gets really good distance. I never felt like I had to hit it hard...so I got a nice mid flight that just went straight. I had a Matrix 80 black tie in mine. It’s 15 yards longer than my biocell+ playing both at 13.5*

[dinsdale00]

yet another vote for the callaway x hot 3 deep, easily as long as my driver

[jhcarson]

The answer is, and always will be (for me), The Unicorn: Cleveland Hibore XL 2 Wood. Keep trying new drivers, keep going back to my Little Hombre (yes, I've named it). So easy to hit, such a satisfying sound, large enough to inspire confidence, short enough shaft to back that confidence up. Love it.

[CAT GOLFER]

> @dcopp7 said:

> xHot 3 deep or TM RBZ 1 or 2. Both are absolute cannons.

 

Agreed, my Rbz stage 2’s, in 3w and 5w,put my driver to shame.

[setter02]

> @mogc60 said:

> > @gwelfgulfer said:

> > > @mogc60 said:

> > > The rapture is a cannon...

> >

> > Really wanted to love this one over the years as I've had 3 at various times (with like 5 different shaft combos). Seemed easiest to get distance from with a smoother swing, but as soon as I tried to step on it, spun too much (wether I changed the dynamics that much doing so idk). Also tested it against the G stretch for like an hour on the range going back and fourth, was only like 2-3 yards longer at best, but was better sounding/feel as the G was more metalic to me.

>

> I used it as a 3 wood and not a driver replacement. I agree on that it spins more than most “mini” drivers but it feels fantastic and gets really good distance. I never felt like I had to hit it hard...so I got a nice mid flight that just went straight. I had a Matrix 80 black tie in mine. It’s 15 yards longer than my biocell+ playing both at 13.5*

 

I could get some maginificent snap hooks when I tried to get too cute with it, but completly agree with the easy distance and its feel. I had the Stock X, Tour 80X, 80X Kai'Li, Nunchuk and DI7X to tinker around with. Last one I sold off as I got $100 more than what I paid for it in the first place after using it a season, so figured why not. Had the Rapture DI as well, nice combo.

[chadly643]

Callaway XR Pro has served me well off the tee. I can hit it both directions and it definitely sniffs my drivers yardages sometimes.

[stashtv]

One area I *like* with 3W heads: I prefer shorter (top to bottom) heads. With a shorter head, I feel it's easier to cover more of the sweet spot.

G400 falls into this category, I could probably remove my G400LS driver and just game the 3W for sub 6.4k courses.

[Zach Heusser]

The first taylormade mini driver

[KnowTheLedge]

> @jol said:

> Callaway Epic Flash 3+ wood. Off the tee it is a rocket launcher, long and straight ! My go to club when I need to keep it on the fairway without sacrificing much distance.

 

I agree. Even better though it's shaped like a regular 3 wood so I have no trouble launching it high off the fairway too.

[Thinnedit]

Second an Epic Flash 3+ but ordered with an opposite handed optifit (instead of +2 it'll give you -2 loft) tune it down to 11.5⁰ and you'll have a bomber off the tee.

[knackers]

got an old Epic 3+, switched heads in the shop to the newer Epic flash, couldn't tell the difference maybe 1>7yrds difference, not worth the extra money. Save your money first try the older season gear. But if you're only driving the ball 220yrds, what is your SS like. These lower lofted 3w are bombs only if you have the SS to keep it in the air you might find you hit a 15degree longer than a 13.5. Even experimenting with the driver, put a 3w shaft in it at a shop if your driver is adjustable, it could fix your driver accuracy.

[Golf64]

Ping G410 LST and Epic SZ work best for me.

[jmkenn0]

In the same boat, hitting the TM Original One Mini Driver. Pretty much swing it like a 3 wood, but tee it up fractionally higher. I have the lower lofted model, but its very shaft-specific, you definitely want to get fitted for it.

[extrastiff]

> @elthrill said:

> thanks men. for me its a feel thing in the driver. my driver is only 43.75" and i was fitted for it but i just dont feel like i can get around on it. my swing is 3/4 in terms of arm position at top and i dont have much hand release in my swing and i just feel like im going to hit the thing a mile right, so i end up shutting down the face and hitting it a mile left. and its back and forth left and right all day. and my position is dead square at the top of my swing. its not an issue with my 3 wood nor my 3 hybrid. i know I could get it fixed but i dont know if the sacrifice with my other clubs would be offset with the improvement in my driver. I really like the way im hitting my wedges - 7 iron right now. Its flush.

 

brooks like to point out the "steering" on the downswing rarely works. Do what you want, but i think some work with the long irons and driver (lots of similarities in the negative tendencies that arise when using these clubs) is the way to go, you will figure it out since you can hit the ball well-enough, and then appreciate not having to hit 7 iron into a relatively easy par 4. instead you will left with a scoring club in you hand. Wedge them to death.

Alright i will leave u alone now, but really curious to see 3 wood vs driver swing if you wanna link that up, or post in instruction forum and link here. If not, good luck picking a three wood. Get fit for the shaft imo, switch my tensei from head to head with literally the smallest variations in spin and launch characteristics, and never more than a 10 yard difference between average distance, completely attributable to different testing environments. could not care less what club head im swinging, but was a process finding right shaft

[SUPERG]

PING G standard or stretch, G400 stretch as well. Had the G400 stretch but far too long for my gapping, 15 yards shorter than my best drives and always in the fairway. Highly recommend

[Ajohns10]

Vote for the ping rapture 2014. I had one. Thought new tech would be better, so I sold it. After a couple years of trial/errors, I bought another.

[BMC]

Original Rapture 3 wood for me. 14 degrees, large deep head, sounds and feels great.

I had mine shafted at 44 inches.

 

I used it for a couple of years until I got a driver that works for me. Nothing better than hitting a driver long and in play.

[jll62]

> @Golfingfanatic said:

> M2 DF T3 13.5°

> M3 T3 13° (can be adjusted to a lower loft)

 

Here's the correct answer, in my opinion (I have both). The M2 DF T3 is an absolute cannon off the tee for a strong 3w, but off the turf performance can suffer a bit. If you need something that's a mix of tee/turf, the M3 T3 is a better play.

 

When I play a course where I know there will only be 3w tee shots, the M2 DF T3 goes in the bag.

[golfer1964]

rapture all day

[bodhi555]

917 F3. Fit with the right shaft it's very straight and very long.

[kody17]

My TEE CBX 15* is as long or longer than my Titleist 910 D2 driver right now. I have the 13.5* CBX glued up and ready to rock to see if it will actually outdrive my driver by a decent margin. These 3 woods really are that good.

[Mitchell]

> @kody17 said:

> My TEE CBX 15* is as long or longer than my Titleist 910 D2 driver right now. I have the 13.5* CBX glued up and ready to rock to see if it will actually outdrive my driver by a decent margin. These 3 woods really are that good.

 

This person gets it??

[jdvela55]

I’m going to have fun with this one.

 

 

[bwgerho]

Your driver may be too long: most tour players use 42 - 44 inch drivers compared with the 45-46 you pull off the rack at a store. Try choking up to see if shorter would be better.

[dcopp7]

> @aztec575 said:

> I’m going to have fun with this one.

>

>

>

>

 

Shaft might be 20 grams too light. For me it would be.

[lilcaeser]

another vote for the TM Original One Mini Driver ,,,,, 43" so easy to swing through the ball w/ near driver distance