TM M3 3 wood vs RBZ 3 wood

[cantwells]

i have been gaming a RBZ 3 wood for about five years now. It has a stock TM S shaft. Just today a playing partner offered me his M3 3 wood for $50. It has a Tensei R 65 gram shaft. I thinking if the shaft is too flexible, I could swap it out for something stiffer. I understand that Hitting the ball is the best way to make this evaluation , but He wants to buy a new club immediately and has been offered that saves $50 on a trade-in. So, without hitting it, I need to make that call. On a sidenote, I just recently re-shafted my irons from stiff to regular shift. I am getting older (Mid 50’s), but my game is improving. Any suggestions?

[Valtiel]

For that price I say definitely take it. If you don't like it, i'll give you $50 for it immediately.

[cantwells]

I suppose I should add one more question. I am new to the adjustable club. I realize there are numerous options regarding shaft choices. How exactly, do I go about finding one That would fit my game? I hit my current RBZ approximately 240 yards with a slight draw and medium trajectory ball flight. Thanks again

[Valtiel]

Finding a shaft that fits your swing is like finding a comfortable pair of pants, you have to try em' on yourself to know for sure. You can take things like your "measurements" (swing speed, tempo, ball flight) to help narrow it down, but that really just gives you a place to start. You may find that you're pretty agnostic when it comes to shaft profile and that weight is more important, or you may find that certain shaft profiles suit your swing and your feel better. You won't know until you get your hands on some, which you can normally do on something like eBay fairly cheaply.

There are several very knowledgeable people here that can help compare different models and interpret the results you may have in testing to help you narrow it down. All that said, fairway woods are often very personal clubs and the RBZ is still no slouch, there is nothing to say that a newer, shinier option will perform much better for you.

[MelloYello]

If you like your RBZ you might want to pass. The RBZ is a big-headed club with a big face, a long playing length and a super-lightweight shaft. That club was meant to be as big, forgiving and distance-oriented as possible. The compression channel makes those RBZ clubs feel incredibly soft (and powerful!).

By comparison, the M3 is going to feel horrible. I actually think it's a rather poor fairway in general. That might be why your buddy is getting rid of it.

When I bought my M3 driver (which I love!), I bought an M3 fairway to match. I hated it. If you didn't hit it right on the screws it felt very punishing. Meanwhile, the RBZ clubs are forgiving as heck and launch incredibly easily. The M3 was hard to hit. And you should also expect that the smaller head and the heavier shaft in your buddy's club are going to create a more demanding experience.

This is why I say, if you like your current RBZ, there's a good chance the M3 will only take away all the stuff that's working for you now.

Also, the M3's siding weight channel fills with mud when you hit it. It's a rather poor design.

I don't know what your view is, but I don't let money drive my equipment decisions. I don't care how cheaply I can get a club if I don't need it. And conversely, I'm willing to spend a little extra to get something that I know works well. Sometimes cheap clubs work. Sometimes expensive clubs do not. But in general, try to avoid buying things merely because they are a good deal. At most you're going to make $40 on Ebay re-selling it. Is that really worth your time and effort?