3 wood debate

[jorfern]

Hey guys new here but, I just recently got a ts3 3 wood for Christmas and was wondering if i should go back to Dicks and get "fitted"... AKA hit more clubs to see which is the right one... they paid 240 ish right where the new maverick is which i dont mind paying an extra 40 ish if its worth it... id use mostly for hitting off the tee and hitting into par 5's. Am I over doing it and stick with the ts3 or go hit some clubs? Thank you!!

[Hawkeye77]

Not a lot of other context, but I’d sure get fit for a 3w. Shaft can be a difference maker, for one thing. When I got fitted for my Driver, 3, 5 toward the end of the season there we’re definitely differences with different combos. 

[Roody]

I just bought the Maverik 3W with stiff shaft last month. I tried a few models out, and even tried a Maverik with a regular shaft. I was having a hard time with left-hits with the regular shaft. The stiff worked better. 

Point is, yeah it is probably worth your time to schedule a fitting. If not only to confirm that the shaft on the TS3 is the right one for you. 

[nitram]

Get what works for you or you'll never use it.

 

AND, Welcome to ⛳WRX

[Ri_Redneck]

If you decide to get a fitting, make sure you hit shots off the deck (preferably not a mat) as much as off a tee. 3w has to do both to be what it's supposed to be. And remember that LOFT is the most important thing in a FW whether it be a 3w, 4w, 5w or anything else!

 

BT

[QuigleyDU]

I am starting to wonder if a three wood is even worth carrying. 

[ChipNRun]

48 minutes ago, QuigleyDU said:

I am starting to wonder if a three wood is even worth carrying. 

That's why I've been playing some version of 4W + 7W since 2011. (3W + 5W, RIP 😪)

[JohnKHawk]

1 hour ago, QuigleyDU said:

I am starting to wonder if a three wood is even worth carrying. 

Dropped the 3 wood several years ago. Don't regret it one bit. If hit well it was only a few yards longer than my 5 wood. It was just redundant to have both. Kept the 5 wood cause it's much easier to hit middle of club face, easier launch & better dispersion.

[ChipNRun]

30 minutes ago, JohnKHawk said:

If hit well it was only a few yards longer than my 5 wood. ...

A local pro did the same thing. He dropped a 3W for a 5W with a 4W length shaft.

[Stuart_G]

19 hours ago, QuigleyDU said:

I am starting to wonder if a three wood is even worth carrying. 

 

Everyone has to look at their own game to answer that but I can say that for me, on my course, I used the 3w way more than the driver.  At least that was the case before I had shoulder surgery.  Might be different now that I've lost so much swing speed - at least until I can (hopefully) get back to where I was pre-surgery.

 

[Stuart_G]

On 12/26/2020 at 5:26 PM, jorfern said:

Hey guys new here but, I just recently got a ts3 3 wood for Christmas and was wondering if i should go back to Dicks and get "fitted"... AKA hit more clubs to see which is the right one... they paid 240 ish right where the new maverick is which i dont mind paying an extra 40 ish if its worth it... id use mostly for hitting off the tee and hitting into par 5's. Am I over doing it and stick with the ts3 or go hit some clubs? Thank you!!

 

3wd isn't about optimizing distance like the driver, you just need to make sure the distance gaps at the long end suit your game.   However, that doesn't mean fitting isn't important, it's just that distance isn't always the primary focus during a fairway fitting.   It's more about fitting for control, accuracy, consistency and dispersion.  Fortunately, much of that type of fitting you can do yourself.  Just get some lead tape, foot powder spray, a bucket of balls and follow Howard's self fitting tutorial here (the thread title says for driver but the process is exactly the same for fairways and even hybrids):

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2020 by Stuart_G

[revanant]

I love my 3 wood. I have it set at 15.5 degrees, so it's a tweener 3w/4w, but it's a very reliable club for me both off the tee and off the deck. Plus, there's something to be said for hitting the same club back-to-back on longer holes. 

Edited December 29, 2020 by revanant

[MattM97]

How does the TS3 work for you right now? Do you think a new shaft would improve the setup or would an entirely different setup be better for you? Kinda hard to say without you seeing some shots or if you go in for a fitting and let the numbers speak. 

 

The TS3 is a great fairway wood, I think it was second when I was testing woods in a fitting. 

[Jesus g]

i would definitely go get fit. if you like the ts3 you can make the necessary adjustments. thats a heck of a gift.

[SwingMan]

Go hit some clubs ...

 

I put a 3 wd in my bag but I was thinking about a 42.5 inch 5 wood. Seems as if it would be more consistent, not so big,  higher flight and may be within a few yards of the 3 wd, especially if you have have one that you can decrease the loft. Food for Thought,

[hagimihale]

On 12/27/2020 at 8:41 AM, Roody said:

Point is, yeah it is probably worth your time to schedule a fitting. If not only to confirm that the shaft on the TS3 is the right one for you. 

 

This.

 

I did a fitting when I put the 818H2 in my bag late last year.  Tried the hybrid at one place with an Atmos Blue shaft, with inconsistent results.   Then went for a fitting at GG where they started me with a Tensei Blue.  Couldn't get the timing down.  If I had purchased the hybrid with either of those shafts, I'd either (1) conclude I just can't hit it, or (2) keep banging my head against the wall with unsatisfying results until I gave up.

 

Fortunately, the fitter handed me another 818 with a Tensei White.  Immediately knew that was the right shaft, and its become a weapon for me.

 

Take advantage of the fitter's experience to get the right shaft.  Time and $ well spent...

[Abe21599]

Shaft is probably more important than the head. Go get fitted for the right shaft. 

[plim123]

If you've got the option/opportunity, you definitely should. Everyone's opinion here is based on their own swing/experience with others. 

 

And don't be afraid to try the 5 wood. If you're a prototypical WRXer, then yeah, you might have the swing speed to take advantage of a 3w. But most amateur golfers don't and a 5w actually serves them better in both dispersion and carry distance. 

 

 

 

[FakeClubPro]

For me, one of the biggest considerations is the size of the club head.   I have a 12 years old or so Yonex 3 wood.  It is a terrific club if I hit it right but that is not as often as I would like.  The club head is smaller.   I cannot hit it off the deck well probably because of not so great eye and hand coordination.

 

I have a older Callaway Steelhead III 5 wood with carbon fiber/fiberglass stock shaft.   The head is big and it is pretty much idiot proof.  It is a fantastic rescue club and great for longer Par 3's.

 

For some reason, I bought a barely used Titleist 917 4 wood off of Global Golf because it was a great deal.  Larger head like 5 wood.  I hit it much better off the deck.   Anybody can hit a fairway wood off the tee.   The real test is can you hit it off the deck.  Not a driving range mat but off of real grass.

 

The bigger club heads are easier to hit.  Titleist, I think, offers more modern smaller club heads plus the more traditional bigger club heads. 

 

I can hit the 4 wood about 15 yards further than the 5 wood from what I can tell.  

Edited December 30, 2020 by FakeClubPro

[Pomps]

The 3w conversation is one that buddies and I have often...almost more in the sense of is it needed. I have trusty 915 15* that I love and have had for 5 years now. When I hit it, I hit it well...250ish carry with a touch of draw. However, I hit it maybe once every other round. The way my course is setup, non-driver holes allow you to hit a long iron then wedge. The par 5s are reachable with a long iron or hybrid.  I also have a 17* hybrid that I carry about 10 yards shorter but hit straighter, so in the even I do not need driver but need more than 4 iron off the tee, the reason for not needing driver would be accuracy, so then I lean towards the hybrid. Even though my buddies are different skill and style players with different distances, they are finding they don't hit if often either. Without carrying a 3w, can you carry another driver, one draw one fade? Another wedge? Something else?

[sheppy335]

I will always tell you to go get fitted it is the best. I Would also see what the new one does for you in the fitting and maybe you just need it setup with proper shaft if you like it. I know it seems shallow but you have to like the look also to give you confidence to hit it. 

I dont care what brand you choose just get fit for it. 

[LIGHT THE CANDLE]

3 wood was replace by TM GAPR low this year. It’s maybe 10yrds shorter on average but it’s predictable. Good luck!