3 wood is longer than my driver!

[schwollo]

Need suggestions!

Just went to Golfsmith to figure out why my driver was shorter (or just as long) as my 3 wood. I play a Memphis Steel Callaway Steelhead 3 wood and a 905R 9.5 degree with a Plat Grafalloy Stiff flex (cut to 44 inches).
Here are my ave numbers for my driver:

SS: 100
Spin Rate: 3100-2800
Launch: 12-14 degrees
Ball speed: 140-145
Total distance : 250-270

Here are my numbers with my 3 wood
SS-99
Spin Rate- 2800
Launch 12-14
Ball speed-140-145
Total distance 250-266

I haven't been using my driver for the past year or so but recently put it back into play..but for no good reason.

I need suggestions..do I need a higher lofted driver to increase the launch angle? Or change the shaft? Spin seems pretty high.

I have a consistent swing 8/10
5 handicap

[BJG718]

ballspeed seems a little low with the driver, especially for a 5 handicap. launch is personal preference i think but 13-15* w/ around 3k spin is a good target.

[schwollo]

ballspeed seems a little low with the driver, especially for a 5 handicap. launch is personal preference i think but 13-15* w/ around 3k spin is a good target.

 

 

I have not been able to time my driver correctly at all. Yea, I don't know how I am a 5 with my crappy driver swing.

[MarkinTN1]

If your a 5 it can't be that crappy. Get thee to a professional clubfitter, not a tennis supply store. You need it all, to be able to try different heads, lofts, shafts, lengths, swingweights. Your killing that poor 3 wood, it needs a break.

[3step]

If you are hitting your 3 wood further than your driver, most likely the extra loft on your 3 wood is doing you some good.

 

You might consider more loft on your driver, and possibly a lower spinning head, find the optimal length, find the optimal shaft weight and flex...

 

Ideally, a serious driver fitting is required.

 

Regards, 3

[schwollo]

Thanks to all. Yea, I hit my 3 wood on all par 4's and 5's today..Hit one driver for fun after I hit a 3 wood..3 wood won by 3 yds..haha

Is Golf Galaxy a good place to go for a fitting? Austin's golf shops are in limited supply.

[BJG718]

golf galaxy is NOT a good place to go for a fitting.

[Johnny]

I think your SS is low for the driver if your 3w is essentially the same. Most steel shafted 3w are only 42/42.5 in length as well. My driver SS is about 6-10mph faster then my 3w ss.

[little-climber]

I have had the same problem for the past year so I recently did something drastic. I resafted my R7 460 tp 9.5 with a pink aldila nv55 s but did not cut it down so the club plays at 48". I also changed the weights in the head to a 1 gram and a 5 gram. The swing weight is still heavy around D8 or more. I was playing a x shaft at 44" previously. I am now hitting drives bad drives 300 yards or more, and very consistent.

 

I was skeptical at first and was going to cut down the shaft when I installed the shaft but I thought what the heck I will put a grip on it and see how it hits. It took a couple of swings to get used to it but the heavier swing weight allows me to feel the head more and I am able to turn the club face over much better which has led to more accurate shots. It is the best thing I have ever done, It has changed my game and made it more fun. The ball flight is very high so I ordered the same shaft in an x just to see how it will do. aldila is closing out these shafts for $20. If I have a tight fairway I can still bust out the 3 wood and hit it 250-260

 

My handicap is 3 to 5 and the past few rounds with the new driver have been 76, 72, 71.

 

Give it a try it might surprise you. I had not had a driver in the bag for some time and was getting a little bored plunking the 3 wood down the middle, it is much funner to bomb one down the midd

[schwollo]

I'll try the longer shaft..

yes, it is odd that my SS is the same with both the 3 wood and Driver..maybe the 44 inch shaft is too short??

[cap217]

I would try a 10.5* Burner driver. It has an extra long shaft and a higher launch. The next club is a Ping G5 or new G10 in a 10.5 to a 13* driver. Longer shafts as well!

[Tanner25]

sell the driver