3 wood suggestions

lets_rahk · May 13, 2006

I'm looking to get a new 3 wood. I'm pretty partial to either callaway or nike. I'm a higher handicapper with a driver swing speed around 95. Ideally I want something that works well off the tee and I can still hit off the deck.

The 3 woods I'm looking primary at now are the Callaway Fusion and X, and the Nike SQ and T60. Any opinions, suggestions would be very appreciated. What about stock shaft options?

doublej · May 13, 2006

There are some pretty solid clubs in your list. I currently play the TE Exotics 3 and 5 woods, which I absolutely love. They're long, feel very solid, and are pretty easey to keep in the short stuff.

I recently had the stock Fuji stiff shafts replaced with Accra T70 (3 wood) and HF (5 wood) shafts in M4 flex (stiff), and while they were in the shop, the local clubmaker gave me used Cally Fusions in reg flex to play with until I got them back. I didn't think I was going to like them, but I did. I thought the shaft was a little whippy (swing speed averages 100 mph with smother to slightly aggressive tempo and transition), but I hit them pretty damn straight, although I did pull a couple of 3 woods badly left. Feel was good, sound at impact was solid (not like the driver), and distance was maybe 10 yards less than my Exotics. I also had no problem hitting them off the tee and the deck.

So I go into the store to return the Fusions and pick up my Exotics a week later, and to my surprise, the store had taken in a Cally X Tour 3 wood (strong - 13 degrees) with the upgraded Fuji Tour Platform 26.3 shaft in stiff flex. They wanted $150.00 (orig price is $199.99) for this club, which was in pristine condition. In any event, after about 20 hits in the simulator, I bought it. I haven't had it out on the course yet, but the readings in the simulator screemed "By This Club." Sound and feel were just as solid as my Exotics, and distance was excellent. I averaged 240+ yards, which for me is great since a good drive is around 260 yards. I thought the more compact head might give me fits, but I had no problem making solid contact, and the ball just jumped off the face. Given the more conpact head, I'm sure I'll have to tee it a little lower, but off the deck in the simulator it was great. I gotta believe the regular X's are just as nice and even more forgiving given their slightly larger heads. I've head the stock shafts are an improvement as well. Go to www.sirshanksalot.com for a recent review. They rated the regular X's a perfect 10 out of 10.

Lastly, I've hit the Nike T60 and was impressed with that as well. Again, it sounds and feels solid at impact, distance was excellent, and shot dispersion was good. Out of all of the clubs, this is definitely the cheapest if you can find one. Should be around a $100.00 new.

My ranking would be: 1) TE Exotics, 2) Cally X, 3) Nike T60, and 4) Cally Fusion. All are very good fairway woods, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Good Luck!!!

KingOAces · May 13, 2006

T-Made V-Steel is the #1 fw wood now. I have the Nike SQ 3(15*) and It ballooned a bit for me and the stock shaft was way too flimsy. A solid club though if it is reshafted.

KinG

RaiderGolf4416 · May 13, 2006

i have the new Callaway Big Bertha.....wow....its amazing......

rama5 · May 13, 2006

I went with the Callaway X 13* tour, I love it forgiving and great ball flight. Higher handicap may want to go with the X 15* or I also socped out the Cobra F series.

lets_rahk · May 14, 2006

T-Made V-Steel is the #1 fw wood now. I have the Nike SQ 3(15*) and It ballooned a bit for me and the stock shaft was way too flimsy. A solid club though if it is reshafted.

KinG

What's your swingspeed like? Did you try the SQ with stock stiff diamana?

lets_rahk · May 14, 2006

I went with the Callaway X 13* tour, I love it forgiving and great ball flight. Higher handicap may want to go with the X 15* or I also socped out the Cobra F series.

I think at this point if I go with Cally I'd go with the X 15* nontour. Probably not worth the extra money for a fusion. Anyone compare it to the SQ or T60?

TNSooner · May 14, 2006

Take a good long look at Sonartec.

I have the SS-3.5 and love it. For me, it's just as easy to hit off the deck as it is off the tee.

My dad has the SS-2.5 (just a little shallower face) and he uses it all the time for all different shots.

I would, however, make sure that you get a chance to hit it with a different shaft than the stock Fuji Tour Platform. IMHO, the Tour Platform is junk, but my dad loves it. Tip is WAAAAAAY too soft for me...

kmrev · May 14, 2006

I think you may be pleasantly surprised at the TaylorMade V Steel. It is truly amazing.

KingOAces · May 14, 2006

my swingspeed is 106. I bought the sq with the stock diamana stiff and then switched it with an aldila 85-S and it was a lot better. It's just that my v-steel feels so much better. I gave the sq to my dad and he swears by it and hates the v-steel, so it all depends on the person.

KinG