3 Wood vs 5 Wood

SirSliceAlot

SirSliceAlot

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I have come into possession of a TM 3 wood that matches the 5 wood in my set below, the pro at my local course was having a big clear out and I got it pretty cheap so couldn't resist!
Having had a few weeks with them in the bag I hit both fairly well and I wouldn't say theres a huge difference in distance. I don't really like the idea of having too many clubs with headcovers in my bag and feel that a 5w, 3w, rescue and driver is a bit over the top for someone playing off 24ish. Also I would make a tidy profit on the one I sell!
My question is, would you keep them both in your bag, if not which one would you get rid of and why? What do you feel are the benefits of each?
Cheers.
 
Ideally, keep the one that sits nearest the middle of the distance you hit your driver and hybrid. If you hit them exactly the same distance theres something strange going on. Possibly you are not hitting the three wood as well as the five, then get rid of the three.
 
Must admit I had the TM R7 3&5 woods in the bag. Then got the TM R9TP 5 wood cheap. Found I was hitting it like a dream. Only about 10yrds less than the 3 wood. Which I never really got on with for some reason. So out went the 3 wood and added a hybrid. Now have reasonable gaps with clubs I feel happy with.
 
Do you know your distances with them?
Personally I would think that since you can fit 1 more club in your bag it would be prudent to keep them all so's to cover all bases.
 
I have both and when I've had a practice round and hit two balls, there's not that much difference in distance. So I hit the 5 wood off the ground and use the 3 wood off the tee on holes where I've got 190yd carries over water or other trouble.
 
I had a 3 and 5 wood in the bag but found the 5 wood never came out at all while the 3 wood is the one I use if a driver is not an option, for a bit more safety in some drives and off the deck on long par 5's. Some of this is down to the course you are playing regularly as well, so for me a 3W is the right choice for a couple of drives where fairway bunkers or other hazards are in play with the driver. Other courses this may be the 5W option.

I then tried the TM R11 hybrid and found it fits pretty well between the 3w and 3i I carry. A bit more versitle out of the rough and a good mid distance off the fairway. Bye bye 5w.

So Driver, 3W and hybrid for me.
 
Maybe the reason you are getting similar distances is because your swing is not good enough to get the maximum use out of the clubs (please dont take that the wrong way). I would hang on for a bit and wait for some improvement.
 
I'd keep the 3 wood through winter. Once preferred lies are in place and you can place the ball nicely teed up on a worm cast then the 3 wood may prove a valuable ally. If by the spring you still aren't getting the most from it (and it should go further than the 5) then sell it and move on :)
 
If they go the same yardage I'd go with the 5 wood.

Reasons being it has more loft so it's harder to slice/hook (more loft equals more difficult to shape the ball)
The additional loft makes it a little easier to dig it out of the rough (if the lie is good enough for a wood of course)
The reduced shaft length will make it a little easier to strike the ball

And the most important one... It's new and shiny.
 
For most, a 3 wood is not that easy a club to hit well from the deck.
I had a 3/5 w combo a while back and I was getting similar distances from both - not the same but only about 10 yards. Kinda what you expect really. My solution is the 4 wood. Easier to hit than a 3w, longer than a 5w.
Best thing is it frees up a club so you can add another wedge...!!:D
 
When I was first setting up my son advised me to buy a 4 wood - so I picked up a Callaway Hawkeye VFT on E-Bay. I have since flirted with a 3 wood and 5 wood, but the 4 wood always ends up back in the bag.
 
I have a driver, 3 and 5 wood and a 3 hybrid and have no problem with the set up. My 3W goes about 225, my 5W about 205 and my 3H about 185. On my course we have several par 3's over 200 yards long which can be 5 wood or hybrid depending on wind and ground conditions so I prefer carrying both to give me options. I guess it comes down to what you need. I tend to use my 5W more for 2nd shots on par 5's and long par 4's as I tend to hit it cleaner than my 3H off the deck. I tend to use the 3W on a couple of tighter holes and when the driver isn't going so well
 
Not really helping the OP, but I'm another 4-wood convert - reasons similar to Imurg. Suppose the downside is less choice of makes n models.
 
Another with a 4 wood, but if I HAD to choose between the 3 and 5 I'd keep the 5.

Easier to hit and unless you really smack the ball not a lot of distance between the two. It takes a good hit to get the best out of a club with only 15° of loft.
 
It's horses for courses of course but I haven't carried a five wood ever really. 4 wood is much better in my view as invariably you are looking for distance rather than trajectory when you pull a fairway wood. I am very good at ballooning 5 woods - I can't hit them for toffee.. 4 woods are okay though. Better penetrative flight.

My advice to the OP though would be to stick with the 3 wood and practice until you can hit it consistently well.
 
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