Advice on gapping my clubs

[adwt2004]

Hi guys

I've just had a new driver which I hit around 270ish total which is great for me.

I then step down to a 4 iron. Trouble is I just cannot hit this very well as its quite strong lofted. I play Cleveland cg16's.

I also don't hit fairway woods great off the fairway but hit irons very well. I was thinking of going driver, hybrid, hybrid, 5 iron but wanted some advice. Below is what I have now


12 - Driver - 270ish yards
24 - 5 iron - 180ish yards
27 - 6 iron
31 - 7 iron
35 - 8 iron
39 - 9 iron
44 - PW
50 - Wedge
54 - Wedge
58 - Wedge
0 - Putter

anyone solved a similar issue with two clubs? Im pulling the 4 iron out as I'm just not confident with it.

 

[Foxholer]

Finding the right clubs is often a matter of experimentation - and persistence!

I learnt how to play 3 wood off the deck over a Winter on (long) links courses! It was compulsory to use it on so many holes! But finding the right one was a bit of guesswork and experimentation. Starting again, I might go 4-wood as there are now more about and the added loft does help. I never got on with 5-Woods, but it can be a really great club - quite a few folk use it as their 'go to' one.

Hybrids could work, but the lower loft ones can be as hard to hit well (and get airborne) as FWs. I actually used a low lofted one because it had a low flight! Selecting the right pair (probably) is again down to your own experimentation. It really is a case of working out how best to fill that gap - and only hitting clubs on the course or monitor will tell you that. And 2 would still let you get a 3 or 4 wood to practice with as there'd be a spare slot in the bag.

I'd suggest a session at the likes of DG or AG but take your 5 and 6-irons to calibrate their monitor - or see your Club Pro! Hybrids with variable lofts could well be appropriate, as they could be adjusted should you decide to get the FW, Adams do a great range - there's an Adams Hybrid for every purpose!

Good Luck

 

[garyinderry]

Finding the right fairway woods has been a 5year long struggle. I didn't have any woods (full time) in the bag up until this summer. So many woods have come and gone. Ive now found the perfect woods for me. The 913 woods just seen to work for me. Nice draw.

Before ice had all sorts of hybrids from 14 16 19 and 22 degrees. I found the lower lofted hybrids quite hard to hit consistently.

At one stage last summer I had a gap from driver to 19 hybrid.

My advice would be to preserve with woods until the find the right ones.

Oh and get yourself a driving iron in the mean time.

 

[bobmac]

Sounds to me like you need a lesson on fairway woods/hybrids

 

[delc]

Hi guys

I've just had a new driver which I hit around 270ish total which is great for me.

I then step down to a 4 iron. Trouble is I just cannot hit this very well as its quite strong lofted. I play Cleveland cg16's.

I also don't hit fairway woods great off the fairway but hit irons very well. I was thinking of going driver, hybrid, hybrid, 5 iron but wanted some advice. Below is what I have now


12 - Driver - 270ish yards
24 - 5 iron - 180ish yards
27 - 6 iron
31 - 7 iron
35 - 8 iron
39 - 9 iron
44 - PW
50 - Wedge
54 - Wedge
58 - Wedge
0 - Putter

anyone solved a similar issue with two clubs? Im pulling the 4 iron out as I'm just not confident with it.

I have a 3-wood and #3, #4, #5 hybrids. The longest iron I use is a 5-iron, and I usually leave one of the hybrids out in the Summer so I can carry a lob wedge. I find the hybrids much easier to hit than a long iron, and for that matter the 3-wood, which I only use off the tee or from good lies off the fairway. No special techniques required for the hybrids.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I don't think hitting a 3 wood off the deck is essential.

I can do it but the risk is generally too high and a 5 iron for position is better.

The longest club I freq hit off the deck is my 19* hybrid.

 

[adwt2004]

Great advice here. Thanks. I may take a look at a 3 wood then say 16 degrees. And then would a 20 degree hybrid fit the bill to gap between the 3 wood and 5 iron?

 

[bobmac]

And then would a 20 degree hybrid fit the bill to gap between the 3 wood and 5 iron?

Maybe get 24 hybrid to start with and if you get on wit that, then look at a 20.

Also, dont rule out a 4 wood if the 3 doesnt work

 

[ManinBlack]

0 - Putter

I'm not the pedantic type, but I think you'll find that your putter has two or three degrees of loft.

 

[duncan mackie]

Great advice here. Thanks. I may take a look at a 3 wood then say 16 degrees. And then would a 20 degree hybrid fit the bill to gap between the 3 wood and 5 iron?

Don't get fixated about loft in the longer clubs - they aren't directly comparable.

Also the shaft lengths will be more of a function of the manufacturers club designation than loft - a 20 3h will have a longer shaft than a 21 4h but the same as an 18 3h for example.

Personally reading your story I would get a good 5 wood and a 4h - these are likely to be 18 and 22 degrees but that's not as important as being comfortable with them. I would also match them. Recent not current models models like the SLDR and X-Hot make a lot or sense here.

When you are comfortable and competent with these 2 you can consider a 3w or more powerful hybrid but until you are there is nothing to be gained.

 

[LUFC 1972]

I had similar problem went from driver 13 deg to 5 iron couldn't get on with Fairway woods or hybrids couldn't seem to get any height of the deck, went for a free lesson at AG who told me my swing was delofting the club he thought by several degrees, I tried several hybrids 22-24 deg and was hit and miss but not a lot of height, have ended up with a 27 deg ping hybrid (so for me probably 24 deg) and changed my big to max deg and it has changed my game, I know have a club (wind permitting) I can hit 180-200 and high so lands softly, so would suggest you try a range of deg clubs as you might find like me that the ideal one is something you would never have considered

 

[JT77]

You can get hybrids from low loft to high so a fairway is not essential.
If you find a hybrid you like go with it, possibly 16&19 or 20 degree which would give you a few opts.
I like my 3 wood, off the tee and off the deck gives me more options, my driver is around the same as yours, then my 3 wood cover the gap until my hybrid.
On a good day my 3 wood will be far more consistent than the driver and yardage loss is not that much, especially in summer as the 3 wood goes lower so I get a lot more run.
There is so much choice out there, I would find a good shop with a range and spend some time there.
Good luck.

 

[Sybez]

If your hitting it 270 off the tee, there can't be many holes that you need more than a 5 iron in to the green for anyway....?

 

[adwt2004]

If your hitting it 270 off the tee, there can't be many holes that you need more than a 5 iron in to the green for anyway....?

I don't always hit where I'm aiming! : )

 

[HomerJSimpson]

3 wood off the fairway isn't essential but it's a great club for some tee shots. I would think about a five wood to give you options of a fairway. With practice and perhaps a lesson, it really isn't overly difficult. Maybe a 4 hybrid after than to plug the gaps. It's about what works particularly for the holes on your home course so play around if you can borrow some different lofts and see what you think