Club dilemma

[KeefG]

Been out and had a round again this evening after work, shot an 87 which is 2 better than yesterday and 1 under par for my handicap (still feel I couldve done better though lol)

Anyway, it now transpires I have lost all confidence with my 3w, which used to be a club i could hit fairly well, but I tried using it 3 times tonight, i topped it twice and sliced it the 3rd time.

My question is....do I really need my 3w???

I dont need it for length off the tee as i'm hitting my driver really really well (another 2 mother nature assisted 300+ drives tonight) so thats not an issue, and I dont need it for approach shots into par 5's as I have my utility for that which I can hit about 220yds and i'm more accurate with that too.

The thing is, I cant ever remember using my 3w for a long approach and actually getting the ball to land where I want it to, so its not really a good club for me so I might get rid.

That would leave a space in my bag and I feel I need another wedge. At present I have PW, SW & 60* LW, my PW I can hit nice as i can the SW, but the difference in loft between the two clubs is quite a lot (from 48* to 56*), should I bin the 3w and get a 52* gap wedge?

 

[M1tch]

well if you hitting driver and that , that good you should stop using the 3 wood

 

[medwayjon]

I have a 3W and do use it. Quite often off the tee if I am looking at hitting it high to take a "tiger line" on certain holes and also if the fairway will run out.

I would rather ditch the driver than 3W as there is about 20yards between the clubs but the 3W is versatile, the driver is not.

 

[KeefG]

The thing is, since I had the advice off Neil Plimmer I can now hit 3 different strikes with my driver. I'm not going to lie and say I hit it perfectly every time but with a bit of praccy

I can keep it low so that any wind doesnt affect it much.
I can hit it in the middle so it has a normal flight.
I can also hit it very high so it stops pretty much in its pitch mark.

I dont think having a 3w I dont trust warrants a place in my bag over another wedge!

 

[d1217]

could you please tell me how you hit it low, i would love to be able to hit low, i hit it way too high.

 

[KeefG]

Fella....i'd love to, but i'm just getting the hang of it myself, and as an 18 handicapper I dont feel i'm qualified to be dishing out advice to other golfers

Post in the 'Ask the Experts' section, better still, post a video in the ask the experts and get a qualified pro to give your swing the once over.

 

[d1217]

ok will do, i really struggle sometimes especially when its windy the ball just holds up in the air for ages and doesnt seem to go anywhere.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess it depends on how you see your course and how often you need the 3W. If as you say it isn't really any use as you have enough cover in the bag then I think a 52 is a sound choice as that end of the bag is where the scoring is done.

My only concern would be if the driver was misbehaving and how much pressure distance wise it would put on your hybrid. If you think you could make do with the hybrid go for it.

 

[KeefG]

Thats just it Homer, until I learned how to hit my driver I used to use the hybrid off pretty much every tee. Very very rarely did I use the 3W as it was too inconsistant.

So, if the driver misbehaves I would turn to the hybrid anyway even if the 3W was still in the bag!

 

[haplesshacker]

KeefG.

It's your 14 clubs, choose what you like.

I think you've answered your own question and are just perhaps looking for confirmation that you're doing the right thing.

We all have 'demon' clubs, as it turns out mine is my driver. (Putter, irons,.......!) But if you feel that Losing a club at the long end and gaining one at the short end will help you. Then go for it. There's plenty of choice out there and some pretty good deals. You don't need to spend a fortune on a GW if you don't want to.

 

[ColinR]

I have just come to the same conclusion myself and left the 3W at home recently.

My driver is 250 and a little more on a good day, just below that I use a 2i Hybrid for 220-225yards & its much easier to hit than the 3W.

 

[steveyjd81]

: Club dilemma

Have you considered a lower lofted hybrid at 15/16 degrees of loft.

I never been able to hit a 3 wood as I think the shaft is too long to get any real control.

I use mine on tight holes

 

[Golfmmad]

I haven't had a 3 wood in my bag for a couple of years. Find it easier to hit the driver and use 5 wood for shorter holes and off the fairway.
I've often wondered with todays modern technology, about trying the Taylor Made R7draw 3wood. But then my course is only 5703yds. so probably stick with 5 wood and driver.

Sorry back to topic , think the gap wedge is the right way to go.

Golfmmad.

 

[JustOne]

I dont need it for length off the tee as i'm hitting my driver really really well (another 2 mother nature assisted 300+ drives tonight) so thats not an issue, and I dont need it for approach shots into par 5's as I have my utility for that which I can hit about 220yds and i'm more accurate with that too.

You have 240y to the front edge...what do you hit?

 

[RGDave]

My question is....do I really need my 3w???

Maybe not. I played over the winter with a high loft driver and no 3 wood......no problem at all......

Recently I've been using it off the deck though, so it's in my bag again.....

 

[MVP]

i lost it with the 3w for about a year tho it didnt make a difference you could throw 2 clubs out and still shoo tthe same scores. just make sure you keep your putter!!

 

[haplesshacker]

A 7 iron and a GW!!

(In reply to the 240 yard question)

 

[KeefG]

I dont need it for length off the tee as i'm hitting my driver really really well (another 2 mother nature assisted 300+ drives tonight) so thats not an issue, and I dont need it for approach shots into par 5's as I have my utility for that which I can hit about 220yds and i'm more accurate with that too.

You have 240y to the front edge...what do you hit?

The hybrid, which will leave me a 20yd chip if i'm unlucky, and a 10yd chip if i'm lucky. Even if I had the 3W, the chances of me hitting a green from 240yds with it are slim to none.

 

[Imurg]

You have 240y to the front edge...what do you hit?

[/QUOTE]

The hybrid, which will leave me a 20yd chip if i'm unlucky, and a 10yd chip if i'm lucky. Even if I had the 3W, the chances of me hitting a green from 240yds with it are slim to none.

[/QUOTE]

Lets face it, most of the time we're not going to hit the green from 200 out let alone 240. That's why I have 4 wedges in my bag to give me the best chance of having the right club to get the ball close from 100 yards in.

Load up on wedges and then practise with them so you know how each will react in certain circumstances - its bought my short game on leaps and bounds.

 

[RGDave]

The hybrid, which will leave me a 20yd chip if i'm unlucky, and a 10yd chip if i'm lucky. Even if I had the 3W, the chances of me hitting a green from 240yds with it are slim to none.

a 5 wood.....which will leave me 20 yards if I'm lucky and 220 if I'm unlucky.....