Dilemma - 3 wood

[didsbury_duffer]

The 3-wood is my nemesis club - has been for years. I've had a couple of the old Callaways and currently have a Mizuno F-50. I've also tried others in AG/Nevada. Don't seem to be able to use it well off either tee, fairway or semi. Resorted now to just carrying Driver and 17 degree utility, both of which are fine but I sometimes struggle for distance with the utility. Anyone else had the same problem? What did you do? I could try a 4-wood, but suspect that distance may be same as utility. Any ideas/recommendations?

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Perhaps try a 2 wood and a 4 wood combo instead of driver/3 wood?? I have a Callaway 2 wood which is a superb club and very easy to hit.
I do also carry a driver and a three wood so perhaps I'm not the best person to comment....

 

[USER1999]

I use an 18 degree 5w, and a 21 degree utility. If I can't get there with the 5w (about 220)then I lay up. My record with a 3w is so poor, that even when I had one, I would still lay up. Will never buy another one. Waste of space.

4 woods seem to be going out of fashion these days. Not many manufacturers make them. Not sure if it would be that much easier to hit anyway.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm no longer on speaking terms with my 3 wood. I use it in the summer where the driver tends to run out of fairway or there are a number of holes that I can reach ditches with the big dog. It tends to be a hit and miss thing. If it goes well then its safe but not far behind where my driver would be (can go for a couple of the par 5's) but if its bad then there are several OB's waiting to gobble my ball.

The only good thing about having a gap between my driver and 5 wood is that I can carry a 52, 56 and 60 degree wedge.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

how about a 2 utility would be longer than a 5 wood but shorter than your 3 wood

 

[HomerJSimpson]

To be honest the holes I use the 3 wood on I can use the 5 wood or hybrid and lay back a bit further. In winter there is only one hole I really use a 3 wood on with regularity and can get away with either a driver or a shorter shot off the tee. I do carry it for use on the fairway where it behaves better and gives me a chance to attack a couple of the par 5's if I get my drive away (and with preferred lies). I'm getting a better trade off with more options around the green with the extra wedges

 

[Prubs]

May I suggest you try out the new mx 700 3 wood, they have to be the easiest club in the world to hit... mizuno 3 wood hope this helps

 

[USER1999]

In a recent review the MX700 was thumped by the latest offering from Nike with the quad keel sole.

 

[sasquatch]

I've just got a taylormade burner 3 wood 15deg and i love it,ditched my driver so i now carry my 3 wood,5 wood and 23 utility.I tee off on most par 4's and par 5's with my burner 3 wood hit it long and straight(at the moment!!)

 

[slugger]

just got a cleveland launcher 3 wood and all though i'm hitting it around the same distance as with my old wilson df6, it's a hell of a lot more forgiving and easier to hit consitently, especially off the tee when accuracy is important.

I also hit a 19.5º fybrid and it's about 20 yds short of the 3 wood. Still a great club though.

 

[CVG]

I have just changed my old.........really old 3 wood for a Taylormade Burner 18 degree 5 wood. The new club is much easier to use, much more forgiving and a larger sweet spot, and I'm actually hitting it further than the old 3 wood.

Have a chat to a pro and work through some options

 

[intherough]

my 3 wood had better learn to swim soon. I nearly hit my playing partner who was almost a right angle to the shot. " months ago I could strike it perfectly but not anymore. He'll be sleeping with the fishes soon enough

 

[Nikki]

I have less problems with the 3 wood, than with any other club funny enough...

Don't have driver in bag as i am a bit too wayward, and hit 230 with 3 wood (when hit well), and my homecourse being short, it really isn't necessary to produce a big shot.

Only on the long par five (508 meters) is a driver really very useful. But yo still have to lay up, as green is protected by many a bunker, and if you tee shot goes far right, there is no possible chance of going for the green in two.

 

[Prubs]

Didsbury, what shaft are you using? It might be a good idea to go and see your local pro and ask his advice.

 

[EaseNgrace]

It must be a problem with the technique and not the clubs, I dont think all these club manufacturers make great clubs but dud 3 woods.
Mine is fine, goes like the clappers.

 

[Guns]

I feel the same with the old 3 wood. I don't why I carry it, I will only used it once a round to tee off at the 5th at our club. I recently bought a Titleist 909 D2 and thats been great and I am somewhat tempted to blow £130 on the 3 wood.

Anyone got one and what do they think?

 

[RGDave]

In a recent review the MX700 was thumped by the latest offering from Nike with the quad keel sole.

Really?

I tried these two in a shoot-out at a range a few weeks back. The MX700 was quite good but not in the same league as the Nike dymo quad keel.

Which one did I buy?

 

[RGDave]

Back to the O.P. If you can hit the other two clubs, you must be able to find a 3 wood you feel good about.

It's the one club I'd never be without.

Is it a tee thing or fairway problem?

I had a super TM 3 wood (now for sale) which went brilliantly until I changed all my other woods. Then it seemed too different to the rest, so I got a new one.

The Nike dymo is excellent. The regular model probably goes the best (distance), the square one probably the more easy to use.

Now I have one I like, I'm trying to sort out my love of the big stick and use the driver less.

 

[stevek1969]

I feel the same with the old 3 wood. I don't why I carry it, I will only used it once a round to tee off at the 5th at our club. I recently bought a Titleist 909 D2 and thats been great and I am somewhat tempted to blow £130 on the 3 wood.

Anyone got one and what do they think?

I've got the 909 F2 with stiff Voodoo shaft and its the best 3 wood i've hit, IMO i would buy one ,have started using it from the tee and get more accuracy with it and hit it with a nice draw.

 

[didsbury_duffer]

Exsar stiff standard.