Ditching driver for a 13 degree 3 wood

[User20205]

Has anyone done this, and with what results?

I've got an R9, I hit it OK but it balloons in the wind and the adjustability, if I'm honest, annoys me. I've taken it out of the bag & swapped it for a strong 3 wood.

After a couple of range sessions the results are encouraging, maybe the honeymoon period will come to an end on the course on Friday.

Has anyone done this long term ?

 

[golfstick]

i have a strong 3 wood in my bag aswel as the driver and tbh i dont think i wud do it. I dont think they are that easy to hit tbh and if i was looking for consistancy i would go to a hybrid. I think u will experiance same probs with the strong 3 wood

Can u not adjust the r9 to suit your problem for now?

 

[patricks148]

I have a 13 deg 3 wood which i love, but i'm a reasonable driver of the ball and use it to reach par 5's in two. I tend to have to use it on 2nd shots into the wind a fair bit, but that's bec i play on links courses when there is 30mph headwinds sometimes.

 

[pokerjoke]

Hi,your post lacks information.What is your handicap.If your a high handicapper it may be worth dropping your driver until your driving well with the 3 wood.If your a low handicapper try and work through it.As you probably realise its not neccesary the club thats the problem.Read this months magazine thers some great driving tips in there.good luck

 

[Macster]

Hi, just last year I started using a 'years-old' Callaway WarBird Deuce(2Wood), after having it re-shafted with a Steel shaft to match the WarBird 4Wood I also have.

It's something I'm going to persevere with too, as I am erratic with a Driver also.
However, the 4Wood is an unbeleivable club, and so powerful its untrue, and very reliable for me, and average's about 230yds.

If I can get anything like the consistency with the Deuce, and get 240/250yds with it, I'll forget the Driver.

 

[SatchFan]

Partly depends on how far you hit it. If I need to hit the ball very straight off the tee then I will use my 13 degree 3 wood. Other than that I stick to the driver which is at least 30 yards longer.

 

[chris661]

I carry both as I play links golf, and sometimes the difference between the driver and 3 wood is not much, however, I find the 3 wood goes just as far off the deck than my hybrib, so it gets used mainly on tightish holes and when there is a wind blowing too. I dont think I would drop the driver though.

 

[Lump]

Works for me, ditched the driver from the bag. Its not that the driver would spray everywhere, but just not as accurate as it needed to be. Haven't lost any distance in carry but I don't get much roll out with the 3 wood.

 

[fundy]

Hi

Ive recently ditched the driver and 15 degree 3 wood and replaced both with a 13 degree Titleist 909H. Only a temporary move, but really not been getting on with the FT5 and promised myself I'd wait for the 910D3 to drop in price a bit before I buy one (lets see how long the willpower lasts there lol)

I definitelty am having a mental block with the driver (it had got to the point I was only using on 2 or 3 holes per round) and the 13 degree 3 wood is plenty long enough (i lack accuracy not distance!) though I do feel a bit of a pussy not carrying a driver. I expect come summer I'll be back carrying a driver but for now I'm happy enough with the strong 3 wood and I'm certainly seeing more of the short stuff off the tee.

 

[User20205]

More info, I play off 12, can spank the ball a mile, can also duck hook it 75 yards left.

I think the long term solution is a custom fit driver. I quite fancy one of the 910's or the new cleveland launcher with the smaller head.
With the R9 I'm always changing the setting between neutral and 2* open.

The question was really about other experiences with a strong 3 wood as a driver replacement. positive or not. In the short time my experiment has been going I seem to be finding a better ball flight with the 3 wood than with the driver.

 

[edgey]

Hi

Why not get a 13 degree driver and cut the shaft to 3 wood length.

Easier to hit a 460cc head than a tiny 3 wood head.

Edgey

 

[Macster]

I think the reason we all find better accuracy with anything shorter than a Driver, is the 2" less in shaft length.

Maybe we should have a Forum test, and all lob 2" off for season start ?

 

[User20205]

I feel some kind of Sid James comment coming on about needing all the inches I can get.

What would happen if I bought a smaller headed driver (maybe a 983k) in a regular, chopped 2 inches off the shaft. This would obviously affect the shaft flex but to what degree?

 

[Lump]

I think the reason we all find better accuracy with anything shorter than a Driver, is the 2" less in shaft length.

Maybe we should have a Forum test, and all lob 2" off for season start ?

I did that, it worked but christ its like hitting the ball with a plank of wood. Not advisable

 

[Macster]

Ok, lets fit 3Wood shafts into our Drivers.....

*Simples*

 

[goldenbare]

I think the reason we all find better accuracy with anything shorter than a Driver, is the 2" less in shaft length.

Maybe we should have a Forum test, and all lob 2" off for season start ?

I did that, it worked but christ its like hitting the ball with a plank of wood. Not advisable

I think if you physically cut 2inches off a regular shaft it would become almost a stiff spec, thats why it feels like that.
I just hold a little down the grip. I dont lose any distance because I reckon I time it better (and straighter)

 

[bayjon14]

If memory serves me correct Mr G Mc Dowell grips at least 1" down on his driver. He says long with doing that and keeping the club outside his hands it transformed his game last year.
Maybe have a look at that before a rash decision and spend.

 

[griffgolf]

I would pop a R9 3 wood shaft into the R9 driver head and see what the difference makes to your ball flight etc.

They are cheap enough to get hold of