drivers Vs 3 wood

[Espada]

two weeks ago I couldn't hit with my driver for toffee, if I could hit it straight, it would go about as far as my 3W. I then brought a £90 driver from Benross (I did try others like Yonex) and found I could add at least 40 yards to every drive, the difference between the longest differences is over 100 yards.

Some things I picked up from pros (so not my advice, just stolen from others) before buying:

Not everyone can play a driver, many are better with a 3 wood.

And after seeing a group on the driving range the other day, I can see what he means, they were hitting the ball 50 yards in all directions, blaming the tee for being to short. I know this can make a bit of a difference but it wasn't the problem here even as a relative novice I could see that their entire swing was the problem.

 

[RGDave]

NOW this thread is making some sense!

I too had a driver cut down (from 45.75 to 45.00) and it made a big difference. Much better with the shorter shaft.

Interestingly my new Wilson Spine is 46" and although it feels long, the problems I had (finding the middle with the Ping) have disappeared.

I'm glad to see a "justification" for using 3 woods as opposed to drivers and also don't like hitting mine off the first hole if possible (not that it's relevant at mine, as it's a par 3).

I use 3 wood off the 2nd (sometimes even a 5w or long iron), tight-ish hole and 220-230 is perfect.
I also use 3 wood the first par 5 I come to. Driver distance is not needed, although I use it in bounce games.

For me, it's all about course management.....on short par 5s, a driver can give you even more options for your 2nd shot but if there is trouble, I tend not to bother.

 

[andiritchie]

I can hit my driver alot straighter than my 3 wood so dont carry one any more.

When i use a fairway wood off the tee its because i want to hit a certain spot, so i bought a Nike Dymo square 5 wood and it finds fairways and is very straight,when fitted trackman had me a 237 avg which is just what i was after

I would get another driver but would stay clear of Titleist if you struggle hitting the big stick,you have a TM 5 wood which you say you hit well,why not have a look at there drivers you will probally find more fairways.

Get fitted and have a club you CAN hit not another expensive mistake

My cupboard is full of them

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I carry a driver 3 and a 5 wood (unless I am swapping to 3 wedges when the 5 gets the chop) and I try consciously to make a decision based on conditions at the time rather than just thinking "4th hole so I always hit driver". Our 9th runs downhill towards a ditch and at the moment its right on the cusp of a driver getting there. I know a decent 3 wood will still only leave 160 so I've been using that and taking the ditch out of play for sure. However if there is a breeze against I could go back to driver. It's about playing shot by shot and not by numbers

 

[Putting_Green_Pro]

well basically i had a quick lesson and the teacher told me to turn my shoulders more and have a wider stance. boy did it do the trick now im hitting basically every shot straight and 220 yards on a driving range. not bad!

therefore if the driver performs tomorrow on the 9 hole stableford it will stay there if not i will have to consider the options.

 

[JustOne]

well basically i had a quick lesson and the teacher told me to turn my shoulders more and have a wider stance. boy did it do the trick now im hitting basically every shot straight and 220 yards on a driving range. not bad!

Good man!