fairway woods - can anyone just not hit them?

[Spark.]

Now on most days ill cream a driver straight most of the round and I very rarely have anything but straight shots with my long irons when I make decent contact, most faults ate from fatting. But I just cannot play with woods and hybrids. Had a shot of an rbz 3 wood Stiff shaft today at the driving range, club to match my driver which I love. However I just could not hit it. The strike indiciator sticker showed I was hitting it sweet but I wasnt lifting the ball atall and when it did go in the air it was a heavy slice. Id maybe hit it 1 out of 10 that it would go pin straight for around 200 yards. I would only generally use it for second shots on long holes, and id really like one in my bag, but dont want to buy something that I dont know ill be able to play with. Im thinking on grass with taking a sliver of grass id get more lift but again dont want to risk it.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Mav281]

Always struggled hitting 3 woods off the deck, so I tried a mates 4 wood and suddenly found a secret weapon.

I brought a Callaway Razr X Black 4 wood for less than £70 brand new and it fills the game perfectly between my driver and 3 hybrid. Goes about 220-230 off the deck with a towering ball flight so it's useful for getting up and over things.

Definatley worth checking out!

 

[Spark.]

Ill have a look mate, they did catch my eye.

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

I'm not getting on with my 3wood but I'm not needing it to be honest as my hybrid is good for 200 yards off the deck with a smooth swing, 220 if I really go after it but I try not to as an increase in effort=an increase in error.

I'd quite like to get an RBZ 3 wood to Mach the driver and 3 hybrid but not got the spare pennies

 

[Coatsy79]

Get a 5 wood, easy to hit and almost as long as a 3 wood but much more useful

 

[Kellfire]

I find that the worst thing I can do with my 3W off the deck is to try and murder it as this often results in tops or huge slices. If I can get a good smooth tempo and feel like I just brush it off the deck, then I get improved results though nearly always with a bit of left to right.

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

Get a 5 wood, easy to hit and almost as long as a 3 wood but much more useful

A fella at my club would agree as he uses his RBZ 5 wood more than most clubs in his bag, except the putter of course

 

[Coatsy79]

A fella at my club would agree as he uses his RBZ 5 wood more than most clubs in his bag, except the putter of course

It's pretty much the only club I use from the tee to 80-120 yards in

 

[Spark.]

Just another quick one, is there any advantage of a hybrid over long irons apart from supposed ease of use?

 

[BrizoH71]

Can't hit them worth a jot, so now I don't even try... happy to sacrifice yardage for a good, solid blow from my 20 hybrid, although that's misbehaving just now. 3-wood is only for driving now, and 5w just comes along for the ride.

 

[rosecott]

Just another quick one, is there any advantage of a hybrid over long irons apart from supposed ease of use?

Much easier to play from rough, but that won't apply to you as you hit straight so stay on the fairway.

 

[Spark.]

Much easier to play from rough, but that won't apply to you as you hit straight so stay on the fairway.

Hahah theres always one

For the record, what I mean is my shot shape. Generally I dont play a fade or draw, unless im having a howler or getting frustrated.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Without being overly rude, but off 17, the 3 wood off the deck is always going to be a risky shot and hard to execute. I can play it but it is a high tariff. I would be looking at a 5W or 3 hybrid. Both are easier to hit off the deck and the 3H in particular is versatile not only out of the rough but around the green

 

[Yosser]

I have both the 3 and 5 RBZ and the difference between the two is like night and day, the 5 is much easier to hit than the 3, I use the 5 all the time and no longer carry the 3 (might go back in for winter). We had a thread about the 3 RBZ a while ago and I believe the concensous of the forum was that the standard RBZ 3 Wood is indeed a difficult club to hit, especially from the fairway.

Hybrids have a shorter shaft than fairway woods so in thoery should be easier to hit. We have a local rule on one of our par 5's in that you are not allowed to hit a wood after your tee shot due to a house on the dog-leg. However you are allowed to hit hybrids and I asked a couple of the blokes who I was playing with about it. They said in theory you are more likely to shank a fairway wood, which I guess would put the said property in the firing line!

 

[Imurg]

. We have a local rule on one of our par 5's in that you are not allowed to hit a wood after your tee shot due to a house on the dog-leg. However you are allowed to hit hybrids and I asked a couple of the blokes who I was playing with about it. They said in theory you are more likely to shank a fairway wood, which I guess would put the said property in the firing line!

Run that one by us again.......

 

[palindromicbob]

I used to be solid with it of the tee but am more consistent now with my driver or 21* hybrid rarely bother with it now. Terrible of the deck unless it's a fluffy lie which basically acts as a tee.

I am considering swapping it out for a Cobra Amp Cell fairway. At least then giving me a little bit of flexibility re: loft.

 

[Yosser]

Run that one by us again.......

I know tell me about it!! Everyone I bring to the course say they've never seen a rule like it. I'm just checking a score card and that specific rule of "no woods to be used after the tee shot" is not listed, it is listed on the notice board on the first tee and there is a sign on the hole (11th). They have a "Bye Law" listed - "When playing the 11th hole players must not play to the main green or surrounding area until the ball comes to rest beyond the second culverted ditch". Which basically stops you going for the green on the second shot, perhaps they added the "no woods" rule to the original rules later on. One of the blokes rather cynically suggested the Pro shop made a fortune selling hybrids after that rule came into place.

 

[Spark.]

Reckon I would be better with a hybrid then, rather than the 3 or 5 wood. Whats the general length difference between a 3 hybrid and a 4 iron? Looking for something to play between 190 and 220.

 

[Spark.]

I know tell me about it!! Everyone I bring to the course say they've never seen a rule like it. I'm just checking a score card and that specific rule of "no woods to be used after the tee shot" is not listed, it is listed on the notice board on the first tee and there is a sign on the hole (11th). They have a "Bye Law" listed - "When playing the 11th hole players must not play to the main green or surrounding area until the ball comes to rest beyond the second culverted ditch". Which basically stops you going for the green on the second shot, perhaps they added the "no woods" rule to the original rules later on. One of the blokes rather cynically suggested the Pro shop made a fortune selling hybrids after that rule came into place.

Seems pretty pointless adding the 'no woods' part in if you arent already allowed to cut the corner.

 

[Yosser]

Seems pretty pointless adding the 'no woods' part in if you arent already allowed to cut the corner.

Yes, I suppose so. That is actually the first time I've read that bye law as I've only been a member for eleven months and only really had to take note of the big warning on the tee and going for it in two is completely irrelevant to me.