This year I've joined the 4W , 3H gang, and I've immediately started hitting my longer clubs better.
I use a 17* 4W and a 20* hybrid from Benross coz they were the cheapest clubs I could find that had really good shaft/grip combos.
If budget isn't a problem for you, Mizuno and Ping are both pretty good options, I think ( but I've never hit either tbh )
I used to have a couple of Nike hybrids which were a nightmare to hit, but my Benross 3H is the easiest club I've ever hit off the deck. Now how much of that is down to the club being easier, and how much to my swing getting better, I don't know...
I use the 4W off the tee, and occassionally off a really good lie off the fairway.
When I was out with Leftie, and a couple of Smiffy's mates last week, I used the 4W alongside my driver off the tee, and whilst I have to admit that a perfect driver swing was longer, there were also fewer of them, so I'd say that on average, my 4W was about the same as my driver, because it was so much easier to hit, and I didn't miss a fairway with it.
Also, my decent drives were alongide the others, at about 200 -220 yards ( tested by Roger ) and my 4W was about 20 yards back, definately no more. On two holes I was the second longest driver with it, the other two guys having sqirted their drivers into the rough.
So, from experience, I can definately confirm the 4W, 3H combo is a good one, as long as they are both in the GI/mid handicapper bracket, and not aimed at the lower handicap player.
Oh, and btw I'm playing off 18 atm, but playing a very poor 18 - more realistically nearer 22-24, and Leftie was playing off 13, whilst Khalid and Ray were both off 12.
Also, Leftie score a magnificent 36 points to take the money by 6 shots from Smiffy, who was a few points in front of me, Rich, and Chippie. And he did it because his short game, from 100 yards in, saved him at least half a dozen shots, if not more.
I use a 17* 4W and a 20* hybrid from Benross coz they were the cheapest clubs I could find that had really good shaft/grip combos.
If budget isn't a problem for you, Mizuno and Ping are both pretty good options, I think ( but I've never hit either tbh )
I used to have a couple of Nike hybrids which were a nightmare to hit, but my Benross 3H is the easiest club I've ever hit off the deck. Now how much of that is down to the club being easier, and how much to my swing getting better, I don't know...
I use the 4W off the tee, and occassionally off a really good lie off the fairway.
When I was out with Leftie, and a couple of Smiffy's mates last week, I used the 4W alongside my driver off the tee, and whilst I have to admit that a perfect driver swing was longer, there were also fewer of them, so I'd say that on average, my 4W was about the same as my driver, because it was so much easier to hit, and I didn't miss a fairway with it.
Also, my decent drives were alongide the others, at about 200 -220 yards ( tested by Roger ) and my 4W was about 20 yards back, definately no more. On two holes I was the second longest driver with it, the other two guys having sqirted their drivers into the rough.
So, from experience, I can definately confirm the 4W, 3H combo is a good one, as long as they are both in the GI/mid handicapper bracket, and not aimed at the lower handicap player.
Oh, and btw I'm playing off 18 atm, but playing a very poor 18 - more realistically nearer 22-24, and Leftie was playing off 13, whilst Khalid and Ray were both off 12.
Also, Leftie score a magnificent 36 points to take the money by 6 shots from Smiffy, who was a few points in front of me, Rich, and Chippie. And he did it because his short game, from 100 yards in, saved him at least half a dozen shots, if not more.
