Owen_Thomas_14
Journeyman Pro
Just try out different shaft flexes and lofts and youll hopefully find something decent for you, but not as easy as it sounds as some people are still looking
Sorry guys but hitting woods is well hard...
- Thread starter Tiger
- Start date
Tiger
Money List Winner
Hey Just One, I post a clip every two months. To see February's click here. Be interesting to hear your thoughts on the blog.
RGDave
Money List Winner
I can hit a wood better than an iron, sadly
give me a tee to put the ball on all the time and I'd be single figures
Post of the week (for me).
In relation the O.P. I say get a 5 wood this month, practice, get a 3 wood in another 2 months and then see how you go.
I practiced mainly wedge/7 iron/5 wood off the mats in the early days.....get a wood, and get going....
RGDave
Money List Winner
I still find the whole draw bias thing a bit iffy.
I can't see anything wrong with a draw bias driver whether it's the closed face angle or voodoo weight malarkey that supposedly does magic things.
I wouldn't personally go for any other clubs though.
I saw a heinous thing the other day.
A 24 degree hybrid with MASSIVE offset.....
Come on people!!! If you can't hit a 24 degree club straight, take up darts or something.
JT77
Tour Winner
lol, looks like one of them ugly niblick chippers!!! haha
Redwood
Q-School Graduate
Personally, I agree with a few on here. Go get a 5 wood and practice with that.
I had a Ping G10 3 wood, was Ok-ish from the tee with it, but couldn't hit it for love nor money off the deck.
Swapped it for a 5 wood and it has totally changed the way I play now as I feel more confident taking on longer shots off the fairway, as I can get the ball into the air much easier with the 5 than the 3.
I would be another to advise against draw biased\closed face clubs.
I used to hit a wicked slice, which I managed to eventually get down to a soft fade, and then a pretty straight shot with my driver, with the tendency to still hit the odd power fade\massive slice every once in a while.
When I bought the Callaway FTiQ it had a closed face, and with that I am mainly hitting pulls\hooks, so although my natural swing favours a ball flight to the right of the fairway, with this club it was going left, so I'd stay away from them and get your swing sorted for a neutral biased club.
I had a Ping G10 3 wood, was Ok-ish from the tee with it, but couldn't hit it for love nor money off the deck.
Swapped it for a 5 wood and it has totally changed the way I play now as I feel more confident taking on longer shots off the fairway, as I can get the ball into the air much easier with the 5 than the 3.
I would be another to advise against draw biased\closed face clubs.
I used to hit a wicked slice, which I managed to eventually get down to a soft fade, and then a pretty straight shot with my driver, with the tendency to still hit the odd power fade\massive slice every once in a while.
When I bought the Callaway FTiQ it had a closed face, and with that I am mainly hitting pulls\hooks, so although my natural swing favours a ball flight to the right of the fairway, with this club it was going left, so I'd stay away from them and get your swing sorted for a neutral biased club.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
I concur.
I had a brief fling with an MD "draw biased" Driver early last year.
God help anybody coming up a fairway towards me on the left hand side.
Duck hooks ahoy!
Ethan
Money List Winner
Its not just about swing speed, other factors determine the correct shaft brand, weight and flex.
You really need to see a pro. Get fitted and get a lesson on how to hit woods.
If you can hit a decent 6 iron, you can hit a wood. Maybe not the driver just yet, but you should be able to hit a 5 wood off the deck.
What exactly is happening when you hit it, and what are you using?
Tiger
Money List Winner
I was just using a Cleveland launcher of the tee and was hitting the ground before ball causing loss of power and a slice. Totally agree I need a lesson and the 5 wood is an interesting shout. Would you guys recommend that over a 2iron hybrid? I'm completely sold on lessons and fitting but would be great to understand what would be the best addition to the bag. Don't want to spend too much on woods while my game is still developing. Advice has been really helpful. Thanks guys. Tiger
Mike_j_golf
Q-School Graduate
Did the monitor you were on not mesure your swing speed I think you have to learn sooner rather that later how to hit them look at the size of the head on a 460 cc driver how can u miss just make sure your weight dose not transfer too quickley to your left side that should shallow your swing path also swing it around your body like a baseball bat then just bend forward and do the same thing
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
Tiger. Some well meaning advice from someone who understands what you're going through. But as you know, I'm no Pro.
When I started out in this game, I too hardly touched woods. I bought some really cheap woods, driver, five and 7 wood. Total cost £30. I then just went through trial and error on the range and had some lessons. Okay the improvement didn't happen overnight. But like all things golf, it's a lifetime of learning.
I bought a draw biased closed faced driver MX500, because it was cheap and I had a wicked slice. Last year after a session of lessons, the slice was cured, but I now had a horrible hook. Of course that then makes the driver useless! As it exagerated my hook.
I then acquired the 17 degree hybrid, the one I have for sale. It was so much more difficult to hit compared to my cheapo five wood.
Got the G10 three wood last year, no bias, all regular. As long as I don't try nailing it I can easily get it a good distance.
What I'm trying to say is that there is no right answer to what club for you to get, as it's likely to change as you improve. Lessons help without a shadow of a doubt. But the one thing I would suggest is don't get hung up with the more advanced stuff. Get the basics right, everytime. Grip, set up and alignment. The grip especially has more impact on my shots than anything. I know it's dull and we all want to move onto flop shots and the like quickly, but in the long run it's the basics that will enable you to reach your goal. Particularly at this early stage.
I speak from experiance!! As I was far to keen to move onto the fancy stuff before getting the basics right - everytime.
When I started out in this game, I too hardly touched woods. I bought some really cheap woods, driver, five and 7 wood. Total cost £30. I then just went through trial and error on the range and had some lessons. Okay the improvement didn't happen overnight. But like all things golf, it's a lifetime of learning.
I bought a draw biased closed faced driver MX500, because it was cheap and I had a wicked slice. Last year after a session of lessons, the slice was cured, but I now had a horrible hook. Of course that then makes the driver useless! As it exagerated my hook.
I then acquired the 17 degree hybrid, the one I have for sale. It was so much more difficult to hit compared to my cheapo five wood.
Got the G10 three wood last year, no bias, all regular. As long as I don't try nailing it I can easily get it a good distance.
What I'm trying to say is that there is no right answer to what club for you to get, as it's likely to change as you improve. Lessons help without a shadow of a doubt. But the one thing I would suggest is don't get hung up with the more advanced stuff. Get the basics right, everytime. Grip, set up and alignment. The grip especially has more impact on my shots than anything. I know it's dull and we all want to move onto flop shots and the like quickly, but in the long run it's the basics that will enable you to reach your goal. Particularly at this early stage.
I speak from experiance!! As I was far to keen to move onto the fancy stuff before getting the basics right - everytime.
Tiger
Money List Winner
Thanks Graham, You've echoed all of the concerns I have held about playing with woods. I'm definitely not wanting to buy any till I have things sorted with my irons (at least 4I down). Its my set up that's my main problem with fractions off here and there and then this stupidly huge overswing I have. Fingers crossed I'll have most of my iron striking tidier soon and my lessons can then focus on playing with woods. Really interesting to hear you found your 5 wood easier to hit than a 2I hybrid.
T
T
Tiger
Money List Winner
No idea what swing speed was at it didn't say. What it did tell you was ball speed off the club face. I clocked 114mph off the 6 Iron but have absolutely no idea what that means
Ethan
Money List Winner
If you plan to get down to scratch, I would pass on the draw biased clubs. They compensate for swing flaws that you can't really have as a low handicapper.
I think the issues for you are mainly about hitting the ground. That is a swing problem, and is not due to the clubhead or shaft. Once you sort out the swing problem, which my be ball position of body movement (swaying), for example, then get fitted for a fairway wood.
I think the issues for you are mainly about hitting the ground. That is a swing problem, and is not due to the clubhead or shaft. Once you sort out the swing problem, which my be ball position of body movement (swaying), for example, then get fitted for a fairway wood.
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
Tiger. I wasn't saying don't hit woods. Actually the opposite. But you need to get the basics right with all clubs. If things are tight, just post some video on here. I'm sure Bob and a few others will gladly point you in the right direction.
As I said. My cheap (£10 each) five and seven woods are not the best clubs, but they've served a purpose and have enabled my to learn how to use them before splashing out on fancier kit. My biggest regret was spending money on good kit that wasn't in the best interests of my game.
Better to have a cheap club and have a lesson or two, than buying a fancy bit of kit and trying to work it out for yourself at this stage.
Even now, I'm undecided whether woods or hybrids are the way forward for my game. All I do know is that my five wood is a damn sight easier to hit than my 17 degree hybrid. But everyone is different.
Oh and to start off with, don't try to hit the ball to hard and use a three quarter swing. I've also recently discovered 'hitting through the ball' to the target much better than just trying to hit the ball. If that makes any sense.
I'm aware that I'm not the best golfer, even despite some marked improvment recently. So you can take it or leave it as you see fit. I'm just explaining my own experiances. Others, will of course, have equally valid comments.
It's a lot to take in at this level, learning this game. But one thing I do know from many years coaching sailboat racing, take one step at a time, get the basics right. Advice I should have listened to myself when I started this game!
As I said. My cheap (£10 each) five and seven woods are not the best clubs, but they've served a purpose and have enabled my to learn how to use them before splashing out on fancier kit. My biggest regret was spending money on good kit that wasn't in the best interests of my game.
Better to have a cheap club and have a lesson or two, than buying a fancy bit of kit and trying to work it out for yourself at this stage.
Even now, I'm undecided whether woods or hybrids are the way forward for my game. All I do know is that my five wood is a damn sight easier to hit than my 17 degree hybrid. But everyone is different.
Oh and to start off with, don't try to hit the ball to hard and use a three quarter swing. I've also recently discovered 'hitting through the ball' to the target much better than just trying to hit the ball. If that makes any sense.
I'm aware that I'm not the best golfer, even despite some marked improvment recently. So you can take it or leave it as you see fit. I'm just explaining my own experiances. Others, will of course, have equally valid comments.
It's a lot to take in at this level, learning this game. But one thing I do know from many years coaching sailboat racing, take one step at a time, get the basics right. Advice I should have listened to myself when I started this game!
Tiger
Money List Winner
Hey Graham, I do want to progress onto woods as soon as I can. I'm just keen to make sure I've got the basics of my iron striking sorted first. It's been a real challenge trying to get my head around the nuances of full iron shots, pitches, chips and putting, I don't want to muddy things with a new set of swing & set up just yet. I'm looking forward to being able to smack a driver 800 yards into a headwind but this is easily the most technical sport I've tried and am just keen to take my time with layering on all the elements.
I guess I just want to settle into my club, get used to playing 18 holes more regularly, make some refinements to my technique and then take the plunge. Seriously considering a Benny or MD as a cheaper entry level option.
but this is easily the most technical sport I've tried and am just keen to take my time with layering on all the elements. I guess I just want to settle into my club, get used to playing 18 holes more regularly, make some refinements to my technique and then take the plunge. Seriously considering a Benny or MD as a cheaper entry level option.
funkyfred
Challenge Tour Pro
Tiger
I'm in HH camp. As a 25 h/c so I'm hardly in the position to explain the fundementals of a good golf swing, there is enough good advice for you to digest from some very helpful people on this website.
But like many of them I have had problems with my driving, but what constitutes a good drive? is it length or is it distance? A couple of years ago I averaged about 50% of fairways hit which I was quite happy with especially with my h/c, although at the time I was only playing about 20 rounds a year.
Last year i joined my first club, and with playing with better h/c players than my friends I was trying to hit the ball harder to keep up with my new competitors. This however bought a reduction in my fairway hit percentage to about 40% thus this meant playing more shots from the rough which lead to higher scores.
In October last year I decided to change my swing completely and I wanted something that was nice and easy. After a lot of looking around I decided to use the Peak Performance golf swing fronted by a guy called Don Trahan who is the father of D.J.Trahan who plays on the USPGA circuit. What has this got to do about hitting woods you are probably asking yourself, well this guy promotes a HALF SWING to hit the ball, both off the tee and from the fairway.
I'm not saying that this is the swing for you, but I am now only using a half swing for all my shots, my fairway percentage for this year is up to almost 54%, my distance hasn't suffered, in fact I might be hitting the ball further, difficult to tell with so much water on the courses this year. My handicap has come down 1.4 this year, I have won one pairs competition and finished second in two Monthly medals, and all without a driver, as I only hit a 3 or 5 wood.
I'm in HH camp. As a 25 h/c so I'm hardly in the position to explain the fundementals of a good golf swing, there is enough good advice for you to digest from some very helpful people on this website.
But like many of them I have had problems with my driving, but what constitutes a good drive? is it length or is it distance? A couple of years ago I averaged about 50% of fairways hit which I was quite happy with especially with my h/c, although at the time I was only playing about 20 rounds a year.
Last year i joined my first club, and with playing with better h/c players than my friends I was trying to hit the ball harder to keep up with my new competitors. This however bought a reduction in my fairway hit percentage to about 40% thus this meant playing more shots from the rough which lead to higher scores.
In October last year I decided to change my swing completely and I wanted something that was nice and easy. After a lot of looking around I decided to use the Peak Performance golf swing fronted by a guy called Don Trahan who is the father of D.J.Trahan who plays on the USPGA circuit. What has this got to do about hitting woods you are probably asking yourself, well this guy promotes a HALF SWING to hit the ball, both off the tee and from the fairway.
I'm not saying that this is the swing for you, but I am now only using a half swing for all my shots, my fairway percentage for this year is up to almost 54%, my distance hasn't suffered, in fact I might be hitting the ball further, difficult to tell with so much water on the courses this year. My handicap has come down 1.4 this year, I have won one pairs competition and finished second in two Monthly medals, and all without a driver, as I only hit a 3 or 5 wood.
Tiger
Money List Winner
Hey Fred, I'm trying to go down this route with my irons, swing nice and easy and not too far back to increase my strike and accuracy. Really glad to hear this approach worked for you, I find it tough to take it onto the course but am getting there slowly!!! From the contributions on here the 5 wood seems to be winning. Thanks again for chipping in, Its great to hear from high handicappers like myself as well as the lower handicappers. Hope your good form continues.
T
T
Mike_j_golf
Q-School Graduate
Hi,
your 3 4 and 5 wood could be easily replaved with hybrids or woods that will be easier to hit on the ball speed it should be 1.5 times club head speed is a good strike most likley 1.3ish for a 28 handicapper which would leave you around a 87mph for a 6 iron so you could go with a stiff shaft in the wood also concerate on a 3/4 swing with the woods but buy one now cheap second hand a 3/4 year old model of any ping callaway or taylormade will be great clubs stay away from titlest woods they are always harder to hit.
Mike
your 3 4 and 5 wood could be easily replaved with hybrids or woods that will be easier to hit on the ball speed it should be 1.5 times club head speed is a good strike most likley 1.3ish for a 28 handicapper which would leave you around a 87mph for a 6 iron so you could go with a stiff shaft in the wood also concerate on a 3/4 swing with the woods but buy one now cheap second hand a 3/4 year old model of any ping callaway or taylormade will be great clubs stay away from titlest woods they are always harder to hit.
Mike
AuburnWarrior
Tour Winner
I've said this before, I'll say it again.........
You've just taken the game up, you'll have an inconsistent swing - there's no point in custom fitting.
Get yourself a cheap 3 wood - it doesn't matter what make/model/shaft it is, just buy a cheap one.
Then.........
KEEP HITTING THE DAMN THING.
It doesn't matter where it goes because you're learning. Just keep hitting it. Have a lesson on hitting woods. Eventually you'll learn the swing required, where to position the ball, etc.
Then, give yourself a target - get down to 15 and get a full c/f - woods, irons, etc.
You've just taken the game up, you'll have an inconsistent swing - there's no point in custom fitting.
Get yourself a cheap 3 wood - it doesn't matter what make/model/shaft it is, just buy a cheap one.
Then.........
KEEP HITTING THE DAMN THING.
It doesn't matter where it goes because you're learning. Just keep hitting it. Have a lesson on hitting woods. Eventually you'll learn the swing required, where to position the ball, etc.
Then, give yourself a target - get down to 15 and get a full c/f - woods, irons, etc.
