To three, or not to three, that is the question...

[mrobbie]

I think I need a 3 wood... or do I???

I had convinced myself for a long time that I did not need a 3 wood, then that I did need one, and most recently was back to the view that the 5 wood is fine in combination with the driver as I don't play courses where a 3 wood be an advantage.

Now, the course I have my summer membership on has a couple of long par 5s. I'm hitting my driver superb at the moment, and I'm now leaving in the region of 240 yards to the centre of the green. This is just out of range for the 5 wood (can manage around 225 yards with it).

I could play safe and play a 9 iron to leave me with a wedge in, but its so close to makeable now that the 3 wood tempts me.

I've lost 2 balls this week on the 1st of the par 5's as I've gone for the 240 yard shot with a beast of a 5 wood but the 220 yard carry over water right before the green is killing me!

Any thoughts - play safe or go with a 3 wood?

Cheers
Mike

Oh, the 3 wood in my sig is no longer in the bag - I was hitting my 5 wood as far as it could so it was of no benefit.

 

[USER1999]

No. Play up short, and play the percentages. That is a big carry with a 3w, and you would need to strike it purely every time. Not going to happen.

My 3w is there only for use on holes where the driver will get me into trouble, on short doglegs or for laying up short of bunkers or ponds.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I agree that you should not buy one just for that hole as like murph says it is a monster 3 wood carry anyway so if you got it a little bit wrong you would end up in the drink anyway. That said a 3 wood may well be a good idea- I'm in the process of looking for one at the moment as I have discovered that on the holes where the driver is not an option I'm leaving myself a 5 iron into the green having teed off with my 5 wood where as if I found a 3 wood that was as accurate as my 5 I would be left with about a 7 iron. You are right though that it probably depends on the course so only you can make the decision but if there are many holes where you choose to play short with your 5 wood to make sure you're on the fairway a 3 wood may be worthwhile. I take it you only have 13 clubs in the bag at the moment? Perhaps buy one and experiment.

 

[StuartD]

My clubs 18th hole sounds ver similar. I carry a three wood but only try to carry the water if i need a birdie for buffer zone or to beat my handicap. Only really carry it about 6 times out of ten. Much safer to lay up in my opinion.

 

[OldWindy]

My three wood is mostly tactical, i.e. will tee off for position vs distance. It's very good off the deck so par 5s are made that little easier. In your position the lay up is the sensible option over the glory. Does your course play the same each time (wind, run, etc.)?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

First of all I would ask the question: Do you enjoy going for it?

If so get the three wood, go for it each week and if it doesn't come off don't moan. That's the way I play as I enjoy the risk/reward aspect. It does sometimes ruin cards though (the odd 8 or 9 due to lost balls).

In fact according to SS2 my penalties per round is that of a 24 handicapper but my FIR & GIR are 7 & 2 handicappers respectively!!

If you want a good score and will be upset if going for it costs you - don't do it!!

 

[OldWindy]

Do you regularly play different courses?

 

[Spoff]

A friend of mine has recently bought a Wilson Deep Red 3 wood.

I beleive he sleeps with it on a night!!!

 

[RGuk]

I couldn't imagine golf without a 3 wood. Safe (ish) club off the tee and a great distance munching club from off the deck.
It's taken me 5 months of sheer bloody-mindedness to get it going well off the grass, now it's rewarded with extra summer roll too. It either goes a tad left, a gentle fade or dead straight. I use it on par 5s and long 4s.

If you can get within 10-20 yards of long holes with driver/5 wood, I guess the question is are you doing well from that place? If you are getting down in 3 99% and having a crack at 1 putt birdies, I'd say stick with what you know and what is probably the safest way to play long holes.

I played the S.I. 1 at my "other" course last weekend and had 210 to a 465 yard par 4. It's uphill (which makes it play long) and I could have got on the green with a peachy 3 wood. Instead, I laid up short of the killer bunkers and long, long green and avoided any potential disaster. Short pitch to 10 foot and lipped out. Tapped in for a 5. Some folk would be disappointed by this, but it was the sensible play i.m.o.