Golf Question

[kerssens]

I recently had to part with my 3 wood that was very useful for 10 years and now its time for some new equipment....I've been plugging along with just a driver and 3 wood for some time now but now just have the driver. Does anybody have any suggestions for two clubs that will help fill the gap between my driver (300 yds) and 3-iron (225 yds if hit well....struggles)? I'm thinking a 3 and 5 wood but if anybody things otherwise let me know...and any brands of woods that are recommended will be helpful..

thanks

[HDPM]

Well, if I hit driver 300 and my 3 iron 225, I'd probably carry 4 wedges and two woods. Id find a fairway wood I could hit off the fairway and use off the tee. So maybe a strong 4 wood or regular 3 wood in the 15-17 range.

I am happy with a cleveland 3 wood I just picked up BTW.

If you want 2 clubs I'd think about getting a rescue club and a 1-iron in addition to the 3 wood and carry one depending on conditions. I live where it's windy and don't carry a 1 iron anymore. Sometimes I miss it even when I can't hit it.


My set is in disarray right now and I need to rework it. I hit my 3 wood too close to my driver because I am hitting the driver bad, but more importantly I am hitting my strong 5 wood too close to my 3 iron. The 5 wood is an adams tight lie, so it hits it out of garbage pretty well so I haven't dumped it yet. I need to start hitting it better and work on my wedges before deciding how to go tho. I might get a 4-wood or 4th wedge or something. Might revamp all my wedges. We'll see. If I hit my 3 iron 225 I'd be golden.

[WEASEL45]

I Would definetly try a 4 wood. i always use a callaway steelhead but just try some different ones and see what works.

[blackaces13]

I agree with HDPM. Get yourself a utility wood (I have a 4 wood) and carry 4 wedges. Or add a 2 iron as opposed to a 4th wedge and be like Tiger with 2 woods and a 2-iron.

I have an Adam's Tight Lies strong 4 wood (16 degrees of loft) and I really like it. The shallow face helps me feel like it is easy to get the club under the ball and airborne a lot better than a conventional 3-wood and its deeper face does. I also can hit my 4 wood much farther off the ground than my 3-iron assuming I make solid contact.

[jagoff]

I agree with HDPM as well! If I hit my driver 300 consistantly and my 3 iron 225 then I would definately go with a 4 wood and a slew of wedges. I endorse Callaway, even though I know that everyone has there own preferences, but I just love the way their clubs feel. However, Cleveland's wedges can't be f ucked with.

[Nepa]

I know most ppl. can't hit it but how 'bout a good ole 1 iron.

[M2d]

have you tried hybrid clubs? I have the snake eyes 18 degree that is really easy to hit, but there's too much offset for my taste. if I could get the same club in a square face, I'd get it in an instant.

[BeerMoney]

Titleist 3 wood.

[JTrout]

I agree that the hybrid clubs are what you (and most everyone) should be looking at.

You may have to try a few different ones to find one that you like (i.e. that fits you), but it will be well worth the trouble.

Everyone has that "sometimes" in front of their 3-iron ydges.
That "sometimes" grows to "occasionally" if you use a 1-iron. ( I "occasionally" hit my 1-iron 235.)

But the hybrids offer not only more consistency, but far more versatility. Out of rough, from tight lies, higher ball flight, easier to draw.

Check 'em out.
I have the Adams idea iwood "3-iron" that is 17* loft. It replaced the 2-iron in my bag. It's app. 10 yds. longer than my 2-iron.

I've also got a PRGR 200i 2 iron that I sometimes put in the bag. It is HOT. One of the easiest clubs to hit that I've ever tried. Ugly but awesome.

The key for me, and I think everyone, is finding a proper "fit". The shaft, length, weight must be right.

Many of the hybrids have too light of a feel for my tastes.
Lead tape often helps.

Cheers.
JTrout.

One more word on the fit. If you pick up a club, and the first few balls you hit with it are: too high, low, left, right, THIS IS NOT THE CLUB FOR YOU.
Put it down. Try another. If you continue to swing it, you will adjust somewhat and begin hitting more acceptable shots. But this is not what you want. You don't want to have to make adjustments. The club doesn't fit.
That's not to say that the same club with a different length, weight, lie wouldn't work.... but you want a club that goes the proper line and trajectory when you make your regular, comfortable, good swing.
(stepping down off my soap box now)

[M2d]

The thing about hybrids is that they can't do everything. I originally got my quick strike because I have a set in Hawaii at my parents' house and it did not come with a 2 iron. getting the hybrid was much easier than finding a matching 2 iron for my set. then, I got a second one for my set up in california so that I could hit it and get used to it before I went home for vacation (yes, I'm somewhat of a club ho). Now, it works its way into my bag depending on the course I'm playing. being a 14, I'm not all fairways and greens, so I'll stick the 2 iron in the bag if I'm playing a tree lined course. I'll also play the 2 iron if I expect a really windy day (afternoons in the bay area suck afa wind goes). longer target golf type courses are the ones I use the hybrid on, especially ones with par 5's in the 540-570 yard range.

all things considered, I prefer my 2 iron, but the quickstrike does have a place in my aresenal.

[John Cole]

If I hit my driver 225 I'd be golden.

[JTrout]

I understand where you're coming from.
There is a transition stage that I went through.

But with the right hybrid, and a little confidence-building practice hitting low shots, I believe you'll have better results losing the 2-iron.

I went through several hybrids that I just wasn't as confident hitting straight as my 2-iron.
But find the right one for you, and hit some "knockdown" shots with it to instill confidence that you can hit it as low as the 2-iron.

The "knockdown" or "poke 2-iron" or guide shot with a 2-iron used to be a shot I went to on tight par 4s or lay-up par 5s.
I now have much more confidence in the hybrid.

It's a similar comparison in my mind with persimmon vs. titanium. It took some getting used to, but the difference is staggering.

Cheers,
JTrout

[JTrout]

LOL.

In brutal honesty, if a person doesn't carry their Driver over 200 yds, they shouldn't carry a Driver.

Or their Driver should have 15* loft! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[M2d]

which one would you recommend? my main priority is a club with no offset. when I close the clubface for a knockdown, the offset is even more exaggerated. plus, I can't even concieve of playing a controlled slice/knockdown, which is a go-to shot for me out of the right side treeline.=)

[JTrout]

Tight Lies IDEA has a "pro series" with no offset. You may have to special order. Ask your local shop to stock one or two.
Unfortunately, most of these hybrids come with too much offset. If you see a reference to "pro series" in any club, it usually indicates less offset (and possibly less loft)

I'm a fan of Sonartec fairway woods, and they have recently come out with some hybrids that may be worth looking at.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

plus, I can't even concieve of playing a controlled slice/knockdown, which is a go-to shot for me out of the right side treeline.=)

I understand this. But this is where the range comes in handy /images/graemlins/wink.gif You have to exxagerate how much you open the face.

You have to do it on the range (see how big/low of a slice you can hit) in order to at least conceive it on the course.

I carried a 4-wood some. The main problem with it was that it hit it high. I couldn't conceive of hitting that club into the wind.
Then, from necessity, I spent (a very little) time on the range hitting this 4-wood like a knockdown 2-iron...low punches.
I found that I could do it. Most importantly, when faced with the shot on the course, I could conceive it.

Good luck,
JTrout.

[NotMitch]

A lot of this has to do with ball flight and general ability but here are some general answers.

If you hit the ball like that my guess is mostly this gap club would be for finding the fairway from the tee. Im about in the same boat as you and I carry Driver/3 wood/2 Iron. I feel more comfortable working the 2 iron left to right and the 3 wood right to left so they are a good fit for me. And I feel good about almost any tee shot with those options in my bag.

I would sugguest thinking about when you are going to be using these clubs most and try to find ones you can hit well in those spots.

[Benal]

I've always loved my Ping Ti 3 wood. Best club I ever bought!

[Sundevils21]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, if I hit driver 300 and my 3 iron 225, I'd probably carry 4 wedges and two woods. Id find a fairway wood I could hit off the fairway and use off the tee. So maybe a strong 4 wood or regular 3 wood in the 15-17 range.


[/ QUOTE ]

I don't have quite that much distance(more like 275-285) but I only have 2 woods and 4 wedges. lob, gap, sand(desert club), piching.

[Senor Choppy]

Let's see Paul Allen's card...

[JTrout]

Senor Choppy. Now there's a golf name!

ps. here's a list of hybrid's I browsed- http://www.edwinwatts.com/catalog.aspx?category=Utility%20Clubs

[Senor Choppy]

Nice.

[nolanfan34]

[ QUOTE ]
I feel more comfortable working the 2 iron left to right and the 3 wood right to left so they are a good fit for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think people claiming they can hit a 2 iron is quickly becoming the "xBB/100 exaggeration" of the Other Topics forum. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

JTrout excused of course, who I thought I remember mentioned being a golf pro of some sort. Could be wrong.

[M2d]

I never said I could hit mine. Only that I carry it. the damn offset hybrid club I carry can is prone to snap-hook at the most inopportune times, which is why I like the 2 iron better. expected crappy shots is much better than surprise ones.

[HDPM]

It's a real safe bet that jtrout is the best golfer on this forum.

[JTrout]

JTrout excused of course, who I thought I remember mentioned being a golf pro of some sort.

That sums it up exactly! /images/graemlins/tongue.gif Of what sort, I'm still trying to figure out!


HDPM, thank you for the compliment. It took 29 years of searching, and a poker forum to find, but I'm finally the best! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif Woohoo!
And I'll take on all challengers as soon as...ahem.. my back gets to feeling better, and my knee stops hurting, and the tendenitis in my elbow is heeled, and....

[NotMitch]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I feel more comfortable working the 2 iron left to right and the 3 wood right to left so they are a good fit for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think people claiming they can hit a 2 iron is quickly becoming the "xBB/100 exaggeration" of the Other Topics forum. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

JTrout excused of course, who I thought I remember mentioned being a golf pro of some sort. Could be wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well I cant as well as I used to but I was at one time good enough to play in college. Most people here could beat me in poker but I would take my chances at golf /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[HDPM]

You would be taking too many chances w/ jtrout. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[NotMitch]

[ QUOTE ]
You would be taking too many chances w/ jtrout. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Im sure he and several others here would beat me like a drum.

I'm a pretty good golfer for a poker player, and a pretty good poker player for a golfer. Know what I mean? /images/graemlins/wink.gif But if nothing else, I can hit a two iron. I promise that.

[kerssens]

I picked up the Cleveland 3-wood....I tried the Adams and the Cleveland seemed much smoother and I was getting 5-10 mph more on my swing.......I was clocked at 110, what kinda swing speeds to people on here have?

[jagoff]

I was clocked at 110, what kinda swing speeds to people on here have?

I can't take it anymore...lemme guess your girlfriend can drive, your penis is never flacid, you make 25BB/100 playing 15/30 at Party, you can eat the hottest hot sauce and it doesn't bother you and you can bench 450 lbs 100 times in 10 minutes!

To answer your question I am in the low 100's and can only drive the ball 250-280 consistantly. I am also carrying a 3 handicap.

[kerssens]

Relax jackass....I'm just trying to figure something out...I'm definately not a 3 handicap....I don't even know if 110 is fast, I have an idea that it's pretty quick but I was wondering how it compared to others on here

[jagoff]

Sorry all that penis waving got me hot and bothered.

110 is quick. I think Tiger is 118 mph.

[HDPM]

At the made for TV thing they got tiger at 129 I think. Other long hitting tour pros are in the 120 area with the driver. Long ball specialists get more speed. Tiger wasn't getting as much distance out of his speed as you would expect. Not a good ad for the Nike ball. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif