5 wood instead of a 3?

[Jsjones]

[quote name='GolfGuitarsCars' timestamp='1449322311' post='12683564']
[quote name='Jsjones' timestamp='1449288377' post='12682804']
[quote name='GolfGuitarsCars' timestamp='1449285316' post='12682650']
Do you have the length off the tee to hit par 5's in two [b]AND[/b] the skill to hit a 3W off the deck consistently? If so, by all means swing away. If the answer is No to either question, you shouldn't have a 3W in the bag.
[/quote]

Eh don't really agree with this

Let me clarify, these aren't the only two reasons for needing or having a 3 wood in the bag
[/quote]

Please do.
[/quote]

I just did? You want to know of other reasons for having a 3 wood? Ok. You're a short hitter and you need 3 wood into long(distance is relative) par 4's.. You have holes where you play that require less than driver off the tee.. You are short and you need 3 wood for long(again, relative) par 3's. Keep going?

[asw7576]

Yes, yes, yes.

I choose 5w because I feel comfortable using it , and 5w is the only stick between my driver and 5 iron.

[BillyZ2]

I carry both a standard 3 wood and a standard 5 wood Callaway X hot fairway woods,. You've got to pick and choose when to use the 3 wood, and distance isn't necessarily the only prerequisite. There shouldn't be trouble on the left or right too much, and your swing needs to stay under control. How many times have you seen a golfer pull out the 3 wood and try to kill it instead of having a course management attitude. For me, I love the choice of having both the three wood and 5 wood in the bag, and choose the clubs accordingly to the situation.

[philly2kuk]

Love my 5 wood. Found it went as far as my 3 but was easier to hit so the 3 has been sat in the cupboard for at least 3 or 4 years now

[Miker20890]

I actually regret giving up my G25 3 wood. That thing was so easy to hit off the tee and deck.

[acemandrake]

Heavenwood or 5W: You can't go wrong with either as both easy to use

Me: Heavenwood, 3H, 4H

[9woodfan]

The Ping K15 has been the only 3 wood I've really gotten along with. However I've bought and sold it 3 times over so for all the good times there have been plenty of not good times. I'd love to put it back in the bag for some more yards BUT the safety of just a 5 wood helps my scores.

[THenman]

I have a 3w but carry a 5w instead at home course. It just makes sense for me at me home course. There are only 2 par 5's neither are ones I try for and the short par 4's are either driver or 5w. I gap 10yds from GW to 5W and then get about 20yd to 3w. For me it's better to have the constant 10yd gap on most courses. The reasons for me to switch to 3w is needing the extra 20yd several times on a course.

Edit:
I should add since 1981 I have always had at least one extra club to allow me to make bag fit weather/course better. Nothing wrong IMHO to being ble to get bag set for a given course.

[Seaze21]

I'm in the four wood camp on this one. I aquired a 3HL SLDR and keep it at 17° (stock) and it is in essence a 4 wood with a 3 shaft. Great off the Tee, easy off the deck. Absolute dream.

[bluejeeprubi]

I was bored and built then used a v steel 5w with an old oban revenge. So nice to know it a high fade every time. Love this club. Really wish TM would release the same head with newer materials.

[cardoustie]

5 deep is easy off the deck

[gettingworse]

For most an adjustable 16.5 would work better than the 3w. I would personally want something longer than a 5w as my longest fairway club. 5w head with a 3w or even a 4w shaft would also work better than a 15 degree for most I reckon.

Over the last few years we have seen the disappearance of 3i from almost all but the strongest players' bags as people have discovered they don't have the power etc to carry the 3i further than the 4i. Maybe the 3w will be a rare sight in amateurs' bags in a few years.

[TCZ]

Used to carry a 3 wood and a 5 wood. Now carrying a 16.5 degree 3 wood ( really a 4 wood ). Best of both worlds.

[Jonesy]

I carry a 5 wood only and it's been a game changer, I struggled with 3 woods ever since I got rid of my old Hibore xls 3 wood, stumbled across a RBZ tour 5 wood slapped a kai li in it and never looked back, still reaching all the par 5's I used to reach whilst being a whole lot more accurate.

[Surfcat808]

I carry a 5 wood, just for the simple fact that I have one and hit it well. Find a fairway wood you trust and keep it in the bag

[richard t]

As OPs have said- 1. 4 or 5 woods carry almost as far as 3s. For some maybe more. 2. Shorter shaft=more control thus accuracy.3. Unless you can really rip a 3 and control it most are not going for long par 5s in two. 4. Only really need the distance of a 3 off the tee if you can really belt the driver as all WRXers can.

[Danny Young]

I carry a 5 wood and love it . It is by far the best club in my bag its an rbz stage 2 19 degree with a fubuki in it , i can hit so many different shots with it over the 3 wood and it is only around 15 yards shorter in the summer which for me doesnt make much of a difference maybe a clubs worth. I have had a few fairway woods this year and nothing gets close to the rbz 5 wood.

[matchavez]

Most people only carry a 3-wood as their chicken-stick. Something more 5 or 4-woodish is a lot more versatile.

There's no doubt; if you can hit a 3 from the fairway, you should bag one. However, most 3-woods today aren't like that. They are secondary drivers. If you're really in control of your game, that's great. Do it.

If you can't hit your driver with confidence, yet you pull a 3-wood with authority off the tee, your driver shaft is too long.

[cardoustie]

[quote name='matchavez' timestamp='1449501095' post='12690362']
Most people only carry a 3-wood as their chicken-stick. Something more 5 or 4-woodish is a lot more versatile.

There's no doubt; if you can hit a 3 from the fairway, you should bag one. However, most 3-woods today aren't like that. They are secondary drivers. If you're really in control of your game, that's great. Do it.

If you can't hit your driver with confidence, yet you pull a 3-wood with authority off the tee, your driver shaft is too long.
[/quote]

My 3 wood is a secondary driver for sure. it goes straight and won\'t go left.

My driver is a high draw.club. Different shots altogether. I was a 4w guy for years and just went back to my youth with the 3w and 5w combo. For me my 5w goes as far as a 4w . .but my 4w does not go nearly as far as my 3w if that makes sense

[Sunster]

I use a 4 wood. On average goes as far as my 3 wood minus the fluffed shots I would occasionally get with the 3w. Easier to get in the air and more importantly simply easier to keep in play. Play whatever you feel more confident with because that's what really matters

[rennsport27]

Hadn't played any woods for years until I picked up a 5w this year. Wanted it for shorter holes that the driver would get me in trouble with. I tend to be a longer but somewhat wild player, and can't seem to make consistent contact with the driver if I try and slow my swing down. I figured I wanted a club that was significantly shorter than my driver, and was easier to hit off the deck. I can get about 225-250 out of it if its working that day, and don't really see the need to hit anything further than that. My only complaint is that the ball goes very high, but I also keep a 2 iron around for 200+ yard shots that need to stay low. Figure the 2 iron is more versatile than the 3 wood, and is worth using.

[setter02]

[quote name='StackinChips' timestamp='1449268707' post='12681588']
try a 4 wood...best of both worlds
[/quote]

They are called 3 HL's according to TM... Come on, get with the times.

[gettingworse]

[quote name='setter02' timestamp='1449502616' post='12690442']
[quote name='StackinChips' timestamp='1449268707' post='12681588']
try a 4 wood...best of both worlds
[/quote]

They are called 3 HL's according to TM... Come on, get with the times.
[/quote]

Next generation will be called 5LL in the US, badged 4ML in Europe and only Japan will be getting the 3HL. They forgot that the US market only buys into low launch, the Europeans will get dog's abuse if their clubs are seen as exotic and the Japanese just like to be different.
Think the 2016 Japanese spec 3HL M1 stage 2 TP tour will be really sought after on this forum.

[setter02]

[quote name='gettingworse' timestamp='1449506273' post='12690672']
[quote name='setter02' timestamp='1449502616' post='12690442']
[quote name='StackinChips' timestamp='1449268707' post='12681588']
try a 4 wood...best of both worlds
[/quote]

They are called 3 HL's according to TM... Come on, get with the times.
[/quote]

Next generation will be called 5LL in the US, badged 4ML in Europe and only Japan will be getting the 3HL. They forgot that the US market only buys into low launch, the Europeans will get dog's abuse if their clubs are seen as exotic and the Japanese just like to be different.
[b]Think the 2016 Japanese spec 3HL M1 stage 2 TP tour will be really sought after on this forum.[/b]
[/quote]

I agree. I'm really looking forward to testing out the new ultra lightweight 96g, mid spin, sub-terrainian launching proprietary shaft that they are developing just for this club. Its going to be a real game changer in the hands of the average golfer with the new average CS speed being measured by what Ball speed was once know as to make people feel bigger. Ball speed will now be know as 'ew-wife's head on a stick speed' because all golfers wives will leave them as the butt end of the shaft will also serve other purposes. Watch out for those graphite slivers.

[kblahey]

I ditched my Cobra Amp Cell 3-4 wood for the 5-7 model last year and have never looked back. Best move I ever did

[Texsport]

I reckon this is mostly about how good and long a ball striker you are.

! - really long - +/- 300 yd tee shots - you need a 3 wood to maximize your advantage and to hit off the tee on narrow driving holes.
2 - moderately long - 250-270 yd tee shots - you might need a 3 wood to stretch as far as you can on short par5s and long par3s, if you are a good ball striker.( Can go with or without in this group)
3 - less than 250 yd tee shots - you don't need a 3 wood and a 5 wood is more consistent.

As we age, our club selections change to keep our distance gaps correct.

When I was young - Driver, 3W, 1I-SW,P
Later-------------------- Driver, 3W, 5W, 3I-PW,GW,SW,P
Now-------------------- Driver, 3W, 4W, 21* H, 5I- PW,GW,SW,LW,P

My wife's bag-------- Driver, 3W,5W,7W,9W, 5I-PW,SW,Chipper,P

Texsport

[ElJefe26]

[quote name='matchavez' timestamp='1449501095' post='12690362']
Most people only carry a 3-wood as their [b]chicken-stick[/b]. Something more 5 or 4-woodish is a lot more versatile.

There's no doubt; if you can hit a 3 from the fairway, you should bag one. However, most 3-woods today aren't like that. They are secondary drivers. If you're really in control of your game, that's great. Do it.

If you can't hit your driver with confidence, yet you pull a 3-wood with authority off the tee, your driver shaft is too long.
[/quote]

Ha-ha!! Love that term! And you just described my 3-wood's main function. I mostly use it off the tee when the driver isn't going well, which is often. I rarely use a 3-wood off the turf, not because I can't, but because I rarely have a need. From the turf, I rarely need to cover a shot more than 235, and I can deal with that with a 5-wood.

[PouncePony]

If you don't use the 3-wood off the tee, I would ditch it and use a 4 or 5 wood.

If you do want to hit the wood off the tee, you would be giving up significant yardage going with a 5 wood.

If you are hoping to hit greens, go with the 5 wood. Want more distance, 4 wood.

[flopshot99]

Age not as key as you think..guy 61 swings driver 107mph..it's why guys should watch LPGA as they sequence correctly

[cloudy_cloud]

I use a [color=#282828]5 wood and then approximately a 4 hybrid. The 5 wood is longer and easier for me off a tee if needed.[/color]