Looking for a hot, easy to hit off the deck, rocket launching 3 wood. Best models over the last 10 years or so

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

If you want to use it as a driver, perhaps bias toward clubs that come in a 13° head. I like the 0311 I've got, but it didn't really come to life until I tested it out with an idle driver shaft.

See, I had a smoke yellow in it, and that was fine, but in spite of matching my rhythm it was a different motion to get the results I liked, and so I went to the similarly weighted Riptide (a bit long, but just for kicks) and launching that sucker into the air at the 11.5° setting was pure gold suddenly off the deck. Put it on a tee and it's a cannon!

Now,  I'm not suggesting a shaft pairing, but just that getting your ideal shaft pairing with any head is going to be critical to getting the most out of it.

 

[TonyRo]

24 minutes ago, jholz said:

Good gravy dude... we are all just trying to be helpful. 

 

Yes, I'm sure OP found your comment in the "which 3 woods should I look into" thread tremendously helpful. I'm sure that it never occurred to him that his driver COULD be improved. 😁

 

Anyway, one old club to look into if you're into the hybrid/3-wood off the tee would be the Adams Idea Super LS. It was kind of a 1-hybrid if I recall correctly, lofted down at 15* and over 41" long. If you like hybrids and you have that kind of speed, that one is STILL a bomber to this day. Adams was ahead of their time in that segment of clubs, I think. They are probably gonna be a smidge tougher to find than something like a Sim2 Ti, however. I'd second the Stealth 2+ as well, it seems like the general consensus is that one REALLY sends it. 

[zeebot]

The original Srixon zx or the zx mkii 

I don’t have the swing speed you do and on two special days I carried one 250…. I tried a ping 430 this year and couldn’t carry it 220 

[jomatty]

Srixon zx is affordable and really good.

[jholz]

40 minutes ago, TonyRo said:

 

Yes, I'm sure OP found your comment in the "which 3 woods should I look into" thread tremendously helpful. I'm sure that it never occurred to him that his driver COULD be improved. 😁

 

Anyway, one old club to look into if you're into the hybrid/3-wood off the tee would be the Adams Idea Super LS. It was kind of a 1-hybrid if I recall correctly, lofted down at 15* and over 41" long. If you like hybrids and you have that kind of speed, that one is STILL a bomber to this day. Adams was ahead of their time in that segment of clubs, I think. They are probably gonna be a smidge tougher to find than something like a Sim2 Ti, however. I'd second the Stealth 2+ as well, it seems like the general consensus is that one REALLY sends it. 

 

All right dude, you want practical advice...

 

Callaway DOT 13* with Graffalloy Tour Blue. Best 3w and shaft combo of all time. 

 

Now, you just have to learn to hit it like Stenson. 

 

It ain't hard to do.  

[gvogel]

2 hours ago, jholz said:

 

Um yeah...dude should have addressed that problem long ago. 

 

The question signals frustration and cluelessness.

OP can play golf however they want.

 

But, those who want to truly progress learn how to hit driver. 

Sometimes we have driver issues - particularly those of us who have experienced driver yips.  A fairway club off the tee can compensate and allow us to play some decent golf.  I had that issue this summer.  Tried playing a mini driver.  Late in the summer I invested in a Ventus TR Red 5R shaft, and all of a sudden I could feel the club and got some tempo back in my game.  It came together even better when I put an old 910 D2 12* head on the Ventus.  Magic returned, I was able to hit a majority of drives down the middle of the fairway.  So stuff happens.

 

I just hope it carries over into next summer!

[jholz]

24 minutes ago, gvogel said:

Sometimes we have driver issues - particularly those of us who have experienced driver yips.  A fairway club off the tee can compensate and allow us to play some decent golf.  I had that issue this summer.  Tried playing a mini driver.  Late in the summer I invested in a Ventus TR Red 5R shaft, and all of a sudden I could feel the club and got some tempo back in my game.  It came together even better when I put an old 910 D2 12* head on the Ventus.  Magic returned, I was able to hit a majority of drives down the middle of the fairway.  So stuff happens.

 

I just hope it carries over into next summer!

 

Yeah, I feel you. All of us are struggling with the game - whether it is overall or just a particular part. I have deep, deep sympathy. 

 

I'm also a student of Marx, so any consumerist solution to problems is anathema to my general approach to the world. 

 

And, I'd say golf is the perfect forum to test that premise. We all know, deep down, that we can't buy a better game. A new club is fun, but never the ultimate solution. 

 

If you don't know that yet - you just haven't bought enough golf equipment.

So, I'm always going to resort to the fundamentals of the swing and technique. Do those things properly, and you can make any club work. 

 

As a result, when I hear someone say "I can't hit driver, but if I just throw a ball down and hit 3w off the deck it goes fine..."

 

That ain't an equipment issue. That's totally mental. If you are that far out of the norms, you are doing something crazy. It ain't the right path. 

 

As always, this is just one average idiot's opinion. Take what you will from it.  

Edited November 1, 2023 by jholz

[kwcsports]

If you hit hybrid 250, you'll hit a 3 wood 270+. No need for a driver.

[tipperi]

Another vote for Sim Ti

For a budget option, OG Callaway Rogue

[mark98ca]

Cobra F9 14.5 or Sim max rocket. Both are great 3 wood and easy to hit. F9 is the easiest to hit

[Ajota]

I like my Stealth2 HL.

[Pym]

4 hours ago, jholz said:

 

Um yeah...dude should have addressed that problem long ago. 

 

The question signals frustration and cluelessness.

OP can play golf however they want.

 

But, those who want to truly progress learn how to hit driver. 

Oh no, someone needs to get in touch with the former world #1, British Open, US Open champion, who’s still playing on tour without a driver to this day. 

[miles2go]

I’m still playing a 2013 Callaway Optiforce fairway. Been in the bag for at least 8 years. No annoying adjustment screws to collect dirt. Kind of a narrow profile so great off the deck. Rarely use it off the tee but no distance issues compared to anything newer that I have tried.  (Amazing after 10 years of COR improvement). Mine’s got a Kuro Kage shaft. Maybe it just suits me.  I keep trying new Pings and TM’s but nothing knocks it out of the bag. 

[vman]

Callaway x2 Hot 3 Deep or OG Sim Ti.

[jda]

Every company has 2 or 3 wood that can do this.  Know your game.  For me, it is heavy and more stiff shaft and the wider, shallower face heads.  IMO, 2/3/4/5 woods have the least separation between then between brands than any other club.  I am playing TSi3 15 degree - there are probably a dozen others that would do the same thing.

 

You could also try those larger 2 woods that companies are selling as mini drivers.  I don't know how easy that they are to hit off of the deck, but they hit off of the tee more like a 3 wood than a driver.

[jholz]

2 hours ago, Pym said:

Oh no, someone needs to get in touch with the former world #1, British Open, US Open champion, who’s still playing on tour without a driver to this day. 

Oh man, is that guy posting to this forum? Am I actually responding to that unicorn?

 

If so, man, forgive me.

 

I did not realise I was in that level of company...

[hook_or_slice]

22 hours ago, slantsflood said:

....and hit my old 2 hybrid rbz and smoke it.....

 I'd start by looking at an RBZ 3 wood.

[Sparky14]

I'll be the 2nd person to recommend the Tommy Armour Atomic 3 wood. It is my favorite ever.

 

Oh wait, that was me before too. OK, I'll be the 1st person to recommend it twice.

[slantsflood]

10 hours ago, jholz said:

 

Um yeah...dude should have addressed that problem long ago. 

 

The question signals frustration and cluelessness.

OP can play golf however they want.

 

But, those who want to truly progress learn how to hit driver. 

It's ok Jholz, and I agree with your comments.  There was a time long ago I had time to practice and play.  Now we have 4 kids, 2 lower back surgeries, and life changed lol.  I just like to have fun and play maybe 6 times a year if I'm lucky with the kids schedules.  Really appreciate everyone's comments in this thread.  And thank you for understanding!  

[Bobb3rdown]

Sim ti is very easy to hit off the deck.

[getitdaily]

7 hours ago, jholz said:

 

Yeah, I feel you. All of us are struggling with the game - whether it is overall or just a particular part. I have deep, deep sympathy. 

 

I'm also a student of Marx, so any consumerist solution to problems is anathema to my general approach to the world. 

 

And, I'd say golf is the perfect forum to test that premise. We all know, deep down, that we can't buy a better game. A new club is fun, but never the ultimate solution. 

 

If you don't know that yet - you just haven't bought enough golf equipment.

So, I'm always going to resort to the fundamentals of the swing and technique. Do those things properly, and you can make any club work. 

 

As a result, when I hear someone say "I can't hit driver, but if I just throw a ball down and hit 3w off the deck it goes fine..."

 

That ain't an equipment issue. That's totally mental. If you are that far out of the norms, you are doing something crazy. It ain't the right path. 

 

As always, this is just one average idiot's opinion. Take what you will from it.  

Yikes

[TNwanabe]

The Ping G425 3 wood is terrific. Even on days when you are not sharp it treats you very fairly. 

[st1800e]

I think someone mentioned it,  2018 Rogue 3+.  Gotta have the right shaft though.  

[Pym]

4 hours ago, jholz said:

Oh man, is that guy posting to this forum? Am I actually responding to that unicorn?

 

If so, man, forgive me.

 

I did not realise I was in that level of company...

lol no she’s not posting in this forum but if it’s true that people will never be great golfers if they hesitate to bag a driver then someone needs to let her know quick. Or, maybe, she already proved that not everyone does need to bag a driver to be great 🤔 

[DrizZzY22]

I never played one, because it launched to low for me, but the Sim 2 Ti is absolutely a rocket launcher. 

Edited November 2, 2023 by DrizZzY22
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