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Taking the Driver out of the bag...

I have never been able to hit a Driver consistantly so I went to the 3 Wood long ago. I was not as long as my driver but my FIR's were much better. Depending on the length of the hole sometimes I was at a disadvantage and had to use a longer iron.

This year after getting my bag straightened out I opted for a TM R11 T3 14* and hit it about the same distance as I would a driver. I still take a driver to the range but mostly for laughs.
 
dmb012 said:
That is where I am at. I tried using my 3 wood a lot when I played over the weekend. I ended up being about 160-170 out from the green. This is not that bad, but I seem to set myself up better from 150 in to the green. I was playing a course that was 6193 on a cold day. I was only getting about 225 out of my 3 wood. I felt like I would have to play under 6000 to get to the 150 mark to give my self a chance at having a birdie putt on most greens.
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Okay, I think I am getting a little confused. Maybe the average distances at your courses are very different than those around me though.

Lets say you are getting 225 out of your 3 wood as you said.
At 6200 yard course, I am guessing most of the par 4s would be in the 365-375 range with a few that are 400 or so.
That would leave 140-150 on most of the shots in correct?
400 x 14 holes would be 5600 just on its own without the par 5s and par 3s.
 
I've had plenty of rounds where I just use the 3w off the tee. For the most part there isn't a big gaping difference for me.
 
JB said:
Okay, I think I am getting a little confused. Maybe the average distances at your courses are very different than those around me though.

Lets say you are getting 225 out of your 3 wood as you said.
At 6200 yard course, I am guessing most of the par 4s would be in the 365-375 range with a few that are 400 or so.
That would leave 140-150 on most of the shots in correct?
400 x 14 holes would be 5600 just on its own without the par 5s and par 3s.
Click to expand...


Scorecard

Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9OUT
Par54354343435
Black5144341865133731754071833443129
Blue4864041624733561513901643222908
White4643671384313351253631542962673
Gold4173221193983041123531442632432
Handicap7313911151517
Ladies Par54354343435
White4643671384313351253631542962673
Gold4173221193983041123531442632432
Red354272100270279923011152382021


Hole 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18INTOTAL
Par4435443543671
Black43541322253238836522350539734986609
Blue41839820251437034120347936032856193
White31036417748131932816746934129565629
Gold28933415445523029213540331726095041
Handicap26121416188410
Ladies Par4435443543671
White31036317748131932816746934129565629
Gold28933415445523029213540331726095041
Red26329413343720627011039229724024423



Here is a copy of the scorecard. I played the blues. I guess I did have some closer in to the greens, but I guess I only the long ones stick out to me. What is your hole yardage point when you change from a 3 wood to a driver?
 
DMB - I only use my driver approximately 4x per round at my home course. A bunch of 3 woods and 3 hybrids for me. Personally, unless you are just a very straight driver of the ball I see a big upside to play 3w and keeping the ball in play MORE (notice I did not say all of the time) as compared to the driver. And, for me, that means only a loss of 20-30 yards which does not hurt me at all on holes up to 360 or 370.
 
I tend to use a 3 wood fairly often from the tee especially when control is more a premium than usual. to answer your questions.

How many people have considered or do only use a 3 wood during their rounds? I've considered it and have done it on several occasions. Did it at Harbourtown and did it in a torunament last year. Course wasn't long but tight and it was total target golf.

What yardages are you playing from? Anywhere from 6500 - 7000+

If you use only your 3 wood, does this cause you have to use longer irons in to the greens? Not really.. I would say longest has been a 5 iron in... not that it matters cause I hit 4 iron and 3 hybrid/iron real well. On holes that are par 4's and say 450 I hit 3 wood or in my case 4 wood 250-260 so it leaves 190-200 in.

Does this give you more FIRs and less GIRs? I'm pretty accurate with driver when it comes to FIRs in the first place (over 80%) but with the 4 wood it's that much better. It leads to more GIR for sure.

Alex
 
dmb012 said:
Here is a copy of the scorecard. I played the blues. I guess I did have some closer in to the greens, but I guess I only the long ones stick out to me. What is your hole yardage point when you change from a 3 wood to a driver?
Click to expand...

I dont have a hole yardage point. Its about the hole, what areas can cause trouble to me and playing the course the best way it suits my game to the lowest score. If that means a hybrid off the tee and a 5 iron in, I am okay with that, if it means lower numbers.
 
I use driver on a lot of our holes as they are long enough, and wide enough. But there are a couple that have some sort of hazard, so I like 3 wood, or maybe even iron. We play right at 7000 yards, but we have some shorter par 4's where accuracy is a big factor. One is 380, but has a fairway bunker right in the middle of the fairway at 100 yards from the green. 3 wood usually won't get to the bunker, so just makes sense for me. But there is also a couple of 460 yard par 4's that kill you if you do get all the distance you can.
 
JB said:
I dont have a hole yardage point. Its about the hole, what areas can cause trouble to me and playing the course the best way it suits my game to the lowest score. If that means a hybrid off the tee and a 5 iron in, I am okay with that, if it means lower numbers.
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I get what you are saying. I guess I just need to learn to analyze my holes better. I think I tend to pull the driver more than I should. Maybe I should not go after a full round of just 3 wood, but try and use it more often than I do now. Thanks.
 
I'm not sure if I could do this. Right now I only have a 4 wood and I don't hit it great off the tee as of right now. I would love to try a deeper-faced 3 wood off the tee though, because I think my tee game could really benefit from it.
 
Thainer said:
I mean that strictly for par 4s though, Par 5s are a whole different animals (and much easier) when thought out and played as three shot holes.
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Yeah I try and do that most of the time. If I happen to be around 200 out with no trouble around the green. I will sometimes go for it.
 
Grant, I've seen you hit your driver, there's no reason why you shouldn't be hitting it. You hit it consistently well. I didn't have a driver in the bag up until about 2 years ago. I exclusively teed off with a 3wood all the time, and playing from the yardages I do now. I was not in positions to hit lots of wedges in to greens and when I decided to take golf more seriously, it was my focus: hitting a driver consistently. I use to struggle so bad with a slice it was frustrating, and it was costing me strokes. I could shoot decent scores with the 3wood only approach but when you can utilize a driver, you put yourself in positions to increase your proximity to the hole on approach shots. I pretty much let the hole decide my option off the tee. Look at how many of the holes at Broadmoor I was hitting 3wood/hybrid whereas you were hitting your driver.
 
JB said:
I dont have a hole yardage point. Its about the hole, what areas can cause trouble to me and playing the course the best way it suits my game to the lowest score. If that means a hybrid off the tee and a 5 iron in, I am okay with that, if it means lower numbers.
Click to expand...

I agree with what JB said it depends on where the trouble is if I have OB left and water right and it is a 400 yd hole I would rather hit 3 wood or 3 hybrid and have a long iron in. I know my misses with 3wd and hybrid are a lot closer to where I aim then if I miss with driver. And also you have to think about carries, etc. With a normal hole I tend to play over 400 = driver 350-375 = 3 wood and below 350 = 3 hybrid.

JC
 
it depends a lot on the actual hole weather to go 3w or drive... If it's a "go for it and maybe be in trouble" situation, i'd rather 3w and then have a good spot for the 2nd shot, rather than be in the thick with a less than idea shot.
 
When I first started golfing I teed off with a Nike CPR Resue club. I didnt even own a driver.
 
How many people have considered or do only use a 3 wood during their rounds?
Haven't considered it, though sometimes I'll pull a 3w when others are hitting driver, for strategy reasons.

What yardages are you playing from?
Home course: Around 6200. I don't need my driver there, really.
Tournament courses: usually 6600+, sometimes up 7200-7300. Have to hit driver.

If you use only your 3 wood, does this cause you have to use longer irons in to the greens?
Yeah.

Does this give you more FIRs and less GIR
Probably more FIRs, doubtful about GIRs. Would probably be about the same, but proximity to the pin is a different matter.
 
TC said:
Grant, I've seen you hit your driver, there's no reason why you shouldn't be hitting it. You hit it consistently well. I didn't have a driver in the bag up until about 2 years ago. I exclusively teed off with a 3wood all the time, and playing from the yardages I do now. I was not in positions to hit lots of wedges in to greens and when I decided to take golf more seriously, it was my focus: hitting a driver consistently. I use to struggle so bad with a slice it was frustrating, and it was costing me strokes. I could shoot decent scores with the 3wood only approach but when you can utilize a driver, you put yourself in positions to increase your proximity to the hole on approach shots. I pretty much let the hole decide my option off the tee. Look at how many of the holes at Broadmoor I was hitting 3wood/hybrid whereas you were hitting your driver.
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You are another reason for my ponder. I guess I just need to play smarter and pull the 3 wood at places like Broadmoor more often. I would have a better shot at the green rather than playing out of the deep rough for missing the fairway a little bit. I think I just want to play smarter and quit taking opportunities away by not giving my self a good shot at the green. That day we played, you definitely out scored me, even though I was closer to the green each time. Where did you learn to hold back from? Did you get it out of a book or just over time?
 
It depends on the layout and several factors. The short answer is tee off with whichever club gives you the best chance of having a level lie in the fairway with a clear shot at the green. This decision can be more difficult on a golf course you don't know well which is one reason playing on an unfamiliar layout can cause some player's scores to blow up on an unfamiliar track. If you have played a golf course more than once or twice you will know what to hit from what tee without having to really think a lot about it. Always take a minute to think about the second shot - it is not the tee shot that matters as much as the next one you have to make.
 
I was forced to play with my 3 wood when I snapped the shaft on my driver on the 3rd hole. The one major thing I noticed was that I was able to play position golf. It was the first time that I can remember actually being able to plan out the hole. With my driver I usually just get up, swing and play depending on where it landed. With my 3 wood I was able to think, ok, if I play to the left side my approach to the green will be easier since I don't have to carry a bunker. It was a very eye opening experience and the first time I learned what course management actually means.
 
I actually hit my driver more than 3 wood and am more confident in it but I know it's something I need to work on this coming year(hitting woods off the tee and fairway) I remember before I got my burners and R9 driver I had graphite shafts in my wood. Well I couldn't hit the driver straight because of my SS so I would just hit my 3 wood all the time and would have no problem with it then it broke down in FL one year then I went to my 5 wood I had and then my dad said it was time for new clubs haha
 
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