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Hello I only use my G400 3 wood 14.5* off the tee. Was thinking of switching to a 13* Stretch.
Anyone play of compare the two? Thank you
Do you ever swing a driver or is the 3 wood the longest club within your bag ?
Would like to hear where you’re going with this and your rationale behind it since like the OP I too have been thinking about best club for a 2nd tee option.
If a player has a driver within the bag I think a 15* to 17* fairway, (call it 3 wood or 4 wood), makes good sense.
A 15* 3 wood makes an excellent "second driver". In fact , plenty of Tour pros and top level players will swing a 15* 3 metal off more tee boxes than they do a driver. For example, depending on the course, out of 14 par 4 or 5 tee boxes it may make good sense to swing 15* 3 wood off of 6 to 10 tee boxes and driver off of only 2 to 5 tee boxes.
A 13* fairway is essentially a 2-wood, and I think that club makes good sense if the player does not have a driver within the bag.
If a player has a both a driver and 2 wood within the bag he usually can't resist swinging driver so the 2 wood receives little play. Also, off the ground a 2-wood does not make good sense except from a perfect level lie.
In general terms I really, really like the idea of playing 2 wood or 3 wood off of tee boxes. The challenge for most players, though, is that if driver is in the bag they can't resist swinging it so the 2 or 3 wood never receives enough play from he tee boxes. The most practical solution to this issue is take driver out of the bag, but players don't want to do that.
Thanks, this makes perfect sense. I use my 15* 3 wood whenever it makes sense based on the hole, likely 4-5 times a round. I try and avoid using it off the deck, immediately regret it if I do the 1 time I try to every 2-3 rounds. Invariably the 5 wood is a better option off the deck.
Like the OP, I am now thinking whether a 2 wood is a better option for my bag since it will only be used to tee off. An additional benefit would be that a 3 wood off the deck will not be an option saving me a few shots.
In this scenario, where the FW is only used as a second tee option 4-5 times a round (never off the deck), what are your thoughts on:
1. 13* vs 15* FW. Any benefits of going with a 15* or some pros and cons to think about when deciding.
2. Would it make sense to use the same shaft as the driver for a tee only FW? I was fitted for my driver and it has performed very well for me over the last 3 yrs. Or is the tee-off FW a unique animal that requires a separate fitting?
2. Would it make sense to use the same shaft as the driver for a tee only FW? I was fitted for my driver and it has performed very well for me over the last 3 yrs. Or is the tee-off FW a unique animal that requires a separate fitting?
Regarding shaft (s), a fairway metal is typically shafted at about 1.5" to 2" shorter length than a driver. For conversation, call the driver length 45" and the 3 metal fairway 43".
While driver heads typically weight about 12 to 15 grams more than a 3 metal fairway head, the difference in shaft length usually dictates that a shaft for a 3 metal fairway be roughly 10 grams heavierthan one's driver shaft.
Like most players, you might find that a 65 gram shaft works well for your driver but that you prefer a 75 gram shaft for your fairway metals.
In addition to shaft weight differences, many players find they prefer the shafts playing profile of their fairway metals to be a bit different from their driver. For example, it's common for graphite shaft producers to make fairway shafts to be a touch softer character (to assist with gaining higher trajectory). This "shaft profile" decision , more so than shaft weight, is one which varies from player to player. Some players like their fairway shaft's to play more stout-rigid than their drivers, and others have the opposite preference. My own preference is to try and stay with the same brand of shaft, but maybe choose a different model shaft , with a slightly different profile and playing characteristic, for the driver versus fairway metal.
Whichever brand driver shaft you like, for your 3 metal fairway you might try that same brand-model in a 10 gram heavier version. Or, see if your driver's shaft brand offers another model or two which that company considers to be especially suitable for fairway metals.
Great information. Thank you for taking the time to write such detailed responses.
I read my reply to you and noticed a typo regarding driver head weight vs 3 metal fairway head weight. The driver has a lighter head.
But, your interest is in shafts, and for that subject it's true that having a 10 gram or so heavier fairway shaft (compared to the shaft within your driver) is most common.
Will need to do some testing on the shaft weight. Club Champion fit me into a 75 gm driver shaft (I feel 70 gm is the sweet spot for me). I’ve tried some 83-85 gm shafts in my FW and find they’re too heavy and hard work. Trying one closer to 80 gm right now and another one that’s 75 gm. So far liking the feel of the 75 gm much better. Need to get on a good launch monitor and get the numbers.
Going to stick with the 15* head.
If you are getting driver shot results you like, and enjoy swinging a 75 gram driver shaft there is absolutely nothing wrong with having 75 gram weight for your fairway shafts as well.
I don't believe you've posted the length of your driver , but 65 gram became a popular driver shaft weight only when drivers started being assembled at 45" or longer.
Players who prefer swinging a 44" driver often find they like 75 weight driver shafts.