This USELESS Club Is DAMAGING Your Golf Game!

[@Michaelsjpx]

I love my 3 wood use it both off the tee and fairway the 3 wood is staying in the bag

[@Mattfryergolf]

If it works keep it in!

[@donaldcook3273]

I agree on a par 5 it gives me the distance I need .

[@epicragegaming2016]

youtubers keep making these videos but the reality for many of us is the driver goes 240 yards in distance but 40 yards off line. the 3 wood goes 220 yards and 20 yards off line. we hit it bad, we aren't 7 handicaps. we are 20-30 handicaps. we stop using the driver not because we think 3 wood is better, we just think it can't be any worse.

[@DMKFACTOR]

You definitely have a point! Honestly at those levels you be better off using a mini driver or a driver with a loft of 11-12 degrees!

[@fretless05]

I was going to say the same. I slice my driver horribly, but don't slice my fairway woods. If my driver was 20-30 yards further but in the first cut as opposed to being in the fairway, I might agree with Matt, but the reality of 16 handicap golf means the difference between a 3W in play and a driver OB; in that case, the 3W is the choice every time.

[@fretless05]

@@DMKFACTOR I tried out the new BRNR mini driver and couldn't figure it out. It takes a different swing or something! Everything was either a decent launch angle and an absurd spin (like 6000 rpm), or 18 degree launch with decent spin. I couldn't get both launch and spin going at the same time.

[@CharlotteK2008]

But there is low handicappers watching this also. Stop speaking for yourself and get better at golf

[@fretless05]

@@CharlotteK2008 Get better? Gee, why didn't us high handicap players think of that?! Thanks! Regardless of your handicap, you need to realize that aggregate data means very little to any individual golfer.

[@mistersooty]

I have recently switched from 3 wood to 5 wood for pretty much all the reasons you mentioned. My 3 wood was a great club but it went nearly as far as my driver off the tee and I had no confidence off the fairway with it.

[@brianwaldo2642]

Yep, I ditched the 3 wood years ago and put. 4 (17*) wood and 7 (21*) wood in the bag. I also carry a 22* and 25* hybrid before transitioning to my irons. At 70 yrs old, this has been a much better combo for me.

[@Mattfryergolf]

Great setup

[@jbweezer]

I'm 43 and I did the same thing. Why? Because I actually want to have fun while I play golf!

[@brianwaldo2642]

@@jbweezer yep, I should have been smarter and did this years earlier. Good move.

[@jeffsena9140]

I am a senior golfer and I replaced my three wood with a five wood. I also carry a seven wood. I just could hit the three wood as easily as my five wood and the gain in distance wasn’t offset by lack of versatility and accuracy. I only hit my five wood about 170 and seven wood 150 but I stay in play! My playing partners have began saying “ are you going to hit your pitching wood, seven again” because I often hit the green with it!

[@JohnUssher-jk2qo]

My 3 wood is my favourite and most consistent club. 10 year old Cobra at 16 degrees, that I picked up second hand on a whim not that long ago. Absolutely love it, and it has saved my arse so many times. For some reason I find it more confidence inducing than my 5 wood (which I do use more out of the rough to be fair) behind the ball. I always struggled with fairway woods, but for some reason I don't seem to be able to hit this club badly.

[@DannyBoy-jy1kq]

Got rid of my driver and my 3 wood. Got one of those mini drivers and a 2 iron. Enjoying it a lot more.

[@MrJohnnyb74]

Matt, thank you for making this video. It finally showed me why a 5 wood is better than a 3 wood. I replaced my 3 wood with a 5 wood and it is so much easier to hit, launches higher and goes straighter. I play a parkland style course with a lot of tree trouble and tricky par 4s and look forward to a good 2024 with this club in my bag. Cheers!

[@perengstrom3414]

I ditched the 3W, and added a Cleveland wide sole Chipper. The Cleveland wide sole Chipper with bounce is so much more versatile compared to the classic sharp edge chippers. More value in the bag than a 3W for most golfers. I get by perfectly fine with a 18 degree club as longest club. Part of the golfing fun to mix things up in the bag, testing new ways of doing things, evolve as a golfer. :)

[@Mattfryergolf]

Good use of the available space in the bag!

[@nehiyawgolf4272]

I removed my 3wood this year & added a 4hybrid. So far in the simulator it's a huge plus. So much easier to launch the ball and confidence over the ball is everything.

[@nicpaolo7940]

I just took the 3 wood out of the bag for a U505 1 iron. It’s mainly just an off the tee club. Fade driver, draw 3 wood. Can do both with the 1 iron, so 3 wood will sit in a shelf for awhile. 4 iron might be next. Another u505? Maybe another hybrid? What do you think Matt?

[@rikclarke4881]

It seems to me that the main reason the dispersion percentages are so close D vs 3w is that there is a large practice disparity between the two. We pound the driver all day at the range and ignore the 3w because we're pissed off at it anyway. Your thoughts?

[@ustulo3488]

My thoughts as well. In my opinion a 3 wood is easier to hit than a long iron for most people. Many people don't practice hitting a 3 wood enough which I believe is a crucial club in certain situations.

[@chrispearce9224]

Nice video Matt. For my courses, the driver is only useful from the tee box. The 3-wood is useful from the tee box and from the rough.....1st cut, 2nd cut rough. I find myself using driving iron or 3-wood off the tees way, way more than driver. So for my purposes the driver would be best left out of the bag.

[@Keef1664]

My driver is an inch shorter than standard and probably the most reliable club in my bag! I use a 4 wood off the deck. It's probably the length of the driver that most people struggle with.

[@jwdecosta]

I am 77, so distance has been slowly coming down over the years. My club is definitely one of the top 10% more difficult tracks in the country where placement is extremely important as well as distance, trouble is lurking everywhere. I have a driver, a 3+ wood and a 5 wood. Off the tee they are about 40 yards apart from 5 to driver so from 200 to 240 after throwing out the wind blown drives of 265 or the185 shots into the wind of the 5. Why carry 3 clubs? Because as inconsistent as I am as a 14 handicap playing from 6500 yards, I never know which is going to behave the best 🤷🏻

[@holmer9413]

I love my 3 & my 5 woods today but I spent a lot of years not bothering to carry a fairway wood. One day I decided I was missing out and made a point of fixing that and today I'm hitting them like Stensen. Well, not THAT good but they aren't a big failure point for me anymore. Had the same problem with hybrids early on but today I love them. They really are far more forgiving. Along with those two fairway woods my bag today has a 4, 5, & 6 hybrid in it and my long game is far better for it.

[@Mattfryergolf]

Sounds like a good setup!

[@andrewrayner3140]

This is bang on - if you have a properly fit driver and can hit it OK then 3 wood is a wasted club for most people. I’m moving to 5 wood cranked down to 4, then straight to hybrid and maybe a driving iron in summer conditions.

[@mandrewcurry9416]

I love my 3W (Ping G425 16*).- launch, distance, shape, etc. I've got a 5W shaft in it. It indeed goes 25-30 yrds less than driver.and really impresses when struck well AND... there are occasionally days I can't hit it to save my life. I have 2 hybrid (4 @ 22* and a 5 @ 26) which I have loads of fun shot shaping with from 145-200. All good points you make in this video and I've often wondered about changing to a 5W head just for kicks.

[@SunsTo7]

Hello Matt,I am a new player and I don't own a 3 wood but have recently purchased a 5 wood by Callaway Epic and it hits beautifully. I was glad to hear your results.

[@ramsin6938]

Great content Matt ! Unfortunately, I couldn’t get along with my 3 wood , so I swapped it out for a Taylormade 13.5 degree BRNR MINI DRIVER. It is brilliant off the tee and I use a Cleveland XL HALO Hywood 3 hybrid off the deck or off the tee for shorter holes. I still use a PING G430 MAX 9 degree driver but only use it for wider fairways with little or no trouble. Cheers.

[@je1279]

I ditched my 3 and 5 woods for a 4 wood a few years ago and added another wedge to the bag. My main reason for the change was the 4 wood was much easier to hit off the deck than the 3 wood while still being equally effective off the tee.

[@josephwirtz8352]

This is the comment I was looking for. How is your 4 wood distance compared to the 3 and 5 woods?

[@je1279]

@josephwirtz8352 I have a Rogue 4 wood and distance off the tee is nearly the same as my old 3 wood. I never hit my old 5 wood well, and for whatever reason, I find the 4 wood to be much easier to hit off the deck. Hopefully, this is helpful for you.

[@josephwirtz8352]

@@je1279 That is helpful, thank you!

[@SePhO11]

I dont carry a driver, cant find one i get on with, i play 3 wood as my off the tee club, its turned down to 13degrees, maybe its worth a look at a mini driver.

[@Da.Onus.Burger.618]

I carry a driver and (what I’m calling) a mini-driver in place of a 3wood. It’s an old Orlimar Trimetal 10.5 driver that has rails along the bottom; works great out of the fairway, too!

[@Mattfryergolf]

Yep or a high lofted driver

[@cromity5]

I loved my 3w until I watched this video! I now need to go and re gap my woods and see if I actually need it or if I should bin it and add the 2i back in. (I'm one of those oddballs that carry 4 woods and 4 wedges but I'm now wondering why!)

[@Desmo-]

I recently pulled the 3w and 3i fairway and now have a 5w and 7w I have been having much better results with them. I am 67 and do not get as high of a lunch angle as before.

[@8dragonsx]

I have a 3W in my bag and need it on most Par 5’s. Fortunately I hit it well from the fairway. Once in a while I use it off the tee on certain holes with centerline bunkers that I can reach but cannot carry with my driver. All-in-all I find it useful. But I never choose it based on fairway width as I hit my driver just as straight as my 3W (doesn’t mean that I hit all the fairways but I’m equally wild with both)

[@scottwilliamrichards3307]

Have not had a driver in my bag for 12 months now i have slowed down my swing and now out hit my fellow players. Plus in Perth most of our par 4's are around 400 metres not 400 yards + i use a 5,7 and a 9 wood. Since I have been using my 3 wood now off the tee for 5 months now inow average 240 metres carry rolling out to 260

[@babatundeososanya5769]

I carry a 12 degree SIM 2 MAX D driver 21 deg SIM 7 wood 5&6 Adams hybrids then 7-SW. Thinking about getting a chipper though my 6 hybrid does the job. I'm 70

[@TheAdamneal]

Ive ditched the 3 wood, put a strong loft on my 5 and 7 to be more like a 4 & 6 wood. Top content

[@andrewleventis8341]

good video Matt, Im going through the same problem, I think a hybrid for 3w makes sense as I have a 5w

[@timothyedmundson]

I use a Ping 5 wood cranked down to 16.5 (4 Wood) as I like it slightly flatter sitting. Then 2 iron and 21 degree hybrid, then 5 iron

[@jeremyhatch855]

Since I rarely use my 3-wood from the fairway, I swapped it for a mini driver, and I carry a 16° hybrid. My driving accuracy has definitely improved with the combination of my driver and mini driver, and my hybrid goes far enough to cover the 3-wood. I doubt I'll ever go back to the 3-wood

[@rogb3199]

Just today I ditched driver for the first time. Using 14.5° 3w off a little red tee. Better dispersion, 20 less yards. Don't like it off the tight fairway so I have my 18.5° 5w for that which I have confidence in off most lies. Maybe one day I'll go back to driver...

[@Chris54321]

High handicapers unfortunately find themselves with a long shot into a long par 4 or could struggle to reach a long par 5 in 3 if they duff one or two. Lol. At that point, the 3 wood helps them to get closer to the green so those statistics kick in. I have an old Adams Tight Lie 3 wood that just seems to do the job when needed. One size doesn't fit all and plenty of pros still carry a 3 wood.

[@Golfing-AddiCt]

Here here.... A 3 wood is a valuable tool for so many golfers of so many levels, modern 3 woods are an absolute joy to hit and help greatly to advance the ball towards the awaiting green.... To get rid of the 3 wood leaves a gap, to then fill that gap with a hifly or long iron only makes the game harder for many, to leave that gap for a 4th wedge seems ludicrous, if you've purchased correctly, there won't be a gap between wedges and 9i and let's face it, if you can't play all the required shots with 3 wedges, then a 4th isnt going to help you.

[@dougiereid4205]

Great video and so true for most golfers. I still carry a 3 wood but as I age I believe the 5 wood is catching up to it. After watching this I am going to rethink what's in my bag for this coming year. thanks Matt

[@davidcavon637]

I carry driver, 3w and three hybrids. The 3w is primarily off the deck on long par 4's and par 5's...usually it's around 190+ yards, sometimes a bit more. It's a great club if you don't ask too much of it. On drives I always use the driver and there are techniques to ensure fairways hit. I'll never be in my prime again, so I do what works to have the most enjoyable game possible.

[@Zachary_Bird]

I have a 3-4wood (Cobra F8+) it has a great penetrating flight and is my go to shot into the wind.

[@SteenBr]

Totalt agree, I Carey a 4-wood, but the go-to-club is My Heavenwood, 20-degree with same length shaft as the 4w...next will be a 9w in stead of my rescue.

[@DFowlesVWID7Tourer]

I am a bit of a freak in that I ditched the 3 Wood some years ago and refreshed my irons which now run from a 4 Iron down (noting a modern 4 iron performs as well as my previous 3 iron). This saving has allowed be to gae an extra wedge which really helps with scoring but also allows me to carry a 2 Hybrid and a 2 Iron. Sounds a bit weird but my course is very windy and I have a good swing speed for the 2 Iron so it comes into play to run the ball under the wind. The 2 Hybrid is utilised for those trickier lies, for putting off the green, bump and runs, in the tree punch outs and of course how it is supposed to be used. I have found that have versatile clubs that you can use at both ends of the bag has the biggest impact on the game. Get yourself a good driver that you have confidence in but spend more time practicing with full, 2/4 and 1/2 shots with the bottom end of the bag.

[@dirtyoffroader2093]

I use my 3 wood alot, it's a 13° dailed down to 12° (so basically a mini driver) but I find it's alot more controlled and consistent in both distance and dispersion than my driver. I personally love the launch on mine and use it on both tee and fairways. Best club decision I made a few years ago 👍

[@garrytaggart2431]

Hi Matt I much prefer my 3 wood off the tee rather than my driver. i use a 26dg hybrid & 22dg 7 wood when in the light rough. Also my 3 wood is bullet straight 80% of the time. And distance over the other players drivers is very close. except for some who are big hitters.

[@stevie-jayjohnson2101]

Couldn't agree more 👏 I ditched my 3 wood as I can hit the 5 wood just as far if not further just like in your video. And I've got an extra wedge 👍 Driver 5 wood Hybrid 5,6,7,8,9,PW,GW,52,56,60

[@Steve-sl2xp]

Interesting. I carry a 3W but slice it half the time. My 3Hybrid is much more reliable. Not thought to try a 5W!

[@rol1in0n20s]

I've never carried a 3 wood. My entire adult life it's been driver straight down to 2 hybrid, for a long time I had 3 and 4 irons but then eight or ten years ago I bought an iron set that was 5-P so I filled in with 3 and 4 hybrid.

[@gerhardprasent3358]

I ve got driver, 3w (rarely used), 5w often used, and hybrid 22° regularily used, even for putting around the green. I use the 3w only when distance is needed off the fairway (and often top it) 😬 - much prefer the 5w, but with irons 5-9, PW, GW, SW, LW, putter I'm served with 14 clubs, so why sort the 3w out?

[@chrism8013]

This is amazing food for thought, and thank you for posting this!! In all honesty, after watching this, I kind of felt the same, but always thought I was wrong, as I am not a professional or a golf guru. You have proven my thoughts. The 5W is a much more versatile club. Ditching the 3W also saves a few hundred off a new set of clubs. Have 10 year old set with a 3W, I think I've used it, literally 4 or 5 times in those 10 years. Getting fit for a new set next month, will NOT be including a 3W.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

your thoughts on the 16 degree Taylormade Qi10 Max 3 wood or a 17 degree 4 woods from PXG Black Ops which would be more useful and easier to hit off the deck ? i already have the Qi10 Max 7 wood thx great review cheers from Canada

[@derbananenliebendepavian8721]

Hi Matt, so why are you having a 3 (or 4) wood in the bag? This is not meant to be an offense; I'm just curious what good reasons are there for using a 3 wood? Great video, great content. Thank you very much!

[@fraserh3716]

I find 3 wood useful for a specific layup off the tee (short of a hazard) or sometimes second shot to par 5s. It maybe gets used once or twice a round. Wouldn't say it's an essential club but has it's time and place

[@milton359]

I love hitting my 3 wood. I hit long and Fairley straight but i don't use it off the tee.

[@Wayne-7xgw]

No 3W in the bag but a 7W for the fairway and a 4 Hybrid when the grass get longer, works for my game. I also only carry a half set, keeps the weight down on old back and shoulders and doesn’t affect my shot choice that much as a higher handicapper

[@andrewnewbould6067]

Makes sense and I hear you but I find in my situation, my gapping between D / 3W / 4H are 30-40 yards. On a good day I can muller a 3W 15 yards ish closer to my driver. I have more difficulty with hitting my 4H consistently. On an average day I as can often hit my 5 Iron similar distance off the fairway, but on a good day the gap between 3W / 4H / 5I is nicely spaced. So I tend to leave my 4H for more awkward lies, or those iffy shots / distances, and trust I'd get a better shot with my 5I off the fairway. I picked the 4H as loft wise it sits nicely between my 5I and 3W (fitted Taylormade Sim2 clubs) I play off 18 so an average golfer.

[@chiefnakoma]

I'm a 2-3 Handicap, but accurate driving is my biggest issue. If driver is off, I'm quicker to use my 3 wood off the tee. Hit it 250-260 and much more accurate. It's got me thinking. My course only has 2 par 5s and one is long and not reachable in 2 and the other is short and it's hybrid or iron in with a good drive...so I rarely use a fairway wood off the ground. My course has several 350 yard par 4s where hitting the fairway is a must given tree trouble and elevated greens with bunkers protecting, so even if driver is going well I still hit my 3 wood off the tee at least 3-4 holes. Maybe I should ditch the 3 wood and go mini driver as I primarily use it off the tee. 🤔

[@leonardblush2557]

I definitely need 3 wood for the fairway on par 5s and a 200+par 3 at my course. Pretty confident with it on the deck, less so off the tee, where it likes to "hybrid hook" a bit (Srixon ZX- I like the face at address). I have 5 wood, too, and it's generally 10 yards less. Cleveland HyWood after that, 4 and 5 hybrid after that. They seem to gap well. Some days I might only use 1-2 of those 5, but they're there when needed. I'd rather have them than more wedges. (I grew up as a "Texas wedge" guy and suck above 50-52 degrees)

[@bfdfunk]

My 3 wood is a 16.5 degree so more like a "4" wood. So easy to hit and helps manage the course on fairways with hazards.

[@davegenet]

I have a Big Bertha 23 3W set to 17 degrees and could set it to 18. So I think of it as a 4W. I like it for 200+ yard par 3s and off of cushy fairway lies. I suppose not all “3Ws” are created the same.

[@granthodges9860]

I threw my 3 Wood away years ago and play a 5 Wood in its place. I wasn’t generating enough club head speed to launch the 3 Wood. By the way, I also play a little 7 Wood which is an absolute gem.🇦🇺👍

[@user-js5gy1kj1l]

I swapped my 3w to a 5w and it changed my game, I also have a driving iron (i3) that I use and it is a much better option than a 3w.

[@asherdales]

I finally upgraded from the 2007 Burner 3 wood into a Stealth 2 because it's the only one I've found that feels as good for me.

[@brunosantanelli8406]

Excellent video Matt, as always. I carry my driver, a 5 wood and a hybrid in my bag and I'm fine with that. The 3 wood I got it for sale right now because is useless 😂

[@kwaste]

I shelved my 3 wood last year. I just keep a 5 wood and a 3 hybrid of course a driver. I agree the 3 wood can get you into trouble if not hit correctly.

[@turbonerd3075]

My 3 wood was brutal last year. This year, I’m actually doing well with it. Hitting it about 250 pretty straight

[@Mattfryergolf]

Nice! What changed?

[@turbonerd3075]

@@Mattfryergolf went from an Adams speedline xtd LS in stiff to a cobra rad speed in x stiff because of the rails on the bottom, and watched a few of your vids to correct my swing. I would either top the Adams or I’d fat it trying not to top it. Bought a garmin r10 to figure some metrics out. Placed the ball forward in my stance, stopped casting with my arms, and stopped tilting my shoulders way back like I would with my driver. 3 games in this year and it’s a big improvement overall. So, thank you.

[@rtfcomputing4614]

It's fine in theory if you are playing courses with no houses, OB on both sides or tree lined penalty areas you can't play out of and take a stroke. On a "side-by-side hole" layout of a links or other open area course, it makes sense. For many courses in the states if you can't keep driver in the fairway, you are going to give up penalty strokes. It would be nice to see all manufacturers come out with a mini driver. That is probably the combined solution.

[@waynesansom14]

I always use my 3 wood and this is simply because my slice with the driver is so bad i just can’t get it right.

[@benmonroe_the_1]

I’m significantly better at controlling my driver (G425 Max) than my 3W (TSR), which I never use. If I smoke both they go around the same distance. I have very little confidence in directional miss w/the 3W. When I want more control off the tee, I hit my 2i. I need to just get rid of the 3W & go for a 5W, 7W, or maybe even a new hybrid.

[@theseanie9958]

my 3 wood basically always goes dead straight, so it's hard to let it go haha

[@tpw13]

I ditched 3 wood, went to 5 wood, ditched that and just go straight to my 19 degree hybrid after/instead of driver.. just hit it so much more straighter

[@benmarciante5104]

Have driver and then hot 5 wood and 3 iron. Best set up for me.

[@brianmcpeake2509]

I use a 9.5° Driver, 16° hybrid, 18° 5 wood. The 3 wood is just too hard to hit for me. The 5 wood is good off the tee and from the fairway if the lie is decent.

[@allenparker2690]

All very valid points. However, those like me who struggle with driver and do hit 3 wood as far or in my case farther than driver and much more accurately and also do better from 80-100 than we do from 50-80 maybe just maybe it's the driver that should go. Which also makes room in the bag for other clubs 🤔

[@williamf9633]

i use a 3 wood for gapping because its the only wood i use my driver goes out about 300 and my next lower club is a 2 driving iron about 240-50 on a good day a 3 wood perfectly fills the gap

[@ConfusedCurling-ob5lo]

Hi Matt ! Recently lost a little confidence with my driver and on my last showing with my 3 wood not any better. Bought a Taylor made burner mini driver! Had its first outing last week and kept me out of the usual trouble and at the same time didn’t lose too much distance! They’re not easy to get but would recommend getting one because even if you don’t get on with it you can always sell again and more than likely actually make more on your investment! £££😃

[@davidwilkes638]

I agree with this, but I’ve kept the 3 wood because it’s my best 200 option for 200 yards…. I prefer a choked down 3 wood off the fairway to a 5 wood or 3 hybrid because the 3 wood has a bigger head it’s easier to hit for me.

[@tbenedict6335]

I use mine for 260 plus to greens that I don't want dod going r on. My 5w is the one that sits more.

[@-Thunder]

How far offline are each club? If people pull 3 Wood on narrow driving holes then their "fairways hit" stat might be more valuable. Ultimately, every player has to analyze their own stats. I don't think averaging this one out and assuming it applies to eeryone makes much sense.

[@ShepMike3934]

I play my 3W on one hole, from the white tees because the Driver runs across the fairway across the slope into a massive bunker down in the cliff face. I’d rather play from the fairway than the bunker

[@michaelmartz8426]

I carry a 3 hybrid. I have found that the 3w and 5w aren't consistent for me. It has been so long since I carried either club, I am unsure of the anticipated distances.

[@Mattfryergolf]

If it works stick.with it

[@deanmccormick8070]

I carry a driver, Callaway Heaven Wood, which i understand is a 3 wood with loft typical of a 4 wood and a 7 wood. Works for me.

[@Mattfryergolf]

If it works stick with it

[@HenriettaMRiley]

Yeah i ditched the 3 wood years ago and got a 68 deg wedge.

[@jeffthompson7440]

I carry a driver, 5 wood, and 3 rescue for the exact reasons you highlighted.

[@erickbauer8888]

I have my three wood turned down to 13.5 degrees. I absolutely love it.

[@dobermanownerforlife3902]

Stealth 2 plus. Same for me 13.5*. 265 drive today with it, with soaked fairways.

[@donbernhardt2424]

Matt, would that apply for someone who carries a mini driver as a secondary club off the tee?

[@Mattfryergolf]

Not so much I don't think.as they have a specific role

[@chinaswirlrod9802]

I just put the shorter 3 wood shaft into my driver head. Works well for me.

[@mikepainter2135]

I agree with this concept. It works. More accurate with only slight distance loss.

[@Mattfryergolf]

Nice what's the distance like?

[@mikepainter2135]

@@Mattfryergolf it’s 225-230 but I’m 68 years old.

[@charlesbarry7479]

So, if a 3 wood goes almost as far as a driver but is 1/3 the cost of a driver, why not ditch the driver?

[@fretless05]

On days I don't feel confident with the 3W, I do often go to a 5W, Hybrid, or even my 5 utility iron from the tee. Being in play, to me, is more important than maximum distance. I do get that the 3W isn't great from the rough, but I do have a 5W and hybrid that I can play from bad lies... All that said, my 3W has been my driver, as I can't figure out how NOT to slice driver OB, and losing strokes to penalties off the tee just isn't acceptable.

[@Orbitaldeath]

Funny how it's literally the best club in my bag. Ty SIM2 for being there for me.

[@youcube7505]

Took 3W out of my bag this season and am playing the best golf I've played.

[@SvingitGolf]

That wood you showed is a 4w not a 3w. The 3w is 13,5* and 15*. 16,5* is a 4w according to Titleist website. I just got fitted for a TSr3 13,5* (3w) with AD DI-7X. At my course I have use for a 3w. Because we have a few short par 4 holes. And I carry my 3w about 260 yd of the deck. My setup is Dr (9*), 3w (13.5*) and 7w (21*).

[@whiskers762]

This is probably the least used club in my bag I struggle hitting on the course and don't hit my driver much further than I could my 3 wood so I just use driver on the tee

[@jamesgrundy3530]

Problem I have is my 3 wood goes further than my driver. What do you do then?

[@Mattfryergolf]

Need to get a driver fitting or ditch the driver

[@wayneowens1649]

Hi Matt in my opinion he best compromise is a 4 wood 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@leemzgoogle917]

I hate this advice (not from you, personally, Matt, from the industry as a whole). I am a VERY conservative golfer. I'm 66 years old. I hit my driver, on average, 243 yards according to my SkyTrak. I hit my 3 wood about 225-230 (it's a strong 3 with 13* of loft). The problem is, I barely hit the fairway 40% of the time with my driver, while I hit the fairway well over 60% of the time with my 3 wood. At the cost of only 15 yards, I am MUCH better at hitting the green from the fairway than from the trees, fairway bunkers, water hazard or out of bounds. I will hit my driver if I have miles of room on either side of the fairway but I have a two-way miss, I can push the ball right as often as I will pull it to the left. Sure, if I could guarantee hitting from the rough most of the time after hitting the driver, I'd be happy to do so but, unfortunately, when I miss the fairway, I'm too often in the trees, a fairway bunker, a water hazard or O.B.. I'd much rather be hitting my second shot from the fairway at the cost of just 15 yards. By the way, I play to a 2 handicap and I got myself from a 14 down to a 2 from age 60 to age 66 by playing this way. Give me a second shot that is very much in play compared to a lost ball or one that is in a very unforgiving spot every time. To each his own, but I prefer finding my ball after I hit it off the tee. LOL

[@paulgolfer]

WELL guys my driver is the most consistent club in my bag down the centre every time , now 3w always tends to go right not a lot but it does . So it's at home , I carry the TAYLORMADE series 2 over 25 years old 5w a 7w which are straighter higher and more accurate and I can fade them draw them it just means I need one or two clubs more into a green, I also set the ball half way between centre and shaft on driver grip down boom off the deck straight no problem so the £300 on my 3w was wasted,

[@fitz5487]

Haven’t carried a 3 wood for years… next club down from driver is a 5 wood for me.

[@markbean2777]

All this information is based on carrying 14clubs. If I'm carrying 7/8 clubs in bag. I'm a high single figure but it's all in my short game. 230yard driver . Driver , 5 wood , 5 hybrid ,5,7,9pw, 56 putter. But if doing a qualifying round full bag. 1,3,5,5hybrid, 56789pw, 56 , 60. Putter

[@David_C1991]

My bag this year is 9 degree driver, 13.5 mini driver and 18.5 5 wood. I’m a good driver of the ball, but mini driver is my second serve.

[@Mattfryergolf]

Nice....lots of mini drivers coming in to play now

[@Chris-yj1zg]

Just ditched the 3 wood and now use a 17° 5 wood instead. Driver works well and Par 5s in 2 is a rarity so no need for that 3 wood

[@Mattfryergolf]

Love it

[@bryceborcovsky8979]

I don't use a 3 wood, my 2 iron is my go to club when hitting off the fairway and then for scrappy lies I use my 7 wood a lot. Drivers are so easy to hit these days with the high levels of forgiveness.

[@Astro_Gardener]

Sorry Matt, I have to disagree with points one and three. If I am having a bad day with the driver, putting it into the rough or even worst out of bounds, the three wood will come out and hopefully help me out. As for point three, I have been playing golf for 50 + years AND as of yet, never used a three wood off of the deck!

[@firstname2072]

3 wood is my confidence inspiring club and I hit it well, a hybrid to me looks terrible and I know I’ll hook it

[@snowwizard9440]

My one and only hio is with a 3w. Other than that, it's pretty much just been a nuisance. Still just can't leave it out of my bag ..

[@Mattfryergolf]

Maybe test something for a few rounds see if you miss it

[@snowwizard9440]

@@Mattfryergolf Test been going on a couple of decades. The analyzes and recomodations are clear but the obvous decision is yet to be taken. Hc 25..