Backwards thinking with Fairway Woods

[wolfpack]

So many of us swap out fairway woods like underwear, trying and searching for the magic thunder stick. Launch monitor data, shaft changes, etc. Shouldn't we figure out if we can hit the darn thing, THEN figure out how far it goes? Clean contact and reliable accuracy trumps distance in every way.

 

The club is going to move it, and move it big, but only if you can hit it first. I have a closet full of launch monitor queens that i can't hit for s##t on the course. My point is loads of people carry around worthless FW's that they make clean contact with 25% of the time, why not just ditch it and pick up something that just works. You can cry about how short it flies while your standing on the green.

[gvogel]

[quote name='wolfpack' timestamp='1425777329' post='11099301']
So many of us swap out fairway woods like underwear, trying and searching for the magic thunder stick. Launch monitor data, shaft changes, etc. Shouldn't we figure out if we can hit the darn thing, THEN figure out how far it goes? Clean contact and reliable accuracy trumps distance in every way.

The club is going to move it, and move it big, but only if you can hit it first. I have a closet full of launch monitor queens that i can't hit for s##t on the course. My point is loads of people carry around worthless FW's that they make clean contact with 25% of the time, why not just ditch it and pick up something that just works. You can cry about how short it flies while your standing on the green.
[/quote]

Post of the month.

Nice avatar, by the way.

[MelloYello]

Absolutely true. Accuracy and reliability are premium factors in selecting a fairway metal. That has and will always be the case because of how and when they are played within the context of golf.

[square]

[quote name='wolfpack' timestamp='1425777329' post='11099301']
So many of us swap out fairway woods like underwear, trying and searching for the magic thunder stick. Launch monitor data, shaft changes, etc. Shouldn't we figure out if we can hit the darn thing, THEN figure out how far it goes? Clean contact and reliable accuracy trumps distance in every way.

The club is going to move it, and move it big, but only if you can hit it first. I have a closet full of launch monitor queens that i can't hit for s##t on the course. My point is loads of people carry around worthless FW's that they make clean contact with 25% of the time, why not just ditch it and pick up something that just works. You can cry about how short it flies while your standing on the green.
[/quote]
Part of the problem is the design trends of current fairway woods. Specifically, too long a shaft and too large a head to be struck consistently well off the ground. Years ago, when relatively short length steel shafts and small fairway club heads were the standard, players struck them with consistently better results than today's fairway metal woods.
Modern fairway metals, especially at 14* to 16^ lofts with 43" to 43.5" shaft length, is only worthwhile as a tee box club. The 17* to 20* lofted 4 and 5 metals are o.k., and similar in distance to yeaterday's 3 woods, but the heads are still much bigger than need be, which makes them harder to play off of sloped or grassy lies.
The most sensible option, for off the ground lies, is to either play older model fairway metals or fill the bag with hybrids (instead of fairway metals). Today's hybrid head sizes and relatively short length shafts are much easier to play off the ground than the modern fairway metals, especially from a sloped , grassy, or hard pan lie.

[wolfpack]

Turf interaction, proper lie angle, correct shaft length are so crucial to repeatable success. You should be able to pick it clean off hardpan, or walk into medium rough and fire a shot with predictable results toward a target. After that is sorted out, then work around the average distance it provides for you. A good fairway can't be a one hit wonder, Add loft, cut down your shaft, give up a few yards, you might just surprise yourself.

[wolfpack]

[quote name='square' timestamp='1425779057' post='11099503']
[quote name='wolfpack' timestamp='1425777329' post='11099301']
So many of us swap out fairway woods like underwear, trying and searching for the magic thunder stick. Launch monitor data, shaft changes, etc. Shouldn't we figure out if we can hit the darn thing, THEN figure out how far it goes? Clean contact and reliable accuracy trumps distance in every way.

The club is going to move it, and move it big, but only if you can hit it first. I have a closet full of launch monitor queens that i can't hit for s##t on the course. My point is loads of people carry around worthless FW's that they make clean contact with 25% of the time, why not just ditch it and pick up something that just works. You can cry about how short it flies while your standing on the green.
[/quote]
Part of the problem is the design trends of current fairway woods. Specifically, too long a shaft and too large a head to be struck consistently well off the ground. Years ago, when relatively short length steel shafts and small fairway club heads were the standard, players struck them with consistently better results than today's fairway metal woods.
Modern fairway metals, especially at 14* to 16^ lofts with 43" to 43.5" shaft length, is only worthwhile as a tee box club. The 17* to 20* lofted 4 and 5 metals are o.k., and similar in distance to yeaterday's 3 woods, but the heads are still much bigger than need be, which makes them harder to play off of sloped or grassy lies.
The most sensible option, for off the ground lies, is to either play older model fairway metals or fill the bag with hybrids (instead of fairway metals). Today's hybrid head sizes and relatively short length shafts are much easier to play off the ground than the modern fairway metals, especially from a sloped , grassy, or hard pan lie.
[/quote]

I agree, in the hands of most novices the modern fairway wood is a Tee club only. The manufacturers are relying on technological advertising to sell these lemons, they have little place in most peoples bags.

[JustinG76]

I play Driver, 4 wood, then it's into hybrids....I used to play a G15 4 wood and then I moved on to the G25 4 wood. Custom shaft, -1 inch.....hit it a mile and straight. Most people who aren't 6'1" and above would benefit from a shorter fairway shaft. I hit the 4 longer than I could a 3 due to better launch conditions and directional control.

[Jaygolf37]

That's why I STILL game a V-Steel. There is nothing made that is more consistent. Longer? Yes. Better? Nope.

[JLo_73]

Subscribe to this theory for sure. Go Driver to 20 degree driving iron to 5 iron as I have confidence with all of the clubs. Put anything with fw or hybrid and my consistency goes way down. Toying with idea of mini driver

[Blade Junkie]

Never felt the need to move away from the Taylormade 200 Steels ... steel shafted of course!


When I'm playing metals that is ... my preference remains for persimmons off the deck

[LeoLeo99]

I concur. Just started to play a TEE Xrail 4 wood and love its small head. Just like it used to be. My "modern" 3 and 5 woods are huge. Much too large to try and pop out of a less than perfect lie.

[Parker0065]

I think you guys are on the right track as far as modern FW being a bit too long these days but the biggest problem for the average Am is loft.

I love what Cobra has done with their FW line of 3-4 wood or 5-7 wood. I own both and have them cranked up to the highest possible loft. It's a big advantage having both a little extra length and loft.

As a scratch golfer that plays local tourneys and US Open qualifiers, I'm amazed to see 5-10 handicaps carrying and trying to hit low lofted 3 woods. Many of them just carry it around in their bags never really using it much other than an occasional tee shot because they can't control it off the deck or in some cases even get it off the ground.

If you want to make your FW misses more acceptable, "lofting up" is the key in my opinion! You guy's that have went to a Driver, 4Wood setups are definitely on the right track.

The way I have my bag setup since I went to my current 3-PW Bridgestone CB's is I dumped my 2-Hybrid and carry Driver, 4Wood(Bio Cell 3-4 set to max loft), 7wood(Bio Cell 5-7 set to max loft) and I hit both those FW's significantly farther with accuracy than the clubs they replaced(my old 3Wood and 2Hybrid). This also gives me more flexibility playing certain length courses where I may pull one of the FW's out of the bag and add a 3rd wedge on shorter tracks..

[avguy]

I've got four 3Ws and two 5Ws around to rotate into play when I choose, but also in similar gaps of the bag have both a 17 & 18 degree hybrid. To be honest, I'm on track with lots of you, OP as well. I would like to phase out totally from fairway woods, and go with some more hybrids that are in the 14-16 range. I have no issues with the hybrids off turf, but don't like them with a tee.

One of the 3W and one of the 5W are adjustable, but I've used that in opposite directions until some more hybrids get in the bag. My [b]TM R11 ti[/b] 3W is set at 14, & it is only off the tee. Just not that awesome of results from the turf, but it is my rocket off tees.

My [b]RBZ S2[/b] 5W is tuned to 17, & it also is for the tee despite chopped down .75 in and lead tape on the bottom.

All my fwys are old (by WRX standards) at 2-5 yrs, but the easiest ones off turf are indeed the smallest - the [b]Mizuno MP ti [/b]3&5. I actually can play the 5 pretty well, and would love to find another 3 similar to its big brother for some off the turf fwy options.........neh, I'll just look into hybrids around that 15-16 range. (Thinking Cobra, as my older [b]ACP[/b] at the 23-26 gap is super easy to play).

[dunn]

[quote name='wolfpack' timestamp='1425777329' post='11099301']
So many of us swap out fairway woods like underwear, trying and searching for the magic thunder stick. Launch monitor data, shaft changes, etc. Shouldn't we figure out if we can hit the darn thing, THEN figure out how far it goes? Clean contact and reliable accuracy trumps distance in every way.

The club is going to move it, and move it big, but only if you can hit it first. I have a closet full of launch monitor queens that i can't hit for s##t on the course. My point is loads of people carry around worthless FW's that they make clean contact with 25% of the time, why not just ditch it and pick up something that just works. You can cry about how short it flies while your standing on the green.
[/quote]you can pretty much go through the whole bag with that philosophy......every single swing coach and top teacher say this exact same thing......if you don't hit center, nothing and I mean nothing else matters....

I have given up on launch monitors....I use em for a driver when purchasing only....even that has proven not so good at times....a launch monitor is kinda like mizuno optimizer....it just gets you in ballpark

[BigEasy68]

I like the Nike Vr Pro LE. I like it so much, I'm going to buy a back up in the next couple days.

[wolfpack]

[quote name='Knicks226' timestamp='1425804206' post='11100873']
I like the Nike Vr Pro LE. I like it so much, I'm going to buy a back up in the next couple days.
[/quote]

Awesome, thank you. I was wondering....

[Itsjustagame]

Dumped my 3 wood two years ago for all the reasons already discussed.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Jaygolf37' timestamp='1425783649' post='11099883']
That's why I STILL game a V-Steel. There is nothing made that is more consistent. Longer? Yes. Better? Nope.
[/quote]

One of the all time best fairway woods.

[shakey]

[quote name='Knicks226' timestamp='1425804206' post='11100873']I like the Nike Vr Pro LE. I like it so much, I'm going to buy a back up in the next couple days.[/quote]
Same here. Nothing has beat my VR ltd 3 wood.

[Tex1986]

[quote name='jdg2494' timestamp='1425781214' post='11099701']I play Driver, 4 wood, then it's into hybrids....I used to play a G15 4 wood and then I moved on to the G25 4 wood. Custom shaft, -1 inch.....hit it a mile and straight. Most people who aren't 6'1" and above would benefit from a shorter fairway shaft. I hit the 4 longer than I could a 3 due to better launch conditions and directional control.[/quote]

I agree. I typically choke down on my 15* 3 wood when I'm hitting it off the deck. Clubs are too long these days. I'm 6'5" and a 14 handicap FWIW. If I choke down on clubs, I can't imagine what an average 5'10" ish guy feels like trying to swing a stock length fairway.

[shortgame85]

[quote name='wolfpack' timestamp='1425777329' post='11099301']
So many of us swap out fairway woods like underwear, trying and searching for the magic thunder stick. Launch monitor data, shaft changes, etc. Shouldn't we figure out if we can hit the darn thing, THEN figure out how far it goes? Clean contact and reliable accuracy trumps distance in every way.

The club is going to move it, and move it big, but only if you can hit it first. I have a closet full of launch monitor queens that i can't hit for s##t on the course. My point is loads of people carry around worthless FW's that they make clean contact with 25% of the time, why not just ditch it and pick up something that just works. You can cry about how short it flies while your standing on the green.
[/quote]
A corollary to your sound reasoning is that if one has a fairway wood in the bag that inspires confidence and with which one can hit well with consistency, why think of trying to knock it out of the bag, at least for a few seasons? I have had a 3 wood that worked so well for me that I bought 2 years ago, that I purchased its 5 wood mate at a deep discount last year. And yet, during this off season, I have continued to go to golf shops, trying the latest and greatest fairway woods, in search of a few more yards. When I look at the numbers on the launch monitors, I see virtually no distance gain with the new sticks, sometimes a distance loss and the dispersion is not quite as good as what I get with the ones in my bag. I feel like the idiot who cannot recognize when he is well off.

[95124hacker]

In one bag, I went from a graphite shafted r7 TP 15* 3W to a steel shafted Steelhead Plus 16.5* 4W, and picked up a lot of consistency.
However, I just picked up a graphite shafted PRGR Egg Spoon 14.5* for my other bag. Most likely I'll need to cut down the shaft...

[rgk5]

I always tell my customers that there are only two important criteria in selecting a fairway wood.

- it must consistently get the ball in the air; hopefully with at least 16* of launch for a three or four wood.

- it must move you as far as possible with excellent directional control.

Distance is nice but third in importance to the first two criteria.

[mattuop]

I find it hard to believe you guys really believe a 10 year old fairway wood (guessing on the age) is better than current offerings. Maybe the clubs on the rack don't fit you but a proper fitting can take care of that. You can change loft, length and lie very easily. I know being comfortable with a club can make a big difference, but at some point, after going through a proper fitting, I believe you can find a better club.

[venturagolfer87]

I've never been able to consistently hit fairway woods from anything other than a perfect tee box, and even then It was a toss up. I'd put it down to the longer lengths. It got a bit better when I had a short but rocky run with an R9 TP 4 wood. But at the beginning of last season, I got an Adams Super S 2 hybrid. 17*, shorter length shaft, and the head size, to me, is perfect. Smaller than most fairways, but still a bit larger than the average hybrid. It's my go to club on tight holes and it's not impossible off the deck. I thought of maybe custom ordering an aeroburner tp 5 wood with the length of where the Adams is, figured I'd have an atomic wood that launches but is still controllable. But I hit the Adams so damn well, I don't even wanna joke about replacing it now.

[square]

[quote name='mattuop' timestamp='1425832881' post='11102083']
I find it hard to believe you guys really believe a 10 year old fairway wood (guessing on the age) is better than current offerings. Maybe the clubs on the rack don't fit you but a proper fitting can take care of that. You can change loft, length and lie very easily. I know being comfortable with a club can make a big difference, but at some point, after going through a proper fitting, I believe you can find a better club.
[/quote]

Modern fairway heads are too large, which makes them challenging to play off sloped or other less than ideal ground lies. The reason the old V-Steel's are popular is because the head is sensible, much like the old Titleist PT's and TM Tour Preferred.

[SeanPMcD]

That's why I didn't like the new Titleist 915f 3 wood. The head was way too big and it was hard for me to hit it well. This is coming from a guy who consistently breaks 80, so I am not a scrub who can't hit the ball at all. Looking down it felt like I was hitting driver off the deck.

I just got the X2 Hot Pro 3 wood and it is a world of difference for me. It has a smaller head and just starting there it gives me more confidence. For me at least, hitting it well begins with confidence standing over the ball.

[shakey]

[quote name='SeanPMcD' timestamp='1425834000' post='11102225']That's why I didn't like the new Titleist 915f 3 wood. The head was way too big and it was hard for me to hit it well. This is coming from a guy who consistently breaks 80, so I am not a scrub who can't hit the ball at all. Looking down it felt like I was hitting driver off the deck.

I just got the X2 Hot Pro 3 wood and it is a world of difference for me. It has a smaller head and just starting there it gives me more confidence. For me at least, hitting it well begins with confidence standing over the ball.[/quote]
I think my VR ltd 3 wood and the X Hot/X2 Hot pro 3 woods are the perfect size for both tee and fwy. V-Steels are good as well.

[BigEasy68]

[quote name='SeanPMcD' timestamp='1425834000' post='11102225']
That's why I didn't like the new Titleist 915f 3 wood. The head was way too big and it was hard for me to hit it well. This is coming from a guy who consistently breaks 80, so I am not a scrub who can't hit the ball at all. Looking down it felt like I was hitting driver off the deck.

I just got the X2 Hot Pro 3 wood and it is a world of difference for me. It has a smaller head and just starting there it gives me more confidence. For me at least, hitting it well begins with confidence standing over the ball.
[/quote]

Completely agree. That X2 Hot Pro was a great line. The Titleist woods just don't work for me.

[mattuop]

[quote name='square' timestamp='1425833717' post='11102193']
[quote name='mattuop' timestamp='1425832881' post='11102083']
I find it hard to believe you guys really believe a 10 year old fairway wood (guessing on the age) is better than current offerings. Maybe the clubs on the rack don't fit you but a proper fitting can take care of that. You can change loft, length and lie very easily. I know being comfortable with a club can make a big difference, but at some point, after going through a proper fitting, I believe you can find a better club.
[/quote]

Modern fairway heads are too large, which makes them challenging to play off sloped or other less than ideal ground lies. The reason the old V-Steel's are popular is because the head is sensible, much like the old Titleist PT's and TM Tour Preferred.
[/quote]

I've been using the mini driver as a fairway replacement and had no problems with the size so it's hard for me to buy in to that. Of course, everyone is different. There are always the tour, pro or tp type models that come in smaller head sizes. If mentally you can't get out of your own way (and we're all guilty of this at some point), then play what fits your eye. But I'm going to stand by the thinking that a properly fit, recent release model is going to outperform a 10 year old club. Some models will surely not fit your swing, but there are others out there that will probably surprise you.