Replacing 3 Wood With A Hybrid

[villa]

Review (of sorts)

When Todd Hamilton used his 15* Sonartec MD with dramatic effect to win the Open Championship I remember thinking, "that's all well and good, but it'll never catch on". Thanks to the fantastic pics on here, I then saw Bubba Watson with a 14* Nickent 3DX Ironwood DC and more recently, Anthony Kim has started to live up to his potential using a 14* Adams Idea Pro.

It's been playing on my mind for a few weeks so eventually I decided to find a low lofted hybrid to use in place of my 3 wood. I finally got a text from a friend who said he'd got a 14* Nickent 3DX Ironwood DC with Aldila NVS 65 S that he couldn't hit (didn't sound promising) and was willing to let it go. I've tried to replace my 2 iron with a hybrid before and although I never found any of them to be as good as a 2 iron, I remember the Nickent having a decent amount of feel and reasonable launch/flight characteristics.

When I received it, the shaft was installed at 43" which is longer than my 3 wood! I liked the idea of a high launching shaft but it was probably too flexible anyway. I had a Fuji Fit-On!-11 Pro 95 X lying around so I had that installed @ 41.5" (tipped 1/2" both ends).

So, what does it play like? It's amazing! I'm quite a conservative player off the tee anyway so I normally hit a lot of 2 irons and 3 woods but this thing is a revelation. I like to work the ball both ways and this club allows me to do it more than any modern day 3 wood. On top of that, I feel comfortable compressing the ball which is something I was reluctant to do with my fairway wood. So it's golden off the tee. That's all well and good but the thing that concerned me was the 240+ second shot to one of the par 5's on my course. This is pretty much the only hole that requires a full 3 wood and I didn't know how the hybrid would cope. Well, it was pretty good. The flight is obviously a lot lower and on the whole, it's 5-10 yards shorter than my 15* 3 wood but what it loses in length and height, it more than makes up for in workability and accuracy.

I'm certainly not saying this is going to be the answer for everyone but for those who don't have to hit a 3 wood over water into monster par 5's, it's well worth considering. If you prefer to work the ball and you haven't found a 3 wood that allows you to do it as much as you want, it might be just what you're looking for.

I'm going to get a higher launching shaft (Redboard, Pro-Launch Blue etc) that allows me to hit it a bit higher but in conclusion, I honestly believe that the Nickent 3DX Ironwood DC is the modern day equivalent to the Titleist PT or Taylor Made Midsize/System 2/Burner. If you enjoyed them, you'll love this!

Steve

[Dizz]

I have been using a hybrid to replace my 3 wood for a couple seasons now. My main reasons are this: 1. I hit my driver just at straight as I do any 3 wood so I don't need a 3 wood off the tee. 2. I'm comfortable hitting a long iron off the tee on short/narrow par 4. 3. How many times are you or I going to hit a green from 250 yards out with a 3 wood? I'm a +2...don't know about you but I hardly ever actually hit the ball on the surface from 250 yards. I don't work my hybrid I just hit it straight, its a nice club because the only way I can work it is high and low...or if I really exaggerate a low slinging draw which isn't a shot I like to hit anyway. IMO the 3 wood is pointless and a waste of a club in the bag...unless of course you're one of those people that rips 3 wood and struggles with the driver...a la Tiger. I mean really the only time I don't hit driver is if the fairway runs out at a certain yardage, a dogleg where the driver runs through the corner or the landing area with the driver is extremely narrow....otherwise I let it rip. However I don't chip with my hybrid like Hamilton did, its pretty much just a club for me that fills another yardage and goes longer than my 3 iron.

[villa]

Interesting thoughts mate however I think the question should be changed from "how often do we hit the green with our 3 woods?" to "how often do we have to take a 3 wood out for a second shot?".

 

As I say, there's only one par 5 on my course that requires a 240+ yard approach but it's pretty accepting to anything chasing on to the green. Coincidentally, I'm off +2 as well and you're right, I doubt I hit the green with my 3 wood more than 50% of the time.

 

To me, it's going to be a 'go to' club off the tee. The results are promising so far. If I can team it up with the right shaft, I can see it staying in the bag for a while!

[bobsuruncle]

hi, this is an interesting concept. Would you recommend this to a high h'cap (low 20's) player? I use a driver on almost every hole unless there's a water hazard in the landing zone. I would almost never need to take a 3W to hit to a green. I carry a 3W and 5W, plus a 3H and 4H, starting my irons with the 5I.

[Dizz]

Interesting thoughts mate however I think the question should be changed from "how often do we hit the green with our 3 woods?" to "how often do we have to take a 3 wood out for a second shot?".

 

As I say, there's only one par 5 on my course that requires a 240+ yard approach but it's pretty accepting to anything chasing on to the green. Coincidentally, I'm off +2 as well and you're right, I doubt I hit the green with my 3 wood more than 50% of the time.

 

To me, it's going to be a 'go to' club off the tee. The results are promising so far. If I can team it up with the right shaft, I can see it staying in the bag for a while!

 

 

From what I know about handicaps, a +2 here in the US isn't really the same caliber player as a +2 where you are so you are probably a better player than I. However, yes you are right...I cannot remember the last time I even thought that I needed a 3 wood from the deck on a par 5. Usually if the par 5 needs a 3 wood then its well bunkered and requires an extremely good shot to hold the surface. Where it makes more sense for me to either lay it up to 80 yards or hit it in a front bunker where it leaves me a shorter chip that I can spin. But again, golf where you play it is completely different...the courses that I play dont allow you to bounce it in from 240 (very few) but insetad need to carry it very close or be penalized from the rough. I agree though, the lower lofted hybrid is easier to work high/low for me and could be a very good go to club from the tee.

[rascre]

I second this recommendation. I recently dumped my 906F4 15.5* for a Ping G10 15* hybrid w/ prolaunch red. I just found that my 906F4 wasn't any more accurate of the tee than my driver. I loved it off the deck, but I just didn't find myself needing it very often. I used to be very skeptical about hybrids and found them difficult to hit. But now I have two in the bag. I have an Adams Idea Pro 20* which is a perfect 2 iron for me. I really like that it plays like an iron. And now I have the G10 which is now a go-to club off the tee. I like that it plays a little more like a fairway wood in terms of trajectory and that it is comparable in accuracy to an iron. I was hesitant to go without a fairway wood, but I don't see myself ever going back.

[BILL12x]

Welcome to the club!

[jasonnj1978]

I think this thread should be a revelation to many. I totally agree that technology in Drivers and Hybrids along with course set-ups, more difficult green complexes, have rendered 3 woods useless to some extent. I too hit my driver just as straight, if not straighter, then my three wood and where I play if I'm 260 out on my approach 3 wood really isn't the play as the greens are surrounded with penalizing bunkers and/or water.

 

I'm going to pull the 3 wood and add another wedge, a club that I can actually score with.

 

I'll have Driver, 17 hybrid (which is only about 10 yards shorter then my 3 wood) and then 3 - PW. My PW will be 46 so I'll go with 50,54,58 wedges to keep consistent gaps.

 

Game on!!

[GaijinGolfer]

I too recently started to consider replacing my 3-wood with a hybrid. My plan is to go with a driver, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5-PW, 56* wedge, 58* wedge and putter.

Im also planning on changing drivers soon. Im looking to move for my 8.5* to a 12*. I struggle with my driver, so I think one with higher loft would help me and I think that with a 12* driver and an 18* hybrid that I wouldnt even really miss my 3-wood.

[hogan234]

I'm actually looking to try the G10 15* hybrid in place of my 4 wood. How does your G10 compare to a 3 wood in terms of distance? I love the larger head and non-offset look of the G10.

[TapTap]

Welcome to the club!

 

Since I finally hammered down the driver part of my game, I went the same route. I replaced both of my 3w's, and even switched out my 5w to add another wedge.

Some teacher (Butch or Rick, I forget) said in a mag article that anyone in the 8-15 handicap range will cut 1 stroke off the scorecard with each hybrid they add to the bag. I hit mine great, and never thought to consider a company like Nickent.....until I hit them. :)

[shGGman]

I went from 3/5woods -> Ping G5 Hybrid 15* -> 4 wood(16.5*).

 

I thought I wouldn't need woods with Ping G5 hybrid. Wrong. I hit my Nickent 3DX DC 3/5+ hybrids well, but I couldn't hit the G5 hybrid with 15* loft.

I sold it right away, bought a R7 4wood. couldn't be happier. Much more distance with the 4 wood.

[rascre]

I'm actually looking to try the G10 15* hybrid in place of my 4 wood. How does your G10 compare to a 3 wood in terms of distance? I love the larger head and non-offset look of the G10.

 

I hit my G10 15* about 245-250 compared to 255-260 with my old 906F4 mostly due to shaft length I am assuming. But the accuracy and the workability don't even compare. I will give up 10 to 15 yards in a heartbeat for the control and confidence I get from my G10.

[sweeet]

I got myself an Idea Pro tour issue, and it performed perfectly for every shot I needed to make. However, I still went back to my 3W. To each his own I guess :)

[Schilly]

This is somethign I may look into. I Curretnly go Driver, 4wd then 3 iron. I'm not settled in on the 4wd 100% yet, I had considered a 19° hybrid for the gap from the 4 wd to the 3i, but I hadn't considered replacing the 4wd with a Hybrid.

 

I've never swung a hybrid before, but I'm starting to like the idea.

[bigdriveandy]

It might be a good idea to consider the Adams XTD Fairway/Hybrid too. If need be you can cut the shaft down or tip it to play more like a hybrid. Seems like the best of both worlds.

[golfebj]

It might be a good idea to consider the Adams XTD Fairway/Hybrid too. If need be you can cut the shaft down or tip it to play more like a hybrid. Seems like the best of both worlds.

 

I agree. I'm going to do exactly the same thing, the XTD Pro 14.5* seems like a perfect fit. Just wish they had more shafting options out of the gate.

[tomg1969]

How tough is a 15* hybrid to hit? I've been thinking about doing this as well but can't decide if I want to go

 

15*, 21*, 4 iron or..

18*, 24* and ditch the 4 iron or...

3w, 21*, 24*

[villa]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I can't remember playing with anyone that's done the same thing but it seems that many of you have beaten me to it.

 

Let's clear one thing up though. A 14*-15* isn't easier to hit than a 3 wood. The reason I made the switch is because I couldn't find a modern day three wood that delivered everything I wanted. As I said earlier, I'm quite a conservative player off the tee and I'll do whatever it takes to get myself in play. I've said it many times but I'd rather hit a 5 iron from the fairway than an 8 iron from the rough any day. The 14* hybrid allows me to hit shots like an iron which is something I was never comfortable doing with my 3 wood.

 

I'm happy to compress the ball, happy to work it both ways (I don't know how to hit it straight) and happy to alter the trajectory if necessary. The current shaft is a bit too low launch/heavy/stiff for this sort of club but as soon as I sort that out, I'll have found myself the perfect club!

From what I know about handicaps, a +2 here in the US isn't really the same caliber player as a +2 where you are so you are probably a better player than I.

 

But again, golf where you play it is completely different...the courses that I play dont allow you to bounce it in from 240 (very few) but insetad need to carry it very close or be penalized from the rough. I agree though, the lower lofted hybrid is easier to work high/low for me and could be a very good go to club from the tee.

I regained my amateur status last year and I was given a handicap of +2 based on various factors (turned pro off +4 in 1997). After a few more club tournaments, I may get a more realistic handicap which I think will be closer to scratch at the moment.

 

My course isn't a links but you're right, it's probably more accepting (in general) to a low running shot on to the green. If I played a course that demanded a high/soft landing approach on a long par 5 then I may have to consider what I'm using but there's very few courses that call for that in my area.

Welcome to the club!

Thanks mate, I guess I'm behind on the times. Hope you're enjoying yours as much as I'm enjoying mine :good:

 

Since I finally hammered down the driver part of my game, I went the same route. I replaced both of my 3w's, and even switched out my 5w to add another wedge.

Some teacher (Butch or Rick, I forget) said in a mag article that anyone in the 8-15 handicap range will cut 1 stroke off the scorecard with each hybrid they add to the bag. I hit mine great, and never thought to consider a company like Nickent.....until I hit them. :)

Whoever the teacher was, he was probably referring to switching out long irons for hybrids. Nevertheless, if the 3 wood replacement is working for you, stick with it mate!

How tough is a 15* hybrid to hit? I've been thinking about doing this as well but can't decide if I want to go

As I alluded to earlier, I'm not going to say that a 15* hybrid is easier to hit than a 3 wood because it isn't. The reason I changed is because it delivers what I want in a club. The only way to truly know is to go and try one for yourself mate. Good luck with your choice :good:

 

Does anyone know what shaft Anthony Kim is using in his 14* Adams Idea Pro? My knowledge of Ozik shafts isn't that great. What are the characteristics in terms of ball flight, weight options etc? I'm currently looking at either Redboard or a Pro-Launch Blue but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[bloodredsun]

If I could just point you towards this old son... ;-)

 

Matrix Ozik Altus Review - http://www.golfwrx.com/BagChatter/2008/02/...d-shaft-review/

[villa]

If I could just point you towards this old son... ;-)

 

Matrix Ozik Altus Review - http://www.golfwrx.com/BagChatter/2008/02/...d-shaft-review/

Thanks mate, sounds like a hell of a shaft!

 

For some reason, I thought Kim was using a fairway shaft as opposed to a hybrid shaft but I could be wrong. Either way, the flight characteristics, weight and flex options look pretty good to me.

 

I'm never happy to part with so much money but after finding the perfect clubhead, it only seems fair to team it with the perfect shaft. Decisions decisions :)

[BILL12x]

As said above, I use a 14* Taylor Rescue Dual TP. It is not easier to hit WELL than a 3wood, but the misses are much more playable and I'm only giving up about 5-10 yards. A tradeoff well worth it IMHO.

[villa]

Shaft update.

 

The Matrix sounded like a great shaft (thanks Martin) but I'm still unsure about parting with that sort of money when there's an endless array of options available at a fraction of the cost.

 

I'd pretty much decided on a Grafalloy Pro-Launch Blue when someone said they had a new UST V2 High Launch 77 X available. I've owned a couple of drivers with the V2 shaft but I hadn't had any experiences with the HL model. I was assured that it was just as stable/workable but it has the advantage of having a little bit of a kick at the bottom of the swing. It sounded like just what I was looking for so I handed over the money and had it installed. The price of the second hand club, new shaft, new grip and installation was cheaper than buying a standard model off the rack!

 

The new club got it's first action on Sunday morning and as far as I'm concerned, it's staying in the bag for a while. I can still compress it like an iron, I can still work it both ways, I can still alter the trajectory and to top it all off, I can now open the shoulders a bit and hit a reasonably high, soft landing approach approximately 245 yards.

 

Once again, if you're a decent ball striker and you're struggling with your 3 wood, have a look at one of these. It's the best purchase I've made in years!

[blueyedspeedemon]

I tried the 3dx hybrid at a golf store last week - not just because I had heard great things about it, but also because I had just bought the full ladies 3dx hybrid iron set for my girlfriend without having ever seen a nickent club in person :)

 

It took me a couple shots to get the hang of it, although more likely because I'm just starting out with golf. But wow, getting a good shot with that club feels so satisfying. Given that the last year's nickent 3dx hybrid iron sets now cost about $200-$250 and include two of the hybrids I think they're a great deal, and will likely get a set for myself also.

 

I do have a question that I suppose belongs here - if using a #3 3dx hybrid in place of a 3w, should this affect my choice of driver loft? I'm wondering if I'd be better going with a 12 degree loft rather than the usual 10.5 if using a hybrid in place of a 3w.

 

Austin

[sweeet]

Just switched :) and I'm still taking some time to get used to it but I'm happy with my decision. Although I lose aprox. 10 yards I make that up with accuracy. I'm using a tour issue adams idea pro 14* and its performing a charm. I'm glad I switched, though I am missing my 3 wood :)

[villa]

I do have a question that I suppose belongs here - if using a #3 3dx hybrid in place of a 3w, should this affect my choice of driver loft?

I've replaced my 3 wood with a #1 (14 degrees) which allows me to use it as a direct replacement.

 

Not sure I'd advise anyone to have as large a gap as you're suggesting mate. Club setup is individual but I know I wouldn't be comfortable with an 8 degree gap between my driver and the next longest club.

[Marrrk]

I do have a question that I suppose belongs here - if using a #3 3dx hybrid in place of a 3w, should this affect my choice of driver loft?

I've replaced my 3 wood with a #1 (14 degrees) which allows me to use it as a direct replacement.

 

Not sure I'd advise anyone to have as large a gap as you're suggesting mate. Club setup is individual but I know I wouldn't be comfortable with an 8 degree gap between my driver and the next longest club.

 

i have a TP 14 degree and it also has a very heavy, low launch, Fuji shaft. When i really get a hold of it and perfect contact, i love the club. but i do have a heck of a time getting a consistent height and trajectory. was mulling switching to 3 wood but this thread has slowed me down. any advice for the swing to get more consistent and a bit more height? (until i change the shaft, which isn't happening anytime soon, unfortunately).

[villa]

i have a TP 14 degree and it also has a very heavy, low launch, Fuji shaft. When i really get a hold of it and perfect contact, i love the club. but i do have a heck of a time getting a consistent height and trajectory. was mulling switching to 3 wood but this thread has slowed me down. any advice for the swing to get more consistent and a bit more height? (until i change the shaft, which isn't happening anytime soon, unfortunately).

Getting the right shaft is an important element of this sort of club (well, any club) but if that's not an option at the moment, here's my main tip for hitting a low lofted hybrid:

 

Compress the ball as you would do with an iron. Modern 3 woods respond well to a sweeping action due to their larger/shallower profile but I was never entirely comfortable hitting the ball that way and it always led to inconsistent shots. Hit down and through the shot and you'll find it delivers a nice penetrating flight. If you've got a naturally shallow swing and you prefer to sweep the ball, this may not be the ideal club for you. That being said, if you keep thinking "ball first, then turf" you should be able to get the best out of it.

 

As I say, I've definitely lost 5-10 yards with this club over my 3 wood but once again, I'll take the improved workability over the extra carry any day.