3W Advice

ajlacombe · August 1, 2006

I am in the process of getting a TaylorMade r7 Steel 3W. I was originally planning on getting a 13*, but have secured a 15*. I could wrangle the 15* into a 13*, hopefully for nothing, but I am not sure. The 15* is brand new in plastic, so I might be able to trade it for a 13* at my local Golf Galaxy.

My question is, what do you think would be more useful as an addition to my bag. I currently have a driver and then 14* and 19* rescues. The rescues are TM Rescue Mid TP's with Project X HL shafts. I can hit the 19* from 200-230 depending on choking down. The 14* is from 225-245. I would like a like more yardage to go for longer par 5's, but I would also like to have a reliable tee club for tighter holes.

My driver is a TM r7 TP and I hit it pretty well, but on some holes it does not make sense since it can reach trouble, so I would like to dial back without having to hold back with the driver. The rescues have a tendency to hit it left under pressure. Not horribly, but enough to make me look for something else.

So...what can I expect between the 13* and 15* in the way of yardage differential and ball height. I am not overly concerned with height. I have had a 13* Big Bertha in the past and liked the club. I also hit the r7 5w on the simulator and a 13* V Steel on the simulator. My biggest concern about the 13* would be less accuracy versus more distance. If it was a par 5 club, then 13* seems to be the ticket, but for a tee club the 15* seems more appropriate. The 15* would also knock the 14* rescue out of the bag due to them being close in yardage (I think).

Sorry to ramble, any thoughts on this one?

Thanks,

Andy

SnapHooker_307 · August 2, 2006

Personally, I would go with the 15. In my experience, the difference between a 13 and a 15 in distance is not really that much. The 15, for me at least, is a lot easier to hit and control off the ground. It is also a little bit higher trajectory, so you will probably have a lot better chance of holding the green if you do reach it.

slicer365 · August 2, 2006

I like my 3 wood to be a lay up driver, so I perfer the 3+. The 15* is gonna allow the ball to get up in the air quicker, that's it. You'll probably land softer, too.

sheppy335 · August 3, 2006

I have hit both and i am 13 man, but i tee off with it alot but i also attack pars five sometimes with it. it is a very reliable club ot me! to me if you go either the 14 is going to be going out of the bag!

ajlacombe · August 3, 2006

I have hit both and i am 13 man, but i tee off with it alot but i also attack pars five sometimes with it. it is a very reliable club ot me! to me if you go either the 14 is going to be going out of the bag!

Thanks, I was thinking that the 14* rescue was most likely out of the bag. I am going to stick with the 15* for now since that is what I have on the way. I think either would be fine, my only concerns are ball height (flight) and roll. The 13* would have less height (I think) and more roll. Until I see how far I hit the 15* I do not think I can tell.

How is the 13* in the fairway and rough, as far as getting the ball up?

slicer365 · August 3, 2006

The 13* is perfect in the fair medium to high launch, depending on the shaft, from the rough is comes out a little lower, but noticeably enough to make a difference. The 13* is essentially a second driver, but it's also very versatile.

ajlacombe · August 3, 2006

The 13* is perfect in the fair medium to high launch, depending on the shaft, from the rough is comes out a little lower, but noticeably enough to make a difference. The 13* is essentially a second driver, but it's also very versatile.

So how are your weights set. I hit the 5w in a simulator with the 14 in the heel and 2 in the toe, and hit it fairly well, but sent a few to the left. So I swapped them with a 15* tonight and I hit a couple of big fades. I also hit one fairly straight. So I will next try 10 in the toe and 6 in the heel. Let me know what you have found out with the various weights.

I was surprised that it was so easy to fade this club since I never used to be able to a fade. I have the stock REAX s shaft in ti.