StrokerAce Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 When you absolutely positively have to do it. Par 5/Par 4, all square coming into 18, about to have your best round ever.... whatever it is, do you have 1 club in your bag that is your fairway finder you can use off the tee when the pressure is on? A short anecdote that got me thinking about it and was apropos: You must have a fairway-finder: Altitude necessitated many pros opt for driving irons and fairway woods off the tee at the WGC-Mexico Championship, because their driver shots risked going too far on par 4s. The pros know there are times when sacrificing distance is the right move. The first time I played Winged Foot Golf Club's West Course, I missed the first three fairways. Badly. From that point on I hit my 5-wood off the tee on par 4s and par 5s. I hit the fairway nearly every time, and while I was 30 yards farther back, playing from the short grass was much better than contending with rough and trees. Humble pie is not tasty, but if you don't have a fairway-finder – a club you trust to get you off the tee and onto the short grass – you need one. It could be a new fairway wood, hybrid or even a long iron with a graphite shaft, like Rickie Fowler's 19.5-degree Cobra King Utility iron that has a Matrix Ozik HM2 shaft. Working with a good custom-fitter will help you find the perfect club that can deliver some piece of mind. Unofficial tally so far... Driver 15 Fairway Wood (3/4) 8 3 hybrid 2 2 iron 1 3 iron 2 4 iron 5 Driver- Cobra Aerojet LS 9.5 Woods- Cobra LTD 3w 15*, 5W 19*, F9 24* Irons- Titleist 718 AP2 (6i-50*) Wedges- Callaway Jaws Raw (54/58) Putter- Axis1 TourHM Ball- Maxfli Tour X Buggy- Motocaddy M7 GPS Remote Electric Caddy Bag- Motocaddy Dry-Series Proudly testing for 2024: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Theoo Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I like hitting my 3i off the tee on shorter par 4s. Still gets me out there pretty well but in the fairway. I also have a cobra 4 wood that worked well the one round I put it in play. Driver: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5 FW: F6 baffler set at 16º Hybrid: NONEIrons: 3i 2014 TP CB 4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400 Wedges: 52º 56º 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped Putter: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I'm pretty confident in my driver and 3 wood so it would have to be a very short hole or lots of trouble for me to drop down to an iron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudgeSmails Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 3 Hybrid for me Driver: TR20 10.5* Hybrids: Epic SuperHybrid 3 18* Epic 4h 23* Irons: JPX900 Hot Metal 5-GW Wedges: CBX2 52* 56* 60* Putter: EV8 Ball: Tour BXS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY VIP GolfSpy Dave Posted March 8, 2017 SPY VIP Share Posted March 8, 2017 Driver for sure. Spent the most time practicing with it and it finds the short stuff more than anything else. Not a bit hitter, so going too long on a par 4 not really an issue... Volvo Intorqueo All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty Ball Markers Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Driver here too - not a different club, just a controlled swing. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy http://www.instagram.com/libertyballmarkers/ http://www.birdie-bomb.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrokerAce Posted March 8, 2017 Author Share Posted March 8, 2017 just curious for those who hit the driver. is there anything you do a little differently? choke down a bit, change your stance, don't swing quite as hard, shorter backswing?? are you able to manipulate the ball enough with your driver so that you can move the ball left or right on the doglegs when necessary? Driver- Cobra Aerojet LS 9.5 Woods- Cobra LTD 3w 15*, 5W 19*, F9 24* Irons- Titleist 718 AP2 (6i-50*) Wedges- Callaway Jaws Raw (54/58) Putter- Axis1 TourHM Ball- Maxfli Tour X Buggy- Motocaddy M7 GPS Remote Electric Caddy Bag- Motocaddy Dry-Series Proudly testing for 2024: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I am pretty consistent with the driver and would not be afraid to pull it on a hole that requires that I hit the fairway. I just focus on tempo and not over swinging like I do on all my tee shots. I can manipulate the ball but I would not consider trying to shape a shot in a must hit fairway situation. I would play to the ball flight has been working on that particular day Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: XCG7 Beta 15* w/Fujikura Fuel Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe Backup Putters: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W, TM-180 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozcycle Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I generally use my driver every chance I get...which gets me In the fairway or first cut. There are four holes where water comes into play so I use a 3W or 4-5W. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Driver: 0311 XF 10.5* w/Project X Cypher 40 gram Senior shaft or 0811 XF 12* w/Evenflo Riptide CB Senior shaft Fairways: 0211 5W & 7W w/ Evenflo Riptide CB regular shaft and Tour Edge E521 9W w/Fubuki HD50 regular shaft Hybrid: None in bag at the moment Irons: Titleist T300 5-PW w/Fubuki MV Senior graphite shafts w/Golf Pride Tour Wedges: Edison forged 49*, 53* and 57* wedges with KB PGI Senior shafts(80 grm). Putter: 33” Evnroll ER2 w/Gravity Grip or ER6 or Bellum Winmore Model 707, or Nike Method Core Drone w/Evnroll Gravity Grip Bag: Vice cart bag(Black/Lime). Ball: Bridgestone RXS Mindset, Snell MTB Prime X, Maxfli Tour/S/X CG, Titleist Pro V1x or Titleist TruFeel Using Shot Scope X5 and Pinned Rangefinder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBones Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Really it's situational for me. If it's open-ish, I hit driver, because I hit it long. If it's tight and I have to hit the FW, I'd go with 4W. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Follow @GolfspyBones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hckymeyer Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Driver for me as well, it's one of the best clubs in my bag and one of the most consistent. I'm not good enough to try and work the ball consistently one way or the other, I just set up for my stock shot and hope for the best. I've been working for the past two seasons on shortening my back swing on every shot, so I wouldn't be manipulating my swing at all. I also try to use the rule of 80% when selecting any club in my bag. If I can't hit the club well (for my ability level) 80% of the time then it shouldn't be in my bag. That's why I ditched the FW in the first place. So dropping to a different club isn't going to really increase my ability to guarantee a fairway. Driver: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black 3w: '16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82 5w: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow Hybrid: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black Irons: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Wedges: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Putter: Red 7s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eseay32 Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 4i knock down for. Any hole less than 400 yds and I need to be safe I'm hitting a knock down 4 for about 200 yds Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy <p>Knoxville, TN 8 Hdcp PXG 0811 10.59deg loft Ping G25 3 wood Titleist 2i rescue Ping I irons +1 upright Vokey Sm5 52, 56, OdysseyRed 2Ball Fang with 1.0 super stroke</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAgolfer2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 It seems that whenever I try and play smart and use a 3 wood off the tee or a 4 iron, I end up in a worse place than if I hit my driver. Lately I've been choking down on my driver if it's a tight hole and it's seemed to have worked. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Bag: 4.5LS Driver: Stealth 9* w/ Aldila Red 60 Fairway: SIM 15* w/ Diamana 70 Fairway: GBB Heavenwood 19* w/ Fujikura Pro 72 Irons: p790 4-PW w/ C-Taper Lite 110s Wedge: MG3 50 & 54 Wedge: Hi-Toe 60* Putter: Spider X Ball: TP5 PIX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putting Trent Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I most will hit my driver with a 3/4 swing. Might only get 220/225 but it's gonna be in the short grass. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320AZ using MyGolfSpy mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Undershooter Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 It really depends on the day and the situation for me. I'll go with the hot hand if I'm hitting something particularly good that day. Generally, I would say it's my 3w, 1i, 3i but some days it could be the driver. It really just depends. My biggest thing is that I must commit to the shot if its one that matters. If I don't, then I'm toast. Driver- Tmag 2017 M2 tour issue 8.5* actual loft 7.8* w/ HZRDS Green PVD 70TX" Fairway Metal- Taylormade SLDR Mini Driver 12* w/ Fujikura Rombax TP95-X" Utility- Mizuno MPH5 1 iron w/ Aldila RIP 85X (depending on course/ conditions) Irons- Mizuno MP- FLI HI 2i w/ Aldila Proto ByYou 100X Mizuno MP59 4i-6I w/ PX 6.5 Mizuno MP69 7i-PW w/ PX 6.5 Wedges- Scratch 8620 Driver/Slider set. 50*, 54* bent to 55* and 60* Putter- Taylormade Spider Tour w/ flow neck Ball- Bridgestone Tour B X Bag- Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaidJacket Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Like others.... depends. If I've been playing confidently most of the day I'll hit driver if the hole calls for it. Perhaps even tee it down a bit and hit it lower. Other times I might hit my 4w or even 4i. It all just depends. My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severtheties Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I'd have to say 4 iron - only because I don't carry a 3 iron anymore. Driver - Tour Edge Exotics XCG 7 Beta w/ Paderson shaft 44" Fairway Metal - Vapor Fly 15* w/ Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 65F 43" Irons - SLDR 4i-pw w/ KBS Tour C-Taper 90S Wedges - 54* and 58* Digger grind Putter - 2015 GoLo 3 33" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattF Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 3 wood if I HAVE to be in the fairway. I hit that thing a far way and damn near straight 95% of the time. In the bag: Driver: Darkspeed X 9° UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue 7F4 Fairway: Apex UW 19° & 21° Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 5.5 Irons: JPX 923 HMP 5-PW UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Wedges: T-22 Denim Copper 48°, 52° & 56° UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Putter Sycamore 005 Wide Blade Bag: Fairway 14 stand bag Balls: Chrome Tour Cart: CaddyLite ONE Ver. 8 God Bless America, God save the King, God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Driver... it's as straight as anything else. “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG STU Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Well it was my 99 Hogan Apex 2 iron but lately I have went to a Callaway UTX driving iron at 24* bent back to 22*. For some reason I can draw it and it runs like a scalded ape. I guess my next choice would be my 5 wood Driver ---- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha Speeder 565 R flex- 5W TM V-Steel Fubuki 60r--- 7W TM V-Steel UST Pro Force Gold 65R----- 9 W TM V Steel TM MAS stiff---- Irons 2015 TM TP CB Steel Fiber 95 R--- GW Callaway Mack Daddy 2 52* shaft unknown junk pile refugee. SW Callaway PM Grind 56* Modified sole grind--- KBS Tour Wedge-- LW Vokey 58* SM5 L grind--- Putter Ping B90I Broom Stick G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaskanski Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Long irons were always my forte and I always used to have a 690MB 2-iron in play. Nowadays, I get by with a CB 3-iron, a 5 wood or if it's really windy - a putter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver & black Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I usually just dial down the driver and make a nice smooth swing. I'm always shocked at far it still goes. It seems there's a lesson in there some where...lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kor.A.Door Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 All square on the 18 tee box in a tightly contested match. XCG6 3wd without question. Dance with the one that brung ya. I think the biggest thing in these situations is to not overthink what you have been doing. If you have been hitting driver well all day, and are confident with it, that's what you should use. If you have been struggling all day, hit the club you have confidence in. Whether it's 3w, 5w, 3h, 3i, it could even be 6i or 9i, if it is a must hit fairway situation, do what you gotta do. Be confident in the shot, and execute. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Lefties are always in their Right Mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsucrna Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 My favorite club in my bag, and my "fairway finder" is my driver! I'm usually 12/14FIR , and usually not that far off the other 2... I know that it sounds like I'm bragging but I rather hit that off any tee than anything else! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logicalone Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 When I was playing a lot of golf, which was years ago, I used my trusty Orlimar Trimetal 13 degree. Loved that club! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony@CIC Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 My 3 hybrid - most consistent club in the bag! Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Left Hand orientation SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft Cobra Radspeed 3W/RIptide Shaft 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter V3 NX9-HD - 4 Wheel EZGO TXT 48v cart - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigtazzGolf Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Some days this is a very good question. Which club will find the fairway for ya. For me percentage wise, I'll have to pull my 4i Tazz Grip n Rip it Grip n Rip it Chicks dig the LONG ball In my staff bag King F7+ Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 60 - Graphite Tour X-Stiff CBX 13.5 3 Wood Atomic Irons 4-AW (reviewing) CG16 Satin 52* 588 RTX 2.0 56* and 60* Sentio Sierra 101-M Putter Proud tester of the Tommy Armour ATOMIC Irons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucklehead Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 It really frustrates me most days because I can absolutely rip my 3w and I can tell pretty much tell you where it will land. Usually good for ~250 (total not carry). For some reason I can get really handsy with my driver. And the more wide/open a fairway is it usually the worse the result is. Almost considered dropping it for a wedge. Gonna practice a lot this year and hopefully it will be a different story come fall!! Sent from my E6853 using MyGolfSpy mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFrazier Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 4 iron. I usually get about 215-225 with it. If I don't get to warmup on the range before a round, it's usually the club I hit off the first tee. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Driver- Callaway GBB Epic 9.5 Aldila Rouge Max 75X 3 Wood- Callaway GBB Epic 15 Aldila Rouge Max 85X Hybrid- Callaway GBB Epic 19 UST Recoil F4 Irons- Callaway CF Apex 16' 4-PW S300 Wedges- Titleist SM6 GW/SW/LW S300 Putter- Ping Anser Sigma G w/ Superstroke Pistol GT 2.0 Ball- Bridgestone B330/ TaylorMade TP4/ Titleist ProV1 Grips- Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 Grey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrokerAce Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 4 iron. I usually get about 215-225 with it. If I don't get to warmup on the range before a round, it's usually the club I hit off the first tee. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Wow... nice... not many people can hit a 4 iron after warmup and you do it cold, straight out of the car. Cool. Driver- Cobra Aerojet LS 9.5 Woods- Cobra LTD 3w 15*, 5W 19*, F9 24* Irons- Titleist 718 AP2 (6i-50*) Wedges- Callaway Jaws Raw (54/58) Putter- Axis1 TourHM Ball- Maxfli Tour X Buggy- Motocaddy M7 GPS Remote Electric Caddy Bag- Motocaddy Dry-Series Proudly testing for 2024: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.