Need a new fairway wood

[NotBrian]

I am looking to replace my 3 wood, I got a Mizuno ST-200TS last year without hitting it because I liked how it looked at address (pro shop money, had to order something that day). But it is very heavy and I think I bit off more than I can chew with the shaft weight and flex, went with the x flex, should have gone with S, feels like I'm swinging a hunk of rebar with a concrete head on it, no matter how hard I swing, just feels heavy and dead. My main problem is I have been playing well this year at my club and have a bunch of pro shop money again, but I want to hit the fairway before I buy, which isn't possible at my course as they don't have any demos on hand of anything. If I was paying out of pocket I'd roll into 2nd swing and get fit, but I don't want to pay the premium for the fit because I wouldn't purchase through them. Is it in bad taste to hit a bunch of options at like Golf Galaxy or PGATour Superstore without buying? Just curious on what you guys would do. Sorry for the life story for a simple question. Hit em well!

[scooterhd2]

I go to PGA Super store all the time to hit clubs. Grab 5 fairways and go to town. They don't care. You are in the market for a new club, so test them out. That's what they want you to do, increases the change that one sticks out and you walk out with it. You have no obligation to make a purchase though. You are just in your research phase and are just trying to see whats out there, how they feel, what they look like, etc.  

[Granata13]

Support your local pro!  Go to PGA Superstore hit a few and see what you like then order through your pro.  IT happens a lot more than you think

[MNUte]

On 8/3/2021 at 12:04 PM, scooterhd2 said:

I go to PGA Super store all the time to hit clubs. Grab 5 fairways and go to town. They don't care. You are in the market for a new club, so test them out. That's what they want you to do, increases the change that one sticks out and you walk out with it. You have no obligation to make a purchase though. You are just in your research phase and are just trying to see whats out there, how they feel, what they look like, etc.  

This. Most PGA Super Store staff don't care if you wan't to hit and will at worst just leave you alone in the bay for 15 minutes while you swing away.

I don't like some of the personalities at my local one (one guy didn't know where the Cleveland and Srixons were because he focused on the "real" brands and said anyone who plays Cleveland HB Launchers shouldn't be on the course), but they will gladly let you swing away and do research while they try and push you in one direction or the other. 

[NotBrian]

On 8/10/2021 at 7:20 AM, Granata13 said:

Support your local pro!  Go to PGA Superstore hit a few and see what you like then order through your pro.  IT happens a lot more than you think

This is what I ended up doing, just had him order it for me. Actually went with your exact 3wood and shaft combo (depending on flex).

[NotBrian]

On 8/10/2021 at 8:50 AM, MNUte said:

This. Most PGA Super Store staff don't care if you wan't to hit and will at worst just leave you alone in the bay for 15 minutes while you swing away.

I don't like some of the personalities at my local one (one guy didn't know where the Cleveland and Srixons were because he focused on the "real" brands and said anyone who plays Cleveland HB Launchers shouldn't be on the course), but they will gladly let you swing away and do research while they try and push you in one direction or the other. 

Yikes, what a brand/club snob. I stopped in a few times, was getting a new tip on a driver shaft I purchased so I hit when I dropped it off, and then when I picked it up, the first guy asked me which ones I wanted to try with what flex, lined them up, typed in his code, and walked away. Second guy kind of hovered around but yeah, I seemed to be mistaken and think they would get more pushy with buying after trying type of thing. Had it more in my head of something like furniture salespeople I guess. Anyway, thanks for the feedback!

[MCMSR]

In Massachusetts, Worldwide Golf seems reasonable - Staff will help (not ‘push’) with club selection; the 90-day ‘play-return-credit’ warranty on both new & used clubs is a definite plus. 

[pouetvl]

On 8/10/2021 at 9:50 AM, MNUte said:

I don't like some of the personalities at my local one (one guy didn't know where the Cleveland and Srixons were because he focused on the "real" brands and said anyone who plays Cleveland HB Launchers shouldn't be on the course

Never heard of that one before hahaha, definitively beat that guy who said I had a little fade... a 80 yards fade. As for the HB launcher, they have a bad reputation cause they don't look like  a standard blade... they get the job done and tons of weekend players would benefit from them but they don't look like a blade...

Love those retail golf store worker say those thing, they just deserve you try all your club at their place and order it from a pro

[Bubbly Pop]

G425 - It's a screamer. 

[golface55]

I went to a Ping 5 wood G425 max 17.5 much easier to get airborne off tight lies than the 3 wood.  But the 3 wood is good as well if you can hit it

 

[ChuckZ]

Great idea, but I am one in favor of going to a shop that specializes in fittings.  In particular where they are experienced and are certified.  My fitter has 30 years experience and is certified with all the major brands.  This ensures that I get the right shaft and head.  Hitting a number of different clubs is great, but the shaft is the driving force.  You have to get on TrackMan.  Those numbers mean a lot.  Personally I love the new TSi fairways.  I am hitting my Titleist TSi2 16.5* farther and more accurately that my previous 917F 15*.  Just my two cents worth.  It has the POW and WOW factors.  If PGA Stores will let you hit a number of different shafts and use their Trackman then go for it.  The course I play at does fittings for one brand only and not one I play. 

  

[John Bachman]

Try out as many as you can. I’m hitting the Mizuno ST-Z with the Motore X F3 shaft. So far so good. 

[ClarkWGriswoldIII]

I bought a "like new" Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 3 wood off of the Callaway Pre-owned  site a couple of months ago and really like it.  It was not "like new" when it arrived, it WAS new, in the original packaging.

I have a Ping 425 Max 7-wood, with a 5-wood shaft, on order.  I loved it at the fitting two damn months ago but I am still waiting on Ping. 

[MNUte]

4 hours ago, ClarkWGriswoldIII said:

I bought a "like new" Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 3 wood off of the Callaway Pre-owned  site a couple of months ago and really like it.  It was not "like new" when it arrived, it WAS new, in the original packaging.

I have a Ping 425 Max 7-wood, with a 5-wood shaft, on order.  I loved it at the fitting two damn months ago but I am still waiting on Ping. 

I keep hearing that the Callaway preowned site basically advertises a tier below what the quality actually shows up in. Like, I've heard multiple times happenings just like yours where the like new was still in wrappers, or that the "very good" was a demo club that was in beautiful condition. Guess I'll have to keep them in mind in the future when shopping for new clubs. 

[ClarkWGriswoldIII]

On 8/24/2021 at 5:31 PM, MNUte said:

I keep hearing that the Callaway preowned site basically advertises a tier below what the quality actually shows up in. Like, I've heard multiple times happenings just like yours where the like new was still in wrappers, or that the "very good" was a demo club that was in beautiful condition. Guess I'll have to keep them in mind in the future when shopping for new clubs. 

That has been my experience with all of the clubs I purchased from them over the years.

[thefullmonte]

This is 10000% anecdotal, but I hit about 40 balls on the range yesterday with a SIM2 Max 5 Wood.  I’ve never seen, or hit, a fairway wood off the deck that we’ll in my life.  That was eye opening 

[Zebhead47]

I purchased a Tour Edge 5 wood for some reason and started hitting it and found it great. Hit out of fairway bunkers, not a problem. Less than great lie, not a problem. Was playing Titleist off the tee and strong 3, but liked the Tour Edge 5 so much that I got the C721 in a strong 3, added an inch to stock shaft length and absolutely love this club. I use this club off the tee a lot and only lose 5-10 yards, but routinely find the fairway and believe it or not usually hit the ball off the deck on the tee instead of putting a tee under it. I know Tour Edge is not on everyone’s top of mind, but take a look as you try things out. They are making some very nice clubs now and you can usually get a club customized directly from them in 3-4 days and their price is right compared to big names which take forever to get if you customize anything. 

[fozcycle]

They are great to work with.  Gamed an Exotics for awhile then gave it to my best friend. He loves it!

Had several conversations with Tour Edge staff and they were great to work with.

[EEZurg]

Big Tour Edge fairway wood fan.....highly recommend

[BostonSal]

The fairway wood shot is an especially important part of the game to seniors, and that includes me.  

My stronger lofted fairway wood is pretty new.

Strong lofted fairway woods are always a challenge, and in my bag, are subject to more experimentation than more lofted ones..  

I landed on a Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero because it had a flatter lie angle than the others, including other Mavrik variants, and felt really-confidence inspiring at address.  The tech is great too, but the look and feel at address is what sold me.  It hits pretty  long for something with me on the grip end.   

[Unfortunately, the model just recently went out of production, but there are plenty around.  You just can't order them customized anymore.] 

It's labeled as a 5-wood, but it's 18º and I wouldn't be going any stronger than that from the fairway.

In contrast, my Top Flite metalwoods are possibly old enough to vote. Their exact age escapes me at the moment, but they've been around.  I have absolutely no reason to replace them, however.  The 21º is labeled 5 also, but might be considered a 7-wood today.  The 25º is stamped as a 7-wood.  They're good at coping with divots and other sketchy lies, too, but you can't really keep them down in the wind.  If you should come across one in an odd club bin somewhere, it will probably cost next to nothing and might be worth trying out.