Looking to add a 3 wood to the arsenal

[Jahcatano]

Looking to pair a 3-wood with my driver to serve as a fairway finder, Specially for those tight fairways or when I'm not feeling too confident. Currently playing with the Stealth 2 Plus with a 60R Kaili Red shaft. Any suggestions?

[Braehead]

I've just been hitting some Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 Plus second-hand fairways this afternoon.  I really wanted to like the Plus models, especially with the shaft upgrades that were in them for the price (VA Nemesys), but the standard model just blew them both away.  I'm just trying to decide if it was enough of an improvement over my G425 LST fairway to justify the switch.

 

[PTOWNDoG9]

Fairway woods are tough, but I would recommend finding one that makes you feel confident when looking down at it, much like a putter. Then, find a shaft that creates the performance you're looking for. The Taylormade FWs get rave reviews for the most part, so I'm sure if you like the look of the driver the FW will look good to you as well. As far as the shaft goes, try either a 60S or a 70R, typically having a slightly heavier shaft in the fairway will help maintain control of the clubface and getting that clubhead down to the ground. Hope that helps!

[MGoBlue100]

Head to a big box retailer if you can; hit a bunch of demos and previously owned. You might not find exactly what you love, but you'll find a lot that you don't like and can weed them out early.

[RoverRick]

23 hours ago, Jahcatano said:

Looking to pair a 3-wood with my driver to serve as a fairway finder, Specially for those tight fairways or when I'm not feeling too confident. Currently playing with the Stealth 2 Plus with a 60R Kaili Red shaft. Any suggestions?

I was looking at your bag info. You currently have a G425 Max 5w 17.5° +/- 1.5°. Turning that one down will reduce the spin and launch gaining you a bit of distance off the tee, while still making it a viable club for off the deck. Maybe even get a 3w length shaft and use the flat setting. The Ping is far more versatile and variable than the standard Stealth or any of the bonded 3 woods. 

The Taylormade fairways means you have to go to the Plus or TI versions to get the adjustability of the Ping, because for years now the standards are not adjustable. While the 3wood off the tee may gain you more distance, the 5 wood will give you more spin and thus will likely be straighter. I have a friend that has played Ping 5 woods on 3 wood shafts for a couple of generations of Pings. 

While I have the G430 Max 3 wood in the bag, I have it set to 16°. I give up a few yards off the tee, but makes it easier for those few times I may want to hit it off the deck. I say few times because statistically, I don’t have great results hitting a 3 wood onto the green. 

[Jahcatano]

12 minutes ago, RoverRick said:

I was looking at your bag info. You currently have a G425 Max 5w 17.5° +/- 1.5°. Turning that one down will reduce the spin and launch gaining you a bit of distance off the tee, while still making it a viable club for off the deck. Maybe even get a 3w length shaft and use the flat setting. The Ping is far more versatile and variable than the standard Stealth or any of the bonded 3 woods. 

The Taylormade fairways means you have to go to the Plus or TI versions to get the adjustability of the Ping, because for years now the standards are not adjustable. While the 3wood off the tee may gain you more distance, the 5 wood will give you more spin and thus will likely be straighter. I have a friend that has played Ping 5 woods on 3 wood shafts for a couple of generations of Pings. 

While I have the G430 Max 3 wood in the bag, I have it set to 16°. I give up a few yards off the tee, but makes it easier for those few times I may want to hit it off the deck. I say few times because statistically, I don’t have great results hitting a 3 wood onto the green. 

I currently have it set to 19° since I like using it as my 185~190 carry club. I've been using it sparingly since I don't have anything else I would like to hit. I've never really experimented with changing shafts around

[RoverRick]

6 minutes ago, Jahcatano said:

I currently have it set to 19° since I like using it as my 185~190 carry club. I've been using it sparingly since I don't have anything else I would like to hit. I've never really experimented with changing shafts around

Then you have room in your bag. I stand by my earlier statement (perhaps insinuation) that I prefer the adjustable fairways more. I honestly like the Taylormade SIM TI, SIM2 Ti, Stealth + and Stealth 2+. For different reasons. Until last month I preferred that TM over the Ping. I had a SIM Ti and replaced with the Ping because of the TPT Shaft test. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

Ping 5w with shaft 1/4-1/2” longer

[Jahcatano]

19 hours ago, RoverRick said:

Then you have room in your bag. I stand by my earlier statement (perhaps insinuation) that I prefer the adjustable fairways more. I honestly like the Taylormade SIM TI, SIM2 Ti, Stealth + and Stealth 2+. For different reasons. Until last month I preferred that TM over the Ping. I had a SIM Ti and replaced with the Ping because of the TPT Shaft test. 

I hear amazing thing from everyone about the SIM and the SIM 2 woods. Definitely looking at those. Thank you !

[Jahcatano]

Found a Callaway Mavrik 3 wood with a T800 orange shaft 65g for a Hundo. Hit it and it looks promising

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

17 minutes ago, Jahcatano said:

Found a Callaway Mavrik 3 wood with a T800 orange shaft 65g for a Hundo. Hit it and it looks promising

 

Mavrik were solid. Not everyone's favorite but they worked well! 

I'm still a fan of Cobra and their woods especially 3 wood.

[J01NER]

I have a mavrik max 3 wood cut down an inch and can hit it fairly consistently 

[JMAC60]

If you want a fairway finder I would recommend a 12º driver with a 44 inch shaft, properly swingweighted.  The problem with most FW's off the tee is their low profile with a 43" shaft.  But put a big head high lofted driver in the bag with a shorter shaft and you'll be amazed at how much easier it is to control it.  

It really is interesting that the average length of a driver on the PGA tour is still less than 45" and yet drivers are sold to mere mortals with shafts between 45.5" to 46".  That extra inch makes a huge difference.

But, if you want a more versatile fairway finder, I really like my 19º Callaway UW.  It is deep faced, short shafted and it is so easy to hit accurately off the tee, or the deck.

BTW......I have a SIM2 3 wood.  It is a great 3 wood, but my Stealth 2 3HL is in the bag.  It's solid and the additional loft makes it a lot more playable, especially off the deck.

[Flanpro]

I put a Ping G425 LST 3wood with ping tour shaft in the bag last fall (after the MGS testing results) and it is not the longest but definitely most accurate and consistent - even on miss hits. I can depend on it for finding fairways from every lie

[Hughesjosh]

On 4/8/2024 at 8:54 PM, Jahcatano said:

Looking to pair a 3-wood with my driver to serve as a fairway finder, Specially for those tight fairways or when I'm not feeling too confident. Currently playing with the Stealth 2 Plus with a 60R Kaili Red shaft. Any suggestions?

I have recently purchased the TSR2 3 wood and being the fairway finder is the exact role I use it for. I have found it great and also find it has good distance as well.

[DevA]

I could not recommend the G425 max 3 wood enough. I think you can still find some new with specific shafts but they are everywhere used. I picked mine up used and it was the best club decision that I have made. I am a little sketchy with my driver but its rare for me to miss a fairway with my 3 wood. It is very forgiving and I consistently hit it 290+ from the tee. I can also take some off or put some into a shot if needed without feeling like I am going to shank it. 

[Swood1994]

I doubt think I saw it recommended yet but the Mizuno ST-230 3 wood has been great since I tested it in 2023 for the forum. Check out my Mizuno long game test more details. But the recap is basically that it’s not the longest but it is accurate! So if you are looking for a fairway finder check it out!

[MaxGolfs]

Lots of responses about starting with a 5w.

I’m in my second year of playing and around a 15hcp.

Definitely not consistent with the length of the 3w shaft off the deck. I know it will take time but should I cut down my 3W a little or switch to a 5W.

Need to gap between Driver and 3H.

[JAYER38]

On 4/13/2024 at 6:18 PM, JMAC60 said:

If you want a fairway finder I would recommend a 12º driver with a 44 inch shaft, properly swingweighted.  The problem with most FW's off the tee is their low profile with a 43" shaft.  But put a big head high lofted driver in the bag with a shorter shaft and you'll be amazed at how much easier it is to control it.  

It really is interesting that the average length of a driver on the PGA tour is still less than 45" and yet drivers are sold to mere mortals with shafts between 45.5" to 46".  That extra inch makes a huge difference.

But, if you want a more versatile fairway finder, I really like my 19º Callaway UW.  It is deep faced, short shafted and it is so easy to hit accurately off the tee, or the deck.

BTW......I have a SIM2 3 wood.  It is a great 3 wood, but my Stealth 2 3HL is in the bag.  It's solid and the additional loft makes it a lot more playable, especially off the deck.

Honest I believe @JMAC60 kinda hit this on the head. Even take a 12* and loft it up to 13.5. If the point is a fairway finder that doesn't loose a ton of distance this is it. Tee it down and bam

As far as a 3w I recently changed up from my PING G410 to a TaylorMade  Stealth 2 Plus cut down to 42". It is very HOT off the face and I'm beyond pleased with how the club plays. Not much shorter than my driver but wind is not as much of an issues and that showed in this weekends conditions.

Edited April 15 by JAYER38

[brogies]

I'm a huge fan of my G430 Max 3W. It's a rocket launcher off the tee and easy to hit off the turf.