3 Wood off the Deck

First topic message reminder :

I played for the first time in about a month or so yesterday and by the end of the round felt like I had regained most of my ball striking. That maybe says a bit too much about my ball striking. But as part of returning to my usual ability to hit the ball I regained the ability to duff almost every 3 wood played from the fairway. I am looking here for people to detail what set up changes they make for hitting 3 woods from the fairway and any other techniques employed to hit the shot successfully.

My usual tactic is what I thought to be fairly standard theory, ball forward in your stance (comparable to long iron), slightly wider stance, normal weight distribution and grip down a cm or so. Then use a pretty normal swing, maybe a bit slower than normal.

But this never works, I can be ripping every other shot but come the time to hit a fairway wood I chunk it, duck hook it, slice it 40 yards right etc. You may suggest I don't hit the shot but I feel it can't be that hard to master and could come in handy on shorter par 5's where reaching in two would not pose too much risk.

puligny, I agree. Concentrating on keeping my head still usually ends up in a horribly rigid and up tight swing. I understand that as little head movement as possible is desirable, but hope that over the years it is something that happens without needing too much thought. Horizontal head movement would probably end up with you swaying which you would notice pretty quickly as your shots would be terrible.


Super

As I said, I do have a couple of swing thoughts. I deal with posture and set up before hitting the shot so don't think about it after taking the club away. After thinking about where I want the club to be half way back I only really concentrate on keeping the swing relaxed and smooth.

MustPuttBetter wrote:Driving and chipping then. Bin the 3 wood. You're welcome

My putter isn't all that great either. Or my approaches with wedges inside 100 yards. At least my bag will be pretty light after binning all the clubs I can't hit.

Probably easier to just walk round with your driver than even carry a bag at all

Unfortunately my full shot irons from PW through to 6 iron are pretty good so I probably still need a bag.

As well as some of the clubs I can't hit fairways and greens.

McLaren wrote:Unfortunately my full shot irons from PW through to 6 iron are pretty good so I probably still need a bag.

Can't just choke down a bit on a driver?

After reading this yesterday. I too can't seem to hit my 3 wood off the deck.

Last night, I went ot the range with a few clubs, 3 Wood, 3 Recovery, SW, GW, & 7 iron.

3 wood was hopeless as usual, occasional not too bad.
3 Recovery was superb all night long.

I recently took my 3 Wood out my bag, as I couldn't stand it any longer. Left in my 5 Wood, which surprisingly I swing really well.

So after last nights excursion, my 3 Wood will remain in the house.

Probably my main problem, is that playing around my golf course, there is not really any holes where I really need to hit my 3 Wood off the deck, unless I really mishit my driver. So it may just be down to lack of use.
Just like Mac's sex life.

It seems I am not the only one who can hit the 3 hybrid but not the 3 wood. I wonder if the ease of hitting shorter shafted hybrid clubs has changed the modern golfers perspective of just how hard fairway woods of the deck are?

McLaren wrote:Navy

Are you really suggesting that you hit the ball while thinking about whether or not your head is still?

Yes Mac, I am. The point is, you said you're hitting it scheiss. If you were hitting it flush all the time I suspect there's no way your head might be all over the place. I'm not saying it's head movement that's causing your problem, but it'll contribute, in general, to poor/inconsistent striking for many people.
Whatever, do your own thing.

McLaren wrote:
It seems I am not the only one who can hit the 3 hybrid but not the 3 wood. I wonder if the ease of hitting shorter shafted hybrid clubs has changed the modern golfers perspective of just how hard fairway woods of the deck are?

It used to be the case for me Mac, threw out my three wood and only had a driver and 16 deg rescue. Still keep the rescue in the bag as it's easy to hit a nice controlled draw with, but my three wood I have now is just such a confidence booster.

Maybe once every three rounds do I use my 3W off the deck. I find my Ping hybrid just that much more forgiving and nearly as long. Still, I do use my 3W off the tee when I need a bit more accuracy than my driver offers. I can also seem to "work" the hybrid better.

I also use my 3 wood from the tee quite often with no issues.


Navy

The head thing could well be an issue but would you not agree that far too often keeping your head still, not lifting head or whatever to do with the head is given as a lazy piece of advice? I agree your head should be still but continuing with body movements that sway all over the place and just keeping your head still is probably going to make things worse. If anything your head should stay in place due to all other aspects of your swing being in sync and your body parts moving in the correct way.

Shotrock wrote:Maybe once every three rounds do I use my 3W off the deck. I find my Ping hybrid just that much more forgiving and nearly as long. Still, I do use my 3W off the tee when I need a bit more accuracy than my driver offers. I can also seem to "work" the hybrid better.

This describes me perfectly. As regular readers know (and not so regular readers are constantly reminded by Mac) I'm a shorter hitting, higher handicapper. Until a couple of years ago I couldn't get on with hybrids so I was regularly hitting 3 woods off the deck - and people I played with often commented how well I hit a fairways 3 wood for a higher handicapper.

Since I found a hybrid I get on with I rarely hit a 3 wood off the deck now. Yes I can hit it well a reasonably high percentage of the time but the hybrid is even more reliable for a loss of maybe 10-20 yards. The percentage shot makes all the difference!

Winter golf is different when you need all the yards you can get and then I may risk driver off the tee and 3 wood off the fairway more - but in summer, even as a shorter hitter, the percentages say 3 wood off the tee and hybrid off the fairway

Well this sucks, the man I mock hits the one shot that I desire to be able to hit.  It is times like this you wish a modicum of humbleness had crossed your mind

Davie I applaud you

Played tonight and was convinced I'd be duffing my 3 wood off the deck thanks to reading this thread. Thankfully not, managed to knock it onto our par 5 6th in two (four actually, reloaded off the tee but you get the gist)

McLaren wrote:I also use my 3 wood from the tee quite often with no issues.  


Navy

The head thing could well be an issue but would you not agree that far too often keeping your head still, not lifting head or whatever to do with the head is given as a lazy piece of advice?  I agree your head should be still but continuing with body movements that sway all over the place and just keeping your head still is probably going to make things worse.  If anything your head should stay in place due to all other aspects of your swing being in sync and your body parts moving in the correct way.

Mebbe. Certainly, if you're all over the place elsewhere, you aren't going to be able to consciously keep your head still. I assumed you were fairly competent and therefore not trying swing as if you're swatting flies. You're certainly right re. if the other bits are fine, you might expect the head to be still but trust me, if you're trying to tw@t it excessively and therefore moving your head a lot, simply focusing on keeping your head still will help. :shrug: Works for me when my striking's a bit off.

After playing hockey for many years, I do have a noticeable sway which can lead to the odd J Arthur. Concentrating on keeping my head in the same position throughout the swing stops other thoughts as well. Dark, dark thoughts....