9 replies to this topic

[PingPoncho]

1. What is the standard length 3 fairway wood that PGA golfers use?

2. What is the standard length 3 fairway wood average golfers buy off the shelf?

3. Would gripping down on the shaft make it easier to hit the 3 fairway wood in the fairway or would cutting down 1/2 to 1 inch from the shaft be a better solution?

4. By cutting down 1/2 to 1 inch or gripping down on the shaft reduce your distance or would it make you have a better chance of making solid contact and thus giving you more distance? Which would be a
    better solution?

5. Does anyone make a fairway wood that you can also adjust the loft of the club like some drivers do?


I know lessons and practice would help too but can anyone give answers to the 5 questions above?

[ignitewvu]

Standard length for a 3 wood normally is 43" which corresponds with someone being around 6ft Tall.

I am right at 6" but I prefer my woods about 1/4" short which helps me hit them off of deck.


TM and Titleist make adjustable 3 woods.

[Zunes]

I'm no expert but I would think an "average" golfer has very little use for a 3 wood and it will be difficult to hit no matter what length shaft. The low handicap high swing speed golfwrx players can use a 3 wood, but the average golfer could take the 3 out of the bag and not miss it.

[Pert1862]

I cut mine 1/2 inch. Huge difference. Love them now. But I'm only 5'6".

Edited by Pert1862, 14 July 2012 - 03:46 PM.

[Swe Zibber]

1: Dont know

2: 43" witch is stated above i belive

3: Dont start messing with the shaft if you know it will make it better, just choke down and swing it more comfortable. So choke down...

4: If u want an easy T3 u whant to prio straight and easy so cut down and get the swing and the contact you need to get it straight the length will work itself out eventuely both with comfort and increased smash factor and speed that comes with comfort.  

5: Dunno, but suggest a T3 that is glued because when u start mesing with the head you adjust and that messes with the rest of the set.

[insightaz]

I always play mine at 42.25 and my driver at 44.25 this gives me the best combo of accuaracy and distance. I am currently using a speedline lp 5 wood that is 17.5 degrees so basically a 4 wood and I am hitting it better and longer than my other 3 woods and I only had to trim off .25 to bring it to 42.25 which really had no effect on swingweight. I have always had problems cutting down 43 inch 3 or 4 woods by .75 and the swingweight being too light.

[lukesmurf59]

Currently playing mine at 43" and will cut it down to 42" which is really where they should be, 43 is too long for just about everybody.  I can control it well however I first installed the shaft untipped. I plan on tipping it an inch to lower the flight and tighten the feel and hopefully dispersion, as well as try to take less of a divot with it. I am going to do this because tipping it an inch will make the flex fit me better and the length will be more playable.

[SurfinTurf]

lukesmurf59, on 14 July 2012 - 04:55 PM, said:

Currently playing mine at 43" and will cut it down to 42" which is really where they should be, 43 is too long for just about everybody.  I can control it well however I first installed the shaft untipped. I plan on tipping it an inch to lower the flight and tighten the feel and hopefully dispersion, as well as try to take less of a divot with it. I am going to do this because tipping it an inch will make the flex fit me better and the length will be more playable.

What would you play your 5 wood at then?

[MelloYello]

PingPoncho, on 14 July 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

1. What is the standard length 3 fairway wood that PGA golfers use?

2. What is the standard length 3 fairway wood average golfers buy off the shelf?

3. Would gripping down on the shaft make it easier to hit the 3 fairway wood in the fairway or would cutting down 1/2 to 1 inch from the shaft be a better solution?

4. By cutting down 1/2 to 1 inch or gripping down on the shaft reduce your distance or would it make you have a better chance of making solid contact and thus giving you more distance? Which would be a
better solution?

5. Does anyone make a fairway wood that you can also adjust the loft of the club like some drivers do?


I know lessons and practice would help too but can anyone give answers to the 5 questions above?

1.) There's probably no 'standard' on the PGA Tour for those types of things because each player is individually fit for what he needs, wants, prefers, etc. You've got PGA Tour players that are 5'6' and guys well above 6' in some instances. The idea of a 'standard' kind of flies out the window because no one bothers putting something in their bag without having it fit to their desired specs.

2.) Current 3w offerings will differ but 43" is a typical 'standard.'

3.) I always prefer cutting a shaft down if I'm never going to use the extra length. I find that as I grip down I make shorter, more conservative swings. That psychological aspect leads me to prefer what I do. I think most players are the same way but I'd never recommend someone alter their club(s) unless they know exactly what they want and are very sure they won't change their mind later!

4.) I'd rather hit a shorter club on the screws than miss with a longer club. When you miss, not only do your yardages start getting inconsistent but you have the left and right aspects to be concerned with as well. In general, golf rewards solid strikes that fly straight more than mis-hits that fly offline. I certainly recommend playing what you're most consistent with and what you can trust.

5.) Most companies who make adjustable drivers also make their fairway metals with most of or some of the same adjustable technology. TaylorMade, Titleist and Nike all make adjustable fairway models for example.

Edited by MelloYello, 14 July 2012 - 05:58 PM.

[AMS MIKE]

4 wood is easier to hit and i dont see a big difference in distance difference between 3 and 4 wood. Biggest difference is i am much more consitant with the 4 wood.

I am currently using the XCG5 4-wood 16.5* and its about 225 carry avg and easy to hit off the tee and the deck!