Equipment
‘Is the 3-wood becoming redundant?’ – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been debating whether 3-woods are becoming less useful. WRXer ‘Justcallmemoses’ asks with modern 3-woods going “too far” are they becoming a “waste of bag space”, and says to fellow members
“Are you pulling a 2 iron or 5 wood off the tee if you must find the fairway? Do you even have the speed to launch a 3 wood?”
And our members have been having their say on the topic in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- Cellis: “I would have a hard time calling them redundant. Going from a driver to 2 iron, or 5 wood that is probably around 18* is a massive gap. You also do not need a “crazy” amount of speed to launch a 3 wood, more so just a good swing. The only contemplation I have with my 3 wood is moving it from 13.5 to 15*, but it will definitely not be leaving my bag.”
- manima1: “4W is the answer w/ these new lower spinning fairway wood heads, in my opinion. 15 degree 3W’s to me nearly chase driver length.”
- ehy8266: “It really depends on how far the driver goes relative to the 3wd. If the driver goes 250 and the 3wd 240ish, then it is redundant. Conversely, when a driver can result in a 270+ shot and the 3wd 240+, then it isn’t.”
- third-times-a-charm: “It was a tee only club for me, and I realized I was not any more accurate with 3W than driver, so I’m back to experimenting with a 5w turned down.”
- puttingmatt: “I still find plenty of places where a 3 wood works very well for my game. As with all clubs, a 3 wood is player specific. If you can’t strike them well, you will need to search for an alternative.”
Entire Thread: “Is the 3 wood becoming redundant?“
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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SoonerSlim
Nov 12, 2021 at 11:29 am
Seniors need to put away their ego and get a 5W or 7W. If they do, they will find that they can actually hit these clubs as far as their beloved 3W. Unless you are a senior that can generate mid 90s clubhead speed, you need to ditch the 3W for an 18-21 degree wood. You will love the outcome.
Jerome
Nov 12, 2021 at 11:05 am
The average male golfer hits the driver 200-210 yards. Only forum golfers “average” 270-280. I once hit my driver 310 yards, but I don’t go around saying I hit my driver around 300. If golfers would actually measure their shots they would be shocked by the average. I play with long hitters all the time who occasionally hit it 280, but most of the time we are very close in distance.
Rodney Clarke
Nov 12, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Well said Jerome, 100% correct.
Mike
Nov 13, 2021 at 9:07 am
Great post. My course has a numerous par 4’s that are in the 360-375 range. If I can get to the 150 yd marker on my drive, that’s a very good shot for me. Throw in the ever-present wind (usually against me or a cross-wind) & it becomes a super-great poke for me.
Imafitter
Nov 12, 2021 at 10:51 am
I go from driver to 5-Wood dialed down from 17.5 to 16. Great off the tee and off the deck.