Driver vs 3 Wood

[Imac]

I hit my 3 wood straight as an arrow but I can't hit my Driver the same. When I hit my driver it slices about 100 to 150 yards into the shot what am I doing to cause this?

[vp27519]

Re: Driver vs 3 Wood

Hi Imac,

A few considerations;

- Club face open at impact
- Not completing the swing (finishing)
- Alignment is open (cutting the ball at impact).

What is your swing doing differently with the 3 and driver. What degrees are these two clubs?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Driver vs 3 Wood

Imac,

The difference between the two clubs is around 2/3 inches in length so the difference between hitting the two clubs is practically zero.......................However the difference between the ears is massive simply because you, me and nearly every other non pro seems to put alot more effort in, too much in fact.

I suggest most people hit poor second shots on par five holes with their three woods, the reason: we don't put our normal swing on the shot, somewhere in our mind we try to hit the ball harder/further and with more effort inevitably failing every time.

The same happens with the driver:

The thing to remember is this: We try to reach our target instead of hitting a comfortable shot and SEEING if it gets there.


Hope this helps

Ian.

[Simon Woo]

Re: Driver vs 3 Wood

The higher the loft, the more sidespin is dissipated. So if you have a slight out-to-in swing, it might still be ok with the 5W but it will really show with the driver. Plus usually it's trying to rip it that makes it even more severe.

In any case, the slice is definitely caused by an open face and out-to-in swing path. Check the rotation of your forearm, you will probably realise that you are not releasing and closing the head. It's weird but it's actually very common - we tend to forget to release with the driver because we are trying to rip it :P

[Imac]

Re: Driver vs 3 Wood

My driver is a 9.5 degrees and my 3 wood is 15 degrees. I swing the same speed everytime I even had it clocked. The average is 95 mph for both clubs on 10 swings. Both the clubs have the same shaft type and flex which are stiff.

[GoNavy]

Re: Driver vs 3 Wood

Without seeing you swing, my guess is that your ball position may be a little forward with the driver and you are catching the ball coming backin on your swing, meaning a slight outside in swing relative to the ball. Play the ball where your 3w position is or one ball width max forward of that, and it will probably straighten out. Also I might add with a 95 mph swing speed, you need a reg shaft not stiff, and 9.5 loft is a little too much for that slow a swing speed. You might do better with a 10.5 or even 11 degree lofted driver and reg flex shaft.

Current launch angle specs say between 11 - 14 degree launch angle, with spin rates from 2200 - 2800 rpms, but allot depends on swing speed, the slower the speed the higher the LA needs to be and the lower the SR needs to be. With a 95 mph you need to shoot for around 12 or 13 degrees and a 2400 rpm. I don't have the charts handy. but it should be around there, and your stiff 9.5 I bet is no where near that, probably around 10 degrees LA, so are probably losing 30 yds or more. A 9.5 with a stiff shaft is usually used by folks with 105 + mph swing speeds. Having a shaft that is too stiff can also cause a slight fade/slice, the loft of the 3w is probably lessening the effects because of the loft and backspin.