3w vs. Driver

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By Gary S

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  • 8 Replies
  1. Gary S

    Gary S

    I'm certain this subject has been brought up before, but I need guidance as I'm hitting my 3w nearly as long as my driver.  

    Here are the launch monitor stats:  the driver is a 913d2, 9.5 Diamana 62 blue shaft, stiff, set to 11 degrees (b1), 45"

    3 wood is 913F, 15 degrees set to 15.75, Diamana 72 blue shaft, stiff 43"

    Club     Balls speed    Launch Angle   Back spin   carry

    Driver       131                  14.9                   2592            216

    3w             131                  14 .6                  3190            207

    From my perspective, it looks like ball speed is out of whack.  Given that (or maybe it's something else), am I best to put a different shaft in my driver (maybe the same Diamana 72 at 43")?  Swap out the driver for a 13.5 3 wood?

    Any advice or help would be appreciated!

    Gary

  2. Matt B

    Matt B
    Columbus, OH

    It also depends on your smash factor & clubhead speed! At first look it appears your not hitting the driver as flush as your 3 wood (smash Factor) & you may need to cut the driver length down and add the heavier 14g weight to the head. At second look it appears your driver swingspeed may be 87mph & if you increase your launch angle say 1* with similar spin rate with your driver you should be able to carry it near 240 yds. (also has to do with angle of attack) I would recommend seeing a PGA advance fitter that is knowledgeable in all factors of driver fitting. As you can see there is just too many variables that will determine your proper fitting. There are some players today that swing the shorter clubs faster and hit it more solid, that creates more ball speed & distance. Some of the best players on the PGA tour still playing drivers around the 44" length.
  3. Gary S

    Gary S

    Matt,

    Good thoughts.  I'm using a Foresight GC2, but I don't have the feature that gives me clubhead data.  So...no smash factor.  Still, when I've been on a flightscope or Trackman, my smash factor has been about 1.47.  That means you're right: I'm not swinging the driver that fast.

    Had not thought about adding the weight on the driver. Thanks for that!  I will also pursue cutting down the shaft.  

    Very helpful. 

    Thanks,

    Gary

  4. David Browning

    David Browning
    Ohio

    Gary S said:

    Matt,

    Good thoughts.  I'm using a Foresight GC2, but I don't have the feature that gives me clubhead data.  So...no smash factor.  Still, when I've been on a flightscope or Trackman, my smash factor has been about 1.47.  That means you're right: I'm not swinging the driver that fast.

    Had not thought about adding the weight on the driver. Thanks for that!  I will also pursue cutting down the shaft.  

    Very helpful. 

    Thanks,

    Gary

    Like someone else mentioned, your club head speed is a little low paired with the launch/spin. Your best bet is to schedule a fitting with your local Titleist rep/Pro. You'll be able to try out various shafts with difference characteristics/weight and your fitter would be able to dial you into the perfect shaft/flex/grip/Sure-Fit setting. 

  5. Gary S

    Gary S

    Thanks, All.

    Brief update.  I used some contact tape and saw the impact on the driver -- while consistent -- was slightly toward the heel.  I readjusted my setup and...viola: 

    ball speed: 137-139

    Launch angle: 15.5

    carry: 225 - 230 (depending on backspin)

    Assuming decent roll, that should give this 55+ guy plenty of distance.

    I will still pursue some of the other adoptions: different shaft, different flex, weighting, etc.  But, sometimes it's all in where the ball strikes the clubface.  BTW, Andrew Rice has done a lot of work in this area.  Good reading: 

    http://www.andrewricegolf.com/2012/07/optimal-strike-point-for-longer-drives/

  6. Fred Closs

    Fred Closs
    Denton, TX

    Gary, thanks for posting the article. It hadn't occurred to me to hit it slightly toward the toe to take advantage of the higher speed of the toe.

  7. Matt B

    Matt B
    Columbus, OH

    Typically heel hit indicates a driver shaft length that is too long, that is great improvement however it looks like your still leaving some distance in the bag. I have found 44.5" is the longest length I can handle, any longer and my ball speed starts dropping with difficulty squaring up the face. I know it sounds crazy but when I cut down the shaft & add weight to head my swing & ball speed goes up. The longer lengths work good for the robots, just not me!
  8. John L

    John L
    Dewey, OK

    There has been a lot of great responses to your initial post and 99% of them i would agree with and are spot on. after reading your update i felt it kinda confirmed my initial thought  that you weren't hitting it flush. While i agree with the idea of testing a few other shafts see if you can find something that will get you a few extra yards probably in the 3-7yrds gained range. but over all i think unless your club head speed picks up the numbers you got now will probably remain. here is a great artical i read some time ago.

    http://www.golfwrx.com/62549/how-far-should-you-hit-your-golf-clubs/

    from what i am interpreting i would say your falling in line with what these numbers project. that being said if your putting up those numbers consistently you have a good swing going. I also suggest looking into the Titleist performance institute  see if you can gain some flex ability strength and maybe pick up a few mpg on that swing. 

    cheers greens and fairways to all

    simba

  9. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    I agree with the above poster. I might also add that if, in fact, your SS is around 90 and you transition smoothly, playing a stiff shaft in your driver might be limiting your distance as well.  Just a thought to consider. I have a smooth tempo and a 93-95 mph swing speed with my driver and usually show better distance numbers with a reg flex shaft on a monitor. So much depends on the shaft design as well, though. All I'm saying is, if you do decide to re-shaft, before you do, definitely compare reg vs. stiff when getting fit.

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