Driver Decision

[King Par]

How many of you carry 2 drivers?

I have the option of having two drivers. They're pretty different from each other so it may not be as big of a problem as I thought.

One is a Srixon W-302 with the Stiff Stock Shaft (try saying that 3 times quickly ) It's 380cc and 8.5*

The other is a Ben Hogan Big Ben CS3. It has a regular flex Aldila. It's 10.5* and 454cc.

I've read that sometimes the Ben Hogan's specs can be off. (ie - if it's a 10.5* it may actually be 12.5* etc.) So there is a difference is lofts.

What would be my best option here? Keep them both, see which works and sell the one that doesn't? Or keep and play both?

[warbirdlover]

Trade them both in on a new Rapture!! (Sorry, couldn't resist).

[footballking732]

NOOO... absolutely do not get a Crapture....

i would go for which ever one hits better, and then use the money from the one you dont like to buy some nice wedges... there is no point in having 2 drivers, unless one shapes the ball differently than the other...

[extremeVFT03]

hey i can sell you a fake superquad.

[MCDavis]

I've got 3...1 in each set (main bag, beach bag) and 1 extra. If one starts giving me trouble, I can switch and see if that helps. If not, lesson time.

[ezra76]

I say take them both out and see which one performs more consistantly for you. Then start looking for a 3W. The 3W should take that spot of shorter and straighter.

[King Par]

I didn't even think about a 3W, maybe that is what I'll do.

[RickinMA]

Originally Posted by King Par

How many of you carry 2 drivers?

I have the option of having two drivers. They're pretty different from each other so it may not be as big of a problem as I thought.

One is a Srixon W-302 with the Stiff Stock Shaft (try saying that 3 times quickly ) It's 380cc and 8.5*

The other is a Ben Hogan Big Ben CS3. It has a regular flex Aldila. It's 10.5* and 454cc.

I've read that sometimes the Ben Hogan's specs can be off. (ie - if it's a 10.5* it may actually be 12.5* etc.) So there is a difference is lofts.

What would be my best option here? Keep them both, see which works and sell the one that doesn't? Or keep and play both?

Couple of thoughts... it seems your two drivers are night and day different - stiff 8.5* vs reg 10.5-12* - neither would fit me, as I need 10.5* with a stiff shaft - if you are similar, you're not doing yourself any favors with either
also, while they're very different, they're still too similar to have both in the bag in my opinion, for example, at 454cc's you're not going to hit the Hogan off the deck (at least I couldn't) and, at 8.5* I can't imagine that working from the grass either.

how far do you hit each? are you consistently straighter with one or the other?

looking at driver, driver, 3-PW, putter, it seems you might have some significant gaps in your bag - until last year I played just driver, 3-LW, putter but adding a 4 wood has really helped me - you could consider trading one of your drivers for a fairway wood (I picked up a used V-steel in great condition in a local proshop for $50)

If the 8.5* fits you, then dump the Hogan and get something in the 13-17* range for a fairway wood

If the 10.5 fits you, then dump the 8.5* and get something in the 15-20* range for a fairway wood

If neither fits you (which is entirely possible) consider trading them both for a driver and fairway wood - or a driver that fits you better + wedge

there are so many options - I just think you're limiting yourself and could be "wasting" a spot in the bag with these 2 drivers

sorry for the long post!

[footballking732]

Originally Posted by King Par

I didn't even think about a 3W, maybe that is what I'll do.

i am in the minority here for sure, but i dont carry a 3 wood anymore... all it does is encourage me to go for the green in 2 on a par 5, when i really should just lay up...

i would 1000X rather get nice wedges, and i suggest you invest in some as well... you need wedges more than a 3 wood, no doubt...

[footballking732]

alright lets do it this way.. will a 3 wood or wedges save more strokes?? i know ez will say 3 wood because he hits his off the tee so well, but alot of people hit their drivers off the tee straighter, not to mention longer...

you will simply use wedges more often, and a good up and down can save a bleeding round, where a bad 3 wood placement can worsen an already bad round...

im saying you need nice wedges 100 times more than any fairway wood... you can still make birdie by laying up on a par 5, but you cant if you shank/top, or hit one in the water...

[ManchesterGolfer]

Play on your own, take both drivers with you and play two balls putting the drivers head-to-head and see which one works best for you.

[ezra76]

Originally Posted by footballking732

alright lets do it this way.. will a 3 wood or wedges save more strokes?? i know ez will say 3 wood because he hits his off the tee so well, but alot of people hit their drivers off the tee straighter, not to mention longer...

you will simply use wedges more often, and a good up and down can save a bleeding round, where a bad 3 wood placement can worsen an already bad round...

im saying you need nice wedges 100 times more than any fairway wood... you can still make birdie by laying up on a par 5, but you cant if you shank/top, or hit one in the water...

I can hit my 13* off the deck now also. I used it 3 times with very good results last round. Last week I hit that incredible punch cut to put it on in 2 after a horrid tee shot as well. I say 3 or 4 wood.

On the flip side I also disagree about more wedges saving strokes. Too many options. I use my 50* on about 90% of my shots inside 100yds. SW only comes out for bunkers or real nasty greenside rough shortsided.

[footballking732]

but he doesnt even have any wedges at the moment... well at least according to his sig... and even if he did have some crappy walmart ones, imo he could save more strokes by getting some rac's or vokeys than picking up a 3/4 wood...

[footballking732]

Originally Posted by ezra76

Too many options. I use my 50* on about 90% of my shots inside 100yds.

why??

i use my LW on most everything inside 100 yds(we have already talked about me changing how i chip, and i will, im talking about pitches and full shots)

why wouldnt you use a LW, thats what the extra loft is there for... by nature it will go straighter, and come out higher, so it will stop faster... no need for a beginner to manipulate the face all over...

[RickinMA]

Originally Posted by footballking732

i am in the minority here for sure, but i dont carry a 3 wood anymore... all it does is encourage me to go for the green in 2 on a par 5, when i really should just lay up...

i would 1000X rather get nice wedges, and i suggest you invest in some as well... you need wedges more than a 3 wood, no doubt...

Fairway woods certainly have their uses -
For example, certain dog legs I can drive through and go OB with driver, while FW puts me right where I want to be - and I can't reach the bend with a 3iron - easy swing with a driver causes all sorts of control issues for me
Or, after a bad tee shot, a fairway wood can put you in position to have a wedge or short iron into most holes to save par

Originally Posted by footballking732

alright lets do it this way.. will a 3 wood or wedges save more strokes?? i know ez will say 3 wood because he hits his off the tee so well, but alot of people hit their drivers off the tee straighter, not to mention longer...

another way to look at it - what club do you hit 225-230? - I can hit driver 250 and I can get 200 out of my 3 iron - 50 yards is just too large a gap. the 16.5* 4 wood goes 225 for me - and, I played yesterday with only 2 wedges a 48* PW and a 58* lobwedge - I can hit my PW 100 yards, I can also hit it 90 yrds, and 80 yrds, and 70 yrds, at 60 yrds and in the 58* had me covered until I found myself chipping with the PW again

Originally Posted by footballking732

you will simply use wedges more often, and a good up and down can save a bleeding round, where a bad 3 wood placement can worsen an already bad round...

I've played alot of rounds where I've used my PW and 55* SW and never touched my 60* LW - more wedges isn't always better

Originally Posted by footballking732

im saying you need nice wedges 100 times more than any fairway wood... you can still make birdie by laying up on a par 5, but you cant if you shank/top, or hit one in the water...

I'm not even sure you need "nice wedges" my granfather used to kick my butt with an OLD cheap wilson 55* SW

That said, with only 1 fairway wood, he'd still have plenty of room for additional wedges - and you're right, a gap wedge for example, helps alot of people