Drivers tend to get the lion’s share of focus when it comes to golf clubs and equipment. Each and every year, golf club makers and equipment manufacturers announce their brand new driver lines to much fanfare. The golf media makes a large event out of the announcement of the new drivers and golf fans consume the information, itching to beef up their bags with the latest and greatest high-tech drivers.
The 3-wood is perhaps the most important golf club a golfer can keep in their bag. The versatility that comes with many of today’s 3-woods makes them an invaluable addition to your game. Let’s explore the five reasons why you need a 3-wood in your golf bag:
1. Distance
Distance with a 3-wood is comparable to a driver, thanks to the fact that many fairway woods are built with the same technology as drivers. While in the past there was a clear discrepancy between the distance a 3-wood can carry as compared to the distance golfers can hit the golf ball with a driver, today’s 3-woods are easy to hit and don’t trail drivers by much when it comes to distance.
Additionally, golfers who do hit the ball quite as far or play courses that aren’t very long can use a 3-wood off the tee without missing a beat.
2. Accuracy
Ask any golfer and they’ll all agree — accuracy trumps distance. In most scenarios, a golfer would choose to hit the ball in the right spot rather than hitting it far and in the rough or woods. With a 3-wood, it’s much easier to keep the golf ball in play than it is when hitting with a driver. So, off the tee, a 3-wood is incredibly vital and should be a crucial part of any golfer’s game.
3. Versatility
Another terrific quality of a 3-wood, and certainly a reason every golfer should carry one in their golf bag, is its incredibly versatility. We’ve already touched on the benefits of having a 3-wood in your bag for tee shots, but a 3-wood also adds value to your game on shots from the fairway and rough.
While a driver is virtually useless outside of the tee box, a 3-wood can come in handy for long-distance shots on long par-4s or when trying to reach the green in two on a par-5. Additionally, thanks to the sleek designs of many of today’s fairway woods, golfers can even hit quality shots with their 3-woods out of the rough.
4. Customization
Customization is yet another reason why you need a 3-wood in your golf bag. The customization options that first came to drivers nearly 10 years ago are now commonplace in today’s offering of fairway woods. This means that golfers can customize their 3-wood to their exact specifications, including customized lofts, launch angle and weight bias — to aid in moving the ball either right or left. With fairway woods, there are also a number of options when it comes to shaft and grip options.
5. Price
Finally, the main reason to add a 3-wood to your golf bag is the price. Budget-conscious golfers may be slightly turned off by the crazy prices of today’s drivers. If you’re interested in hitting a 3-wood off the tee rather than a driver, you’re able to benefit from much cheaper prices.
Indeed, a 3-wood is a club that every golfer should carry in their bag. With distance, accuracy, versatility and a boat-load of customization options, consider adding one to your bag today.
— Ben Larsen