The last couple years I had to remove the fairway woods from my bag. I jokingly called my 4wood the 50/50 club because every time I hit it, it was a 50/50 shot of being good or being an embarrassing shot (Roller or just terribly struck).
The problem is, when I remove the 4 wood, it basically means I am giving up the chance to reach par 5’s in 2. as a result, I typically hit my second shot as a layup to 100 yards.
For this year, I have added a standard 4h (I play one length irons 3h/3i - LW). The standard length hybrid gives me a club I can fly 220…not long enough to reach par 5’s, but long enough for long pat 3’s. Still by getting closer to the greens, I can give myself better birdie opportunities.
Today, since I took the 4 wood out of the bag, I experimented with putting the 4w shaft in my driver (42 in)….it was awesome. I hit almost every fairway and really didn’t give up much distance. I don’t want to get too excited because we played white tees today, so I will say the jury is still out. However, I can say if we are playing under 6500 yards, I believe that’s gonna be my play. I might even carry two drivers this year.
Anyone else tinkering with club changes?
Awesome sauce, @Russell Hogue, PhD. Have some Grand fun with your new Tetons!! 😎
Hilarious! I got these Teton Hybrid drivers today. I basically have a gap because I don’t have a club to easily fly 220-230. I simply mishit the 4wood too often so I took it out of the bag. I have both a 12 degree and a 15 degree. This club is an Xl hybrid. It looks more like a hybrid with a driver face. I also got a 21 degree club, but will put that for sale on eBay. I have no use for that loft. Sure enough, exactly what I thought…this club can definitely fit the bill on distance. With the regular grip I saw 250yards with 12 degree and 240 yards with the 15 degree. Gonna need to hit more shots to figure out carry distances…off ground and off tee. I think on the ground, I should see 220-230 without trying to kill it. However, the face is so big, I suspect it may be pretty hard to hit on a fairway. We shall see.
For me, I tend to not carry a club in the event I might have a chance for an "on in 2" on a par 5 only because many of the par 5's I play require a very high ball flight to hold the green. Plus, the greens are elevated (Pete Dye) such that the front will deny any roll on. Plus they are well bunkered.
I would rather layup as you stated to 100-ish, on the short grass, and have a chance for a birdie vs. a much harder 3rd short game shot. I guess my thought is to play the odds and minimize trouble with misses. Par 5's on other courses I've played are more receptive to a 220ish shot to the green, and less bunkered. Plus, I tend to not carry many wedges. I carry a 49.5* wedge that I can use from 80-115, and a 60* that covers the balance. Look up PGA West and see their courses (AMEX Tourney, Stadium and Nicklaus) and you'll see what I mean.
The above stated, it's always fun to experiment.