3H further than 3W mystery

Hi,

Sometimes it's the shaft... I.e. weight, flex, length

My experience with woods are its never even in my bag, cos I probably can hit it 20% of the time.
I tried various woods from 15deg to 21deg, mostly on 55g-ish standard length stock Asian specs shafts.

I went for a full set fitting at Titleist, hit easily 100 balls and hit 90% off the deck fairly straight.
The moment he poke a 72 diamana shaft I could feel the head better and can feel the impact consistently.
Then we tried to shorten the shaft, result became better.

Turn out that I hv to use 70g kinda shafts which are 1 inch shorter.

Now, I'm putting a 15 deg n 19 deg 913f in my bag, both at 5wd standard length. Hitting them  longer than my 21 deg hybrid.

Derek said it well with his article..
Off the deck, 3 wood is arguably the most challenging club to hit with the longer shaft and meagre loft. Some time ago, i was watching clips of highlights of PGA players (golf channel) and almost all mentioned this as well.. I think it was Hunter Mahan that said that he will keep hitting 3 wood in pre-match practice until he gets the desired results, then he comfortably know that he can bring out the best in his other woods, including his driver.. I tend to agree with him.. To maximize 3 wood from the deck (clean lie and not recommended from rough unless you are John Daly), you need a nice clean sweep with the ball preferably aligned roughly along the inside of your left foot (just like how you woudl position as if you would hit with your driver). Several years ago, my former teaching pro also mentioned that, in his past 20 years of experience, more than 70% of his students, especially weekend golfers or even amateurs, tend to over-estimate their swing prowess and start to use stiffer flex for their woods (for all sorts of technical reasons), especially 3 wood and driver, when they can easily achieve more yardages with a softer or regular flex... Yes, i was 'one' of them.. and I did followed his advice and was a happier golfer..
Do watch out for newer woods coming out in the market, especially the US ones like Cobra and Callaways.. some or most of them are at least 0.5 or 0.75" longer (i.e. a normal 3 wood is 43" or even 42.5", now they are coming out with 43.5" or more).. if you already struggling hitting the woods, the additional length certainly wont help you...

Mini driver is a good option if you want to hit 3wood like club off the tee.

try 13.5 deg
much easier than driver
now seems like I cold storage my driver le cause 13.5 can give me the distance I desire

also if cannot strike the ball well try to place the ball more center than towards the left leg
but this is maybe due to my swing so if doesnt suite you then adjust to your own comfort

happy golfing