3 wood launch angles

[Matt 4-L]

I'm looking to buy a new 3 wood and was wondering if there is an optimum launch angle and spin rate for a 13* and 15* 3 woods. I have a 105mph swing and would like to get the most distance possible; I never hear anything about launch numbers for a 3 wood, would they be the same as a driver? Thanks.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

I'm looking to buy a new 3 wood and was wondering if there is an optimum launch angle and spin rate for a 13* and 15* 3 woods. I have a 105mph swing and would like to get the most distance possible; I never hear anything about launch numbers for a 3 wood, would they be the same as a driver? Thanks.

It depends on what you want the 3 wood to do. Is it mainly going to be a 'tee only' 3 wood? If so, then you are going to want something launches high but doesn't spin very much so that you get maximum distance.

If you want it to be a deck only 3 wood you are going to want something that might launch a bit lower and balloon just a bit so you can get maximum green holding power.

If you want it to do double duty you are going to want it to launch pretty high but with a medium amount of spin so that it can hold greens but still has some run if you hit it off a tee.

I don't have any numbers perse but i can usually tell by the ball flight if something is ballooning or not and i go by that.

 

[Matt 4-L]

It will definately be a double duty club.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Here's what i'd reccomend for you:

1) Find the shallowest head that you feel comfortable using off the tee
2) Make sure the face is measured for loft and get 14-15* head
3) Make sure it is as square as possible to provide versatility in ball flight
4) Find a butt stiff, soft tipped shaft that won't balloon excessively on you when used off a tee.

The 4 above combined with the right head/shaft combo will be a great "double duty" club. Also, remember that even though it's a 3 wood you shouldn't be looking for the longest 3 wood you can find. you need one that you want to do 2 things:

1) Always find the fairway
2) Go a specific distance for par 5s i'm assuming

Hope that helps

PS A great head i have always heard good reviews about that you can pick up cheap now on ebay is the Nike T60 fairway woods. Despite the deeper faces on them, every review i have ever read said they are very easy to get up off the deck. Cheap experiment.