nobmontana Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Probably beating on a dead horse but the A Grind driver discussions re-sparked my club Ho mind to pursue an "off the tee fairway finder" club. To be completely honest, I have never felt like my 3 wood was ever going to be more "reliable" off the tee than my driver from the perspective of "keeping it on the fairway" Also on course and on range, my 3 wood probably gets the least amount of hitting time. I do have one slot open for another club in my bag since I normally play 13 anyway. So just looking for thoughts and ideas you might all be willing to share to keep me awake at night! :) Success Criteria: - Better than 90% of normal driver distance. ( longer than my 3 wood I suppose ) - Significant improvement of fairway percentage over normal driver Head Size > Large or Small ? Head Weight > Heavy or Light ? Head Profile > Deep or Shallow ? Loft > High or Low ? What's the ideal loft ? Overall Length > Long or Short ? Ideal length ? Swing Weight > High or Low? Shaft material > Graphite or Steel ? ( Yes steel!! ) Shaft weight > Heavy or Light ? Shaft kick point > Low Mid or High Shaft torque > Low or High Here are my thoughts for my first trial. Head Size > "Large" because it is supposed to be more forgiving Head Weight > "Heavy" for more stability and for the extra momentum at impact created by extra weight Head Profile > I am thinking shallow; For added forgiveness and ease of launch. Loft > Will need to experiment maybe with a loft adjustable head and also dependent on shaft profile. Overall Length > Shorter the easier, right? I am going to start with 43.5" Swing Weight > Probably higher for added stability and feel of control. Shoot for D3 or higher Shaft material > Graphite with some heft or may try steel wood shafts. Shaft weight > Heavier Shaft kick point > Will start with Mid kick and possibly try others depending on result. Shaft torque > Not sure on this one or if it matters too much. Will keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuistot Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Interesting, I was looking for a 2 wood tee box type club and found a Crazy black F14. 13.5* 214 gm head spec to 43.75" came to D4.75 to D5 Supo had his guy build with GD MD 6S ... I asked him to take it for a quick run befor shipping...comments were whosaa, meaty mid flight bullets. No bias left or right. I have only limited range time with poor distance limiting rock balls. My thoughts are... the sound is fantastic, the shaft is smooth and the extra weight helps me with hip turn and hitting through the ball. Took to my clubmaker on the flightscope today.. 86 mph sw speed dist avg 205 yds spin ave 4200-4300 rpm height 40'. Best club in my bag. Don't bother trying to hit off the deck and never off a mat. Good luck in your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambles Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 The 15* 3 wood was first choice off the tee from day one to me. The Driver always seemed too long, big and heavy to be used and I gravitated towards the 3 wood as a recourse. I liked it even more when I found it was also a good fairway club whereas the Driver, back then, was only used off the tee. The only reason I forced myself to learn to use the Driver was because I bever felt like a golfer unless I learned to use all the clubs in my bag and when that breakthrough was done, I found many more things needed learning. Shambles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaaayelll Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Baldo Brassy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobmontana Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 ok put together my first trial using some left over pulled shaft from years ago. Ping G30 10.5, 42" overall length w/Nippon 950GH FW X flex. Upped the swingweight to D5 using a bunch of lead tape. Overall weight came to 378g!! I might break my back after tomorrow. Will report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobmontana Posted March 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 I hit this FFF ( Frankenstein Fairway Finder ) driver twice today before we called it quits due to severe wind and rain. First, my back is still okay... I think I am getting somewhere with it. I was hitting around 250 with it which is about the same as my 3 wood. Gonna try a different shaft but the head weight felt good. I am going to keep the head heavy. Will try going lighter on the shaft and a bit longer length this time. May be 43.5" Will keep you posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fore Left! Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Man I think this thing sounds like a nightmare to turn over, on paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobmontana Posted March 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 good point. but I think due to the shorter length , it's not so bad. 2nd trial today with the following spec. 352g overall weight 44 " length Zcom pro 95 stiff shaft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 THIS.... is my fav topic right now. ive built HEAPS of exactly this club type fpr hitting straight about 250. tight short holes. my latest is the taylo made TP driver head from 2009 with bimatrix 75x i can hit it prob a max of 250. its low, its arrow straight and its a driver head so its a full on swing, no micky mousing about with it. its MILES differnt to NS steel driver shaft i had instaled last year its much ,lower . and nowhere near the same spin. that has beeen used twice last 2 weeks , ive yet to miss a fariway with it. the head is an ENDO head its just lovely. its a perfect foil for my driver and its an automatic choice now for back home on my 6000 yards course. building another to keep there. im finding it easier to use tha a 3 wood. obv not as versatile. but off a tee its fantastic. easly days yet, 2 rounds... but. from what ive seen so far its a keeper and then some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobmontana Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I am really liking this. G30 head loft set to 9.5 deg Head weight is 207g or so. Waiting on a heavier weight which will get it to about 218g. Once I have the heavier head weight, I might reduce the length further down to 43.5" Gonna name mine "Mjolnir" Yesterday at the range the measured swing speed was as fast as my other full length and lighter drivers . Not sure what is happening. Perhaps the Turbulator on the G30 is working its magic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 haahah.. short heavy is my thing this season by the looks of it too. buidling my bag for guam can only take 1 set of irons. but 5 or 6 drivers not a prob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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