The #1 Reason Why Golfers CAN’T Hit 3 Wood

Unlock the true potential of your 3 wood with our step-by-step guide. Gain accuracy, distance, and consistency off the tee and fairway. Transform your game with the right mindset and technical adjustments.

Table of Contents

• Step 1: How to Hit 3 Wood — Setup Fundamentals
• Step 2: Create the Right Set Position
• Step 3: Mindset Through Impact
• Step 4: Common Mistakes and Fixes
• Step 5: The Drill That Changes Everything
• Step 6: Practice Progression and Targets
• Step 7: Using 3 Wood on the Course
• Checklist Before Every Shot
• FAQ

Step 1: How to Hit 3 Wood — Setup Fundamentals

Your setup is crucial for effective 3 wood contact. Set up more like you’re hitting a driver but strike with the intent of an iron. This gives you the width and forward ball position needed while ensuring a downward low point through impact.

• Stance width: Widen your stance as you do for a driver, with your feet’s insides aligned under your shoulders’ outsides for stability and a longer swing arc.
• Ball position: Position the ball just inside your lead heel. This helps achieve the necessary launch without flipping upward at impact.
• Spine tilt and posture: Maintain a slight tilt away from the target, similar to a driver’s stance, with hands higher at address.

Step 2: Create the Right Set Position

The set position stores energy before the downswing. Aim for a U-shaped swing with a smooth hinge, emulating a driver’s shape but strike with an iron’s intent.

• Take your time: Your hands need a longer arc due to the wider stance and forward ball, necessitating a gradual hinge for on-plane returns.
• Impact spot: Your intent to hit the same low point relative to the ball should remain while allowing the club more travel distance.

Step 3: Mindset Through Impact

Shift your mindset to stop helping the ball up. Commit to hitting past the ball, ensuring proper compression. Visualize the clubhead passing under and through the turf beyond the ball, indicating a correctly struck 3 wood.

• Narrow margin for error: Swinging up cuts down your margin and usually results in thin hits.
• Chunked or thin shots: These occur when your low point is behind the ball.
• Rightward misses: Occur when you lift at impact, leaving the face open.

Step 4: Common Mistakes and Fixes

Recognize and correct mistakes during practice:

• Scooping: Focus on hitting down.
• Ball placement: Ensure it’s forward.
• Narrow stance: Widen your stance.
• Early release: Sustain lag through impact.
• Poor rotation: Commit to full rotation.

Step 5: The Simple Drill That Changes Everything

Use this drill to enhance your strike and mindset:

1. Place a tee ahead of the ball.
2. The tee should tilt or break at contact, indicating proper impact.
3. Repeat for sets of 10-20 to train your low point.

Step 6: Practice Progression and Targets

Structure practice for more accuracy:

• Warm-up: Begin with short irons.
• Reps: Perform sets with the tee drill, maintaining focus.
• Targets: Use defined landing areas and focus on trajectory consistency.
• Measure progress: Look for turf pinches and centered contact.

Step 7: Using 3 Wood on the Course

Adopt strategy when using the 3 wood:

• Off the tee: Choose it for controlled stability.
• From the fairway: Ensure the ball is forward and commit to the shot.
• Adjust trajectory: Control height with stance adjustments.

Common Sense Checklist Before Every Shot

• Stance: Wider, stable, and athletic.
• Ball position: Just inside the lead heel.
• Takeaway: Smooth, building to a proper set position.
• Intent: Hit down and through, visualizing turf contact.
• Finish: Rotate fully to avoid rightward misses.

FAQ

Success with a 3 wood hinges on the correct setup and intent. Approach the ball with the width of a wood and the strike of an iron. Through practice and focus on contact, the 3 wood will transform into a highly reliable club.