My three wood is a great alternative to driver on tight holes. When I don't have the confidence, or it's a dogleg, and I just have to get the ball out there 225-245 or so to get around, the three wood is the perfect club off the tee. There's this one hole on a course I play at occasionally--par 5 dogleg left with a lake at 250 yards. You can't cut the dogleg unless you're Bubba Watson. Hit it 250 straight and you're dead. Hit it 235 and it's perfect. So out comes the three wood.

If I'm feeling brave, I drag my 8.5-degree driver out, but I'm inconsistent with it, so I've been experimenting with a 10.5-degree. I don't hit it as far, but it's a lot straighter. I have to tee it low, though. Otherwise I rocket the cotton-picking ball into the stratosphere and it lands 150 yards away.

my clubs:
Wilson Deep Red 10.5 degree 400cc--bargain bin find! 35 bucks!
or
Cleveland Launcher 460 8.5 degree
ben hogan c455 3-wood
hogan 19, 21, 24-degree hybrids
hogan apex 50 blades 5-E
hogan wedges 52, 56
john byron x-11 putter