Plan on buying new 3wood soon any advice?

Im planning on buying a new 3 wood because my current one is pretty dinged up. The problem is i dont have two or three hundred dollars to spend on a new brand name 3 wood. Are there any other brands that are cheaper and still have good quality? Or should i try buying a used wood instead?
Thanks all,
Doug

Hi snoopdoug,

I don't know the price range you are thinking about, but the Callaway Big Bertha 2007 and 2008 clubs are still available new at low prices. This club is all titanium, game improvement features for casual golfers. It is not the top of the line, X, Diablo, or other models, that is why it's a lower price. Google it and there are many hits for prices. Depending on where you are, the stores have it on sale as well.

You can also look at used equipment for other makes, but you just have to be a bit more careful.

Ted

Hi ted,
what do you think about the callaway X-hot 3 woods? I found one for 120.00, brand new, callaway x-hot graphite shaft stiff flex, callaway grip, plus headcover, that sound like a good deal?
I also just found a new taylormade burner 3 wood with a Re ax 50 gram superfast graphite shaft R flex for only 130.00.
And what do you think of the jack nicklaus brand clubs?
Thanks again,
DOug

Hi Doug,

The X hots are great clubs and the price looks good. you just have to make sure you get the right shaft flex and loft for your swing.

You see, when the newest models come out, the prices drop on the previous ones. It's not as if the clubs have suddenly stopped getting good in a year or two.

Ted

Ted,
Thats what i thought. How do i know what flex to get? The flex for my current driver and 3 wood is mid flex. And the driver is 10.5 degree. What do you think abvout the clubs with movable weights?

Hi Doug,

It depends on how you swing (if you swing hard or have a fast tempo, your swing speed and what kind of shots you want to hit.

I've pieced this together from other data bases to give an idea. If you do not want to be fitted formally, this is only a guide. Note there are varying swing speed ranges and distances given as the guides for the flex selection, depending on opinions, but it should give you an idea.

REGULAR FLEX Driver speed swing 85-94 mph. Driver carry distance 210-240 yds. Club used from 150 yds. a 6 or 7 iron.

STIFF FLEX Driver speed swing 95-105 mph. Driver carry distance 240-260 yds. Club used from 150 yds. a 8 or 9 iron.

If the shaft that is too stiff the player will have difficulty flexing it, resulting in loss of distance and shots going to the right. If the shaft is too flexible, there may be difficulty controlling the club head resulting in either slices or hooked shots. Players who have a slower tempo to get a given club head speed should go for more flexible shaft. Players who have faster, shorter, harder swings should consider stiffer shafts. Players with accuracy problems should usually move toward stiffer shafts. Players looking to maximize distance or club head feel should look for a more flexible shaft.

You have to make your own decision.

Ted