I’ve tested a 3-wood and a mini driver off the tee. Here’s what I prefer.

If the driver isn’t behaving, what is the next best option? Is it a 3-wood or a mini driver? I’ve tested both options, here’s what I’ve found. 

We’ve all been in that position where it’s just not going well with the driver. That’s never a good thing, as we all know how important it is to hit powerful and straight tee shots on the course. If you can’t get the ball in play off the tee, you’re going to struggle to score well. 

So, when the driver isn’t working the way you want it to, what’s the solution?

In the past, it might have been the case that you only had the 3-wood, or even a 2-iron to hit off the tee. Now, however, the mini driver is becoming a popular option for lots of golfers. So, should you be using one?

The Mini Driver

There are number of different models of this club. The likes of TaylorMade, PXG and Callaway have mini drivers on the market and they all come in lofts that can be tweaked to play like a high lofted driver, or a strong lofted fairway wood.

These are a lot smaller in head shape than the 460cc driver heads and closer 300cc, but they are very high in MOI, making them still a forgiving option. A mini driver does have that bigger profile than the standard fairway wood and a slightly deeper face, which helps it to sit nicely behind the ball from the tee.

The spin is also lower, which gives me great control, but that’s also going to increase the distance you’ll see off the tee. A lot of mini drivers have weight ports forward and closer to the face for more speed, but with a weight port in the back for higher MOI and high launch.

Of course, you can hit these clubs from the deck too, but that’s not always the easiest option, especially compared to a fairway wood.

The 3-wood

When it comes to a 3-wood, there are a lot more options, with every major brand producing something in this category. For me, I like using a low spinning option for a more penetrating flight off the tee and the fairway.

Compared to a mini driver, this is a smaller head shape. However, brands do now offer models that are larger and more forgiving than the standard 3-wood offerings we might have seen in the past.

The biggest difference you’ll see in a 3-wood compared to a mini driver is the shallowness of the face, which makes it easier to hit off the ground and get the ball in the air. The face isn’t as deep as a mini driver, but when you move in to the more forgiving fairway models, you’ll see the head shapes start to get bigger and sit clean and tight to ground.

Personally, if I was to hit a 3-wood from the tee to replace my driver, I’d find the ball flight to be too high. However, that is personal to me and for many golfers, this is going to be a benefit rather than a hinderance. Plus, this club does have more loft than a mini driver, so it’s only natural that you’ll see a higher ball flight.

How do you choose?

I find with a mini driver, it’s very much a secondary option off the tee. These clubs have a deeper face and are high in MOI, making them brilliant if you need a stronger lofted option, almost like a 2-wood, in the region of 11 to 13 degrees of loft. You can hit these off the fairway, but that’s not the easiest with some models. For the most part, these are going to be a great club to hit from the tee, rather than something from the fairway. 

A 3-wood is brilliant as an all-round versatile option for off the tee and on the fairway but with it being a standard of 15 degrees it will go a lot higher and spin more than a 13.5 or an 11.5-degree mini driver. That’s absolutely fine if you need more height, but for some, myself included, it’s going to mean giving up a fair bit of distance compared to my regular driver.

Even in the more forgiving and larger options that we see from manufacturers today, the 3-wood is going to be more compact and more shallow than a mini driver. That’s great for ease of use from the ground, but will produce a higher flight from the tee.

For me, it’s really about what you want from your club. If you purely want something smaller and more controllable from the tee, then a mini driver is a great way to go. However, if you also need this club to perform well from the fairway, then a 3-wood might still be the best play for you.

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James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor