Join us for behind-the-scenes stories, smart strategies, and highly effective ways for you to play better golf
Share
2 drivers? + Speed record!
Published 4 days ago • 4 min read
3 wood off the tee sucks.
I know a bunch of you probably relate to that. I do!
So I was curious when I saw this video from Neal Shipley about his 12 degree "thriver".
I had to learn more.
I was able to have a great chat with Marty Jertsen, VP Fitting & Performance at Ping all about it. It's such an interesting concept.
PLUS this means the PODCAST IS BACK. I've been hearing you all loved the old Golf Science Lab show. So it's coming back. This is the first episode of many to come.
If you actually care about improving (like, really improving), you need good. Tour players and coaches trust the WhyGolf Pressure Plateto improve ball striking by training a proper pressure shift for more speed and consistency.
We were filming a new youtube video on some of the work I've been doing in the gym and on a knee injury from a little bit ago and hit about 70 balls to see where I was at.
Felt really good and got faster than I ever have.
Check out the vid here to see the new club head speed record!
When’s the last time you got excited to hit a 3-wood off the tee with the pressure on in a tournament?
I honestly can’t remember. And even if I did, it probably wasn’t great.
So what if there’s a better option?
It’s not a 3-wood. It’s not a mini driver. It’s something else entirely.
I chatted with the Marty Jertsen from Ping about the Thriver... a mash-up of three-wood and driver and it might be exactly what you need.
Why the 3-Wood is Fading
If you swing over 105 mph and carry it north of 280, your 3-wood probably only comes out in two spots:
On tight tee shots
Into a reachable par 5
But even then, it’s a tough ask.
Off the ground, it’s hard to launch. Off the tee, it’s not nearly as forgiving as your driver. And most modern courses aren’t really asking you to hit 3-wood into greens anymore.
Ping has data from their Arccos partnership that backs this up: players who drive it over 280 use their 3-wood off the turf less than 20 percent of the time.
So if you’re barely using it from the ground, and it’s not consistent off the tee, what’s the point?
How a Thriver is Built
Ping’s version of a Thriver is built like this:
Head: G430 Max, labeled 12 degrees but playing closer to 13.5
Shaft: A 3-wood shaft, usually right around 43 inches
Swing weight: D3 to D4 (they add 12 to 15 grams of weight to the head)
280+ carry: You’ll likely gain strokes by switching
250–275: Worth testing both options. Fit for tee and turf
225 and below: You probably still need a traditional fairway wood or 5-wood you can trust off the ground
The faster you swing, the more likely it is that a Thriver outperforms your 3-wood in both consistency and strokes gained off the tee.
The Anti-Anxiety Club
A Thriver is the anti-anxiety club. You tee it lower, make a controlled swing, and watch it chase down the fairway.
You’re not trying to do too much. You’re just trying to stay in play, hit a number, and keep your round alive. That’s exactly what this club is built for.
Marty called it a club for fragile 3-wood players.
I'll put my hand up and say I'm one of those players 🙋♂️
How to Try It
You’ve got two good options.
1. DIY Test If you’ve got a 12-degree Ping head lying around and a spare 3-wood shaft, plug them together. Add 12 to 15 grams of lead tape to the head to get the swing weight right. Go test it.
2. Get Fit Ping will build you one. Just ask your fitter for a “Thriver build.” It’s not officially on the menu, but they’ll know what you mean.
Final Thought
Here’s what’s exciting. Once you’ve got a Thriver in the bag, you can turn your main driver into a true weapon.
Stretch it out, chase lower spin and higher ball speed, and go get your max.
Because now you’ve got a second club you can trust when control matters more than power.
Disclosure: Some things in this newsletter may be a sponsored post, or Golfwell may be getting a small commission if you sign up / fill out their form, or Golfwell might own a percentage of the business. In particular, but not always, those sponsored, commissioned, or owned posts, or they might have an * in the subject headline.
Hi, I’m Cordie Walker! I spend time with the most interesting players, coaches, and researchers in golf, uncovering what the best are doing to succeed.
Join us for behind-the-scenes stories, smart strategies, and highly effective ways for you to play better golf
Read more from GolfWell: Your Guide to Better Golf
Lots to cover in this week's newsletter! We'll start with a new video this week! Range Rats episode 2. Dr Nico Darras shows me one of his favorite drills and then we competed to see who could do it best. You should definitely try this next time your at the course with a friend. Today at a Glance Why does everyone not use this training aid? Clue that we can learn from tour pros. Caffeine plus advil PM?! Good deal I saw going on. SPONSORED CONTENT Save on the Training Aids That Actually Work If...
The golf season's in full swing, and we've got some really practical concepts in the newsletter today. Go try these ideas out at the golf course during your next practice session! Today at a Glance The essential data you need to know for better wedge shots. Best short putting drill you should try. Epic on course coaching video Storytime from Cordie's first tournament of the year. SPONSORED CONTENT Sunscreen Designed for Golfers. Most sunscreens feel greasy, smell weird, and explode in your...
As a dad of four kids and a lot of stuff going on, I don't have much time for practice. So when I get there, I can't waste my time! So I asked one of the best in the business to help. You gotta watch this. ⤵️ Today at a Glance Download the free 90 minute practice plan pdf from our latest video. We built a golf course inside the LAB Golf HQ. New Arccos distance report. Road to 190 update. SPONSORED CONTENT Magnolia League: High-Performance Sunscreen Designed for Golfers. Most sunscreens feel...
