Not many players in golf history owe as much of their success to one club as the acknowledged modern master of the 13-degree lofted fairway wood — Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
The 2016 Open champion at Royal Troon, Stenson has the unique ability to hit his 3-wood nearly as long as some of the longer players hit driver and longer than some of his middle-length competitors — all while keeping his ball consistently in play and being able to flight it down in the wind.
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The current LIV Tour player famously used an older model Callaway Diablo 13-degree 3-wood for years and a copy of it for a few more. And he used an even older Grafalloy Blue graphite shaft in both of them!
Stenson’s prowess with the club came about partially because he broke two drivers back-to-back — one on purpose, while playing with his dad, and the other accidentally soon after. So, Henrik used his 3-wood off the tee for a while because he didn’t want to tell his father that he had broken another driver.
If you want to build a pattern to hit solid, low-lofted fairway woods far and in play, you’ll very likely wind up with a motion close to the Swede’s enviable — and copyable — action.
Check out below for how he does it.
1. Address
The key to hitting a 3-wood off the deck is not swinging too far inside-out. Stenson’s forward ball position, zero forward shaft lean and slightly open upper body all discourage too much of an inside path.
2. Top
Henrik blends his relatively full torso turn with limited lower-body action. (See the crease in his pants above his right thigh.) This is potential energy defined.
3. Dowswing
The outside of Stenson’s left hip remains inside his left foot, allowing him to keep his upper body more forward and make swinging past impact a breeze.
4. Impact
The key to his “sweepy” contact is not having his hands too far forward at impact. Notice the butt of the club pointing back at his belt buckle.
5. Follow through
Henrik’s ability to keep his upper body moving forward and around through the shot helps ensure his straight-ish clubhead path through the ball, along with a low point that’s never too far back.
6. Finish
His coordinated right-side move from the top winds up here: right shoulder over left foot, belt buckle pointing at the target and chest pointing left of target. Also, he’s spun up on his right toe and his hands are above his left ear. Flawless!
Brian Manzella is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and the owner of the Studio in the Sky. He also teaches at English Turn Golf & Country Club in New Orleans, La.