Looking at a pro's bag?

Question

what is it mean by 4 wood and a STRONG 4 wood?

Answer 1

A typical 3-wood has about 15 degrees of loft.  A "strong" 3-wood has less loft - between 11 and 13, typically.  

A long time ago, a typical set of woods consisted of a 1-wood (driver) through 5-wood, but then 2 and 4 woods all but disappeared.

So Phil's 3 wood at 11 degrees really is a 2-wood, and I've heard that some pros have 4-woods in their bags, but these days the number that appears on the bottom of the club is arbitrary.  All that really matters is the loft of the club and the length (a longer shaft adds a little distance).

Answer 2

Correction: Phil said his 3 wood was 13 degrees in his Press interview yesterday

Answer 3

Great question,

The strong 4 wood means that it's a degree or two lower than a traditional 4 wood.  For example, a traditional 4-wood is 16 degrees, a strong would be 15 degrees.  

Try to think of the Strong 4-wood as a club inbetween a 3-wood and a 4 wood....it could mean 5 extra yards and a lower trajectory.

Clear as mud?  Golf can be confusing...but hope this helps!

Take care and hit'em straight!

Answer 4

Typical 4 woods are around 17 degrees of loft.  A strong 4 wood (4+)  is probably around the same loft of a modern 3 wood (14-16 degrees).

The difference will be, the strong 4, will still have the same shaft length as a regular 4 wood.. or pretty close to it.

The slightly stronger loft will allow more distance over a regular 4 wood, but with more control, due to having the same shaft length as a regular 4 wood.