When you use it as a driver.
A large number of golfers persevere with the driver because it is such a rush to hit a great drive, but hitting three fairways out of fourteen and four penalty strokes may beg to differ. The 3-wood has more loft to help get the ball in the air, and it is shorter than a driver which means slightly more control. The greater loft slightly reduces side spin, the number one reason so many drives miss the fairway and the shorter club should make it easier to hit the center of the club face.
Try playing a round using only your 3-wood off every tee (par 3’s excluded) and see how much better you score when more of your second shots are from the fairway. You may well be surprised. Remember there are no bonus points for hitting the longest drive on a hole!