As a golf player, one of your goals is to lower your handicap score. Aside from practicing diligently, it is important that you are using the best fairway woods in order for you to improve your game performance.
When someone wants to gauge just how good you are in golf, they ask to know your handicap.
If your handicap ranges between 18 and 20, then you are considered an okay golfer. Most golfers average a handicap of 100 and are still regarded as good.
But, what if you are not satisfied with being an okay golfer? What if you want more?
Veteran pro golfer like Tiger Woods had an outstanding handicap of +8 at 20 years old when he started golfing as a serious profession.
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What is The Best Fairway Woods
So what’s the secret?
The driver, the iron, the woods, and the putter are all clubs you bring along as part of your set. But as a beginner golfer, it can be hard to know which club to use when.
If you want to break 90 or 100, forget about all other golf clubs and pull out your best fairway wood.
The best fairway wood is one that can go beyond 160 yards into the fairway each time you swing. It’s got plenty of forgiveness and always finishes with a soft landing ball.
Are you a high handicapper, slow swinger, or a beginner working to increase your speed? Your ticket to success is a higher lofted wood as opposed to lower lofts.
This way, the ball goes further and straighter, and voila! Goal achieved. Experience has taught me that while all woods look the same, not everyone is created equal.
It’s those little visible and invisible differences that set the tone for every game.
How amazing would it be to have that favorite fairway club you knew you could rely on for amazing results each time you made your shot? Incredible feeling, ha?
As a novice in the world of golfing, I couldn’t put two and two together. Couldn’t tell when to use a putter, driver, or wood. I could barely carry more than 140 yards.
It was hard to get my 3 wood as higher up in the air as I wanted to. It was all a disastrous cocktail, to be honest.
Funny how I didn’t think to try a 7 or 5 wood, heck I didn’t even know they existed! After months of continually trying and failing, I nearly threw in the towel and hung my golfing gloves.
But something told me to think out of the box and give the 5 wood a try. And just like that, my story changed. On my first try, I hit a 180 without even trying that hard.
Later I got the 7 wood. It’s fair to say now that I’ve seen my handicap reduce immensely. No turning back for me now.
However, I can’t help but imagine how many people out there are giving up on golfing for using the wrong fairway woods.
Best Fairway Woods
Ideal for High Handicappers
Elegant and stylish is what first comes to mind when you set your eyes upon this gorgeous piece of golfing equipment.
It has a sleek, glossy black finish with a unique set of features that’s quite hard to ignore.
What with a conspicuously low profile that assures you of a solid launch you are assured that your chances of hitting your target with this fairway wood are almost guaranteed.
Anything coming from a renowned brand is thought to be a bit high in price. But no, not this club.
The Taylor Made Men’s RBZ Fairway wood is quite affordable and an excellent choice for players who are keen only on finding the best fairway woods for beginners. See?
You don’t have to break the bank to own golfing equipment that is effective, durable, and well designed to suit your needs.
Its shaft weighs a paltry 55 grams which is light enough for you to swing fast and further. A shallow face that conveniently enhances ball flight and guarantees softer landings.
And a mass pad tactically put there to maximize launch, feel, and sound.
- Has a light shaft which optimizes distance and swing speed
- Features a mass pad whose role is to increase launch
- Designed to produce great sound and offer more forgiveness
- Affordably priced
- Has no provisions for adjustability
Versatile appears to be this fairway wood’s middle name. It’s hard to find golfing equipment that works perfectly for men golfers as well as it does for female golfers.
See where the versatility comes in? But wait, there’s more. The MW8 Moon Wood – Premium Golf Fairway Wood for Men and Women is no ordinary fairway wood.
To save you the trouble of having to switch clubs, the manufacturers here had the epic idea to combine the qualities found in irons, hybrid woods, and regular woods to make one fairway wood.
The end product is this, one of a kind fairway wood whose looks, variety of features, and performance comes second to none.
Did you just shoot a lousy drive? Find it hard to shoot long par 3 or long par 4?
If you want consistency and you find it quite hard to handle long approaches, then this is the club for you. Its unique looks only work to complement your game by increasing your confidence.
Sometimes, confidence is all you need to move from being labeled a novice player to an experienced one.
It is designed to optimize accuracy, all thanks to a curved crown with a lower COG. This tells you that when you need forgiveness, you’ll find plenty of it here.
It looks and feels good in your arms and has the power to transform your skills on the golf course. What’s more, it has a cool yet unusual sound for those players keen on the response upon impact.
- Combines the best qualities of a hybrid, irons and standard fairway woods
- High performance and accurate
- Has a solid feel and sound
- Designed to enable you to easily tackle long shots
- Some players complain that the sound is too tiny
Many players shy away from fairway woods with a twist face.
But when you really think of it, once you get to master the art of using woods featuring twist face technologies, you’ll have a breeze making it past other challenges that may crop up.
See the TaylorMade Golf M6 Rocket Fairway Wood is an improvement from the TaylorMade Golf M4 fairway wood featured higher above.
Unveiled quite recently, this fairway wood is more forgiving and is built to enhance distance and speed. Not only that, but this club is also added so much fun to play with.
TaylorMade is a brand more prominent for its superb drivers, putters, and woods.
This TaylorMade Golf M6 is no exception when it comes to flying its brand name high and meeting many a player’s expectations.
While it’s designed favors amateur and intermediate golfers, don’t be surprised if you see expert golfers using it to maneuver long shots.
Proof enough that it certainly can get the job done. One thing you can look past is just how good it looks.
When you finally snap out of the captivation, you soon realize that this TailorMade fairway wood feels way lighter in weight than its previous counterparts.
This makes it easier and faster to swing and gives you the necessary confidence to launch the ball further.
- It’s easy on the eye
- Has twist face technology for better performance
- Is more forgiving
- Easy to use and fun to play with
- Has no loft adjustability. This means no provision to enhance ball flight
They say old is gold. So when you hear that this club’s head is made of steel, you know that there’s some good in store. Steel heads have been used in fairway woods for the longest time.
While there exist other materials designed to make the heads, there are a ton of benefits that only come from using fairway woods with steel heads.
In this case, the Callaway Men’s Steelhead XR Fairway Wood features a silver-colored steelhead that is attached to a fixed hosel and graphite shaft.
This new design, unlike its previous versions, is designed to enhance clubhead speed. Its ability to deliver better performance than other woods is all hidden in the clubhead design.
The head features four distinct sections, including the steel and carbon crown weighing only 6 grams.
The unique head design facilitates a lower COG, easier, more effective launch, and less spin. Its trendy face not only looks cool but also optimizes ball speed.
Wondering how it sounds? All I can say is that when it comes to sound and feel, you won’t be disappointed. This is the silver lining that most players never forget to test for.
- Has a steel clubhead that is durable and strong enough to handle the impact
- Produces a good sound and feels sturdy in your arms
- Combines different technologies to enhance ball speed and reduce spin
- Has a lightweight graphite shaft
- Has a classic design which most players looking for a modern fairway wood may not like
Are you an intermediate player looking for the best fairway wood? If you said yes, then you will love what the Callaway Golf Rogue Fairway Wood brings to the table.
First of all, I have to admit that this is the weirdest looking fairway wood I have come across. But my experience playing with it proves that there’s more to this club than its looks.
Conveniently, the manufacturers here mix cup technology and a thin face to boost speed and distance.
The crown is made out of carbon composite material which is not only strong enough to handle hard impact but also light enough for easy maneuvering.
You’ll find it surprisingly easy to launch with this club from the fairway wood from the turf. It has a lower spin, which allows for more distance too.
Are you a player that uses fairway woods more often than you do other golf clubs in the set?
For many, the best fairway wood is one that can be hit right into the greens from the off tee. This comes in handy when you want to make long par 3s and long par 4s.
The Callaway Golf Rogue Fairway woods are created to accommodate a wide range of swing speeds making these the best fairway woods for seniors, high, mid, and low handicappers.
It feels great in your hands, has excellent ball flight and offers a lot more that most players are looking for in a fairway wood.
- Combines different technologies designed to enhance speed
- Less spin hence can cover more distance
- Lightweight shaft
- Ideal for all players from beginners to pro golfers and even seniors
- Offers no adjustability
Choosing the Best Fairway Woods
So my friends, let’s start from the beginning, how do you choose your fairway woods?
Having tried and tested more fairway woods than you can count in a day, we have been able to realize what separates one from the other.
It’s really not so much about how much you spend or which brand you choose or how keen you are to look at and scrutinize the features of each club.
It is about knowing what your needs are and choosing that fairway wood set most likely to meet those needs.
You probably don’t want to spend so much time and money choosing the wrong thing, right?
Well, you’re in luck because we’ve come up with a list of 9 best fairway woods for high handicappers you should consider purchasing.
You probably already know how to use and choose a putter and a driver, but how much do you know when it comes to fairway woods which can come in handy for you in any game.
But you have to know which one works best for you. There an array of lofts, designs, features and so much more you have to look at before selecting your woods.
You haven’t a clue where to start or how to go about choosing fairway woods.
In this section, you will learn plenty about factors to consider, features to look for, and red flags to avoid as you search for the best fairway woods.
ClubHead Material
Fairway heads are made of different materials. Each one of the materials has its ups and downs.
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Steel Heads
Steel is strong, stable, and durable. For the longest time steel remains the material of choice for fairway wood heads.
Players find such heads more stable and easier to use and control. Steel heads are more forgiving and quite easy on your pocket.
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Titanium Heads
Titanium is much lighter than steel. Making titanium head faces thinner. This allows you to achieve more distance because of the spring or bounce effect the club has on the golf ball.
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Composite Material Heads
Modern fairway woods use composite materials to make the crown of most heads.
The rules of most golf clubs, however, do not allow the use of fairway woods designed with sole or clubface made of composite materials.
Composite material heads are revered for their lightweight nature which works to lower the Center of Gravity. This allows the club to be more forgiving, plus it is way cheaper than the two options above.
Characteristics of the Shaft
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Shaft Length
A fairway wood club that long enough feels sturdy, allows you to increase the balance of trajectory and enhances distance.
If the shaft is too long you are less likely to swing correctly, the club may feel overly light in weight and difficult to control.
When the shaft is too short, your swing speed will fall short, and you won’t be able to achieve as much distance as you want to.
For the average height golfer, a shaft length of 43 inches is ideal in regard to a 3-wood. A shaft length of between 40 and 41 inches is suitable for a 5-wood and a 7-wood.
Remove the guesswork out of this equation by just having the fairway wood of your choice fitted to suit you.
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Shaft Weight
The rule of thumb here is that the lighter the shaft, the easier it will be for you to swing faster. Most steel shafts weigh approximately 100 grams or more.
Graphite shafts, on the other hand, weigh between 50 grams and 75 grams. You will, therefore, work better with graphite shafted woods than with steel shafts.
But remember, while it’s important to factor in weight, it’s also wise to remember about shaft flex. Flex refers to stiffness.
Fairway woods come with varying flexes, this includes L for ladies, A for senior, R for regular flex, s for stiff and extra stiff flexes.
Adjustability Features
When it comes to loft and lie angles, you need adjustable woods.
Adjustability isn’t as important when you are only starting out in golf, but as you grow, you will want to make adjustments to perfect your skills and challenge yourself more.
Adjustability was a feature reserved only for drivers, but it’s no surprise to now see fairway woods with adjustability features. Golfers can now adjust their clubs to suit their swing style and needs.
Here’s a closer look at why and where adjustability plays a vital role.
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Loft Adjustability
An adjustable hosel makes it possible to adjust the loft. It is done by loosening the screw holding the shaft and the hosel/clubhead together.
You should then replace the screw, only tightening it enough to a pre-determined setting ranging from 4 degrees to 5 degrees. Adjusting the loft has a direct effect on the lie.
Changing the lie, on the other hand, has a direct impact on ball flight.
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Face Angle Adjustability
The standard face angle is located at a right angle against the target and faces the opposite side of the player if it’s an open clubface and towards the clubface, if it’s a closed clubface.
A closed clubface decreases loft while an open clubface increases loft. You can choose to use an open face or closed face, the choice is yours.
Through experience, I have found that for players who have a hard time slicing, a closed clubface will help solve the problem.
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Adjustable Weights
Some manufacturers design fairway woods with weight screws which double as weights.
By removing them or replacing them, you play around with weight which in turn affects ball flight.
It is advisable to have an experienced person at the golf equipment shop adjust the weights for you and fine-tune the weights.
Must-know Facts about Fairway Woods
If you are a high handicapper or a beginner, it must be tough for you to find the perfect set of fairway woods. Fairway woods are designed in order to complement drivers.
With as many options as are available in the market, picking one or two woods can be a daunting and confusing task.
Above is a list of factors to help you narrow down to the pieces that would work best for you.
But in addition to that, here are simplified, additional must-know facts about fairway woods that every player should have at their fingertips.
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Distance is good, but there’s more
Golfers are quick to go for fairway woods that guarantee the highest distance, which is a good thing. However, beyond distance, you also need to consider other things.
Like how fast you can swing with the club, how consistent your performance is, and how accurate your shots are.
The best way to get the most out of your fairway wood isn’t by smashing it against the ball or by hitting hard. Instead, relax and swing the club slowly towards the direction you want it to go.
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Focus on the Loft
The lower the loft on the club, the lower the ball flight. If your swing speed is fast enough; however, you may achieve more distance. So how do you find a balance?
As an average golfer, you are better off working with a club with more loft. It offers more forgiveness, and as a result, you achieve more distance.
This is on condition that you have decent swing speed.
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Know your skill level and use appropriate clubs
Considering you are a high handicapper or a beginner, you are likely to have very slow swing speed. This means that you’d work best with a club with more loft. A 5-wood is a good place to start.
Lower handicappers and mid handicappers, on the other hand, have higher swing speeds. They find it best to use lower lofted woods because it presents more of an exciting challenge for them.
They are skilled and fast enough to handle low lofted woods and still get the ball flying higher and further.
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Choose the standard fairway woods in place of the hybrids
Nothing against hybrid woods, but if you are a beginner, you have a better chance of improving your performance by using the standard fairway woods.
Hybrids are designed to make it easy for you if you are a pro. This is not the case for you if you are a beginner because they have longer shafts and are heavier towards the back.
If at all you are interested in enhancing your skills, begin with a 17-degree, 19-degree, or 21-degree fairway wood. These are far more forgiving and easier to control.
A complete bag will include both fairways and hybrids, but save the hybrids for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the main differences between a hybrid and standard fairway woods?
Hybrids have a bigger clubhead while ordinary woods have a smaller thinner face.
Hybrids also have longer shafts measuring around 42 inches while standard woods have shorter shafts measuring 40 inches or below.
A hybrid club looks more like a driver while a regular fairway wood looks more like an iron. Fairway woods have stronger lofts and can hit the ball higher and further.
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What are the appropriate moments to chuck my fairway woods?
Different players have their own unique way of playing golf.
With over 14 clubs to choose from, sometimes it can be hard to figure out which club to use at different stages and instances throughout the game.
Fairway woods come in handy in a number of instances including,
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- During approach shots. Assuming the fairway wood can cover the distance to the middle of the green
- When you are trying to avoid using the rough surface present on iron blades
- On long par 3s
- When you need more accuracy than distance on the tee
- During approach shots. Assuming the fairway wood can cover the distance to the middle of the green
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Of what importance is low COG for fairway woods?
Low COG-center of gravity is responsible for increasing ball launch while simultaneously limiting spin. To lower COG, manufacturers ensure that most of the weight is moved to the back.
The crown and face areas are left as light as possible which makes it easier to increase ball flight and distance.
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What are the main benefits of using fairway woods, especially for high handicap players?
An increase in distance and forgiveness are the two major qualities you will find in fairway woods made for high handicappers.
The main benefits of using woods are to, therefore, enjoy more forgiveness and achieve impressive distance. You’ll also get to enjoy more flex, control, and accuracy.
Some woods also feature adjustable components all designed to maximize trajectory, distance, and ball flight.
Be sure to have a professional adjust the woods to your preferred settings.
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Are there visible differences between woods designed for high handicappers and those designed for pros?
In their quest to optimize forgiveness and launch, manufacturers feature different qualities such as increasing the clubhead size in a bid to increase MOI-Moment of Inertia which in turn increases forgiveness.
Other manufacturers play around with the COG, flex, and face to increase forgiveness and distance.
Wrapping it Up!
By now, it is pretty clear that design is vital when choosing fairway woods.
Fairway woods may all look the same, but the tiny differences are what separate the best fairway woods from the mediocre ones.
It’s cool to strut the course with a golf set bag full of all the clubs you can think of.
But how much thought have you put into making sure that each one of your clubs has an irreplaceable role to play? I can’t say anything about drivers, irons, and putters.
But I can certainly tell you that when it comes to fairway woods, you’ve got more than enough information here to choose nothing short of the best fairway woods available in your favorite golf equipment store.
Most players don’t consider fairway woods a clubs you can use to score.
But more experienced golfers will confess that with the right fairway wood and a good set of skills, you can score from almost any point across the golf course.
So, think about your playing style and your needs, and you will never go wrong. Feel free to ask for help from qualified people, and you are less likely to make the wrong choice.
We spent countless hours testing fairway woods from numerous manufacturers. Used male and female testers, seniors, and even kids.
Even looked at swing speed and the level of performance each club brings to the table.
In this comprehensive read, you have a reliable and detailed guide and a list of the best fairway woods that will help improve your game performance.
Here’s to happy golfing and making your own history on the golf course!
Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by Paul Roger Steinberg