When it comes to the fairway wood, we believe it is an under-rated club in terms of importance, especially as it can also be one of the hardest slots to fill in your golf bag due to the difficulty some golfers have hitting them. Although we don’t use them as much as irons, drivers, wedges and putters, when we do pull the headcover off they really have to step up and perform, either off the tee or on those longer fairway shots into par 5s or monster par 4s.
Crucially, these clubs can be used all around the course, likes areas from the rough, to those little bump and runs on the greens. What's more, unlike wedges and drivers which are usually replaced every few years, fairway woods typically stay in the bag considerably longer, due to the fact we don’t tend to hit them as much in practice. This means that finding the right one can really help knock shots off your score.
WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024
The good news is that evolutions in multi-material construction and the use of A.I (artificial intelligence) in face design, means that the best fairway woods now deliver more distance and consistency off the tee than ever before. In addition, they are also easier to pick up off the fairway, can be hit well out of rough and, with practice, can even be used around the green from collar rough or mown aprons.
At Golf Monthly, we test all manner of fairway woods on course, at the range and indoors and, in this guide, we have listed what we think are the best fairway woods that money can buy right now. However, if you are looking to really hone in your focus on a specific area, you can also check out our guides on the most forgiving fairway woods, best fairway woods for mid handicappers and the best women's fairway woods.
The Quick List
The Black Ops Fairway Wood combines stealth-like, modern aesthetics with precision weighting for excellent performance. Not only did it perform well from the tee and fairway, but the adaptability on offer makes it one of the best on the market.
Featuring a more compact head than other models on this list, the Qi10 will appeal to the golfing purists, as the looks behind the ball and in the bag are as premium as it comes in the fairway wood sector.
The GT3 offers an incredible amount of adjustability and, thanks to a new construction, it provides excellent ball speed numbers and distance.
Providing exceptional forgiveness and versatility from an array of lies, the G430 Max has a wide appeal that many golfers will absolutely adore. Although it may be difficult to flight low, it will benefit the vast majority.
The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max not only offers eye-catching aesthetics, but also produces incredible levels of forgiveness with a high, powerful ball flight that will please any golfer.
Off the face, the Darkspeed X provides a powerful, strong feel from the tee and fairway. Combine that with a modern, sleek head and plenty of carry distance, and Cobra have produced a superb all-rounder in the fairway wood department.
Load the next 3 models
Thanks to a versatile sole that sits well at address, as well as a large profile when behind the ball, the ZX Mk II from Srixon should provide users with plenty of confidence on what is the hardest club to hit in the bag.
In testing, the Dynapower produced exceptional launch and performed well from a range of lies. Although a fitting is needed to get the most out of it, it's a great option for those mid-to-high-handicappers.
Mizuno has produced an extremely solid, better player fairway wood here, which provides a strong flight and a really enjoyable feel that is wrapped up in a clean, compact, and beautifully pear-shaped head.
Best Fairway Woods - Best 3 Woods and Best 5 Woods
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Top pick
Our first selection is the PXG Black Ops fairway wood, which we think offers close to a perfect combination of aesthetics, performance and playability. To begin with, it offers some serious shelf appeal thanks to the black and silver tones sitting alongside the carbon fiber crown. Personally, we feel that this is one of those clubs that delivers a real wow factor when you remove the headcover and look down on it.
Performance-wise, the Black Ops performed just as well when struck from the deck as it did off the tee, which is testament to how forgiving and easy this club is to use. What stood out is the simplicity of just the one model that can be fine-tuned for different players, something which we explain below...
Over-time, PXG have always been excellent at providing customisation options for their clubs and, with this fairway wood, it's no different, as there are three weight ports that can be chosen individually when custom-ordering the club. This should ensure that you get the exact ball flight you desire, with the Black Ops comfortably one of the most forgiving fairway woods money can buy, whilst still maintaining a strong, powerful feel.
- Read our full PXG Black Ops Fairway Wood Review
Best for ball-strikers
There are three models of fairway woods in the TaylorMade Qi10 family - Qi10, Qi10 Tour and Qi10 Max. As you can guess, all three sit amongst the best TaylorMade fairway woods money can buy, and all three are designed to excel in different areas. For example, the standard Qi10 combines distance and forgiveness with a look and feel most golfers will love, whilst the Qi10 Max has been created mostly with maximum forgiveness in mind.
In this guide, though, we have opted for the Qi10 Tour, which is aimed squarely at the more skilled golfer. To begin with, it has a more compact head compared to the other models, and there are various customization and adjustability features available to offer the golfer more control and aid workability.
At address it looked superb and, in our testing, we felt that the weight track and adjustable loft sleeve really helped in terms of altering the flight and trajectory, an area where the Qi10 Tour excelled. Although it isn't as forgiving as other models on this list, we think it's the go-to model for those consistent ball strikers.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Fairway Wood Review
Best adjustability
Featuring the same new Seamless Thermoform Crown design found on the GT2 fairway wood and the rest of the GT range, the GT3 has a new weight-track system on the sole that has been brought closer to the face, with the concentrated CG placement meaning more control and ball speed.
Looks-wise, the GT3 has a pear-shaped, tour-influenced design that will appeal to a large number of golfers and, when behind the ball, the lack of curvature in the heel and sole means it is incredibly inviting. Finally, because the head sits completely flush to the ground, it looks superb.
As you may have noticed, the GT3 is the best for adjustability because of the weight-track system and, because of the taller face, it helps those who are slightly steeper with their angle of attack. Finally, thanks to the new L-Cup face design and VFT (Varaiable Face Thickness), we noticed that there was very little drop off in ball speed compared to shots struck from the middle.
- Read our full Titleist GT3 Fairway Wood Review
Best wide appeal
Replacing the hugely popular G425 fairway wood, the G430 range offers new visuals, an enhanced feel and several new features. To begin with, the aesthetic is similar to that of the best Ping drivers, as a carbon matte finish, new Carbonfly Wrap and green and white detailing give this a premium feel.
The Carbonfly Wrap is designed to save 10g of weight and lower the club's center of gravity, greatly aiding launch and forgiveness. This, combined with Ping's Facewrap Technology, means it will appeal to a wide range of golfers.
On thinly-struck shots, we found that it popped up and flew just shy of a desired ball flight, showing us that this club offers a lot of forgiveness. On clean strikes, the G430 packed a lot of power and we were very impressed with the distances we were getting both on the range and on the course. Something else we loved is that the G430 Max features in a variety of lofts that range from a 3-wood all the way to a 9-wood.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Fairway Review
Best high flight
Beginning with the looks of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max, which have been changed significantly from its predecessor, the Paradym. Now featuring a white and grey crushed carbon sole, the Ai Smoke really stands out when the light hits it, with the footprint of the fairway wood staying similar to the older model. This is certainly not a bad thing, as we loved the look at address in the Paradym.
Ranked as one of the best Callaway fairway woods on the market, where the Max stood out, for us, was in terms of its ball flight, which was a high, towering baby draw that felt extremely easy to control. The brand's engineers have taken data from thousands of golf shots and created a face that has multiple sweet spots for incredible consistency. Certainly, in testing, that was extremely noticeable.
So, not only was the Paradym Ai Smoke Max incredibly forgiving and easy to launch, but the feel off the face was superb. We loved, straight away. how soft, yet powerful this fairway wood felt through impact, as the stunning looks, generous distance and increased forgiveness make it a viable option for all manner of golfers.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fairway Wood Review
Best feel
Out of the box, the first thing that you will notice about the Darkspeed X is the matte black head which, we think, is a thing of beauty. It's worth noting that, although the head looks stunning, it does make it look slightly more compact than other models, something that may not suit the eye of the higher handicap golfer who needs a little more reassurance provided by a larger head.
Away from the looks, and in testing, we found that the Darkspeed X fairway wood produced a nice high ball flight that will therefore appeal to golfers who are seeking to maximize their carry distance and stopping power into greens. We also found the feel off the face to be lively and solid, with the acoustics slightly louder than others on the market.
Admittedly, we did find the Darkspeed X difficult to flight down, but this particular fairway wood caters towards those who are looking for plenty of forgiveness and help getting the golf ball airborne.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed X Fairway Wood Review
Best simplicity
It's no secret that the Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway is crammed with technology, as this particular model has seen changes to the sole plate and a new cannon sole that has a weight pad which is more towards the front of the club. Essentially, this allows the position of the CG to be in the ideal place, whilst the higher trailing edge creates a squarer face angle at impact.
In testing, we found the ZX Mk II really easy to hit from a range of different lies. What's more, the overall feel was fast and reassuringly stable, something inconsistent golfers will welcome when attacking greens.
Overall, we would say this is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers because, not only is it easy to launch and quick off the face, but the higher lofts and increase of head size in the fairway woods mean they look great at address. Everyone wants more forgiveness and the larger, taller head does just that!
- Read our full Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway Review
Best value
The Wilson Dynapower fairway wood has a generously sized, pear-shaped head that comes in a satin black finish with red detailing around the perimeter, with it certainly appealing to a wide range of golfers, especially as it's one of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market.
Designed with the majority of golfers in mind, both visually and performance-wise, the Dynapower is a fairway wood that wouldn’t be out of place in both high-handicappers' and Tour professionals' bags, especially as it's loaded with technology.
For example, the sole of the Dynapower fairway features Wilson’s trademark shield logo, as well as its iconic brand name. There is also a 12g weight situated towards the rear of the sole that helps produce a high MOI and stable clubhead whilst increasing the launch and forgiveness.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapower Fairway Review
Best looking
The final fairway wood is the Mizuno ST-G, which we have down as the best looking model available on the market, although we realise that looks are a completely subjective thing and you may not agree with our choice.
There's more to this club than just looks anyway. The Mizuno ST-G has been designed as a low-spinning option for faster-swinging players who are looking for a more penetrating ball flight. Mizuno has achieved this extra ball speed and low spin by implementing their cortech chamber technology into the head. This is an internal stainless steel weight encased in elastomeric TPU, which is designed to minimise stress from the clubhead while providing an additional energy source.
Along with the technology, we felt that the forgiveness was fine for a club of this nature and mis-hits suffered more in terms of distance than dispersion. All of this makes it more suited to the better player, so higher handicap golfers, or those with slower swing speeds, should realistically look elsewhere.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-G Fairway Wood Review
How we test the best fairway woods
When it comes to Golf Monthly's testing procedure, we use the same ethos and methodology for all golf products to make sure our reviews are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. We like to attend product launches whenever possible so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts and therefore get a better understanding of the new technology.
After we have that understanding, our first port of call when hitting clubs is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using the best premium golf balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. We also use TrackMan at golf facilities across the UK. We then follow that up with outdoor testing, usually on ranges at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey, along with North Hants Golf Club in Hampshire. Finally, after getting all the data we need we head out to the golf course to get a feel for how the clubs perform in actual golf situations.
Specifically for fairway woods, product testing is headed up by Sam De'Ath, who is a former competitor on the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tours. Sam is supported by our technical editor Joel Tadman. Both Sam and Joel are competitive low handicap golfers who are able to efficiently test the biggest product releases and successfully communicate equipment technology and product features to a wide golfing audience.
How to choose a fairway wood
If you are thinking about upgrading your metal woods then it is probably a wise decision, as there being plenty of new and exciting options on the market right now. When it comes to fairway woods you ideally want the perfect balance between forgiveness and distance, as one without the other is not going to help you much. The good news is that brands are constantly innovating the design producing new golf clubs that are designed to help you swing through the golf ball with more power and precision and the advancements made in technology have made striking from the fairway with a wood easier than ever before.
However, there are so many excellent models on the market right now it can sometimes be very difficult to decide which one is best for your specific needs. So to help, we've set out a few important considerations below that you're going to want to think about when choosing your next metal wood.
1. Loft
Figure out the specific gap to be filled in your golf bag. Ask yourself how far does my driver go, and how far do your longest irons or hybrids go? Knowing this will dictate the ideal loft for your fairway wood. You may want to carry both a 3 wood and a 5 wood, or perhaps you will compromise and go with a 4 wood. Efficient gapping is vitally important because it can save space in your bag which can be used for an extra wedge.
2. Forgiveness
Some fairway woods are more forgiving than others and that is often by design. A tour pro is not likely to use a fairway wood designed for a high handicap player and therefore a high handicap player should not be trying to use something that is in the bag of a tour pro. Know your skill level and shop accordingly. Most manufacturers nowadays create different models for different levels of player. For example, there are three different Cobra Darkspeed fairways with different head sizes/shapes which are designed for golfers who require different things. A higher handicap golfer may need help getting the ball in the air while a more accomplished player will be looking for a lower spinning version. A good rule of thumb is that if you need as much help as possible then a larger head will work for you, whilst if you are a better player and a more consistent ball striker, strike is more consistent, then forgiveness is not going to be your main requirement.
3. Versatility
Fairway woods perform different roles and therefore need to be versatile. Ideally you will want one that you can rely on off the tee but that you are also comfortable hitting off the deck from different lies. You might even want to use it for bump and run shots around the green. If you have a model that works in only one of these areas, then it is probably worth shopping around to find something with more versatility as it will help to lower your scores.
4. Looks
Non golfers might see this as a little superficial, but you have to like how a golf club looks and it isn't just for vanity reasons, there are practical benefits to having a club that is aesthetically pleasing. If you like how a club looks when you are stood over the golf ball it will promote confidence in your ability to hit a nice shot. If it doesn't look good behind the ball the reverse is true. The fairway wood is one of the most difficult clubs to hit, which is why you need something that gives you confidence and may even spark a pang of jealousy in your playing partners. Our advice is go and pick several models, see how they look and feel in your hands and then if possible test them in a variety of situations and lies.
5. Adjustability
Many modern fairway woods come with a degree of adjustability, whether that’s loft, moveable weights or shaft fittings. Think about how important adjustability is to you, because you can change the characteristics of a club’s performance with a turn of a wrench. That won't appeal to everybody though so if you are one of those who like to keep things simple then look for a non-adjustable model with a stock shaft that you hit well.
For more excellent fairway wood options, be sure to check out our guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers and most forgiving fairway woods.
FAQs
What are fairway woods?
Fairway woods are versatile distance clubs that are designed to be hit from the tee, off the fairway and even from light rough, similar to a mini or small headed driver but with slightly more loft and a shallower face.
Traditionally, the size of a driver head ranges from roughly 440cc to 460cc, whereas a fairway wood often is from 140cc to 180cc. Fairway woods look similar in appearance to drivers but have smaller heads.
Fairway wood faces are much shallower than a driver, which keeps the COG (centre of gravity) lower, helping you to get the ball airborne. Fairway woods are more forgiving than long irons and almost every Tour player puts one or two fairway woods in the bag.
What fairway woods should I carry?
This depends on three factors.
First, what ability level are you? Fairway woods are more forgiving than long irons, so if you are a beginner or a high handicap player we’d recommend putting as many fairway woods in the bag as possible, providing the lofts and gapping are correct. Some brands offer a wide range of fairway woods which means if you struggle with longer or even mid-irons, you can switch them out for a 7 wood or even a 9 wood.
If you are a better player who is comfortable hitting mid/long irons, then how many woods you carry will depend on the following two factors.
Loft and gapping is the next point to mention. Fairway woods have to be able to fill the gap in the bag from the driver to your irons. If you carry a full set of irons and perhaps also a hybrid, then knowing how far you hit each club gives you insight into which yardages you need to fill with fairway woods and you may only need one. The best way of doing this is on a launch monitor with an experienced PGA professional or custom-fitter.
The final factor is the type of golf course do you play on? If you play a lot of links golf, then you’ll likely need to hit lower penetrating shots, whereas inland or parkland golf requires you to hit shots that fly higher and land softer on the fairway or green. Fairway woods are definitely more suited to target parkland golf rather than fast-running firm linksland golf.
The same logic applies to playing golf in windy conditions. Fairway woods are usually designed to give higher launch which makes them difficult to control in the wind, especially when compared to long irons or driving and utility irons.
What loft should a fairway wood be?
As touched on above, manufacturers offer a range of fairway wood head styles and lofts, ranging from super-strong three woods at 13.5° to 7,9 or 11-woods which are designed for golfers who struggle to launch mid and long irons and want more confidence inspiring equipment to hit the ball further.
Each golfer is different, in their physical fitness, ability and approach to the game. A wide range of fairway wood lofts can provide options for senior players, women and juniors who want alternatives to hitting longer irons. Many established Tour winners have carried 7-woods when course conditions required high flying soft-landing ball flights on key par-5 holes and at long par-3’s.
For the average golfer, a 7 wood will usually be quite easy to hit high and straight and could potentially replace a 5 iron in the bag, but the high flight is not always going to be the best option in difficult weather conditions. It's a great option to have though and it's a lot of fun to hit.
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