For many, many years, Ping has been producing some of the best golf clubs around so it's no surprise that they feature strongly when it comes to the best fairway woods on the market. The company has found a nice balance between performance and forgiveness and their range of fairway woods are extremely popular in both the amateur and professional game.
Fairway woods are often regarded as the hardest clubs in the bag to use. This isn't true for everyone of course, but generally speaking they are the clubs that most golfers are likely to struggle with. This is because they have to work well off the tee but also from the fairway. They come with a smaller head than a driver so there is less 'sweet spot' on the club face so in comparison with driver they can sometimes be quite unforgiving.
Ping has really established itself as one of the most forgiving brands when it comes to woods. They make some of the best drivers and their fairways are used by the likes of Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen and Leona Maguire, so the brand certainly knows a thing or two about how to produce a top quality golf club.
Below, we have taken a deep dive into the best Ping fairway woods, with the purpose of helping inform you and assisting your buying decisions. Alternatively, if Ping isn't to your taste, we also recommend checking out our guides on the best Callaway fairway woods or the best TaylorMade fairway woods.
The Quick List
The versatility and high launch characteristics of the Ping G430 Max will make this long yet easy-to-use fairway wood one of the most popular choices this year.
The LST model is for the better players. For a premium price faster swinging golfers will get a powerful club that offers shot-making versatility, a playable ball flight and sensational feel
An excellent fairway wood, the Ping G425 is designed to provide greater confidence to the golfer who lacks consistency on tight tee shots and long approaches.
The G425 LST is one of the most forgiving low-spin fairway woods we've tested, while the extra distance it offers could bring previously unreachable par fives onto your radar.
Part of the G Le line of clubs, the lightweight G Le 2 fairway is designed for forgiveness and user friendliness and it delivers on both of these elements very impressively.
Best Ping Fairway Woods
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G430 models
To further enhance the highly popular G425 range, Ping opted to introduce some new aesthetics in its G430 family, which alongside their Carbonfly Wrap can be seen across the crown from head to toe. Not only does it look fantastic, it brings a performance benefit too as it has been added to help save weight (10g) which in turn lowers the center of gravity to reduce spin and increase ball speed.
The carbon finish combined with the dark gray and neon green accents add a more premium look at address than we've seen with the predecessors of the G430 range and this might be the best looking fairway wood Ping has ever produced.
Of the three models in the G430 range, the Max has been designed with the broadest range of golfers in mind. There's a great choice available too as it is available from 3-wood all the way up to 9-wood.
Our testing showed this to be a great choice for a wide range of handicappers as it ticked several boxes. We saw consistent ball speeds and spin rates regardless of the location of strike, distance was good and the forgiveness was impressive too.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Fairway Review
Ping G430 LST Fairway
Whereas the Max suits a wide range of abilities, the G430 LST is very much aimed at the more accomplished golfer. It's ideal for the good ball striker with a faster swing who is wanting to increase their distance and add versatility to their shots. Featuring a matte carbon finish very similar to the design of the G430 driver, we think this club looks great at address, even though it does sit slightly open. Again, this means it’s better suited to a more skilled golfer and it is certainly not one of the best fairway woods for high handicap golfers. For the more experienced, accomplished golfers though, the solid and stable face combined with low spin attributes will really appeal.
Most impressive to us based on our testing was that although this is a low spin model, we still managed to get good launch and peak height, with a strong draw at times. As mentioned already, this wood may not be one of the most forgiving fairway woods and if that is your priority then go with the Max model, but for a low spin option we were certainly impressed by the club’s playability and consistency after we’d hit enough shots to get used to it.
- Read our full Ping G430 LST Fairway Review
G425 models
Before the G430 there was the G425 and it was a roaring success. The driver was especially popular but the fairway woods made a huge impression too when they were launched in 2021. It’s easy to see why. Even though the G430 range has now launched, don't make the mistake of writing off these older model clubs just yet, especially as they've come down in price.
As mentioned above with the G430, the Max head is aimed at a wide range of golfers and is available from 3-wood up to 9-wood. The 7-wood proved to be very popular option among Ping’s tour players and is a good option for the average player who might struggle with hybrids and long-irons. The Spinsistency technology that Ping added to this range offer really great consistency when it comes to spin numbers and that was noticeable in our testing. On approach shots golfers rely on specific carry yardages and a really strong descent angle into greens, so knowing how far you hit your fairway wood and being able to trust that you can consistently find that number is vital. That was one of the things we found most impressive about the G425 Max.
In fact, we loved this club so much that it earned a spot in our Editor's Choice Awards for 2022. A nice bonus is the adjustable hosel, which comes with eight settings that allows you to customize the loft and the lie to your ideal specifications for enhanced and improved play.
- Read our full Ping G425 Max Fairway Wood Review
Ping G425 LST Fairway Wood
Again, as mentioned about in the G430 section, the G425 LST Fairway Wood is ideal for better players with a fast swing speed, due to its slightly more compact head and the precisely placed center of gravity that lowers spin and trajectory.
Ping drivers and fairway woods are renowned for being ultra forgiving and despite being designed more for low spin and a stronger ball flight, the LST is no different and still boasts the forgiveness needed for inconsistent players who don’t create that ‘perfect’ strike every time.
In testing we were most impressed by how the one-piece face allowed for an added 1.5mph of ball speed compared to its predecessor (the G410), which gave us extra yardage both off the tee and from the fairway. The standard lower loft of 14.5° aims to create a more driver-like performance, but this wood is super adaptable and the loft can be moved by 1.5° up or down, allowing golfers to customize their club to find their ideal playing requirements.
- Read our full Ping G425 LST Fairway Wood Review
Ping G Le 2 Fairway Wood
The Ping G LE2 is a women’s fairway wood that comes in 3-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood, and 9-wood options. It's a very popular choice for women golfers thanks to its lightweight feel which helps to increase swing speed and boost distance. When we put this club to the test it was clearly one of the best women's fairway woods available and we were highly impressed.
The G Le2 features the same steel face material and adjustability options as the G425 mentioned above, so it’s an ideal choice for any golfer who wants a versatile club that can be customized to fit their playing style and needs.
During testing we found that the shallower face offered plenty of forgiveness and also boosted the overall performance by helping to launch the ball high into the air, both off the tee and from the rough.
How we test fairway woods
Golf Monthly's testing proceduresees us follow the same ethos and methodology for all golf products to make sure our reviews and buying guides are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. For golf club reviews, we usually start by attending product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.
Once we have a good understanding of the tech, our next first port of call is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. We also use TrackMan at golf facilities across the UK as well as testing products out on the course in different conditions and off different lies.
Specifically for fairway woods, product testing is headed up by Sam De'Ath, a former EuroPro and Clutch Pro Tour professional with many years of experience in the golf industry. He is ably assisted by technical editor Joel Tadman, and editor Neil Tappin. All three have been testing clubs for many years, and can efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Lastly, it's worth noting that no manufacturer can buy a good review and our experts tell it how it is.
How to choose a fairway wood
The best fairway woods come with a variety of features that can help you play better golf. That can also mean it can be very difficult to pick and choose the right fairway wood for your needs as a golfer. With modern clubs coming with a range of bells and whistles, it can be hard to pick the right fairway wood for your needs. But we've set out a list of key considerations below you need to take into account when purchasing your next golf fairway wood.
1. Loft
This is arguably the most important thing to consider as you need to 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. Get it wrong and you may end up with a club that goes the same distance as something you already have in your bag.
2. Forgiveness
Some fairway woods are more forgiving than others, especially because many manufacturers create different models for different levels of player. For example, there are four different Cobra LTDx fairways with different head sizes, shapes and they are designed for different golfers. If you need as much help as possible, the LTDx MAX will work for you, whilst if you are a better player and strike is more consistent, then forgiveness may not be a key factor for you. For more options that deliver great forgiveness, check out our guide on the most forgiving fairway woods.
3. Adjustability
Most 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. Or, you can keep things simple and opt for a non-adjustable model with a stock shaft you hit well.
4. Versatility
Fairway woods must work well off the tee, on the ground from different lies and even around the green. If you have a model that works in only one of these areas, then there may be plenty of improvement and flexibility in upgrading your fairway woods.
5. Looks
You have to like how a golf club looks, especially when looking down on the golf ball. 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 test them in a variety of situations and lies.
6. Budget
Be aware of your budget. You can go for more premium models, such as the TaylorMade Qi10 or Callaway Ai-Smoke or you can opt for cheaper designs like the Wilson Launch Pad. Whatever your price bracket, our guides will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood and there are options to suit every budget.
While Ping are one of the best golf club manufacturers in the game, why not also check out some of the fantastic options from other golf club manufacturers, including our guide to the best TaylorMade fairway woods or the best Callaway fairway woods. If you're new to golf, you should check out our guide to the best fairway woods for high handicappers. And if you're a female golfer looking for a new approach club, why not also check out our guide on the best women's fairway woods.
FAQs
What are fairway woods used for?
Fairway woods are typically used on longer holes in approach to the greens. On par 4s and par 5s, a player could opt to use a fairway wood for their second or third shot to help them drive the fairway and get the ball close to the green. You can also use your fairway wood off the tee on shorter holes where you might favor more accuracy over distance with your driver.
Can I use my fairway wood from the rough?
Yes, but it depends more often than not on the lie and how well the ball is sitting up. If the ball is covered in the rough, it's preferable to use a hybrid or an iron to dig it out. Nevertheless, if you can make a clean strike on the ball and want to drive it far, then you can opt for a fairway wood from the second cut.
What fairway woods should I carry in my golf bag?
Most golfers tend to carry either a 3 or a 5-wood in their bag. Depending on the gapping of your clubs, a 3-wood is the most common as it tends to cover the distance nicely between your driver and perhaps a 5-wood or a hybrid. Some golfers even like to use a 7-wood instead of a hybrid but, ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
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