Best Callaway Fairway Woods 2026
Check out the best Callaway fairway woods that are currently available on the market
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As you would expect from one of the game's most highly respected golf manufacturers, Callaway makes some of the best fairway woods on the market. With something for golfers of all skill levels from Tour Pro to Sunday hacker, Callaway have all bases covered. Models are designed for all requirements, so whether you need extra distance, more workability or you just need to tighten up that dispersion, Callaway have a model to suit your needs.
Many of the game's top professionals choose Callaway and you will see their fairway woods in the bags of top stars like Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Nicolai Hojgaard and Minjee Lee. It's also one of the most played brands among pleasure golfers too due to the variety on offer.
The Quick List
The Max is a user-friendly fairway wood that makes launching the ball from the deck feel effortless. It offers a confidence-inspiring footprint and a head design that blends power with forgiveness.
The Triple Diamond a beast of a fairway wood that high speed players need to try. As you would expect, it's not the most forgiving, but it boasts a clean, compact look at address and delivers extremely fast ball speeds
The Quantum Max D combines a confidence-inspiring shallow profile with a draw-biased weighting that makes getting the ball airborne from the deck exceptionally easy and helps correct a slicing ball flight.
Not the prettiest fairway wood to hit the shelves in 2025 but a contender for the best performing, the Elyte is a confidence inspiring, versatile fairway metal that's long from both the tee and fairway.
The Elyte X fairway wood is a perfect wood for higher handicap players who struggle to get the ball into the air. It's designed for easy launch and a high ball flight to gain a few extra yards.
The Triple Diamond is the fairway wood most suited for more experienced, lower handicap golfers. This should not be the club of choice for those who struggle with fairway woods, but will prove a fantastic option for those confident with metal in hand.
Best Callaway Fairway Woods 2026
Quantum
There are three models in the Quantum fairway wood lineup, and I will start with the standard model in the range, the Quantum Max which I think is aimed at the widest range of golfers.
Down behind the ball, the Quantum Max boasts a shallow-looking face that I really like and is something I think will particularly appeal to those who regularly hit their 3-wood from the deck. It has a slightly busier face design than the TD version below whilst the chevron on the crown is good for those that want a bit of alignment help.
When it came to my hitting experience, this performed as expected, right in the middle of the Quantum family. It delivered a consistent ball speed as well as a consistent trajectory too - a peak height of 124 feet, which is extremely high and therefore I had no trouble when it came to testing outside and trying to hold the green when hitting into the par 5s in two.
A design element I really like is the Step Sole Design which really elevates the turf interaction. I thought the club glided nicely in and out of turf, helping the ball speed remain as high as possible. I found this to help when I tested this club out of the rough as well, cutting through the first cut and making it really easy to advance the ball down the hole. No doubt this will help a lot of amateurs out of the rough in particular.
Overall I am confident the Max will appeal to a rather wide range of players because it does a little bit of everything at a high level.
- Read our full Callaway Quantum Max Fairway Wood Review
Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Fairway Wood
Next we have the Triple Diamond model in the Quantum line, which might be going in my bag for 2026, that's how good it was in my testing. Starting with looks, I loved it. I love the mix of the gloss carbon crown and tones of grey on what is a smaller and more compact head than the Quantum Max model. I also really like the clean banner strip across the crown which has a subtle matte finish which frames the ball nicely.
In testing what jumped out right away to me was the ball speed. At just under 159mph it is noticeably faster than the other Quantum models and as a result I got more distance. Additionally the launch stayed fairly high, and when I tested the lower spin setting I was getting impressive carry numbers and a high, penetrating flight.
I should also note how workable this model is. I found I could easily manufacture shots into the greens, hitting flat draws but also, spinny, high fades when I needed to land one softly.
Finally, I should admit this model isn't for everyone because you need speed and it demands consistent ball-striking, especially if you want to unlock that low spin performance.
- Read our full Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Fairway Wood Review
Callaway Quantum Max D Fairway Wood
Finally we have the Quantum Max D model which is the model designed specifically for forgiveness and golfers who are battling a slice. As you would expect, down behind the ball it does look different compared to the other Quantum models. It is larger than the other models and the face is noticeable shallow with an elongated head, all of which will give golfers confidence. It also has a slightly closed face at address which will help those struggling with a slice somewhat. For those new to the game, though, the shallow, large head is incredibly reassuring behind the ball, and I think it will become one of the best fairway woods for higher handicappers this year.
Forgiveness is key to the design as well with the head pushing the CG lower and further back towards the heel to promote a right-to-left ball flight (for a right-hander) and increase launch angle. This is also helped by the Step Sole technology i mentioned above which will help higher handicap golfers with ball-striking especially from the fairway and rough.
As expected in my testing, the spin was on the higher side for me, which resulted in a ball flight that was high and spinny. Whilst this isn't ideal for me, this flight is exactly what many amateurs are in search of, seeking extra carry. I did however enjoy the solid feel at impact which can be an issue on draw-bias fairway woods, but Callaway has done a great job dampening the acoustics here.
- Read our full Callaway Quantum Max D Fairway Wood Review
Elyte
When we opened the box to unveil the new Elyte fairway wood ahead of testing, we were a little disappointed in the visuals of the golf club. It was always going to be difficult to back up the beautiful Ai Smoke family of woods, but what the Elyte lacks in looks it makes up for in performance.
I crowned the Callaway Pardym Ai Smoke Max fairway wood as the best model on the market in 2024, so had high expectations for Callaway's latest release. First impression on the course were great - nice turf interaction, consistent flight and a nice feel through contact.
The Elyte clubface is designed through the use of Artificial Intelligence the same as on the previous Callaway metalwood lineup but now with considerably more data input to create their most stable clubface to date. The result is one of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market. While Callaway has arguably taken a small step back in regards to the aesthetics of the new Elyte fairway wood range, the performance certainly does the talking.
- Read our full Callaway Elyte Fairway Wood Review
Callaway Elyte X Fairway Wood
The 'X' member of the Elyte family is designed for higher handicap players, those who potentially struggle with launch when it comes to driver and woods. The Elyte fairway wood helps with both launch and ball flight, giving players the opportunity to pick up a few extra yards with a good strike.
The feel is soft but powerful - there is much to choose between the standard Elyte and Elyte X models in regards to feel or aesthetics but both perform as well as the best fairway woods on the market.
During testing it delivered effortless launch and a nice high draw ball flight even when struck towards the heel. Spin levels were high, as expected, but never ballooned to unsustainable levels and cause a loss in distance.
The 'X' is a terrific option for players who want a high launching, right to left ball flight with their fairway metal. For those that want something a bit flatter that could gain you a few extra yards with a more neutral ballfight, the original Elyte could be the better pick.
- Read our full Callaway Elyte X Fairway Wood Review
Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond
The Triple Diamond is the most advanced fairway wood of the Elyte family, catering towards advanced to elite golfers - this is not the club to go for unless you're comfortable with fairway metal in hand!
In the looks department, the Triple Diamond differs from the Elyte and Elyte X models due to the glossy black head as opposed to the matte carbon fiber crown found on the other models. It does make the head look more compact as a result, which we think is a good thing.
In terms of performance, this club produced fantastic results when struck out of the middle of the face. During testing my best strike carried 264 yards with a total of 289 yards - the longest of the three models by far - but there was so much variance on distance on mishits. The feel is also a little firmer than other options in the range.
The Triple Diamond model does feature a removable weight on the sole just behind the Speed Wave to help lower the flight and spin. It's a model that will appeal to elite players but mid to higher handicappers would be better suited to the Elyte or Elyte X models.
- Read our full Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Fairway Wood
How we test 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 all of our reviews and buying guides are as honest, insightful and comprehensive as possible. The testing process for clubs usually starts by attending product launches where we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.
Next our process has been revitalized in 2026 with Golf Monthly's new Performance Lab. Powered by Foresight Sports, this testing area has been fitted with a GC3 as well as a Sim-In-A-Box simulator and FSX Pro software. This allows us to be as thorough as possible in our testing and allows us to analyze new clubs in a controlled environment, enhancing the accuracy of our findings.
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.
How to choose a fairway wood
Nowadays manufacturers are putting a lot of technology into producing fairway woods and the variety on offer is impressive. This does mean that getting the right club for your needs can sometimes be overwhelming if you aren't sure what you are looking for. From jailbreak clubfaces to tungsten weights, there is a lot to take into consideration, but don't fret. We've set out some key points below for you to consider when picking your next fairway wood.
1. Loft
The most important thing is loft as you need to know 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 might opt to not have a three wood and go with a five instead, or perhaps both. A higher lofted wood could replace a hybrid or mid-iron.
2. Forgiveness
Some fairway woods are more forgiving than others, largely because manufacturers usually create different models for different levels of player. For example, there are three different Callaway Elyte fairways with different head sizes, shapes and they are designed for different golfers. If you need as much help as possible, the Elyte X 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 and something like the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond listed above would be. good option.
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. Again, higher lofted woods should be considered if you struggle with mid-long irons.
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. My 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 Qi35 or Titleist GT3 or you can opt for cheaper designs like the Wilson Launch Pad. Wherever you fall in budget, our guides will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood. From a Callaway perspective there is obviously a clear difference in price between the Elyte and Paradym Ai Smoke ranges because one is newer than the other.
If you're after new clubs for the top end of the bag, be sure to also check out our guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers, the best golf hybrid clubs or best golf utility irons.
FAQs
What fairway woods should I carry?
That depends on your style of play, the clubs that you're comfortable hitting and the other clubs that you have at your disposal. Ultimately most golfers like to carry a three wood and a five wood to bridge the gap between their hybrids and their driver. But many low handicappers often remove their five wood and replace it with another hybrid or another wedge. Higher handicap players may switch our a five iron for a seven wood. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer here, only what feels right for your game so keep an open mind and feel free to experiement.
How do you hit a fairway wood?
When it comes to hitting a fairway wood ball position is arguably the most important aspect. Many golfers will often have the ball too far back in the stance so there’s not enough loft at impact. With fairway woods, make sure you have the ball just inside your left heel, this will be far enough forward to help shallow out the angle of attack out a little.
The second thing is that you need a nice wide base, so your stance should be shoulder-width or a fraction more. Too narrow here and you’re going to get too much weight towards the left foot. Your weight distribution at address should be evenly balanced between your feet – think 50/50.
For further advice on the best way to hit a fairway wood, check out our guide here.
When should I use my fairway wood?
Fairway woods are distance clubs that can be used when you're either on the tee or on the fairway, and are trying to send the ball a long distance to the hole. They are designed to be played from the fairway but can also be played from the rough. Ideally though, it's better to play your hybrids from the thicker cuts of rough, but you can opt to use a fairway wood, so long as the ball isn't sitting up in thick grass.
