Conor Keenan
The technology these days in the best fairway woods is incredible and the following products, while all trying to give us a helping hand, have a remarkable variety of approaches going on underneath the bonnet. An array of technology is present across different brands, but all fairway woods have to be versatile enough to use off the tee, from the ground and, at times, around the green. They also have to bridge the gap from the driver to the irons well.
Mid handicappers in particular often neglect to focus on this area of the bag which could cost them shots. As such, we have taken a look at some of the best models for that level of player - all of which have slightly smaller heads than the most forgiving fairway woods, and yet still offer some help to ensure consistency of strike. Here, after doing a lot of thorough testing of models from different brands, we take a look at the best fairway woods for mid handicappers. Alternatively, take a look at our other guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers or the best women's fairway woods as well.
Sam graduated from Webber International University in 2017 with a BSc Marketing Management degree while playing collegiate golf before stints on both the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tours. Now with over 14 years of experience within the industry under his belt, Sam heads up the testing and review team at Golf Monthly for fairway woods, hybrids, wedges and golf balls.
The Quick List
Although we think Callaway have taken a step back here in terms of looks, it's the only negative to speak of in this near-perfect fairway wood.
Titleist focus less on fancy features or brash looks, instead focusing almost solely on producing some of the best performing fairway woods on the market. The GT2 is one of those thanks to strong performance off the tee amongst other things.
The most unique release of 2025 is the DS-ADAPT X range courtesy of their one-of-a-king FutureFit33 hosel that allows for the ultimate customization experience.
Mizuno make some of the best golf irons in the game as well as some of the prettiest golf clubs money can buy - the ST-Max 230 is an example of this in the fairway wood category.
We loved the performance of the previous G430 model, so were understandably excited for the release of the G440. After testing we found the same performance we loved from the previous version but with extra forgiveness.
A new refined visual makeover coupled with technological advancements mean the ZXi gives premium looks and performance that rival any other fairway wood on the market this year.
The Black Ops fairway wood from PXG can help you attempt to take the right side of the golf course out of play thanks to a strong draw bias that will (hopefully) lead to more consistent shots and scoring.
An excellent value option for those that don't want to break the bank on a 2025 model, the DYNAPWR Carbon is a great option for those on a budget.
Best Fairway Woods For Mid Handicappers
Top pick
We 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. However, pulling these out of the box upon arrival left us a little disappointed - the looks didn't come close to the industry-leading profiles of the Ai Smoke range last year.
We'll be honest, we felt a little underwhelmed in terms of looks. A lot of this is because of how good the Ai Smoke woods looked, but it's hard to argue against Callaway taking a step backwards in terms of the visual package here. Thankfully, everything else about this golf club is pretty much flawless.
The clubface of the Elyte range is designed with the help of Artificial Intelligence, with more data input being used to create the face than ever before. The result is one of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market. What the Elyte lacks in good looks, it makes up for in performance - it's long, accurate, forgiving and has a proper premium feel to it through the strike.
This fairway wood provided a truly effortless launch and a nice high, drawing ball flight, even when I felt I had struck a couple more toward the heel. Given the high launching nature of this club, I was pleased to see it didn’t overspin and cause big drop in distance.
- Read our full Callaway Elyte Fairway Wood Review
Best feel
We absolutely loved the performance from the Qi10 fairway woods last year and were understandably shaking with excitement when the new Qi35 family arrived at Golf Monthly HQ.
Unlike with Callaway's Elyte range, the Qi35 has taken a notcieable step forward in terms of looks when compared to the Qi10, which was by no means an ugly golf club. This is mainly thanks to a new carbon finish that sports the entire range of woods that we think looks superb. It really helps frame the ball at the address position, allowing the head to sit beautifully behind your ball and inspire confidence in your head before the strike.
As for performance, you'll struggle to find a better performing fairway wood on the market in 2025. Feel was solid and the acoustics were consistently appealing, whilst distance numbers were complimented by an average of a 156mph ball speed and over 3200rpm that led to an average carry of 255 yards and a total of 270 yards off the deck - very impressive. My dispersion distance was also pleasingly tight, both front to back and side to side. The Qi35 fairway wood is a must try for anyone looking to upgrade their setup.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi35 Fairway Wood Review
Best from the tee
A fairway wood that cooperates with your game and how you swing the club can prove invaluable. The ability to club down on a par 4 and hit a 'fairway finder' with your trusty fairway metal can turn any mid-handicapper into a single-digit index. None are this list are better off the tee than the GT2
Titleist have created a new construction in the GT2, with a Seamless Thermoform Crown made from Proprietary Matrix Polymer. Because of this, Titleist's engineers have saved weight in the crown and redistributed the weight to help the center of gravity positioning for faster ball speeds.
So, how did it perform? Well, in testing, we found it to be a high launching, low spinning monster! Producing an increase in ball speed, the high launching nature of the GT2 fairway wood meant we could still send it upwards if required, whilst the L-Cup face design provided great stability, even on miss-hits low on the face.
Aesthetically, the GT2 fairway wood has a much more shallow face, which is something that will really help inspire confidence to those who struggle with launching their fairway woods. What's more, the tour-refined shape meant there was less curvature on the heel and toe compared to previous models.
- Read our full Titleist GT2 Fairway Wood Review
Best adjustability
The 'X' model from the DS-ADAPT range is targeted at a broad range of players, with single figure players getting as much use out of it as a mid-to-high handicapper. This is mainly thanks to the unique customizable hosel which has earned it our 'best adjustability' label, but more on that shortly.
In terms of first impressions during testing, it immediately struck us how easily achieved high launch and flight is. This in turn enhances distance numbers and achieve this flight thanks in part to the PWR-Bridge technology in the head that we first saw in the previous Darkspeed family. This bridge is positioned nearer to the front of the head to help reduce spin numbers and increase playability for those who can shape the golf ball.
However the main tech story to talk about here is the FutureFit33 hosel, which features 33 different settings. This can feel a little overwhelming but there is a handy QR code etched onto the neck of the club that you can scan and it will bring up a graph showing all of the different settings and how they will affect the flight. It's a very unique feature that stands out from anything else we've tested so far in 2025 and we wouldn't be surprised to see competing brands attempt to replicate when the 2026 release season rolls around.
- Read our full Cobra DS-ADAPT X Fairway Wood Review
Best looking
Looks matter a lot more than you think when it comes to harnessing a good relationship with a golf club. I'm making this sound like your three wood is akin to your husband or wife, but it's true! If you don't like the look of a club, you're already fighting a losing battle in terms of your overall relationship with it and, in turn, how you perform with it.
The favorite club in everyone's bag is one they've likely fallen in love with for one reason or another - equipping yourself with a stunning looking fairway metal boosts your chances of you doing just that with your new 3,5 or 7 wood.
We were in love with the aesthetic on offer with the Mizuno ST-Max 230, thanks in part to the bright blue Cortech Chamber TPU insert on the sole really giving shelf appeal. The gloss black and carbon fibre crown provides a nice blend of classic and modern looks too.
In terms of performance, this is a club well suited to players who are seeking a little assistance getting the ball airborne and achieving that perfect launch needed to maximize distance. Launch was easily achieved and the feel through impact is lovely, producing a solid but pleasing 'thud' sound as the ball collided with the clubface.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Fairway Wood Review
Most forgiving
Taking our title of 'most forgiving' is, unsurprisingly, the latest Ping release in the G440. Given how much I loved the Ping G430 fairway wood in 2024, it was going to take a mammoth effort from Ping to deliver something special enough to come in and replace it.
Immediately I noticed an upgrade in the looks department - Ping clubs aren't usually known for their stunning look and typically divide opinion, but the G440's new carbonfly wrap on the head looks fantastic. This look was previously only reserved for the LST from the G430 range, but has now extended to the entire G440 family.
During testing, my carry numbers lagged a little behind competing 2025 models despite ball speed numbers remaining high and consistent. This is likely due to the fairly low launch and high spin numbers produced. This resulted in a fairly underwhelming carry average of 249.5 yards and 266 yards total, falling short of competitors like the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood and Callaway Elyte fairway wood.
The G440 is well worth trying for players of all abilities, but I'd also recommend trying the older G430 model to see how, if at all, your performance numbers differ.
- Read our full Ping G440 Max Fairway Wood Review
Best for distance
For me, the underdogs in the fairway wood market have absolutely knocked it out of the park for 2025 - most notable Cobra with the DS-ADAPT and now Srixon with the ZXi fairway woods.
Beginning with looks and... wow. The head is a little smaller and closer to a players wood, which may not suit the eye of all players, especially those with higher handicaps. However, what isn't up for debate is how good it looks. It frames the ball beautifully at address whilst the top crown helped me align correctly and square up that club face before the strike.
During our testing we noticed distance numbers have taken a hike when compared to the older ZX5 Mk II fairway wood. This distance is complimented with a really tight dispersion, similar to that when I tested the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway woods. I fell in love with the feel, looks and performance of the ZXi during my review process and I think a lot of newer golfers can do the same this year if they add it to their setup.
- Read our full Srixon ZXi Fairway Review
Best for slicers
We loved the performance of the Black Ops fairway wood in testing. It provides a great balance between eye-catching, powerful looks and consistent, user-friendly performance.
To begin with looks, we think this is a great looking golf club. Players of all abilities will benefit from the neat little 'x' alignment help on the top of the carbon crown which is part of a visual package that is easy on the eye at address. That same carbon crown has been designed to allow the troops at PXG headquarters to save mass and redistribute it lower around the head's perimeter, creating what it is calling 'the optimal CG dispersion for forgiveness'.
The forgiveness, particularly in terms of draw bias, will prove helpful for players who hit the dreaded slice or tend to lose distance because of a natural cut shot. This fairway wood has done well in retail since its release in 2024 and for good reason!
- Read our full PXG Black Ops Fairway Wood Review
Most underrated
If you stuck the name of a more well-known brand than Wilson on the sole of the Dynapwr fairway wood then we think you'd be hearing a lot more about this club since the release. It is a fairway wood that has taken significant forward steps in both the performance and looks departments compared to the previous Dynapower models and when you factor in the price, we think this is a excellent budget option for mid-handicappers.
Wilson's aim with the Carbon model of the Dynapwr was to lower the flight, spin and launch to produce tour-inspired performance. I found during testing that they've achieved this objective - I saw spin rates fall with the Carbon to 3633rpm compared to the standard model coming in at 4183rpm. This resulted in the Carbon achieving a 10-yard longer carry distance on average at 251 yards.
Sound and feel have also been upgraded in the latest model to add to the list of impressive features about this golf club. Coming in at a slightly cheaper price point than other models on this list, this is a fairway wood really worth considering.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapwr Carbon Fairway Wood Review
How do 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 our reviews are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. When it comes to golf clubs, we usually attend product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology and see what has changed from the previous year.
Specifically for fairway woods, product testing is headed up by Sam De'Ath, supported by technical editor Joel Tadman. Sam has experience of playing professionally on both the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tour. Sam also has extensive knowledge of golf equipment and what works for different types of golfer. Both Sam and Joel are competitive low handicap golfers, able to efficiently test the biggest product releases and successfully communicate equipment technology and product features to a wide golfing audience.
When it comes to our actual testing of clubs, we first try them in a controlled environment, which usually takes place on an indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, with premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. This allows us to dig into and test the unique selling point of each club - for example, if a fairway wood claims it promotes high launch, our launch monitor data will prove this to be true or not. We'll also compare it to competing models on the market to really see if it stands out from the crowd in these particular points of performance. Testing inside also allows us to collect critical data in other realms of performance including distance, speed, dispersion and more.
After thorough testing indoors and after gaining a decent understanding to how the club performs, it's out onto the golf course for our second part of testing. In our view it is vitally important to do both and we will continue to test the irons extensively so they have been comprehensively put to the test in a variety of conditions and situations. Testing indoors in a controlled environment is one thing, but taking each club out into the wild to see how they perform in real life conditions often makes or breaks a club in terms of our final verdict. Doing this, across multiple rounds of golf across different styles of courses and in different conditions allows us to get a full understanding of how a club performs as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each. Once done, we've comprehensively tested each club in a range of conditions and environments which then allows us to deliver our informed, bias-free verdict of each fairway wood.
The trust we've built amongst our readership across years of club testing is a trust that was are very proud of. It has built through our talented review team, full of passionate players of the game, simply calling it how they see it when they review a piece of golf equipment. No brand gets preferential treatment over another, nor can a manufacturer 'buy' a good review. Instead, we stick to our goal of delivering informative, impartial buying advice to our readers at a time in which the game is only becoming more and more expensive to play.
How to choose a new fairway wood
Loft - You need to know the specific gap you are trying to fill in your golf bag. How far does your driver go, and how far do your longest irons or hybrids go? Knowing this will then dictate what loft your fairway wood needs to be to fill the gap.
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 Radspeed fairways with different head sizes, shapes and they are designed for different golfers. If you need as much help as possible, a larger head 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. A mid-handicap player will likely look for something in the middle.
Adjustability - Most models these days come with a degree of adjustability whether it be loft, weight movement, shaft and so on. Therefore have a think about how important adjustability is to you because you can change the characteristics of a club if you want to. Alternatively you can just keep things simple with other models as well.
Versatility - Fairway woods need to be able to work off the tee, on the ground in different lies, and also occasionally around the green. If you have a model that works in only one of these ways, then there are definitely models out there to help you improve.
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 and therefore you need something that gives you confidence and makes your playing partners jealous with envy. Therefore go and pick several models and see how they look and feel in your hands.
Budget - Finally be aware of your budget. You can go for more premium models, such as the TaylorMade Qi10 from TaylorMade, or you can go for cheaper designs like the Wilson Launchpad. Wherever you fall in terms of price point, there is something for everyone.
For more buying advice for golf clubs, be sure to check out our guides on the best golf club sets for beginners, best golf drivers, or the best putters.
FAQs
What is the best brand of fairway wood?
When deciding on your next fairway wood it will be down to personal preference. Some will want a forgiving fairway wood, whilst some will want one that provides distance. There is also the matter of how good it looks at address, with some going for looks.
What do I need from a fairway wood?
A fairway wood should provide sufficient forgiveness and distance. They are arguably the toughest clubs to hit in the bag, so it's crucial that you find one that is comfortable to hit and will provide confidence at address.