For many, many years, Ping has been producing some of the best fairway woods on the market. Blending performance and forgiveness, the company has found a great balance, producing a range of fairway woods that are extremely popular among amateurs and professionals.
When it comes to fairway woods, they are often regarded as the hardest clubs in the bag to use. Sitting at around 43″ long, they have to work well off the tee but also from the fairway. As they tend to come with a smaller head than a driver, there is not a lot of sweet spot on the club face to play with and that's why they can sometimes be quite unforgiving.
Used by the likes of Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen and Leona Maguire, the brand certainly knows a thing or two about producing a top quality golf club. Below, I 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 Ping G430 Max is a long yet easy-to-use fairway wood and will be many golfers favorite thanks to its versatility and high launch characteristics.
For a premium price, faster swinging golfers get a powerful fairway wood that offers a sensational feel, playable ball flight and shot-making versatility.
The Ping G425 is an excellent fairway wood that helps give greater confidence to golfers lacking consistency on long approaches and tight tee shots.
The G425 LST is one of the most forgiving low-spin fairway woods you’ll find and the extra distance could bring previously unreachable par fives onto your radar.
Part of the G Le line of clubs, this fairway is designed for forgiveness and lightness as well and it delivers on both of these elements nicely.
Best Ping Fairway Woods
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G430 models
In the G430 woods, to further enhance the highly popular G425 range, Ping opted to introduce some new aesthetics alongside their Carbonfly Wrap, both of which can be seen from across the crown from head to toe. This feature not only looks great but has also been added to help save weight - saving 10g - and lower the center of gravity to reduce spin and add ball speed.
When setup for address, there’s doubt that the carbon finish combined with the dark gray and neon green accents add a more premium look than that of its predecessors. In terms of who this wood is best for, of the three clubs within the G430 range, this model is designed with the broadest range of golfers in mind, and is available in 3-wood up to 9-wood.
When we put it to the test it was clear that this club is a great choice for a wide range of handicappers, thanks to being able to offer a stable connection between sole and crown, alongside more consistent ball speeds and spin rates regardless of the location of strike.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Fairway Review
Ping G430 LST Fairway
For golfers with a faster swing, the Pint G430 LST Fairway Wood is a great choice, particularly for anyone who’s looking to increase their distance or add versatility to their shots. With a matte carbon finish, which is very similar to the design of the G430 driver, at address it looks fantastic.
That said, it does sit slightly open, which means it’s probably better suited to a more skilled golfer - it’s definitely not one of the best fairway woods for high handicap golfers. But for more experienced golfers, the solid and stable face makes this club a great choice.
When we put it to the test we were pleased to see that, although it is a low spin design, we got good launch and peak height. While ball flights were fair, however we did note that there was a strong draw at times. That said, while this wood may not be one of the most forgiving fairway woods, we were impressed by the club’s playability and consistency once we’d adapted to playing with it.
- Read our full Ping G430 LST Fairway Review
G425 models
When they first launched back in 2021, the Ping G425 Fairway Woods made a huge impression, and it’s easy to see why. Although the newer G430 range has now launched, we’d recommend not making the mistake of writing off these older model clubs just yet.
The G425 Max head is available from 3-wood up to 9-wood, with the 7-wood being a super popular option among Ping’s tour players, and it’s easy to see why. Thanks to the Spinsistency technology that Ping added to this range, these fairway woods offer really great spin consistency, allowing golfers to rely on specific carry yardage and a really strong descent angle into greens.
We loved this club so much that it earned a spot in our Editor's Choice Awards for 2022. We particularly liked the adjustable hosel it featured, which came with eight settings. What’s great about this feature is that it allows you to customize the loft and the lie, letting golfers tweak their club to their ideal specifications for enhanced and improved play.
- Read our full Ping G425 Max Fairway Wood Review
Ping G425 LST Fairway Wood
What’s great about the Ping G425 range is that it offers fantastic versatility, with a club suited for every golfer. For instance, the G425 LST Fairway Wood is ideal for players with a fast swing speed, thanks to its slightly more compact head and the precisely placed center of gravity.
The Ping clubs are renowned for being ultra forgiving and the LST is no different; this club is ideal for producing a lower spin speed and a more powerful ball flight. It also boasts the forgiveness needed for players who strike unevenly and don’t create that ‘perfect’ strike every time.
When we put it to the test, we were particularly impressed by how its one-piece face allowed for an added 1.5mph of ball speed compared to its predecessor (the G410), boasting extra yardage off the tee and on the fairway. Thanks to featuring a loft of 14.5°, which aims to create a more driver-like performance, this wood is super adaptable. It has an adjustable loft that can be moved by 1.5° up or down, allowing golfers to customize their club to meet their ideal playing requirements.
- Read our full Ping G425 LST Fairway Wood Review
Ping G Le 2 Fairway Wood
The Ping G LE2 Women’s Fairway Wood - which is available in a 3-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood, and 9-wood - is a popular choice, thanks to its lightweight feel aiding swing speed and strike distance. When we put this club to the test we loved it so much that we thought it was one of the best women's fairway woods available.
Featuring the same steel face material and adjustability options as the G425, it’s an ideal choice for any golfer who wants a club that can be customized to fit their playing style and needs.
When we put it to the test, we found that the shallower face offered plenty of forgiveness, while also aiding performance. The shallower face helped to boost the ball into the air, as well as offering plenty of forgiveness, both off the tee and from the rough.
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 they are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. When it comes to golf clubs, whenever possible wemake the effort to attend product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.
After we have an understanding of the tech, next 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 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
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.
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 Stealth Plus or Callaway Rogue ST LS 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.
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 why not also check out our guide on the best women's fairway woods, if you're a female golfer looking for a new approach club.
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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