Best TaylorMade Fairway Woods 2026
Check out the best fairway woods that TaylorMade currently has on the market - find the one just right for you!
Given how many of the game's top players are signed to TaylorMade, not to mention how many non-contracted players choose to use its woods, we can safely say that TaylorMade makes some of the best fairway woods in the game.
Hitting a fairway wood is probably one of the toughest shots in golf and a lot can go wrong and often does, but because of how difficult it can be, there are not too many more satisfying shots than when you flush a 3-wood and it trundles up onto the green.
The Quick List
The new core Qi4D fairway wood might just be the most complete model on the market right now. It boasts stunning aesthetics, impressive ball speeds, and a flight that is as effective off the tee as it is from the turf.
A large, confidence-inspiring fairway wood, the Qi4D Max may sacrifice some yardage compared to other latest models, but it produces a towering ball flight and the ability to mask mishits makes it a standout option for the majority of amateur golfers.
The Tour Qi4D fairway wood offers a lot of customization, an intimidating footprint, and will likely suit the eye of traditionalists, as well as those who value workability. It is for those who don't lack speed as well.
The most forgiving model in the Qi35 family, the Max boasts an oversized to help inspire confidence for those who need it. A slight draw bias and higher spin rates will also benefit the mid-to-high handicapper.
Premium aesthetics meet fabulous performance with the Qi35 Fairway Wood, delivering excellent ball speed and distance numbers for what will be one of the most well-rounded woods released back in 2025.
The TaylorMade Qi10 fairway remains one of the best all-rounder models out there, combining forgiveness and power to create a multi-use fairway wood that performs well from the tee and the fairway. One for golfers of all skill levels.
Best TaylorMade Fairway Woods 2026
TaylorMade Qi4D Fairway Wood
It is very clear TaylorMade has thrown everything at the latest Qi4D range of golf clubs, and the fairway woods are an obvious example of that, especially the standard model pictured above. It offers a stunning, sleek, premium aesthetic combining a darker carbon crown with a gloss black sole and hints of orange and navy. It looks outstanding, as does the entire range. Down behind the ball this continues with the core model as it sat beautifully to my eye.
Tech-wise, a lot of the familiar pieces are here, such as an improved Speed Pocket, Twist Face along with an 8g weight towards the rear of the head and a loft sleeve for customization. But how did it test?
Well I'm not exaggerating when I say this might be the most complete fairway wood I've tested. It performed exceptionally well, giving a high average ball speed without compromising the control I crave. As a result my distance was high, and I could shape the ball nicely. It also offered a high peak height on a launch monitor, and more importantly in my outdoor testing, off the tee and from the fairway.
The combination of the penetrating flight, the ability to hold greens, and the stunning navy and orange aesthetics makes the TaylorMade Qi4d fairway wood a standout release this year and one of the most complete clubs I've ever tested.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi4D Fairway Wood Review
TaylorMade Qi4D Max Fairway Wood
Next we have the Qi4D Max model which is the fairway wood designed to offer the most forgiveness in the range. As such it has an oversized 200cc head which is immediately clear down behind the ball and when comparing to the other Qi4D models. I am confident this simple design aesthetic will help those who struggle with this part of the bag. This size has also allowed the TaylorMade R&D team to push significantly more weight to the perimeter of the clubhead, which boosts the MOI, and stability on off-centre hits.
From my testing this design clearly delivered. It gave a distinct jump in spin and launch which may result in some lost yardage compared to lower spin models, but the dispersion numbers were tighter, and the descent angle was steeper, helping to hold greens easier, and that was evident in my outside testing.
Ball flight wise, it can best be described as towering, and this was regardless of my strike which will really help those golfers who struggle with strike consistency off the tee, on the fairway and from the rough as well.
Overall the TaylorMade Qi4D Max is a specialist tool for those prioritizing height, spin, and a model that competes with some of the most forgiving fairway wood models on the market. it will best suit the average golfer who wants a fairway wood that performs across the face and helps give a high ball flight.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi4D Max Fairway Wood Review
TaylorMade Qi4D Tour Fairway Wood
Finally we have the Tour model which, as a plus handicapper, I was drawn to first. From a visual standpoint, I believe this is undoubtedly the best-looking head in the lineup, albeit I can admit I was a little intimidated. It’s small and sleek and just looks to be of the highest spec. The sole of the Tour head looks the most premium in the Qi4D family, utilizing sleek lines and a clean aesthetic that scream quality. At address, it really becomes clear this model is only for the most confident ball-strikers because of the compact, 175cc head.
A further difference form this club to the other models is the adjustability. TaylorMade has included three weight ports (one 15g weight and two 4g weights) rather than a track system, which allow for complete CG customization.
When it came to the hitting experience, it painted an interesting picture. It actually proved to be slower in ball speed to the standard model at the top of this page, which resulted in a loss of some yardage. As such, if you want out and out distance, I recommend the core Qi4D model. But we know launch monitor performance isn't the be all and end all, because the Tour really excelled on the course.
I found it to be extremely workable whether that be hitting draws or fades, or even changing trajectories as well. It also wasn't as far behind the core model in terms of total distance output as the launch monitor suggested it would be thanks to the penetrating flight.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi4D Tour Fairway Wood Review
TaylorMade Qi35 Max Fairway Wood
The Qi35 Max is the most forgiving fairway wood in the family, boasting an oversized head and a slight draw bias that will benefit a lot of mid-to-high handicappers.
That doesn't mean this is a club solely catered to this demographic though, far from it in fact. The chromium carbon finish is continued with the Max which I feel is important as golfers can now choose a club that will benefit their game more regularly rather than simply choosing the one they like the look of more. The lovely muted 'thud' sound that we hear so often from TaylorMade clubs is present with the Max, as is the impressive performance.
During testing I found the head did an exceptional job at tearing through light rough, an underrated aspect of a good fairway wood. The Max flew a little less than the standard Qi35, thanks in part to a little more loft on the clubface (15.5° instead of 15°) but this is a club that does everything it's designed to do. My mishits weren't punished nearly as much as they should have been and high launch and ball flight is easily attainable for golfers on the lower side of the speed spectrum. It's a really impressive option.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi35 Max Fairway Wood Review
TaylorMade Qi35 Fairway Wood
Given how well the Qi10 fairway woods performed last year, I was excited to compare the performance of the new Qi35 models. The first thing I noticed were the major changes to the aesthetics - a new chromium carbon fiber finish is found throughout the whole Qi35 range and it looks fantastic. It's part of the multi-material construction alongside the steel and aluminum to create eye-catching looks alongside the performance benefits.
This club looks wonderful behind the ball, inspiring confidence for even the confident ball striker. The head sits flush on the ground and is complimented by the fairly shallow face. I also loved the detailing at the back of the crown which really emphasizes the roundness of the head.
In terms of performance, I averaged 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. The feel was the same muted, yet powerful sensation I loved from the Qi10 fairway wood range. It's hard to beat the looks from this family of fairway woods and you'll be pressed to find as club that is head and above in terms of performance, too. If you’re in the market for a new fairway wood, the TaylorMade Qi35 should be on your list to try.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi35 Fairway Wood Review
TaylorMade Qi10 Fairway
Given how impressed we were with the Stealth 2 Fairway Wood range, we’re happy to report that TaylorMade has utilized most of the same technology in the Qi10. Thru-Slot Speed-Pocket technology to enhance ball speeds has been added, while the V-Steel sole technology ensures a smooth feel at impact.
As with the Stealth 2, the Qi10 has been designed to offer the perfect combination of power and forgiveness but one of the biggest changes with the Qi10 is in the aesthetics and how the club has been designed. There has been a significant shift away from the previous design style and colorways used and we think it looks great.
In testing we found that the Qi10 Fairway Wood worked well and produced a powerful but controlled feeling through impact. The distance achieved was good, but we did note that there weren’t any huge gains when compared to its predecessor. The biggest improvement has been in the aesthetics.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Fairway Wood Review
How we test fairway woods
When it comes to Golf Monthly's testing procedure, we use the same guidelines and methods for all golf products to make sure our reviews are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. When it comes to golf clubs, including fairway woods, we strive to attend product launches when possible so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to get a better understanding of the new technology.
When it comes to hitting clubs we usually head to 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. Outdoor testing follows at a variety of courses, practice areas and driving ranges around the United Kingdom.
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. Sam 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 important to stress that no manufacturer can buy a good review and our experts tell it how it is.
How to choose a fairway wood
Modern-day fairway woods are jam-packed full of technology which is great when it comes to helping players perform better on the course, but can also mean there is a lot to choose from when purchasing your next club. The vast range on offer can sometimes be a bit overwhelming and can cause golfers headaches when picking out the right fairway club for them, so we've set out a list of key points below that you should definitely consider when purchasing your next fairway wood.
1. Loft
Very important this. 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 do not want to have two clubs in the bag that go the same distance so do your research on this before buying.
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 three different Qi10 fairways with different head sizes, shapes and they are designed for different golfers. If you need as much help as possible, the Qi10 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 and the Qi10 Tour is your best bet.
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 quick 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 so 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. Don't pick looks over performance though!
6. Budget
Be aware of your budget when narrowing down your search for a fairway. You can go for more premium models, such as the TaylorMade Qi10 or Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max or you can opt for cheaper designs like the Wilson Launch Pad. Whatever your budget, our guides will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood and offer something in your price range.
For more great fairway wood offerings, check out our guides to the best callaway fairway woods, best Ping fairway woods, and best women's fairway woods.
FAQs
When should I use my fairway woods?
You can, generally speaking, use your fairway woods anywhere around the course. Ideally, they are designed to be used off the fairway (hence the name) but can also be used off the tee and from the rough. Although a hybrid would be a better option if you're hitting from the second or third cut.
What degree fairway wood should I get?
When it comes to which degree fairway wood you should get there are a number of factors that need considering. Firstly, what distance are you looking to cover with it? You don't want your 3-wood going further than your driver, but you also don't want to leave a large distance gap between your driver and irons.
Personally, we would recommend a fitting at your local pro shop to really explore what yardage area you are wanting to cover. Once you determine that aspect then it all comes down to hitting a few fairway woods that are of different lofts.
On average, your driver should be around 20-30 yards further than your 3-wood so, with that in mind, you will need to find out how long the driver goes first before experimenting with different degrees of fairway woods.
What are 3 and 5 fairway woods equivalent to?
A three wood, generally speaking, provides a more forgiving alternative to a 1 iron that can pack a little more distance. A 5 wood, meanwhile, normally sits at around 20º and 22º in loft which means it replaces either a 1 or 2 iron in your bag.
