Nothing quite beats the sensation of a well-struck shot shot with a fairway wood. It requires skill, precision and patience. To help us regular golfers achieve this, club designers are creating the best fairway woods to be forgiving as possible. Technology such as multi-material crown and face constructions, movable weighting and loft/shaft adjustability can all be used to make this challenging club less intimidating and more accessible for a wider range of golfers.
Even if you are a low handicap player it is entirely possibly that the fairway wood may be the most difficult club in your bag to master, so rather than plough on with a club aimed at tour players, you might also benefit from switching into one of the more forgiving fairway woods on the market. Why make the game harder for yourself?
Additionally, take a look at our other guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers or the best fairway woods for mid handicappers.
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
Ping might just be the kings of making user friendly golf clubs and the G440 continues on their sparkling reputation in this department.
The most forgiving wood in the Qi35 family, the Max is specifically designed to inspire confidence in the mid-to-higher handicappers thanks to the oversized head, slight draw bias and higher spin rates.
Having a 'fairway finder' off the tee box can help anyone slash their handicap and doing so with a fairway metal may be the key - the GT2 excels from the tee box and could prove a valuable weapon for any player as a result.
Mizuno are more so known for making some of the prettiest irons and wedges on the market but the ST-Max 230 is at the top of the tree in terms of looks in the fairways department - in our eyes at least!
Plenty of forgiveness, playability and value for money are available to those who opt for the impressive DYNAPWR Max fairway from Wilson.
Lots of golfers struggle with a right miss off the tee - Callaway know this, designing the Elyte X with a prominent draw bias to help counter the dreaded slice.
Load the next 2 models
Despite still being relative newcomers in the equipment industry, PXG continue to kill it every year. Their Black Ops fairway wood launches high, fast and far from both the tee and fairways.
Cobra's unique FutureFit33 hosel is a game changer for those who love to tweak and customize their clubs - expect a lot of manufacturers to try and... replicate this, shall we say, in the coming years.
Most Forgiving Fairway Woods
Top pick
Our 2025 top pick in terms of forgiving fairway woods is the Ping G440 - for those familiar with Ping golf clubs, this will come as no surprise, especially given the success of the previous G430 models. Ping have delivered an improved aesthetic courtesy of a new Carbonfly wrap as well as a new black and blue color scheme on the sole, paying tribute to the original Ping G family released a decade ago.
Moving on to the performance, it did become clear in my testing that the G440 was producing numbers which slightly lagged behind other models in this guide, despite ball speed numbers remaining pretty high and consistent. What I did love, however, was the performance of the 4 wood. This club could become a valuable weapon for a wide range of golfers that typically struggle with hitting a high ball.
Rarely can you go wrong with any Ping club if forgiveness is near or at the top of your wish list when it comes to purchasing a new weapon. Although improvements from the already-impressive G430 are minimal, the G440 remains a fantastic option for those looking an upgrade in that department in 2025.
- Read our full Ping G440 Max Fairway Wood Review
Best feel
The TaylorMade Qi10 fairway was genuinely one of the most impressive fairway woods we've ever tested and has remained in the bags of the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Nelly Korda and Rory McIlroy to this day as a result. We were therefore understandably excited for the arrival of the Qi35 considering the rather large-sized shoes it is expected to fill. We believe the Max version of the wood to be the best for those seeking forgiveness, especially when coupled with the beautiful feel we experienced through impact during testing.
Despite the size of the head the club still looks excellent thanks to the chromium carbon finish, whilst the lovely muted 'thud' sound that we hear so often from TaylorMade clubs is present with the Max, as is the impressive performance.
Overall the Qi35 fairway wood pretty much does what it’s designed to do. My mishits were hardly punished and while it wasn’t the highest launching model I have tested this year, the ball flight was easily high enough to have the ball landing softly into greens. It produced a slightly higher spin rate as well which will help golfers low on speed, and I liked the overall versatility of the club as well.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi35 Max Fairway Wood Review
Best from the tee
When we arrive on a tee box, it's natural to automatically think in attack mode, but becoming efficient from the tee and hitting fairways is a lot more important than hitting the ball an extra five or ten yards. Thus, an easy way to lower your scores is to have a 'second serve' drive in your repertoire - for me, I often leave driver in the bag on tight drives and simply hit an 80% fairway wood down there to keep me out of trouble. If I were to recommend a club for you to do this with, I'd opt for the Titleist GT2.
The GT2 features a Seamless Thermoform Crown made from Proprietary Matrix Polymer. This saves weight in the crown and redistributed the weight to help the center of gravity positioning for faster ball speeds.
In testing, I 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 I could still send it upwards if required, whilst the L-Cup face design provided great stability, even on miss-hits low on the face. The more shallow face than previous Titleist woods should also inspire confidence for those who need it, making it suitable for a wide range of players.
- Read our full Titleist GT2 Fairway Wood Review
Best looking
It sounds a little silly, but trust me when I say the look of a club really matters. Especially with clubs you hit off the tee or with a putter, if you don't like the look of them you're relationship with them is off to a rocky start already. You have to build a level of trust with clubs likes drivers, fairway woods and putters, so equipping yourself with one that you like the look of is always a good place to start.
The reason myself and many other love the best Mizuno irons is because they are so pretty on the eye, but the ST-Max 230 means the brand have continued their pretty designs into the top end of the bag as well. Of course, aesthetics are all subjective but we think the best looking forgiving fairway wood on the market is currently the ST-Max 230.
But aesthetics without performance is pointless. Fortunately, this club performed well during range sessions as well as out on the course. The feel off the face is superb it produced a solid and pleasing 'thud', while it also gave a nice high ball flight which will suit players who need help getting the ball in the air.
It also performs well from the rough thanks to the new ‘Speed Bevel’, a modification to the leading edge which is designed to improve turf interaction and maintain speed from shots struck from the fairway. Combined with the high MOI head design, this is one of the most forgiving fairway woods we have tested this year which will suit not only higher handicap players, but also the more skilled player who just needs that bit more forgiveness in this section of the bag.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Fairway Wood Review
Best value
An encouraging sign in club production in recent years is that the floor is rising pretty rapidly - we can now look away from the top brands, opt for a slightly cheaper option and still enjoy plenty of performance, as proven by Wilson's DYNAPWR Max fairway wood.
We've including the Max version in this guide as it's a lot more forgiving than the Carbon model, meaning badly hit shots are not punished nearly as much as they should be. This is thank in part to the 12g weight positioned towards the rear of the sole, pulling the CG down and back to create a high-launching head with plenty of stability.
Nevertheless, if accuracy and forgiveness are what you’re searching for, then you’ll be hard-pushed to find a club as playable as the Dynapwr Max fairway wood in 2025.
- Read our full Wilson DYNAPWR Max Fairway Wood Review
Best for slicers
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. This certainly proved to be the case in my testing as it delivered effortless launch and a nice, high ball flight even when I struck the ball toward the heel. It will really really benefit those who come over the top in their swing, causes the ball to spin to the right. The Elyte X has an in-built draw bias to help straighten out those slicing shots that want to veer to the right.
The feel is soft but powerful as well, and the forgiveness isn't limited to the performance either as the aesthetics help here too. The stretched, larger profile of the X is something I think will provide golfers with confidence and the shallower face has been designed for those seeking a high-launching ball flight, even when playing from the fairway or first cut of rough.
Finally I should say that there is not much to choose performance wise between the standard Elyte and X woods in terms of feel and aesthetics. The 'X' is the better option for players who want a high launching, right to left ball flight with a larger head. For those that want something a bit flatter that could gain you a few extra yards with a more neutral ball-flight, the original Elyte could be the better pick.
- Read our full Callaway Elyte X Fairway Wood Review
Best for high launch
PXG have seriously upped their game with their club releases in recent years, especially nearer the top end of the golf bag. The Black Ops fairway wood should be under serious consideration to those looking an upgrade in 2025, especially those with a lower ball flight that want a bit more distance.
The Black Ops head is by no means the most compact or traditional looking fairway wood on the market, but it really is a solid all-rounder. 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.
It's not the most compact head, but the Black Ops does deliver a very premium look. I think the small 'x' alignment aid on the crown will really benefit higher handicappers and their alignment which should, in turn, lead to more fairways being hit. The carbon crown has also allowed the boffins at PXG HQ to shift about some of the saved weight to more extreme parts of the head to cater to both higher launch and more forgiveness. The combination of forgiveness and good looks was our biggest point of praise during our testing.
- Read our full PXG Black Ops Fairway Wood Review
Best adjustability
Last but certainly not least is the DS-ADAPT Max wood from Cobra, part of the seriously impressive DS-ADAPT family that has produced winner after winner on the professional circuits this year including Keegan Bradley and US Open champion J.J. Spaun.
To start, I loved the look of this club, it offered an ultra-premium feel in my hands, the shelf appeal is excellent (despite the QR code which I'm not a huge fan of), and down behind the ball it looks fantastic too. It will also give that confidence to those that need it as well because it is a larger head shape than the standard X and LS models elsewhere in the DS-ADAPT range.
High launch was easily achieved with the DS-ADAPT Max from a variety of lies - tee, fairway and rough included. The combination of the shallow face coupled with two removable weights at the back of the head really help create a high launching ball flight thanks to the CG being pushed further back.
The star of the show here is the unique FutureFit33 hosel, allowing for a level of customization we haven't really seen before. It allows you to configure you club in 33 different settings to find the perfect balance between high launch and penetrating ball flight. Simply scan the QR code and you have for easy access to all of the settings.
- Read our full Cobra DS-ADAPT Max 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 they are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. When it comes to golf clubs, the process begins by attending product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.
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. Joel has tested golf clubs for many, many years now and both are able to efficiently test products, and then communicate effectively to the audience what performance was like.
Joel Tadman during a fairway wood testing
Our actual testing procedure is split into two parts - inside, controlled testing and then outside, real-life testing out on the golf course.
We use the GCQuad Launch Monitor from Foresight Sports during inside testing - 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.
It's then out onto the golf course once we've gathered a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each club to see if these trends continue on the links. We aim to test across multiple rounds, across multiple days on different styles of courses as well as in varying conditions to put as many variables in play as possible to really understand how each club performs. 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.
Finally, it's worth reiterating that all of reviews are conducted by golfers, for golfers. We're proud of the trust we've built amongst our readership after over a decade of golf equipment reviews and because of this, our goal of delivering bias-free, informed buying advice will also be our main priority. No brand can ever 'buy' a good review, nor do any manufacturers get preferential treatment over another - instead we simply call it how we see it based on our extensive testing, knowledge and experience in the game as well as our passion for helping you make the best buying decisions - especially at a time where the game is only becoming more and more expensive.
How to choose a 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 and whether you want a 3 wood, a 5 wood, both or perhaps something in between.
2. Forgiveness
Not all fairway woods are created equal. Some are designed to be more forgiving than others and most manufacturers now create different models for different levels of player. For example, there are three Callaway models with different head sizes and shapes and each is designed for a different kind of golfer. If you struggle for consistency of strike, a larger head will work for you, whereas if you are a better player who consistently flushes it, then forgiveness will not be a key factor for you and you will value workability more.
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. If the standard set up works for you then there is no need to pay extra for an adjustable model.
4. Versatility
Generally speaking, the function of a fairway wood is to hit shots off the tee, from the fairway from different lies and some golfers will even use them around the green to play chip and run shots. 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
Looks are not just a vanity issue. A golfer has to like how a golf club looks, especially when looking down on the golf ball, otherwise it can be difficult to feel confident at address. The fairway wood is already one of the most difficult clubs to hit, which makes it even more important to find one that gives you confidence over the ball, and if it looks great in the bag too and sparks a pang of jealousy in your playing partners then all the better. 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 Qi35 or Callaway Elyte or you can opt for cheaper designs from brands like Cobra and Srixon. Wherever you fall in budget, our guides will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood.
For more advice on fairway woods, why not also take a look at our guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers, best fairway woods for mid-handicappers and the best TaylorMade fairway woods guide.
FAQs
What are fairway woods?
Fairway woods are often tricky clubs to get right in golf because they are clubs that do a wide range of things. They need to be able to perform off the tee, off the fairway, from varying lies.
Traditionally, the size of a driver head ranges from roughly 440cc to 460cc, whereas a fairway wood often is from 140cc to 180cc. Fairway woods look similar in appearance to drivers but have smaller heads.
Fairway wood faces are much shallower than a driver, which keeps the CG (centre of gravity) lower, helping you to get the ball airborne. As such fairway woods are more forgiving than long irons and we traditionally see golfers and professionals put one or two fairway woods in the bag.
What loft should a fairway wood be?
Manufacturers offer a range of fairway wood head styles and lofts, ranging from super-strong three woods at 13.5° to 7,9 or 11-woods which are designed for golfers who struggle to launch mid and long irons and want more confidence inspiring equipment to hit the ball further.
A wide range of fairway wood lofts can provide options for senior players, women and juniors who want alternatives to hitting longer irons. Many established Tour winners have carried 7-woods when course conditions required high flying soft-landing ball flights on key par-5 holes and at long par-3’s.
What fairway woods should I carry?
This depends on three factors.
First, what ability level are you? Fairway woods are more forgiving than long irons, so if you are a beginner or a high handicap player we’d recommend putting as many fairway woods in the bag as possible, providing the lofts and gapping are correct. If you are a better player, then which woods you carry will depend on the following two factors.
Loft and gapping is the next point to mention. Fairway woods have to be able to fill the gap in the bag from the driver to your irons. Therefore, knowing how far you hit each club gives you insight into which yardages you need to fill with fairway woods. The best way of doing this is on a launch monitor with an experienced PGA professional or custom-fitter.
The final factor is the type of golf course do you play on? If you play a lot of links golf, then you’ll likely need to hit lower penetrating shots, whereas inland or parkland golf requires you to hit shots that fly higher and land softer on the fairway or green. Fairway woods are definitely more suited to target parkland golf rather than fast-running firm linksland golf.
The same logic applies to playing golf in windy conditions. Fairway woods are usually designed to give higher launch which makes them difficult to control in the wind, especially when compared to long irons or driving and utility irons.