Nothing quite beats the sensation of a well-struck shot shot with a fairway wood. It requires skill, precision and patience. To help golfers achieve this, club designers are designing fairway woods that as forgiving as possible.
Technology such as multi-material crown and face constructions, moveable 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.
Typically, novice golfers hit fairway woods left to right, attack steeply without enough loft on the face and ultimately struggle to get these longer clubs airborne. As a result, manufacturers are mow designing fairway woods with a draw bias, slight offset and weighting technology designed to create higher launch angles.
WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024
The most forgiving fairway woods also tend to have larger heads than the compact models aimed at better player.
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.
The Quick List
A strong contender for most forgiving fairway wood of the year. The TaylorMade Qi10 Max fairway looks superb and boasts a confidence-inspiring head that produces outstanding performance from various lies.
Thanks to the shallow face sitting flush to the ground, the GT2 Fairway wood excels from a range of lies, whilst the refined looks will appeal to a number of golfers.
This produced solid distance from the tee, a high launching ball flight and was particularly good from the fairway and first cut of rough down to a new design feature, all while looking the part.
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.
Its forgiving head and high launch will benefit mid-high handicappers, but when fitted properly will act as a loyal servant in the bag of the better player.
The Ai Smoke Max D fairway is a really strong option for those who struggle with a slice or want to promote a high draw with their fairway woods. The additional forgiveness means mishits are far less noticeable
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The Launch Pad is one of the easiest fairway woods to hit, making it deal for higher handicappers looking for playability and value for money.
The Srixon ZX Mk II fairway was really easy to hit from a variety of lies and the generous sized head inspires confidence. Visually the step down design of the crown may not appeal to all.
This is a strong all-rounder that posses plenty of power and forgiveness to help with performance from the tee and the fairway. The sleek look adds to the overall appeal.
Most Forgiving Fairway Woods
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Top pick
At Golf Monthly, we're big fans of TaylorMade fairway woods and we were really excited to see what the brand had in store for 2024. As always, we were not left disappointed...
The Qi10 Max boasts a 200cc footprint and is an ultra-forgiving fairway food that will instill confidence in any golfer stood over the ball. After testing this club extensively, we can emphatically state that this is one of the best fairway woods on the market.
Our testing highlighted the Qi10's consistently impressive carry distance and spin. The result is a fairway wood that is perfect for golfers with a moderate swing speed and who might sometimes struggle to get the ball airborne.
Further assistance in getting the ball up in the air comes with the loft, which at 16° is one degree higher than most traditional fairway woods. This extra loft combined with the technology implemented by TaylorMade contributes to the high-launching nature of this club, so the Qi10 Max is certainly worth considering if you’re one of the many golfers who struggle with fairway woods, which are notoriously one of the most difficult clubs in the bag to master.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Fairway Wood Review
Best off the tee
Titleist GT2 features a refined shape and a shallow face over it's predecessors. We were excited to get our hands on the new GT range and put it to the test...
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, 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 than its predecessor, 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 looking
Most golfers won't admit it, but looks definitely count when it comes to making a purchase. Of course, aesthetics are all subjective but we think the best looking forgiving fairway wood on the market is currently the Mizuno ST-Max 230.
In testing, we felt t the blue TPU insert on the sole really pops and gives the club shelf appeal. This blue blends nicely with the gloss black and carbon fibre crown to provide a classic and yet modern aesthetic.
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.
We found that from both the fairway and rough the club excelled and produced that high ball flight consistently. This may well be due to the ‘Speed Bevel’, which is 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 wide appeal
The Ping G430 Max offers an upgraded design and new performance features over its predecessor, the hugely popular G425, and will appeal to a broad range of players.
We loved this club in testing. The Facewrap Technology helps to deliver strong ball flights and a very stable connection on each shot, while also delivering faster ball speeds and solid flights on shots that were not struck out of its center. At the heel of the clubhead Ping have added an adjustable weight, which is designed to push the club's center of gravity lower and further back, which really improves the forgiveness of the club and allows players to achieve more favorable launch angles.
The latest tech addition is a Carbonfly Wrap that firstly helps to save 10g of weight in the club, but also gives it a premium finish that looks truly stunning at address. The matte black crown on the club give it a very sleek look over the ball, while turning the club over reveals an equally impressive sole plate that has some very cool green and white detailing.
The G430 Max is certainly one of the best fairway woods available right now and also features prominently in our guide to the best fairway woods for mid-handicap golfers.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Fairway Review
Best value
Believe it or not, Wilson used A.I. Technology to create the face on this Dynapower fairway wood. It has varying layers of thickness across its face that results in faster and more consistent speeds on off-center hits.
We found that the turf interaction it offered was also excellent, which again aided that high launch. Off the fairway it cut through thicker lies very easily and delivered great feel, producing a muted 'thud' sound which will be very popular with those who don't like a metallic feel on impact.
Along with the Mizuno ST-Max 230, these are one of the more aesthetically striking clubs on this list. The stylish matte clubhead is lit up by pops of red detailing on its head and sole. Wilson have also refined the head on the club to give it a generously sized pear-shape that will inspire confidence to golfers of all abilities when they rest the club behind the golf ball.
Combining excellent visuals with solid performance and playability, the Dynapower is a well rounded club that offers good versatility. On the back of the sole, Wilson have added a 12g adjustable weight that is built to deliver greater stability and a higher MOI to help players push through the golf ball and deliver higher launch angles on each shot.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapower Fairway Review
Best adjustability
The Callaway Ai Smoke Max D is designed to promote a high launch and draw-bias flight which makes it a fantastic option for golfers who struggle with accuracy in their fairway woods.
In terms of performance, it delivered exactly what we would expect from a Max D model— consistent high draws through the air and supreme levels of forgiveness. This is no doubt as result of the Ai Smart Face technology. Callaway collected data from thousands of golf shots to create a face with varying thicknesses, creating multiple sweet spots the whole way across the face and giving unrivaled levels of forgiveness.
The Max D has a slightly more upright lie angle and larger head than the standard Max model (which is another excellent option when it comes to forgiveness) but despite the head looking fairly large and closed at address, we think it still looks as good as some of the best fairway woods on the market. The white and grey crushed carbon sole looks stunning, particularly when shimmering in sunlight and would definitely turn a few heads on the golf course.
The area in which the Ai Smoke Max D fairway wood excelled most over the other models in the range was from the first cut of rough. The shallow face and high MOI helped the launch the ball effortlessly from the thick, wet rough, making this comfortably one of the most forgiving fairway woods we've tested and a great option for golfers who lack accuracy.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Fairway Wood review
Best for slicers
The Wilson Launch Pad fairway wood is designed to get the ball up in the air and therefore makes a great addition to any high handicappers golf bag.
Everything about the Launch Pad clubs (including drivers and hybrids) is designed to get the ball airborne and to help improving golfers compensate for some of their swing faults. Crucially, it also helps to negate a slice due to the draw bias design.
This is clear when you look down on the ball at address, as the face is closed and has a draw bias. This naturally benefits the golfer who slices and it will helps straighten up the ball flight for the majority of mid to high handicap golfers who come over the top on the downswing.
The Evenflow shaft is light at 55g, but that adds a premium touch to a value driven product and will help the golfer with a moderate swing speed gain a bit of extra juice. The Launch Pad inevitably flies high but we found that it doesn't hang up in the air too much and will still provide good carry distance, making it a great option for any golfer who finds it tough to consistently hit good shots from the fairway.
- Read our full Wilson Launch Pad Fairway Wood Review
Best for simplicity
The Srixon ZX Mk II will appeal to a range of golfers and as well featuring in this guide to the most forgiving fairway woods, it also features in many of our other guides too, including the best fairway woods as well as the best fairway woods for mid-handicap golfers and best fairway woods for high handicap golfers. It is one of our favorite fairway woods due to its versatility and how easy it is to hit from a variety of lies.
Boasting a new Cannon Sole that shifts the weight more towards the front of the club to improve forgiveness, the MkII also has a Rebound Frame and Dual Flex Zones on the face of the club which help to promote faster ball speeds. Several contours on its sole plate have been redesigned to center the weight and work with the club's higher trailing edge to create a squarer face angle at impact. We found in our testing that this really helps to generate straighter ball flights and get the ball up from even the more difficult lies out on the course.
During testing, we really enjoyed the forgiveness and speed the face offered and we think inconsistent golfers will really benefit from the steady performance this club offers.
- Read our full Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway Review
Best high launch
We were big fans of the Cobra AeroJet fairway woods and the brand's 2024 range, Darkspeed, looks like it has taken a great thing and made it even better. The Max is the model aimed at the golfer who needs a bit of help in terms of accuracy and forgiveness and the draw bias will certainly benefit anyone who tends to slice their fairway wood shots.
Cobra are one of the better brands when it comes to aesthetics and we're big fans of what it has done with this club. While there is an obvious difference, the Max fairway wood still looks every bit as premium and sleek as the Darkspeed X, which is not always easy to achieve in a game improvement club. We really like the matte carbon crown but it does make the head appear a little more compact than it actually is.
During testing it performed well for us and we were most impressed with the feel and acoustics. We found it to be hot and fast off the face with a pleasingly high launch, from both the fairway and rough. Overall the Cobra Darkspeed Max fairway wood is an excellent option for the golfer seeking forgiveness, carry distance and/or those who struggle with a slice.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Fairway Wood Review
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.
When we have a good understanding of the technology, our next port of call is 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. Next it's onto outdoor testing on the course and driving ranges.
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.
How to choose a fairway wood
There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a new fairway wood, and that can make getting the right clubs for you a sometimes overwhelming and confusing decision. But don't fret. That's where we come in. Below I've set out a list of key considerations you should bear in mind when purchasing your next fairway woods.
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 four different Cobra LTDx fairways 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 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.
For more advice on the best fairway woods on the market right now, 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 versatile distance clubs that are designed to be hit from the tee, off the fairway and even from light rough, similar to a mini or small headed driver but with slightly more loft and a shallower face.
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 COG (centre of gravity) lower, helping you to get the ball airborne.
Fairway woods are more forgiving than long irons and almost every Tour player puts one or two fairway woods in the bag.
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.
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.
Each golfer is different, in their physical fitness, ability and approach to the game. 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.
If you enjoyed our guide to the most forgiving fairway woods, check out the rest of the Golf Monthly website.
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