Golf.com Your life, well played. en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-favicon-512x512-1-32x32.png clubtestfairwaywoods Archives - Golf 32 32 https://golf.com/?post_type=article&p=15557779 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 13:41:41 +0000 <![CDATA[Best fairway woods | ClubTest 2025]]> If you're in search of the best fairway woods, look no further. Here are the top fairway woods in four categories from ClubTest 2025.

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https://golf.com/gear/fairway-woods/best-fairway-woods-clubtest-2025/ If you're in search of the best fairway woods, look no further. Here are the top fairway woods in four categories from ClubTest 2025.

The post Best fairway woods | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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If you're in search of the best fairway woods, look no further. Here are the top fairway woods in four categories from ClubTest 2025.

The post Best fairway woods | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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Equipment is constantly changing in golf, but the importance of playing a fairway wood you trust remains essential. For ClubTest 2025, we reviewed all the best fairway woods on the market, then put them through player testing at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., to determine which woods excel for specific types of golfers.

Our experts grouped the top new fairway woods into four categories: the best fairway woods for speed, forgiveness, slower swing speeds and low spin. Keep scrolling to learn about the best fairway woods for 2025 in each category type.

See something you like? Click through and buy your new fairway woods on Fairway Jockey today. For additional exclusive insights on new fairway woods from leading brands, join InsideGOLF for only $40/year. Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. 

MORE CLUBTEST: BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR FORGIVENESS | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SPEED | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR LOW SPIN | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS

MORE CLUBTEST: BEST DRIVERS | BEST IRONS | BEST HYBRIDS

Best fairway woods for forgiveness

Ping G440 SFT

*Ping’s G440 SFT fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the fairway wood forgiveness category.

PING G440 SFT Custom Fairway Wood

The G440 fairway family (MAX, LST, SFT) advances PING’s reputation as a Tour-preferred model of choice through a re-designed face structure and low CG system. The face is taller for more confidence off the tee while maintaining a CG location that delivers high- launching performance off the ground. Golfers in need of slice-correction technology fit best in the SFT (Straight Flight) option, which features a draw-inducing CG location. HIGH MOI Easy to launch, stable design increases forgiveness.  FLEXING FACE Maraging steel face flexes for more ball speed, optimizes spin.  TALLER FACE PROFILE Improves performance off the tee, maintains low CG.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, optimize launch/spin and increase forgiveness. 
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THE BASICS: For players who need some help correcting a slice, Ping’s G440 SFT fairway wood features a draw-inducing CG location that helps direct shots back into the fairway. The face is taller to give players more confidence when hitting the club off the tee, while the CG location enables high-launching performance off the ground too.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “An excellent club and a worthy upgrade.” — Paul McCombs, 11.2 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING G440 FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Elyte

Callaway Elyte Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds     Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face. New Step Sole for Efficient Turf Interaction & Improved Center Face Contact Engineered for cleaner contact, the new Step Sole minimizes skidding, ensuring smoother, more solid strikes. Developed through extensive studies and the success of the Apex UW, this sole shape delivers better turf interaction for consistent results.
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THE BASICS: The Elyte fairway wood, like all of Callaway’s Elyte models, features the company’s new Step Sole design that comes from studying the success of the Callaway Apex UW line. The idea was to help golfers strike the ball more consistently in the center of the face and to help them avoid striking the ball low on the face. With Step Sole, Callaway says, 57 percent of the sole area has been moved down, minimizing turf interaction to help the golfers strike the ball more cleanly in the center of the club. Designed for better players and mid-level handicaps, the Elyte features mid-high launch and low spin.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “I hit the club the most consistent and it was the easiest to get into the air. The look inspired confidence and distance was maintained on mishits.” — Robert Resnick

“The club doesn’t look too big at address and I like the matte finish,” he said. “Not intimidating to hit. Has a nice comfortable weight.” — Greg Caster, 15.1 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Elyte X

Callaway Elyte X Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Confidence-Inspiring Design & Effortless Launch       The Elyte X model shape at address boosts confidence for looking for a larger footprint behind the ball. Designed with a shallower face, it’s perfect for those looking for an effortless launch, delivering a high flight and draw-enhanced shot shaping.   All New Tungsten Speed Wave for Consistently Fast Ball Speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face.  Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
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THE BASICS: In addition to Callaway’s Step Sole technology describes above, the Elyte family of fairway woods also features another other piece of tech to help with low strikes is the all-new Tungsten SpeedWave, which is featured on all of the fairway woods up to 7-wood. The 35-gram weight positions mass low and forward, reducing spin and increasing ball speeds. The Elyte X offers the highest level of forgiveness in the Elyte family, with high launch, mid-level spin and a stretched-back profile. The Elyte X is designed for all players, including high handicappers.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “I enjoyed hitting this club. Hit my longest shots of the day with it. It instills confidence with forgiveness, has an excellent look and distance was comparable or exceeded my current gamer.” — Paul McCombs, 11.2

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Cleveland Halo XL

Cleveland Launcher Halo XL Custom Fairway Wood

All-new Halo XL Fairway Woods feature upgraded GlideRail sole technology for optimal turf interaction on shots off the deck. Plus, with new MainFrame XL Faces, low Centers of Gravity, and Rebound Frame, HALO XL Fairway Woods are everything you need to ditch the duffs and launch your long game to a new level. MAINFRAME XL FACE MainFrame XL Face Technology uses a variable thickness pattern that maximizes flex at impact to boost distance. It also repositions weight low and deep in the clubhead for added forgiveness and consistency. GLIDERAIL Cleveland proprietary GlideRail Technology gets a new, optimized design to deliver cleaner, uninterrupted swings through the turf. Three rails along the sole of the club help keep the face straight through impact.
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THE BASICS: A key attribute of the Halo XL woods line is the Glide Rails on the sole of the clubs to help lower the center of gravity by positioning extra mass on the sole and to help deliver more effective turf interaction better to maintain a square face through the impact zone. In essence, they act as rudders to help the club glide through the grass without digging and are especially effective from the rough.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “I like the shiny finish and alignment. The feel was the best of the bunch.” — Heidi Dalton, 16 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CLEVELAND HALO XL FAIRWAY WOODS

Cobra DS-Adapt Max

Cobra DS-Adapt Max Custom Fairway

NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. NEW INTERNAL ADAPTIVE WEIGHTING SYSTEM The MAX model features an internal weight pad positioned in the back/heel area to create the optimal combination of stability with maximum draw bias. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds. MAX FORGIVENESS & DRAW-BIASED CONTROL Adjustable back and heel weight positioning allows you to fine-tune draw bias in our most forgiving head. TIGHTER DISPERSION A lightweight carbon crown improves weight distribution to position the CG lower and further back, creating a more playable clubhead. 
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THE BASICS: Cobra’s DS-Adapt line not only incorporates cutting-edge tech but also brings a renewed emphasis to precision tuning that’s both more robust and easier than ever to adjust. Each DS-Adapt model features Cobra’s innovative FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, offering 33 unique loft and lie settings that can now be adjusted independently for the first time in a Cobra driver, providing golfers with a huge range of fitting options on the fly. The tech enables loft, lie and face angle to all be adjusted independently thanks to SMARTPAD technology, which keeps the clubface square. The MAX fairway wood also features two movable weights that allow players to customize stability or slice correction by positioning the heavier weight towards the back or heel.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Nice looking. Impact was smooth and it was easy to swing. Mishits went straight and far, with nice and high ball flight.” — Glen Hamel, 12 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA DS-ADAPT FAIRWAY WOODS

Mizuno ST-Max 230

Mizuno ST-Max 230 Custom Fairway Wood

  MAX MOI. MAX STABILITY. A larger footprint, wide profile fairway wood – engineered to deliver absolute straight line performance from across the clubface. A high energy MAS1C steel face is enhanced by an expanded CORTECH Chamber, shifted closer to the clubface to increase both centre and off centre ball speeds. A speed bevel applied to the leading edge ensures that performance is equally impressive from tee and turf. A wrap around toe composite completes weighting improvements with the collective aim of delivering an impressively straight, predictable ball flight.
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THE BASICS: The max forgiveness and geometry of the driver continue with the new ST-Max 230 fairway woods and hybrids by offering a larger footprint to help add MOI and stability around the entire head. Suitable for a wide range of players, Mizunos ST-Max 230 fairway woods utilize a high-strength MAS1C steel face for ball speed that matches up with the larger Cortech chamber on the sole. A composite-wrap crown covers the toe section of the fairway wood heads to reduce overall mass higher in the head. 

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Nice look, sleek, good weight and good size. Was money when well struck, with forgiveness and distance.” — Mike Klonoski

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO FAIRWAY WOODS

Srixon ZXi

Srixon ZXi Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: The new Srixon ZXi fairway woods feature much of the same technology as the drivers, including the redesigned i-FLEX clubface and an adjustable hosel. But, on a fundamental level, certain models differ significantly. The 3- and 3+ fairway woods incorporate stepped carbon crowns to lower the CG for higher, longer shots — specifically, 4.6 more yards of carry compared to previous generations. The ZXi fairways also feature tweaks to the leading edge that make the toe area appear more grounded at address, and the new sole design is optimized for added forgiveness.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Best feel of the bunch, so solid. I didn’t hit any bad shots with this club. It’s a perfect fit for the gap I’m trying to fill in my bag. I want to buy this club immediately! Ball speed, distance, launch angle, all great.” — Bryan Wiborg, 5.4 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF SRIXON FAIRWAY WOODS

TaylorMade Qi35 Max

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Many of the technologies found in the previous Qi10 fairway wood line are carried over into the Qi35, including Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, TSS weights and, this time, a Chromium Carbon Crown. The Qi35 introduces several new features as well, such as improved shaping, weight distribution and optimization across all of the new models. For the first time, TaylorMade is putting 4° loft sleeves in all 3- and 5-woods in the fairway wood line to allow for even greater options for fitting. Previously, adjustable loft sleeves were limited only to the Tour line.  At 200cc, the Qi35 Max is the largest model in the line, designed for the highest moment of inertia (MOI) and a quicker, higher launch and slight draw bias. For context, 30 years ago “big” drivers topped out at 190-200cc.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Club felt good and I could get the ball where I wanted to. When I hit behind the ball, it stayed online. Absolutely would buy — looked and felt great.” — Rob Hinderberger

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

Titleist GT2

Titleist GT2 Custom Fairway Wood

Experience high-launching distance from the tee and off the deck. GT2 Fairways leverage a proprietary crown and new forged face to produce consistently impressive speed and trajectory on every swing. Built for added confidence, these fairways are designed to boost performance — no matter where you hit it. For players looking for extra confidence in their fairway, GT2 delivers consistently impressive speed and launch—no matter where you hit it. Deeper, More Forward CG Launch it from any lie. GT2 Fairways push performance higher and farther by shifting CG even lower and closer to the face – generating maximum distance through higher launch and lower spin. Forged L-Cup Face GT Fairways introduce a forged face into the club construction to bolster performance on low-center impacts. The new insert wraps around the bottom of the club to preserve ball speed, maintain launch conditions, and enhance sound and feel — even when you’re trying to pick it clean from a tight lie. Redesigned Internal Hosel To extract every ounce of performance in GT2 Fairways, Titleist engineers pursued every gram of weight savings. The redesigned internal hosel achieves subtle mass improvements that unlock real benefits on every swing.
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THE BASICS: The high launch, low spin GT2 is offered in five lofts (13.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees) for golfers who want to consider the idea of going beyond the 5-wood into the ever-popular 7-wood. The shallower face profile on GT2 gives it a look that’s ideal for golfers with a sweeping delivery. Titleist’s L-Cup construction wraps around the leading edge and into the sole. It’s forged from high-strength 465 stainless steel, not cast. In this case, forging improves the overall durability and performance on low misses. Titleist also flattened out the sole radius from heel to toe. It’s a subtle change that allows it to sit flush on tight turf conditions.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST GT FAIRWAY WOODS

Wilson Dynapwr Max

Wilson 2025 Dynapwr Max Custom Fairway Wood

The new DYNAPWR Fairways are optimized with multiple sweet spots, thanks to AI driven PKR-360, and the strength and high ball speeds of forged custom 455 face material. PKR-360 Our AI driven PKR-360 has an increased number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each fairway design to create a larger sweet spot and drive higher ball speeds everywhere across the face. FORGED CONSTRUCTION Custom 455 face material provides strength and high ball speeds while elevating the feel shot after shot.
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THE BASICS: With the Dynapwr Max fairway wood, a thin-cast steel crown helps take the CG low and back, while a 12g weight helps players launch the ball up in the air more easily. Wilson used AI to create PKR-360, which increased the number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each driver’s design. This results in a larger sweet spot and faster ball speeds across the face of each driver. Also contributing to a larger sweet speed is a new Open Hosel construction, which strips away material from the heel side of the face, allowing the face to flex more.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Very stable-feeling head. Good distance, easy to get in the air with good ball flight. I’d buy!” — Robert Resnick, 8 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF WILSON DYNAPWR FAIRWAY WOODS

Best fairway woods for speed

Cobra DS-Adapt X

*Cobra’s DS-Adapt X fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the speed fairway wood category.

Cobra DS-Adapt X Custom Fairway

NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. NEW INTERNAL ADAPTIVE WEIGHTING SYSTEM A re-engineered PWR-BRIDGE weight positions the CG lower and more forward to reduce spin for increased speed creation. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds. FORGIVENESS & HIGH LAUNCH A back weight is utilized to promote high, towering ball flights for maximum carry distance. TIGHTER DISPERSION A lightweight carbon crown improves weight distribution to position the CG lower and further back, creating a more playable clubhead.
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THE BASICS: The new DS-Adapt fairway woods feature the same FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, adaptive weighting with updated PWR-BRIDGE technology and H.O.T. face technology from the driver family. The Cobra DS-Adapt X is best suited to fit the widest range of golfers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA DS-ADAPT FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Solid, easy to hit, consistent on misses and the longest of the group. Felt buttery soft on impact. Need to get used to the shape but willing to adjust for these results. First Cobra I ever loved.” — Dave Carroll, 7 handicap

“Solid feel and a good sweet spot. Forgiveness was great. Club felt solid.” — Chris Storbeck, 13.3 handicap

Callaway Elyte Ti

Callaway Elyte Titanium Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Premium, Titanium Construction For Enhanced Performance A titanium body and face deliver enhanced performance, providing extreme levels of speed and forgiveness. Elyte Ti is a blend between the Elyte Max and Elyte Triple Diamond shape, providing the deeper face of the TD model with a shape and footprint similar to the Elyte model. An interchangeable weighting system allows players to toggle back and forth between lower spin with a penetrating ball flight or more forgiveness. All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds The new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
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THE BASICS: With its fairway woods, Callaway is launching five new models with four models carrying over from the driver family. The outlier is the Elyte Ti fairway wood, which wasn’t necessarily intended for launch, but Callaway CEO Chip Brewer played with the prototype and liked it so much that he said, “We’re launching it.” The Elyte Ti is designed for better players who want a balance between low-spin, high-speed performance and forgiveness.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Mizuno ST-Z 230

Mizuno ST-Z 230 Custom Fairway Wood

STRAIGHT, STABLE AND HIGH LAUNCHING A mid-low spinning, high launching, adjustable fairway wood – developed hand in hand with our tour advisors, yet midsized and playable for all levels. Utilizing a high energy MAS1C steel face boosted by Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber for exceptional ball speeds and powerful, solid sensation at impact.“The elevated ball speed of the CORTECH Chamber is a great addition to the ST-Z fairway woods, but the stability might be the real stand-out. They feel like they are on tracks through impact.” CHRIS VOSHALL CORTECH CHAMBER – THE MISSING PIECE Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber encases a dense stainless steel weight with elastomeric TPU – taking stress from the clubface and creating an additional energy source. At the same time locating weight closer to the clubface to reduce spin rates. While contributing to a more solid, powerful sensation at impact. CARBON COMPOSITE CROWN For low center of gravity and stability from off center strikes. EXPANDED FRONT TO BACK WEIGHTING Additional 8 gram backweight balances with heavier front section for consistent launch characteristics. HIGH ENERGY MAS1C STEEL FACE Reworked with a new multi-thickness design – made possible through the face support of Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber. QUICK SWITCH HOSEL 4 degrees of adjustability.
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THE BASICS: The ST-Z 230 fairway offers a ton of versatility with a higher launch and lower spin in a mid-sized club head, specifically developed alongside Mizuno’s tour advisors. The ST-Z incorporates the CORTech Chamber into a high-energy MAS1C steel face and body design that also used a carbon crown to lower the center of gravity and save precious weight to be positioned around the head for higher MOI.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Good looking tech and shiny, clean and attractive. Steady feel, felt like I had control. Gave me confidence. Liked the feel coming off the face. Some high dispersion on mishits.” — Jerry Wenker, 17.1 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO ST FAIRWAY WOODS

Ping G440 Max

PING G440 Max Custom Fairway Wood

The G440 fairway family (MAX, LST, SFT) advances PING’s reputation as a Tour-preferred model of choice through a re-designed face structure and low CG system. The face is taller for more confidence off the tee while maintaining a CG location that delivers high- launching performance off the ground. The MAX model (which fits most golfers) is available in five lofts (including a new 4-wood) to provide more gapping solutions.  HIGH MOI Easy to launch, stable design increases forgiveness.  FLEXING FACE Maraging steel face flexes for more ball speed, optimizes spin.  TALLER FACE PROFILE Improves performance off the tee, maintains low CG.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, optimize launch/spin and increase forgiveness. 
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THE BASICS: With Ping G440 fairway woods, there are three models (MAX, LST and SFT) to complement the driver family. The Max fairway wood line will now have loft options ranging from a 15-degree 3-wood to a 24-degree 9-wood. The G440 Max model is best suited to fit the widest range of golfers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING G440 FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: Clean, didn’t even feel ball come off clubface. Tight dispersion and farthest yet. I’ll take this one home.” — David Carroll, 7 handicap

“Ball jumps off springy face. Great feel, club does the work.” — Michael Klonsoki, 9.8 handicap

PXG 0311 Black Ops

PXG 0311 Black Ops Custom Fairway Wood

High-Strength Carbon Fiber Crown Crown made entirely from high-grade carbon fiber. This lightweight material saves mass in the crown, allowing it to be redistributed low and to the perimeter of the clubhead for optimal CG and addedforgiveness. Supported Weight Structure Innovative supported weight structure that delivers unbelievable sound and feel. High-Speed, Squared Face PXG 0311 Black Ops Fairways present a proprietary stainless steel face engineered to position the CG low for high launch, optimal spin performance, and insanely fast ball speeds.
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THE BASICS: When it comes to the Black Ops fairway woods and hybrids, the story remains much the same as the drivers thanks to a proprietary high-strength steel face material that allows for a 12.5 percent thinner face construction to help boost ball speeds, increase launch, lower spin and save precious grams to help increase forgiveness. When speaking to the level of forgiveness built into the new Black Ops fairway woods (only one model option unlike the drivers), they have an MOI that is almost comparable to the previous game improvement Gen6 XF design while also being more compact.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Corrected my mistakes, A little heavy feeling at impact. Clean shiny and attractive look.” — Jerry Wenker, 17.1 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PXG 0311 BLACK OPS FAIRWAY WOODS

TaylorMade Qi35

TaylorMade Qi35 Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Similar to the new drivers from the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the new Qi35 fairway woods focus on two main characteristics: inertia and adjustability. Inertia refers to the clubhead’s ability to deliver an optimal combination of distance and forgiveness, while adjustability allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shapes and configurations, helping players of all skill levels lower their scores. The standard Qi35 model is best suited to fit the widest range of golfers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Like sound and weight. The most consistent of the bunch, great dispersion and distance. Great on mishits.” — Greg Caster, 15.1 handicap

Titleist GT3

Titleist GT3 Custom Fairway Wood

GT3 Fairways deliver the ultimate balance of flight control and speed through dynamic adjustability. Advanced face and crown construction packs impressive power into GT3 while enhanced adjustability delivers complete precision-tuned performance. For players who crave the ultimate balance of speed and flight control, GT3 Fairways offer impressive power with dynamic adjustability. Ultra-Low CG To achieve higher trajectory and inertia, GT3 Fairways shift the CG location even deeper to produce consistently high launch with improved stability through impact. Refined Tour-Informed Shaping Crafted to meet exacting Tour player feedback, GT3 Fairways feature a taller face design to help improve impact location and deliver greater differentiation between fairway models. Redesigned Internal Hosel To extract every ounce of performance in GT3 Fairways, Titleist engineers pursued every gram of weight savings. The redesigned internal hosel achieves subtle mass improvements that unlock sizable benefits on every swing.
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THE BASICS: Long considered the Tour version, GT3 comes in three lofts (15, 16.5, 18 degrees) and boasts a reimagined SureFit CG Track system, which allows the sliding weight to be placed in five positions: H2 (Heel), H1, N (Neutral), T1 (Toe) and T2. With GT3, the face was raised to give it a deeper profile. In turn, the bigger face gives the fairway wood a higher CT.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST GT FAIRWAY WOODS

Wilson Dynapwr Carbon

Wilson 2025 Dynapwr Carbon Custom Fairway Wood

The new DYNAPWR Fairways are optimized with multiple sweet spots, thanks to AI driven PKR-360, and the strength and high ball speeds of forged custom 455 face material. PKR-360 Our AI driven PKR-360 has an increased number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each fairway design to create a larger sweet spot and drive higher ball speeds everywhere across the face. FORGED CONSTRUCTION Custom 455 face material provides strength and high ball speeds while elevating the feel shot after shot.
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THE BASICS: The Dynapwr Carbon fairway wood, as the name implies, features a carbon crown to take the CG lower, along with a 30g fixed tungsten weight, which combines to help produce a penetrating ball flight. An adjustable 6-way hosel featuring Open Hosel construction carries over from the drivers to add customization and fitting options.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Hot off the clubface, off-center hits still went far. Achieved my longest distance of the day. I like the red accents on the clubhead.” — Charlie Funk

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF WILSON DYNAPWR FAIRWAY WOODS

Best fairway woods for slower swing speeds

Callaway Elyte Max Fast

*Callaway’s Elyte Max Fast fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the slower swing speed fairway wood category.

Callaway Elyte Max Fast Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Lightweight Construction for Easy-to-Launch Performance Built from the ground up for players needing lightweight, easy to swing fairway woods. A premium lightweight construction and components will benefit players with moderate swing speeds. All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion     Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
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THE BASICS: All of Callaway’s new fairway wood models feature the company’s new Step Sole design that comes from studying the success of the Callaway Apex UW line. The idea was to help golfers strike the ball more consistently in the center of the face and to help them avoid striking the ball low on the face. A premium lightweight construction and components will benefit players with moderate swing speeds.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Cleveland Halo XL Lite

Cleveland Halo XL Custom Lite Fairway Wood

LITE-WEIGHT DESIGN A lighter clubhead with modified weighting, 1.5° added loft, and a lightweight shaft makes these Fairway Woods extra quick for max distance. Even if you don’t swing a million miles-per-hour, this design gives you more power behind every strike. MAINFRAME XL FACE MainFrame XL Face Technology uses a variable thickness pattern that maximizes flex at impact to boost distance. We’ve also repositioned weight within the clubhead for added forgiveness and consistency. GLIDERAIL Our proprietary GlideRail Technology gets a new, optimized design to deliver cleaner, uninterrupted swings through the turf. Two rails along the sole of the club help keep the face straight through impact. XL HEAD DESIGN An improved XL Head Design with low-and-deep weighting, players can enjoy long, high-launching ball flight with plenty of forgiveness. REBOUND FRAME Instead of giving it one flex zone, we’ve got two. With alternating flex zones acting in sync, Rebound Frame directs more energy into the ball for speed and distance on every shot.
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THE BASICS: A key attribute of the Halo XL woods line is the Glide Rails on the sole of the clubs to help lower the center of gravity by positioning extra mass on the sole and to help deliver more effective turf interaction better to maintain a square face through the impact zone. In essence, they act as rudders to help the club glide through the grass without digging and are especially effective from the rough. The Cleveland Halo XL Lite is best-suited for players with moderate swing speed.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: Feels good with good loft. I like the weight. Consistency was good. I like the overall look and dependability.” — Joanne Storbeck, 34 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CLEVELAND HALO XL FAIRWAY WOODS

PXG Wildcat

the pxg wildcat fairway wood

PXG Wildcat Fairway Wood

PXG’s Wildcat 5-wood is designed for easy launch and effortless distance, perfect for golfers who want to hit it high, straight and far.

THE BASICS: PXG’s Wildcat metal woods are geared to help players get the ball airborne, and it all starts with the lofts. There’s no 3-wood in this set, instead a 19-degree 5-wood. The lacking 3-wood is no oversight. Woods are typically the hardest clubs for beginners and infrequent golfers to wield. By giving players weaker lofts with a more confidence-inspiring look at address, the PXG Wildcats are easier to launch.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “I like the glossy look and pronounced markings. Felt well-balanced throughout. Excellent forgiveness. Good distance. Better performance than the rest and good forgiveness. Never tried PXG woods before and was pleasantly surprised.” — Ronald Hinderberger, 19.4 handicap

“Shiny, attractive, classic. Very solid and great impact through the ball. Jumped off the clubface. Not many misses. Excellent distance.” — Jerry Wenker, 17.1 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PXG WILDCAT FAIRWAY WOODS

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Similar to the new drivers from the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the new Qi35 fairway woods focus on two main characteristics: inertia and adjustability. Inertia refers to the clubhead’s ability to deliver an optimal combination of distance and forgiveness, while adjustability allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shapes and configurations, helping players of all skill levels lower their scores. The Qi35 Max Lite is an ultralight model designed for slow-swinging golfers looking to gain speed.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: Feel, sound, forgiveness and distance were great. Like how the weight feels heavy on the back end. Squares up nicely. Forgiving, not much side movement.” — Anita Wallace, 9.3 handicap

“Love the carbon, very pretty. Shaft and finish is nice. Stable and well-balanced feel. Best average distance of the bunch. Consistent and easier to swing than others.” — Carolyn Petersen, 20+ handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

Titleist GT1

Titleist GT1 Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: The Titleist GT1 fairway is the largest profile in the GT lineup at 180 cc, while also featuring the shallowest face height to help players launch the ball off the turf. With the weight distributed properly — GT1 has the deepest CG in the entire GT family — the shape was also refined to make it more aerodynamic, helping the slow-to-moderate clubhead speed player swing it faster.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Very positive, the results I want. I’m looking forward to bringing this club to the course. Has a classic look at address. Love looking at it. Excellent smooth and solid contact through impact. Very consistent. Generous forgiveness for my type of player. Solid contact transformed my numbers.— Jerry Wenker, 17.1 handicap

“Felt smooth and easy to hit, not clunky. Distance changed on mishits but they went straight.” — Carolyn Petersen, 20+ handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST GT FAIRWAY WOODS

Best fairway woods for low spin

TaylorMade Qi35 Tour

*TaylorMade’s Qi35 Tour fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the low-spin fairway wood category.

TaylorMade Qi35 Tour Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Similar to the new drivers from the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the new Qi35 fairway woods focus on two main characteristics: inertia and adjustability. Inertia refers to the clubhead’s ability to deliver an optimal combination of distance and forgiveness, while adjustability allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shapes and configurations, helping players of all skill levels lower their scores. Many of the technologies found in the previous Qi10 fairway wood line are carried over into the Qi35, including Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, TSS weights and, this time, a Chromium Carbon Crown. The Qi35 introduces several new features as well, such as improved shaping, weight distribution and optimization across all of the new models.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond

Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Penetrating Flight With Low Spin       The compact shape and deeper face of the Triple Diamond fairway wood allow players to shape shots with ease and control. A forward weight screw promotes a lower spin rate and a more piercing ball flight for added workability.       All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion     Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face. 
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THE BASICS: The Elyte Triple Diamond is geared toward better players; the club is defined by a low, forward CG that promotes lower launch, less spin and fast ball speeds. The model comes in three options (3w, 5w and 7w). All of the Callaway Elyte fairway-wood models (there are five in all) feature the company’s new Step Sole design that comes from studying the success of the Callaway Apex UW line and promotes smoother turf interaction. The idea is to help golfers strike the ball more consistently in the center of the face and to help them avoid striking the ball low on the face. The other piece of tech to help with low strikes is the all-new Tungsten SpeedWave — a 35g suspended weight that keeps mass low and forward — which is on all of the fairway woods up to 7-wood.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “I like the consistent pattern on top. Best distance and forgiveness of the bunch.” — Alain Brunet

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Cobra DS-Adapt LS

Cobra DS-Adapt LS TI Custom Fairway

NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. TOUR INSPIRED SHAPING Subdued clubhead styling inspires a Tour-validated look and feel at address. TITANIUM CONSTRUCTION A multi-material construction blends a lightweight 8-1-1 Titanium body and face, and a carbon crown to improve weight distribution for maximum distance. TIGHTER DISPERSION WITH TUNGSTEN WEIGHTING Internal tungsten weights are strategically positioned in the heel and toe areas to improve stability for tighter dispersion and pinpoint accuracy. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds. MAX WORKABILITY WITH ADDED FORGIVENESS Adjustable heel and toe weights are complemented with a third back weight, allowing for additional adjustment to optimize spin & forgiveness.
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THE BASICS: The DS-Adapt LS Ti is designed for better players looking for a low-spin option with a smaller profile. All the fairway woods in the DS-Adapt line feature the same FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, adaptive weighting with updated PWR-BRIDGE technology and H.O.T. face technology that you’ll find in the DS-Adapt driver line. The most eye-catching tech is the innovative FutureFit33 adjustable hosel system, which offers 33 unique loft and lie settings that can now be adjusted independently, providing golfers with a huge range of fitting options on the fly. Of the DS-Adapt LS fairway wood, one of our low-handicap testers, Travis Okamoto, said, “Best looking of the bunch. I like the old-school compact head and low profile. Holding it feels good.”

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Best looking of the bunch. I like the old-school compact head and low profile. Holding it feels good.” — Travis Okamoto

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA DS-ADAPT FAIRWAY WOODS

Mizuno ST-G Ti

Mizuno ST-G 440 Custom Fairway Wood

CORTECH CHAMBER A chamber located on the sole adjacent to the face, filled with an elastomeric material with inserted weight provides: Larger CORAREA, improved spin performance, and tuned impact sound. ULTRA LOW CG CONSTRUCTION Lighter density 811 Ti body combined with 88g higher density steel along the sole provides the lowest CG construction. MULTI-THICKNESS CORTECH FACE Refined to maximize CORAREA combined with the SAT2041 Beta Titanium face material. WAFFLE CROWN Extremely thin lightweight crown portion. MODERN PLAYER’S PEAR SHAPE An inviting, compact, head that sits perfectly square at address. HIT TUNED IMPACT SOUND Strategically placed internal sound ribs tune the impact sound to the appropriate frequency and sound pressure QUICK SWITCH ADJUSTABILITY 4 degrees of loft adjustability to fine-tune address look and trajectory.
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THE BASICS: With its ST-G Titanium fairway woods, Mizuno has pulled out all the stops to deliver the most high-performance and ultra-low-spin fairway wood it has ever built by incorporating titanium, steel and a new Cortech chamber into one club. From top to bottom, the club features an internal thin waffle design on the crown to save precious grams, and thanks to the titanium body and face, a high-density steel weight can be placed on the sole to drive the center of gravity even deeper. This means that both off the tee and from the fairway, the ST-G Titanium fairway woods will offer a flatter and more penetrating flight.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO ST-G FAIRWAY WOODS

Ping G440 LST

PING G440 LST Custom Fairway Wood

The G440 fairway family (MAX, LST, SFT) advances PING’s reputation as a Tour-preferred model of choice through a re-designed face structure and low CG system. The face is taller for more confidence off the tee while maintaining a CG location that delivers high- launching performance off the ground. The multi-material LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing high launch and lower spin. HIGH MOI Easy to launch, stable design increases forgiveness.  FLEXING FACE Maraging steel face flexes for more ball speed, optimizes spin.  TALLER FACE PROFILE Improves performance off the tee, maintains low CG.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, optimize launch/spin and increase forgiveness. 
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THE BASICS: Ping pushed the CG position low and back with the help from a high-density tungsten sole plate and Carbonfly Wrap crown, which reduce spin and increase ball speed. The titanium face, which blends into the crown and sole, also helps to boost speed. One nice bonus: The LST fairway wood family now offers a 19-degree 5-wood, whereas the previous generation offered only a 3-wood.

Ping fairway woods have always been successful at helping golfers launch the ball off the deck thanks to their shallow profiles. “The one complaint we have heard is, ‘I wish it was just a little taller.
 I want to hit it off the tee,’” said Travis Milleman, Ping’s design engineering manager. The issue was making a taller-faced fairway wood while still keeping the CG low to increase launch, which was difficult to do from an engineering standpoint. But just as the drivers were able to move weight back from the new Free Hosel design, Milleman said Ping used the weight saved in the fairway woods to grow the face at a one-for-one ratio.

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Felt really good in hands and I liked the way it got up. Distance was very good. Felt responsive to my swing. Liked head shape.” — Jeff Smith, 12 handicap

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING G440 FAIRWAY WOODS

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https://golf.com/?post_type=article&p=15557769 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:31:37 +0000 <![CDATA[Best fairway woods for forgiveness | ClubTest 2025]]> These are the best 2025 fairway woods for forgiveness, according to regular golfers and our fleet of expert fitters.

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https://golf.com/gear/fairway-woods/best-fairway-woods-forgiveness-clubtest-2025/ These are the best 2025 fairway woods for forgiveness, according to regular golfers and our fleet of expert fitters.

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These are the best 2025 fairway woods for forgiveness, according to regular golfers and our fleet of expert fitters.

The post Best fairway woods for forgiveness | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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Regardless of your skill level, fairway woods are an essential weapon. Whether you’re laying up off the tee, hoping to reach a par-5 in two, or simply trying to cover as much ground as possible in your journey to the green on any hole, a well-fit fairway wood is a key ingredient to playing good golf. But because of their relatively low lofts, fairway woods can also be one of the most difficult clubs to hit well — especially off of tight lies on the fairway. That’s where helpful technology kicks in. Forgiveness is an important component in every fairway wood, with some models better suited to some players than others.

Which players can benefit from added forgiveness from fairway woods? Just about everyone! But typically, players with low or moderate swing speed can benefit from a fairway woods with a slightly larger clubhead size and a lower center of gravity, which makes launching the ball up in the air a little bit easier.

Players who have a hard time hitting a 3-wood can also benefit from adding higher-lofted fairway woods to their bags, like 5-woods and even 7-woods. There are plenty of new options to consider this year.

Below, you’ll find the 10 best forgiving fairway woods for 2025, according to our ClubTest raters and fitters.     

See something you like? Click through and buy your new fairway woods on Fairway Jockey today. For additional exclusive insights on new fairway woods from leading brands, join InsideGOLF for only $40/year. Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. 

MORE CLUBTEST: BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SPEED | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR LOW SPIN | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS

Ping G440 SFT

*Ping’s G440 SFT fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the fairway wood forgiveness category.

PING G440 SFT Custom Fairway Wood

The G440 fairway family (MAX, LST, SFT) advances PING’s reputation as a Tour-preferred model of choice through a re-designed face structure and low CG system. The face is taller for more confidence off the tee while maintaining a CG location that delivers high- launching performance off the ground. Golfers in need of slice-correction technology fit best in the SFT (Straight Flight) option, which features a draw-inducing CG location. HIGH MOI Easy to launch, stable design increases forgiveness.  FLEXING FACE Maraging steel face flexes for more ball speed, optimizes spin.  TALLER FACE PROFILE Improves performance off the tee, maintains low CG.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, optimize launch/spin and increase forgiveness. 
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THE BASICS: For players who need some help correcting a slice, Ping’s G440 SFT fairway wood features a draw-inducing CG location that helps direct shots back into the fairway. The face is taller to give players more confidence when hitting the club off the tee, while the CG location enables high-launching performance off the ground too.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING G440 FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Elyte

Callaway Elyte Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds     Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face. New Step Sole for Efficient Turf Interaction & Improved Center Face Contact Engineered for cleaner contact, the new Step Sole minimizes skidding, ensuring smoother, more solid strikes. Developed through extensive studies and the success of the Apex UW, this sole shape delivers better turf interaction for consistent results.
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THE BASICS: The Elyte fairway wood, like all of Callaway’s Elyte models, features the company’s new Step Sole design that comes from studying the success of the Callaway Apex UW line. The idea was to help golfers strike the ball more consistently in the center of the face and to help them avoid striking the ball low on the face. With Step Sole, Callaway says, 57 percent of the sole area has been moved down, minimizing turf interaction to help the golfers strike the ball more cleanly in the center of the club. Designed for better players and mid-level handicaps, the Elyte features mid-high launch and low spin.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “High-tech looks. Very forgiving, clean contact, very positive. Good ball flight. Nice club.” — Jerry Wenker (17.1 handicap)

Callaway Elyte X

Callaway Elyte X Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Confidence-Inspiring Design & Effortless Launch       The Elyte X model shape at address boosts confidence for looking for a larger footprint behind the ball. Designed with a shallower face, it’s perfect for those looking for an effortless launch, delivering a high flight and draw-enhanced shot shaping.   All New Tungsten Speed Wave for Consistently Fast Ball Speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face.  Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
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THE BASICS: In addition to Callaway’s Step Sole technology describes above, the Elyte family of fairway woods also features another other piece of tech to help with low strikes, the all-new Tungsten SpeedWave, which is featured on all of the fairway woods up to 7-wood. The 35-gram weight positions mass low and forward, reducing spin and increasing ball speeds. The Elyte X offers the highest level of forgiveness in the Elyte family, with high launch, mid-level spin and a stretched-back profile. The Elyte X is designed for all players, including high handicappers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “I enjoyed hitting this club. Hit my longest shots of the day with it. It instills confidence with forgiveness. Has an excellent look and distance was comparable or exceeded my current gamer.” — Dr. Paul McCombs (11.2 handicap)

Cleveland Halo XL

Cleveland Launcher Halo XL Custom Fairway Wood

All-new Halo XL Fairway Woods feature upgraded GlideRail sole technology for optimal turf interaction on shots off the deck. Plus, with new MainFrame XL Faces, low Centers of Gravity, and Rebound Frame, HALO XL Fairway Woods are everything you need to ditch the duffs and launch your long game to a new level. MAINFRAME XL FACE MainFrame XL Face Technology uses a variable thickness pattern that maximizes flex at impact to boost distance. It also repositions weight low and deep in the clubhead for added forgiveness and consistency. GLIDERAIL Cleveland proprietary GlideRail Technology gets a new, optimized design to deliver cleaner, uninterrupted swings through the turf. Three rails along the sole of the club help keep the face straight through impact.
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THE BASICS: A key attribute of the Halo XL woods line is the Glide Rails on the sole of the clubs to help lower the center of gravity by positioning extra mass on the sole and to help deliver more effective turf interaction better to maintain a square face through the impact zone. In essence, they act as rudders to help the club glide through the grass without digging and are especially effective from the rough.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CLEVELAND HALO XL FAIRWAY WOODS

Cobra DS-Adapt Max

Cobra DS-Adapt Max Custom Fairway

NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. NEW INTERNAL ADAPTIVE WEIGHTING SYSTEM The MAX model features an internal weight pad positioned in the back/heel area to create the optimal combination of stability with maximum draw bias. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds. MAX FORGIVENESS & DRAW-BIASED CONTROL Adjustable back and heel weight positioning allows you to fine-tune draw bias in our most forgiving head. TIGHTER DISPERSION A lightweight carbon crown improves weight distribution to position the CG lower and further back, creating a more playable clubhead. 
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THE BASICS: Cobra’s DS-Adapt line not only incorporates cutting-edge tech but also brings a renewed emphasis to precision tuning that’s both more robust and easier than ever to adjust. Each DS-Adapt model features Cobra’s innovative FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, offering 33 unique loft and lie settings that can now be adjusted independently for the first time in a Cobra driver, providing golfers with a huge range of fitting options on the fly. The tech enables loft, lie and face angle to all be adjusted independently thanks to SMARTPAD technology, which keeps the clubface square. The MAX fairway wood also features two movable weights that allow players to customize stability or slice correction by positioning the heavier weight towards the back or heel.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA DS-ADAPT FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Solid feel and a good sweet spot. Forgiveness was great. Club felt solid.” — Chris Storbeck (13.3 handicap)

Mizuno ST-Max 230

Mizuno ST-Max 230 Custom Fairway Wood

  MAX MOI. MAX STABILITY. A larger footprint, wide profile fairway wood – engineered to deliver absolute straight line performance from across the clubface. A high energy MAS1C steel face is enhanced by an expanded CORTECH Chamber, shifted closer to the clubface to increase both centre and off centre ball speeds. A speed bevel applied to the leading edge ensures that performance is equally impressive from tee and turf. A wrap around toe composite completes weighting improvements with the collective aim of delivering an impressively straight, predictable ball flight.
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THE BASICS: The max forgiveness and geometry of the driver continue with the new ST-Max 230 fairway woods and hybrids by offering a larger footprint to help add MOI and stability around the entire head. Suitable for a wide range of players, Mizunos ST-Max 230 fairway woods utilize a high-strength MAS1C steel face for ball speed that matches up with the larger Cortech chamber on the sole. A composite-wrap crown covers the toe section of the fairway wood heads to reduce overall mass higher in the head.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO FAIRWAY WOODS

Srixon ZXi

Srixon ZXi Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: The new Srixon ZXi fairway woods feature much of the same technology as the drivers, including the redesigned i-FLEX clubface and an adjustable hosel. But, on a fundamental level, certain models differ significantly. The 3- and 3+ fairway woods incorporate stepped carbon crowns to lower the CG for higher, longer shots — specifically, 4.6 more yards of carry compared to previous generations. The ZXi fairways also feature tweaks to the leading edge that make the toe area appear more grounded at address, and the new sole design is optimized for added forgiveness.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF SRIXON FAIRWAY WOODS

TaylorMade Qi35 Max

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Many of the technologies found in the previous Qi10 fairway wood line are carried over into the Qi35, including Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, TSS weights and, this time, a Chromium Carbon Crown. The Qi35 introduces several new features as well, such as improved shaping, weight distribution and optimization across all of the new models. For the first time, TaylorMade is putting 4° loft sleeves in all 3- and 5-woods in the fairway wood line to allow for even greater options for fitting. Previously, adjustable loft sleeves were limited only to the Tour line.  At 200cc, the Qi35 Max is the largest model in the line, designed for the highest moment of inertia (MOI) and a quicker, higher launch and slight draw bias. For context, 30 years ago “big” drivers topped out at 190-200cc.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Club felt good and I could get the ball where I wanted to. When I hit behind the ball, it stayed online. Absolutely would buy, looked and felt great.” — Ronald Hinderberger (19.4 handicap)

Titleist GT2

Titleist GT2 Custom Fairway Wood

Experience high-launching distance from the tee and off the deck. GT2 Fairways leverage a proprietary crown and new forged face to produce consistently impressive speed and trajectory on every swing. Built for added confidence, these fairways are designed to boost performance — no matter where you hit it. For players looking for extra confidence in their fairway, GT2 delivers consistently impressive speed and launch—no matter where you hit it. Deeper, More Forward CG Launch it from any lie. GT2 Fairways push performance higher and farther by shifting CG even lower and closer to the face – generating maximum distance through higher launch and lower spin. Forged L-Cup Face GT Fairways introduce a forged face into the club construction to bolster performance on low-center impacts. The new insert wraps around the bottom of the club to preserve ball speed, maintain launch conditions, and enhance sound and feel — even when you’re trying to pick it clean from a tight lie. Redesigned Internal Hosel To extract every ounce of performance in GT2 Fairways, Titleist engineers pursued every gram of weight savings. The redesigned internal hosel achieves subtle mass improvements that unlock real benefits on every swing.
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THE BASICS: The high launch, low spin GT2 is offered in five lofts (13.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees) for golfers who want to consider the idea of going beyond the 5-wood into the ever-popular 7-wood. The shallower face profile on GT2 gives it an ideal look for golfers with a sweeping delivery. Titleist’s L-Cup construction wraps around the leading edge and into the sole. It’s forged from high-strength 465 stainless steel, not cast. In this case, forging improves the overall durability and performance on low misses. Titleist also flattened out the sole radius from heel to toe. It’s a subtle change that allows it to sit flush on tight turf conditions.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST GT FAIRWAY WOODS

Wilson Dynapwr Max

Wilson 2025 Dynapwr Max Custom Fairway Wood

The new DYNAPWR Fairways are optimized with multiple sweet spots, thanks to AI driven PKR-360, and the strength and high ball speeds of forged custom 455 face material. PKR-360 Our AI driven PKR-360 has an increased number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each fairway design to create a larger sweet spot and drive higher ball speeds everywhere across the face. FORGED CONSTRUCTION Custom 455 face material provides strength and high ball speeds while elevating the feel shot after shot.
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THE BASICS: With the Dynapwr Max fairway wood, a thin-cast steel crown helps take the CG low and back, while a 12g weight helps players launch the ball up in the air more easily. Wilson used AI to create PKR-360, which increased the number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each driver’s design. This results in a larger sweet spot and faster ball speeds across the face of each driver. Also contributing to a larger sweet speed is a new Open Hosel construction, which strips away material from the heel side of the face, allowing the face to flex more.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF WILSON DYNAPWR FAIRWAY WOODS

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https://golf.com/?post_type=article&p=15557716 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:26:32 +0000 <![CDATA[Best fairway woods for speed | ClubTest 2025]]> Looking for speed from your fairway woods? In ClubTest 2025, we identified these clubs as the best fairway woods for speed.

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https://golf.com/gear/fairway-woods/best-fairway-woods-speed-clubtest-2025/ Looking for speed from your fairway woods? In ClubTest 2025, we identified these clubs as the best fairway woods for speed.

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Looking for speed from your fairway woods? In ClubTest 2025, we identified these clubs as the best fairway woods for speed.

The post Best fairway woods for speed | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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If you have little problem producing speed in your golf swing, congrats — you are the envy of golfers everywhere. You probably know the drill by now: high swing speeds equals more power. And if you are swinging at a high rate of speed, some clubs might be better for you than others. This is even more important for when hitting fairway woods, where some golfers — those with slower swing speeds — might struggle launching the ball.

For GOLF’s ClubTest 2025, we tested 29 new fairway wood models from 10 of the top manufacturers to see not only what clubs performed the best overall, but in what areas each excelled. Here are some of the best fairway woods for speed.

See something you like below? Click through and buy your new fairway wood on Fairway Jockey today. For additional exclusive insights on new fairway woods from leading brands, join InsideGOLF for only $40/year. Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. 

MORE CLUBTEST: BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR FORGIVENESS | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR LOW SPIN | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS

Cobra DS-Adapt X

*Cobra’s DS-Adapt X fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the speed fairway wood category.

Cobra DS-Adapt X Custom Fairway

NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. NEW INTERNAL ADAPTIVE WEIGHTING SYSTEM A re-engineered PWR-BRIDGE weight positions the CG lower and more forward to reduce spin for increased speed creation. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds. FORGIVENESS & HIGH LAUNCH A back weight is utilized to promote high, towering ball flights for maximum carry distance. TIGHTER DISPERSION A lightweight carbon crown improves weight distribution to position the CG lower and further back, creating a more playable clubhead.
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THE BASICS: The new DS-Adapt fairway woods feature the same FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, adaptive weighting with updated PWR-BRIDGE technology and H.O.T. face technology from the driver family. The Cobra DS-Adapt X is best suited to fit the widest range of golfers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA DS-ADAPT FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Was solid, easy to hit, consistent on misses and the longest of the group. Felt buttery soft on impact. Need to get used to the shape but willing to adjust for these results. First Cobra I ever loved.” — Dave Carroll (7-handicap)

“Solid feel and a good sweet spot. Forgiveness was great.” — Chris Storbeck (13.3 handicap)

Callaway Elyte Ti

Callaway Elyte Titanium Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Premium, Titanium Construction For Enhanced Performance A titanium body and face deliver enhanced performance, providing extreme levels of speed and forgiveness. Elyte Ti is a blend between the Elyte Max and Elyte Triple Diamond shape, providing the deeper face of the TD model with a shape and footprint similar to the Elyte model. An interchangeable weighting system allows players to toggle back and forth between lower spin with a penetrating ball flight or more forgiveness. All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds The new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
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THE BASICS: With its fairway woods, Callaway is launching five new models with four models carrying over from the driver family. The outlier is the Elyte Ti fairway wood, which wasn’t necessarily intended for launch, but Callaway CEO Chip Brewer played with the prototype and liked it so much that he said, “We’re launching it.” The Elyte Ti is desinged for better players who want a balance between low-spin, high-speed performance and forgiveness.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Mizuno ST-Z 230

Mizuno ST-Z 230 Custom Fairway Wood

STRAIGHT, STABLE AND HIGH LAUNCHING A mid-low spinning, high launching, adjustable fairway wood – developed hand in hand with our tour advisors, yet midsized and playable for all levels. Utilizing a high energy MAS1C steel face boosted by Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber for exceptional ball speeds and powerful, solid sensation at impact.“The elevated ball speed of the CORTECH Chamber is a great addition to the ST-Z fairway woods, but the stability might be the real stand-out. They feel like they are on tracks through impact.” CHRIS VOSHALL CORTECH CHAMBER – THE MISSING PIECE Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber encases a dense stainless steel weight with elastomeric TPU – taking stress from the clubface and creating an additional energy source. At the same time locating weight closer to the clubface to reduce spin rates. While contributing to a more solid, powerful sensation at impact. CARBON COMPOSITE CROWN For low center of gravity and stability from off center strikes. EXPANDED FRONT TO BACK WEIGHTING Additional 8 gram backweight balances with heavier front section for consistent launch characteristics. HIGH ENERGY MAS1C STEEL FACE Reworked with a new multi-thickness design – made possible through the face support of Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber. QUICK SWITCH HOSEL 4 degrees of adjustability.
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THE BASICS: The ST-Z 230 fairway offers a ton of versatility with a higher launch and lower spin in a mid-sized club head, specifically developed alongside Mizuno’s tour advisors. The ST-Z incorporates the CORTech Chamber into a high-energy MAS1C steel face and body design that also used a carbon crown to lower the center of gravity and save precious weight to be positioned around the head for higher MOI.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO ST FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Good looking tech and shiny, clean and attractive. Steady feel, felt like I had control. Gave me confidence. Liked the feel coming off the face. Some high dispersion on mishits.” — Jerry Wenker (17.1 handicap)

Ping G440 Max

PING G440 Max Custom Fairway Wood

The G440 fairway family (MAX, LST, SFT) advances PING’s reputation as a Tour-preferred model of choice through a re-designed face structure and low CG system. The face is taller for more confidence off the tee while maintaining a CG location that delivers high- launching performance off the ground. The MAX model (which fits most golfers) is available in five lofts (including a new 4-wood) to provide more gapping solutions.  HIGH MOI Easy to launch, stable design increases forgiveness.  FLEXING FACE Maraging steel face flexes for more ball speed, optimizes spin.  TALLER FACE PROFILE Improves performance off the tee, maintains low CG.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, optimize launch/spin and increase forgiveness. 
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THE BASICS: With Ping G440 fairway woods, there are three models (MAX, LST and SFT) to complement the driver family. The Max fairway wood line will now have loft options ranging from a 15-degree 3-wood to a 24-degree 9-wood. The G440 Max model is best suited to fit the widest range of golfers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING G440 FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Clean, didn’t even feel ball come off clubface. Tight dispersion and farthest yet. I’ll take this one home.” — David Carroll (7 handicap)

“Ball jumps off springy face. Great feel, club does the work.” — Michael Klonsoki (9.8 handicap)

PXG 0311 Black Ops

PXG 0311 Black Ops Custom Fairway Wood

High-Strength Carbon Fiber Crown Crown made entirely from high-grade carbon fiber. This lightweight material saves mass in the crown, allowing it to be redistributed low and to the perimeter of the clubhead for optimal CG and addedforgiveness. Supported Weight Structure Innovative supported weight structure that delivers unbelievable sound and feel. High-Speed, Squared Face PXG 0311 Black Ops Fairways present a proprietary stainless steel face engineered to position the CG low for high launch, optimal spin performance, and insanely fast ball speeds.
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THE BASICS: When it comes to the Black Ops fairway woods and hybrids, the story remains much the same as the drivers thanks to a proprietary high-strength steel face material that allows for a 12.5 percent thinner face construction to help boost ball speeds, increase launch, lower spin and save precious grams to help increase forgiveness. When speaking to the level of forgiveness built into the new Black Ops fairway woods (only one model option unlike the drivers), they have an MOI that is almost comparable to the previous game improvement Gen6 XF design while also being more compact.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PXG 0311 BLACK OPS FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Corrected my mistakes. A little heavy feeling at impact. Clean shiny and attractive look.” — Jerry Wenker (17.1 handicap)

TaylorMade Qi35

TaylorMade Qi35 Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Similar to the new drivers from the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the new Qi35 fairway woods focus on two main characteristics: inertia and adjustability. Inertia refers to the clubhead’s ability to deliver an optimal combination of distance and forgiveness, while adjustability allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shapes and configurations, helping players of all skill levels lower their scores. The standard Qi35 model is best suited to fit the widest range of golfers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Like sound and weight. The most consistent of the bunch, great dispersion and distance. Great on mishits.” — Greg Caster (15.1 handicap)

Titleist GT3

Titleist GT3 Custom Fairway Wood

GT3 Fairways deliver the ultimate balance of flight control and speed through dynamic adjustability. Advanced face and crown construction packs impressive power into GT3 while enhanced adjustability delivers complete precision-tuned performance. For players who crave the ultimate balance of speed and flight control, GT3 Fairways offer impressive power with dynamic adjustability. Ultra-Low CG To achieve higher trajectory and inertia, GT3 Fairways shift the CG location even deeper to produce consistently high launch with improved stability through impact. Refined Tour-Informed Shaping Crafted to meet exacting Tour player feedback, GT3 Fairways feature a taller face design to help improve impact location and deliver greater differentiation between fairway models. Redesigned Internal Hosel To extract every ounce of performance in GT3 Fairways, Titleist engineers pursued every gram of weight savings. The redesigned internal hosel achieves subtle mass improvements that unlock sizable benefits on every swing.
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THE BASICS: Long considered the Tour version, GT3 comes in three lofts (15, 16.5, 18 degrees) and boasts a reimagined SureFit CG Track system, which allows the sliding weight to be placed in five positions: H2 (Heel), H1, N (Neutral), T1 (Toe) and T2. With GT3, the face was raised to give it a deeper profile. In turn, the bigger face gives the fairway wood a higher CT.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST GT FAIRWAY WOODS

Wilson Dynapwr Carbon

Wilson 2025 Dynapwr Carbon Custom Fairway Wood

The new DYNAPWR Fairways are optimized with multiple sweet spots, thanks to AI driven PKR-360, and the strength and high ball speeds of forged custom 455 face material. PKR-360 Our AI driven PKR-360 has an increased number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each fairway design to create a larger sweet spot and drive higher ball speeds everywhere across the face. FORGED CONSTRUCTION Custom 455 face material provides strength and high ball speeds while elevating the feel shot after shot.
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THE BASICS: The Dynapwr Carbon fairway wood, as the name implies, features a carbon crown to take the CG lower, along with a 30g fixed tungsten weight, which combines to help produce a penetrating ball flight. An adjustable 6-way hosel featuring Open Hosel construction carries over from the drivers to add customization and fitting options.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF WILSON DYNAPWR FAIRWAY WOODS

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https://golf.com/?post_type=article&p=15557689 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:15:44 +0000 <![CDATA[Best fairway woods for slower swing speeds | ClubTest 2025]]> For ClubTest 2025, we put fairway woods to the test. Here are the best fairway woods for players with slower swing speeds.

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https://golf.com/gear/fairway-woods/best-fairway-woods-slower-swing-speeds-clubtest-2025/ For ClubTest 2025, we put fairway woods to the test. Here are the best fairway woods for players with slower swing speeds.

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For ClubTest 2025, we put fairway woods to the test. Here are the best fairway woods for players with slower swing speeds.

The post Best fairway woods for slower swing speeds | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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Brilliant engineers keep building better and more tech-infused golf clubs, and few player types are benefitting more than beginners, senior players or those with slower swing speeds. Generating speed generates power — Bryson DeChambeau proves this theory — and some of the newly released ultra-light models go a long way in helping golfers who can’t swing it as fast as Bryson. This is especially important for fairway woods, which are sometimes more difficult for certain players to launch and hit.

For GOLF’s ClubTest 2025, we tested 29 new fairway wood models from the top manufacturers to see not only what clubs performed the best overall, but in what areas each excelled. Here are some of the best fairway woods for slower swing speeds.

See something you like below? Click through and buy your new fairway wood on Fairway Jockey today. For additional exclusive insights on new fairway woods from leading brands, join InsideGOLF for only $40/year. Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. 

MORE CLUBTEST: BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR FORGIVENESS | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SPEED | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR LOW SPIN

Callaway Elyte Max Fast

*Callaway’s Elyte Max Fast fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the slower swing speed fairway wood category.

Callaway Elyte Max Fast Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Lightweight Construction for Easy-to-Launch Performance Built from the ground up for players needing lightweight, easy to swing fairway woods. A premium lightweight construction and components will benefit players with moderate swing speeds. All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion     Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
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THE BASICS: All of Callaway’s new fairway wood models feature the company’s new Step Sole design that comes from studying the success of the Callaway Apex UW line. The idea was to help golfers strike the ball more consistently in the center of the face and to help them avoid striking the ball low on the face. A premium lightweight construction and components will benefit players with moderate swing speeds.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Cleveland Halo XL Lite

Cleveland Halo XL Custom Lite Fairway Wood

LITE-WEIGHT DESIGN A lighter clubhead with modified weighting, 1.5° added loft, and a lightweight shaft makes these Fairway Woods extra quick for max distance. Even if you don’t swing a million miles-per-hour, this design gives you more power behind every strike. MAINFRAME XL FACE MainFrame XL Face Technology uses a variable thickness pattern that maximizes flex at impact to boost distance. We’ve also repositioned weight within the clubhead for added forgiveness and consistency. GLIDERAIL Our proprietary GlideRail Technology gets a new, optimized design to deliver cleaner, uninterrupted swings through the turf. Two rails along the sole of the club help keep the face straight through impact. XL HEAD DESIGN An improved XL Head Design with low-and-deep weighting, players can enjoy long, high-launching ball flight with plenty of forgiveness. REBOUND FRAME Instead of giving it one flex zone, we’ve got two. With alternating flex zones acting in sync, Rebound Frame directs more energy into the ball for speed and distance on every shot.
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THE BASICS: A key attribute of the Halo XL woods line is the Glide Rails on the sole of the clubs to help lower the center of gravity by positioning extra mass on the sole and to help deliver more effective turf interaction to better maintain a square face through the impact zone. In essence, they act as rudders to help the club glide through the grass without digging and are especially effective from the rough. The Cleveland Halo XL Lite is best-suited for players with moderate swing speed.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CLEVELAND HALO XL FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Feels good with good loft. I like the weight. Consistency was good. I like the overall look and dependability.” — Joanne Storbeck (34 handicap)

PXG Wildcat

the pxg wildcat fairway wood

PXG Wildcat Fairway Wood

PXG’s Wildcat 5-wood is designed for easy launch and effortless distance, perfect for golfers who want to hit it high, straight and far.

THE BASICS: PXG’s Wildcat metal woods are geared to help players get the ball airborne, and it all starts with the lofts. There’s no 3-wood in this set, instead a 19-degree 5-wood. The lacking 3-wood is no oversight. Woods are typically the hardest clubs for beginners and infrequent golfers to wield. By giving players weaker lofts with a more confidence-inspiring look at address, the PXG Wildcats are easier to launch.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PXG WILDCAT FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “I like the glossy look and pronounced markings. Felt well balanced throughout. Excellent forgiveness. Good distance. Better performance than the rest and good forgiveness. Never tried PXG woods before and was pleasantly surprised.” — Ronald Hinderberger (19.4 handicap)

“Shiny, attractive, classic. Very solid and great impact through the ball. Jumped off the clubface. Not many misses. Excellent distance.” — Jerry Wenker (17.1 handicap)

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Similar to the new drivers from the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the new Qi35 fairway woods focus on two main characteristics: inertia and adjustability. Inertia refers to the clubhead’s ability to deliver an optimal combination of distance and forgiveness, while adjustability allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shapes and configurations, helping players of all skill levels lower their scores. The Qi35 Max Lite is an ultralight model designed for slow-swinging golfers looking to gain speed.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Feel, sound, forgiveness and distance were great. Like how the weight feels heavy on the back end. Squares up nicely. Forgiving, not much side movement.” — Anita Wallace (9.3 handicap)

“Love the carbon, very pretty. Shaft and finish is nice. Stable and well balanced feel. Best average distance of the bunch. Consistent and easier to swing than others.” — Carolyn Petersen (16-20+ handicap)

Titleist GT1

Titleist GT1 Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: The Titleist GT1 fairway is the largest profile in the GT lineup at 180 cc, while also featuring the shallowest face height to help players launch the ball off the turf. With the weight distributed properly — GT1 has the deepest CG in the entire GT family — the shape was also refined to make it more aerodynamic, helping the slow-to-moderate clubhead speed player swing it faster.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST GT FAIRWAY WOODS

PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Very positive, the results I want. I’m looking forward to bringing this club to the course. Has a classic look at address. Love looking at it. Excellent smooth and solid contact through impact. Very consistent. Generous forgiveness for my type of player. Solid contact transformed my numbers.” — Jerry Wenker (17.1 handicap)

“Felt smooth and easy to hit, not clunky. Distance changed on mishits but they went straight.” — Carolyn Petersen (16-20+ handicap)

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https://golf.com/?post_type=article&p=15557683 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:12:32 +0000 <![CDATA[Best fairway woods for low spin | ClubTest 2025]]> These are the best 2025 fairway woods for producing low spin, according to regular golfers and our fleet of expert fitters.

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https://golf.com/gear/fairway-woods/best-fairway-woods-low-spin-clubtest-2025/ These are the best 2025 fairway woods for producing low spin, according to regular golfers and our fleet of expert fitters.

The post Best fairway woods for low spin | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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These are the best 2025 fairway woods for producing low spin, according to regular golfers and our fleet of expert fitters.

The post Best fairway woods for low spin | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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Fairway woods might not be the sexiest clubs in the bag, but a well fit fairway wood can make a big difference in your game, especially if you’re in need of a low spin option. Who are low-spin fairway woods best suited for? Typically players with high swing speeds who are looking to reduce spin and launch and produce a more piercing ball flight. That said, the best fairway woods for low spin are not reserved only for the most skilled players.

Any golfer who leans on their 3-wood or other fairway woods off the tee (read: struggles with driver) might benefit from a low-spin fairway wood, given lower spin generally leads to a lower launch angle and more distance. Conversely, if you primarily use your fairway woods off the fairway, you might see better results with fairway woods with more spin, which will help you hit higher, softer shots.

Clubmakers produce lower-spinning fairway woods largely by moving the center of gravity low and forward in the clubhead. There are many fantastic new options now on the market. Below, you’ll find the three best low-spin fairway woods for 2025, according to our ClubTest raters and fitters.     

See something you like? Click through and buy your new fairway woods on Fairway Jockey today. For additional exclusive insights on new fairway woods from leading brands, join InsideGOLF for only $40/year. Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. 

MORE CLUBTEST: BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR FORGIVENESS | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SPEED | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS

TaylorMade Qi35 Tour

*TaylorMade’s Qi35 Tour fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the low-spin fairway wood category.

TaylorMade Qi35 Tour Custom Fairway Wood

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THE BASICS: Similar to the new drivers from the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the new Qi35 fairway woods focus on two main characteristics: inertia and adjustability. Inertia refers to the clubhead’s ability to deliver an optimal combination of distance and forgiveness, while adjustability allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shapes and configurations, helping players of all skill levels lower their scores. Many of the technologies found in the previous Qi10 fairway wood line are carried over into the Qi35, including Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, TSS weights and, this time, a Chromium Carbon Crown. The Qi35 introduces several new features as well, such as improved shaping, weight distribution and optimization across all of the new models.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond

Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Custom Fairway Wood

FEATURES & BENEFITS Penetrating Flight With Low Spin       The compact shape and deeper face of the Triple Diamond fairway wood allow players to shape shots with ease and control. A forward weight screw promotes a lower spin rate and a more piercing ball flight for added workability.       All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion     Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face. 
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THE BASICS: The Elyte Triple Diamond is geared toward better players; the club is defined by a low, forward CG that promotes lower launch, less spin and fast ball speeds. The model comes in three options (3w, 5w and 7w). All of the Callaway Elyte fairway-wood models (there are five in all) feature the company’s new Step Sole design that comes from studying the success of the Callaway Apex UW line and promotes smoother turf interaction. The idea is to help golfers strike the ball more consistently in the center of the face and to help them avoid striking the ball low on the face. The other piece of tech to help with low strikes is the all-new Tungsten SpeedWave — a 35g suspended weight that keeps mass low and forward — which is on all of the fairway woods up to 7-wood.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Cobra DS-Adapt LS

Cobra DS-Adapt LS TI Custom Fairway

NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. TOUR INSPIRED SHAPING Subdued clubhead styling inspires a Tour-validated look and feel at address. TITANIUM CONSTRUCTION A multi-material construction blends a lightweight 8-1-1 Titanium body and face, and a carbon crown to improve weight distribution for maximum distance. TIGHTER DISPERSION WITH TUNGSTEN WEIGHTING Internal tungsten weights are strategically positioned in the heel and toe areas to improve stability for tighter dispersion and pinpoint accuracy. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds. MAX WORKABILITY WITH ADDED FORGIVENESS Adjustable heel and toe weights are complemented with a third back weight, allowing for additional adjustment to optimize spin & forgiveness.
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THE BASICS: The DS-Adapt LS Ti is designed for better players looking for a low-spin option with a smaller profile. All the fairway woods in the DS-Adapt line feature the same FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, adaptive weighting with updated PWR-BRIDGE technology and H.O.T. face technology that you’ll find in the DS-Adapt driver line. The most eye-cactching tech is the innovative FutureFit33 adjustable hosel system, which offers 33 unique loft and lie settings that can now be adjusted independently, providing golfers with a huge range of fitting options on the fly. Of the DS-Adapt LS fairway wood, one of our low-handicap testers, Travis Okamoto, said, “Best looking of the bunch. I like the old-school compact head and low profile. Holding it feels good.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA DS-ADAPT FAIRWAY WOODS

Mizuno ST-G Ti

Mizuno ST-G 440 Custom Fairway Wood

CORTECH CHAMBER A chamber located on the sole adjacent to the face, filled with an elastomeric material with inserted weight provides: Larger CORAREA, improved spin performance, and tuned impact sound. ULTRA LOW CG CONSTRUCTION Lighter density 811 Ti body combined with 88g higher density steel along the sole provides the lowest CG construction. MULTI-THICKNESS CORTECH FACE Refined to maximize CORAREA combined with the SAT2041 Beta Titanium face material. WAFFLE CROWN Extremely thin lightweight crown portion. MODERN PLAYER’S PEAR SHAPE An inviting, compact, head that sits perfectly square at address. HIT TUNED IMPACT SOUND Strategically placed internal sound ribs tune the impact sound to the appropriate frequency and sound pressure QUICK SWITCH ADJUSTABILITY 4 degrees of loft adjustability to fine-tune address look and trajectory.
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THE BASICS: With its ST-G Titanium fairway woods, Mizuno has pulled out all the stops to deliver the most high-performance and ultra low-spin fairway wood it has ever built by incorporating titanium, steel and a new Cortech chamber into one club. From top to bottom, the club features an internal thin waffle design on the crown to save precious grams, and thanks to the titanium body and face, a high-density steel weight can be placed on the sole to drive the center of gravity even deeper. This means that both off the tee and from the fairway, the ST-G Titanium fairway woods will offer a flatter and more penetrating flight.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO ST-G FAIRWAY WOODS

Ping G440 LST

PING G440 LST Custom Fairway Wood

The G440 fairway family (MAX, LST, SFT) advances PING’s reputation as a Tour-preferred model of choice through a re-designed face structure and low CG system. The face is taller for more confidence off the tee while maintaining a CG location that delivers high- launching performance off the ground. The multi-material LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing high launch and lower spin. HIGH MOI Easy to launch, stable design increases forgiveness.  FLEXING FACE Maraging steel face flexes for more ball speed, optimizes spin.  TALLER FACE PROFILE Improves performance off the tee, maintains low CG.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, optimize launch/spin and increase forgiveness. 
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THE BASICS: Ping pushed the CG position low and back with the help from a high-density tungsten sole plate and Carbonfly Wrap crown, which reduce spin and increase ball speed. The titanium face, which blends into the crown and sole, also helps to boost speed. One nice bonus: The LST fairway wood family now offers a 19-degree 5-wood, whereas the previous generation offered only a 3-wood.

Ping fairway woods have always been successful at helping golfers launch the ball off the deck thanks to their shallow profiles. “The one complaint we have heard is, ‘I wish it was just a little taller.
 I want to hit it off the tee,’” said Travis Milleman, Ping’s design engineering manager. The issue was making a taller-faced fairway wood while still keeping the CG low to increase launch, which was difficult to do from an engineering standpoint. But just as the drivers were able to move weight back from the new Free Hosel design, Milleman said Ping used the weight saved in the fairway woods to grow the face at a one-for-one ratio.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING G440 FAIRWAY WOODS

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