Why fairway woods are game-changers — if they’re fit right

Let’s be honest, fairway woods just don’t get the love they deserve. Drivers steal the spotlight, irons get the scoring nod, and wedges take all the finesse credit. But a properly fit fairway wood? That could be the MVP of your bag that you didn’t know you were missing. 

So, let’s give these clubs their due and breakdown why fairway woods aren’t just space holders in your 14-club kit, they can be a game-changer.  

Gear

What should your fairway wood do? 

First off, your fairway woods should be your go-to for a few things: 

But there is a catch: if your fairway woods don’t fit properly, they’re probably not doing much of anything well. You may as well be carrying a fashionable paperweight. 

Fairway Woods

Here is what should be dialed in: 

Loft matters — A LOT 

Most people think a 3-wood is a 3-wood. Wrong. Depending on your swing speed and delivery, you might need more loft to get the ball in the air consistently. A 16.5-degree “3HL or strong 4-wood” might fly farther and land softer than your traditional 15-degree 3-wood. It’s not about the number on the sole; it’s about the carry number in the air and how it lands. 

For some players, a 5-wood could produce the best numbers and fit in the bag as the longest fairway wood after the driver. 

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. 

$349 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

ALSO AVAILABLE ON: PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE, GOLF GALAXY.

Shaft and weight 

The right shaft flex and weight keep your tempo smooth and your launch window consistent. Too heavy, and you’ll wear yourself out. Too light, and you may lose the relationship of where the head is through the swing and start seeing a two-way miss. If the shaft’s too stiff, good luck getting it off the deck. 

Face Profile and Turf Interaction 

Some players are sweepers; some players hit down on the ball and take a divot with their woods. The sole design and how the club interacts with the turf are huge for playability. A deeper, taller, face helps off the tee. While a shallow face, and wider sole, might be better off a tight fairway. Testing a few combinations helps find the proper fit and gets you the best of both worlds. 

Distance Gapping 

Your fairway woods need to slot perfectly between your driver and your longest iron or hybrid. If your 3-wood flies five yards farther than your 5-wood, and both go the same distance off the turf, your gapping is off. This is the time to possibly entertain the idea of a 4-wood and 7-wood combo.  

Fairway woods don’t have to be gap-fillers or “just-in-case” clubs. When they’re fit correctly for your game, they become tools you can rely on, sometimes even more than your driver. They can bail you out, set you up, or even become your go-to when things go sideways. 

Don’t just carry them, trust them. Rely on them. Let them work for you.

Ready to find the right fairway woods for your game? consult a fitter at your local True Spec Golf.