Times have changed.
Gone are the days of carrying a 1, 3, 5 and maybe even a 7 wood.
It’s all about gapping these days – and getting a faairway wood that does the job you want it to. That can range from a fairway finder on tough par 4s to a high-flying, soft-landing ‘persuader’ for use into the greens.
A good fairway wood really can be your best friend, a go-to club when times get tough.
The methodology
We conducted the test at Moor Allerton GC in Leeds, where we used their state-of-the-art fitting studio complete with Trackman launch monitor, as well as their outdoor practice facilities.
Brands were invited to send in fairways in 3 wood and 5 wood models and to provide custom-fitted samples if they preferred to do so.
The testers
Dan Murphy (DM) Handicap: 4
“I need a deep face because this is a driving club for me and I get cold sweats about the prospect of roofed 3 woods. I could be persuaded to carry a 5 wood purely for off the deck”
Pete Chippindale (PC) Handicap: 12
“Fairway woods and hybrids are very important for me – for aproaches to long par 4s, driving on tight holes and also long par 3s. I’m not sure my gapping is quite right though.”
Chris Peel (CP) Handicap: 14
“I’ve never had a fairway wood fitting so I carry a 3 wood and a 5 wood. I’m told that the lofts are getting stronger so I want to see what these clubs can really do for me.”
Gold medal winner
Ping i25
Silver medal winners
Taylormade SLDR
Cobra Baffler XL
Bronze medal winners
Benross Rip/Hot/Max speed 2
Tour Edge Exotics XCG7
Best of the rest
MD Golf Superstrong STR10
Callaway Big Bertha
Mizuno JPX EZ
Nike Covert 2.0 Performance/ Tour
Adams Tight Lies
Taylormade SLDR S
Titleist 913F/913F.D
Cleveland 588 FW
Lynx Boom Boom 3
Wilson Staff FG Tour M3
Yonex Ezone XP
Taylormade Jetspeed
Cobra Bio Cell/ Bio Cell+
Callaway X2 Hot/ X2 Hot Pro