Introduction
PXG has never been shy about producing clubs aimed at stronger players, and the new Lightning Tour fairway wood continues that trend.
While the standard Lightning fairway wood is designed to offer maximum forgiveness and launch, the Tour model takes a slightly different route. With a more compact profile, deeper face and lower-spinning characteristics, it’s aimed at golfers who want greater control over trajectory and shot shape.
After being fitted into a five-wood at PXG London South, I have since put the club straight into my bag and have even spent the last six months using it on the course. Yes, it’s that good.
Keywords
Tour-level, compact, deep face, low spin, PXG, distance
NCG Summary & rating
NCG SUMMARY
Control and versatility are the standout features of this fairway wood. Confident ball-strikers should be all over this as an ideal fairway wood option.
After six months in the bag, I have to reiterate that this has proved to be nothing short of a reliable performer both from the fairway and off the tee. I found it offers consistent distance, impressive workability and a flight that can be trusted under pressure.
PROS
- Compact, confidence-inspiring look at address
- Strong distances
- Performs well off the tee
CONS
- Of course, its less forgiving than other options in the range
Key Facts
| Shafts | Graphite Design Tour AD FI 5-R, Graphite Design Tour AD GC 5-R, Graphite Design Tour AD HD 5-R, Graphite Design Tour AD XC 5-R |
| Hand | Right and left |
| Loft | 15°-27° |
| Flex | Regular, still, extra stiff |
Key benefits and downsides
| Key benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|
| Distance and control – The ideal blend of two components that all ball strikers look for | Forgiveness – Not as forgiving as other options in the PXG Lightning range (But is to be expected) |
| Versatile – Performs well off both the tee and the fairway, as well as various different lies | |
| Workability – With this be a tour model being able to shape it both ways is imperative |
First Impressions
The first thing that stands out about the Lightning Tour fairway wood is its shape.
Compared to the standard Lightning model, the Tour head is more compact, with a deeper face and a slightly more rounded sole. It sits beautifully behind the ball and immediately gives off a more player-focused appearance.
For golfers who prefer seeing more club face at address, the deeper profile is particularly appealing. I found it especially confidence-inspiring off the tee, where some shallow-faced fairway woods can occasionally feel vulnerable to strikes high on the face.
How I undertook the review
I was lucky enough to be invited down to PXG’s headquarters in London earlier this year to get fitted into their Lightning range.
As someone who uses a mini driver quite a lot of the time, it made more sense for me to be come away with a five-wood rather than a three-wood. It made better sense gapping wise.
I originally got a feel for them at their London South location, which is an indoor simulator. Fear not, this review has some real golf merit to it as I have extensively used this out on the golf course for the majority of this year.
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Technology
PXG has packed plenty of technology into the head. A carbon fibre crown helps save weight, allowing mass to be redistributed lower and further around the perimeter for improved stability and launch conditions.
The company has also introduced a new proprietary face structure. PXG says lower-lofted heads feature more face curvature for improved control on powerful strikes, while higher-lofted models use a flatter geometry to help maintain launch consistency and tighten dispersion.
The face perimeter is also 12.5 per cent thinner than PXG’s previous Black Ops fairway woods, increasing face flex and helping create what PXG claims are its fastest fairway woods to date.
The Tour model features two adjustable weights positioned at the front and rear of the sole, allowing players to fine-tune launch and spin characteristics, while the adjustable hosel offers additional loft and lie customisation.
Performance
The biggest compliment I can pay the Lightning Tour fairway wood is that it has been a permanent fixture in my bag for the last six months.
Historically, I have always found launching fairway woods off the deck to be quite the challenge. But, that wasn’t the case here. The Lightning Tour produced a strong, controllable flight with enough spin to stop shots on greens while still offering plenty of distance.
The ideal mix, really. And a combination that has proved to be particularly useful when I have been playing par fives and long par fours.
I also found the slightly deeper face also makes the club surprisingly versatile. Added to this the more rounded sole means it works well from uneven lies.
Saying this, perhaps most impressively, the club consistently produced distances in the 225-242-yard window, even when strikes weren’t absolutely perfect.Â
NCG Final Verdict
PXG has successfully created a fairway wood that offers many of the traits stronger players look for without making it overly intimidating.
The Lightning Tour fairway wood delivers a pleasing combination of workability, distance consistency and versatility, while the deeper face provides added confidence from the tee. Crucially, it remains playable from the turf and offers enough spin to make attacking greens a realistic option.
I think golfers looking for maximum forgiveness will be better served by the standard Lightning fairway wood, but those wanting a more compact, controllable package should have this firmly on their testing list.
Price information
RRP: £319.00 / $379.00
More info: PXG website
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