Popular Golf Fairway Woods
Our Fairway Wood reviews are designed to help you weigh tradeoffs to find the best fit. We collaborate with players and gear experts to review each fairway wood based on accuracy/control (the ability to hit the ball straight and true), forgiveness (the ability to mitigate negative effects of off-center hits), and distance potential distance with a well-struck shot). Rankings are updated weekly based on SidelineSwap sales data.
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The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fairway Wood combines advanced technologies for longer, playable shots. Its 3D Carbon Crown reduces weight for a lower center of gravity, promoting higher launch angles and improved forgiveness on off-center hits. The V Steel Sole technology features a curved leading edge that helps the clubhead glide smoothly through various lies, including thick, rough, and wet fairways.
The Stealth 2 is a forgiving club. It's made for the average golfer or beginner who has money to spend on a quality club. The focus on forgiveness and playability makes the Stealth 2 a good option for golfers with a developing swing who may not always hit the center of the fairway wood. So yeah, it's super easy to hit off the deck, penetrating flight, and has a great launch.
Owen Harding
The Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood features a progressive design suitable for various golfers. Its key components include Jailbreak with Batwing Technology, which stiffens the body while allowing face flex for enhanced ball speed and distance. The Forged Carbon sole ensures excellent weight redistribution for increased forgiveness on off-center hits. Additionally, the technology boosts accuracy, promoting a stable ball flight that performs well in windy conditions.
The Paradym is super versatile from the tee or off the grass. It's harder to hit as the shape is more compact with a smaller overall sweet spot. It has a high launch, low spin, and neutral flight. More experienced golfers who want more distance will love this club. It also has the largest variety of options: three, five, seven, nine, and even an 11-wood…which is unusual.
Owen Harding
The TaylorMade RBZ fairway wood is a great option for mid-to-high handicappers or golfers who struggle with distance. Its large, deep clubface and Speed Pocket technology work together to generate high ball speed and long distance, while the lower center of gravity design promotes easier launch and more forgiveness on off-center hits. While not the most recent model, the RBZ fairway wood remains a solid choice for golfers who prioritize getting the ball airborne farther and straighter.
The RBZ has been in my bag forever. I have the driver, the three wood, and the hybrid. Although I love the game, I'm not the best golfer. This fairway wood is very easy for me to hit. The RBZ had one of the biggest heads ever at the time of its release in 2012. It’s very forgiving and great for beginners. And it's affordable too! I usually hit this instead of my driver out of the tee box. I get better results with my RBZ wood and don't slice it like I do with other clubs.
Owen Harding
TaylorMade M6 fairway woods are known for their distance and accuracy thanks to a combination of Twist Face technology and a larger, more forgiving clubface. Twist Face corrects off-center hits, reducing side spin and promoting straighter shots, while the larger sweet spot increases forgiveness on mishits. This club is a good option for golfers who want more distance and straighter shots from the fairway, with a focus on forgiveness on mishits.
The M6 has a high launch point right on impact. You're going to hit the ball higher with this club. It has a massive head, similar to the RBZ. And if you have a high swing speed, the M6 will help you hit farther. At the time, it was the most forgiving of the M models. The forgiving design and distance-oriented features make the M6 a good option for beginner golfers still developing their swing. If you prefer a fairway wood that offers more workability and control over shot shape, I would look at something like the SIM Max.
Owen Harding
The TaylorMade RocketBallz Fairway Woods are designed for maximum speed and distance. The advanced Speed Pocket technology dramatically increases ball speed, while the thick-thin crown design and low/forward CG promote a higher launch and lower spin. The lightweight shaft and grip enhance swing speed, and the matte-white finish and larger head make alignment easy and eliminate glare. With RocketBallz, golfers can experience extra distance and power.
The RocketBallz Fairway Woods bring a fun combo of distance and forgiveness to the table. With their deep undercut sole design, these clubs reduce turf interaction and give you that extra launch angle you’ve been chasing. The tech is all about boosting ball speed with a larger sweet spot. Now, while these may not be the most forgiving woods out there, when you square one up, the distance gains are no joke. Perfect for strong hitters looking to add some serious yardage to their game.
Jonathan Sessa
The TaylorMade M2 Fairway Woods offer exceptional distance, forgiveness, and playability. The recessed 6-layer carbon composite crown, Inverted Cone Technology, and Geocoustic sole design combine to create a low CG, fast ball speeds, and an incredibly long, high-launching, and low-spinning fairway. Geocoustic engineering ensures best-in-class sound and feel, while the additional key technologies provide added distance and forgiveness.
The TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway Woods is designed for golfers who want forgiveness and distance off the fairway or tee. It features a V Steel sole to help you get the club out of tough lies and even on mishits, the SIM2 Max's C300 Steel face delivers explosive ball speeds for more distance and helps you avoid losing strokes due to off-center strikes. This makes it a forgiving club for golfers who may not consistently hit the center of the fairway wood. While forgiveness is a key feature, the SIM Max also offers a solid feel at impact that many golfers appreciate.
The SIM Max is a hard club to hit. It's a mid-launch, so it doesn't go very high, which some golfers prefer. With this club, you really do have to hit it perfectly. It's for the more advanced golfer. And if you hit this club well, there will be no huge difference between the SIM and the SIM Max. Great clubs if you’re a confident ball striker.
Owen Harding
The Ping G400 Fairway Wood is a high-launching fairway that features a maraging steel face with more flexion for added speed and distance. The C300 maraging steel is one of the strongest alloys in the world and delivers more flexing power for faster ball speeds and higher launch. The ultra-thin crown is equipped with Turbulators help to reduce aerodynamic drag. The weight saved in the crown is repositioned lower for increased moment of inertia and optimal center of gravity placement. The G400 Fairway has a lower leading edge that sits closer to the ground to enhance turf interaction and increase confidence from any lie.
Because the Ping G400 is a bit older (released in 2017), you can find them at an affordable price. The Pings are infamous for covering all the bases. This club is for shot-shapers, those who can control how they want to hit the ball. If you're going around a corner, this is the club for you. In my opinion, it's one of the best shot-shaping woods out there.
Owen Harding
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Fairway Wood is ideal for golfers who struggle with finding the fairway or maximizing distance from the tee box on longer holes. A key feature is the oversized 200cc head with a low-profile design. This larger clubface inspires confidence at address, while the lower center of gravity promotes a higher launch angle for more carry distance and better forgiveness on off-center hits. Additionally, the V Steel Sole technology helps with turf interaction for smoother clubhead passage through various lie conditions, even in thick rough or wet fairways. While distance and forgiveness are priorities, the Stealth 2 HD Fairway Wood doesn't neglect accuracy. The larger clubface and draw-bias design can help golfers find the fairway more consistently.
The Stealth 2 HD is great for beginners with a lower swing speed. It's the most forgiving of the Stealths with a large 200-cc club face. There’s a lot more room to hit the sweet spot. Also, the larger, low-profile sole helps the club hug the ground at address and makes it easier to achieve a high launch. HD stands for "high draw.” So, if you're a beginner golfer who is a rightie, you often miss to the right, meaning you slice it. This club is set up to help you avoid that slice.
Owen Harding
The Callaway Big Bertha Golf Fairway Woods are designed for golfers seeking forgiveness and easy launch. Their oversized profile and shallow face inspire confidence, while the Jailbreak with Batwing Technology and A.I.-designed face enhance power and ball speed. The lightweight construction and adjustable features make them easy to swing and launch, providing consistent contact and improved distance.
Big Bertha is all about forgiveness and user-friendliness. These clubs feature a large sweet spot and a draw-biased design, making them suitable for a wide range of skill levels. They offer excellent distance and accuracy, especially for higher handicappers. The Big Berthas are ideal for golfers seeking a forgiving, easy-to-hit option that won't sacrifice too much distance. They consistently deliver reliable results.
Jonathan Sessa
The Stealth Fairway Wood offers distance and forgiveness with a high launch, making it ideal for golfers looking to enhance their fairway game. Available in various lofts, it features a pear-shaped head and a 3D carbon crown for weight redistribution, promoting forgiveness on off-center hits. With its ease of use and strong performance, the Stealth Fairway Wood is a popular choice for golfers of all skill levels.
The Stealth is a distance club. It's incredibly forgiving with a larger-than-average clubface. Just because of the clubface, it's easier to hit than many of the other Stealth models. It's best for mid to low-handicap golfers with fast swing speeds and who want to gain a little more distance. I will say it's challenging to shot-shape and hits very straight. If you've got the money to spend, this club will perform.
Owen Harding