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.
Meet Our Experts
Owen has spent his whole life golfing and previously managed operations for the New England PGA, Junior Golf Tournaments.
Jonathan is the founder of Warrior Golf Academy, where he offers free golf fittings, clubs, lessons, and caddie training for veterans, helping them find solace and camaraderie on the green.
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 TaylorMade SIM2 MAX Fairway Wood is designed for more distance, high launch, and forgiveness. Its V Steel design with ultra-low CG and multi-material construction delivers explosive power and optimal launch properties. The high-strength C300 steel face with Twist Face technology ensures straighter shots and maximum ball speed. The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility and preserves distance, especially on low face strikes.
The SIM2 MAX Fairway Wood represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Its aerodynamic design and Speed Injected Technology aim to optimize ball speed and distance. Forgiveness? Oh yeah, and it’s got a slight draw-bias that helps a lot of players. The SIM2 MAX delivers consistent results and is particularly effective for players seeking maximum distance potential.
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
The Callaway Mavrik Fairway Woods are designed for maximum confidence and distance. With their expansive hitting area and optimized weighting, these woods deliver high launch and flat trajectories. Featuring a single fixed weight positioned low and back in the sole, the Mavrik promotes easy launch and performance from any lie. The innovative Flash Face SS20, Jailbreak Technology, Face Cup, and T2C Carbon Crown combine to deliver unmatched ball speed, forgiveness, and distance, making the Mavrik a top choice for golfers seeking to elevate their game.
The Callaway Mavrik fairway woods represent the latest technology from Callaway. These clubs boast a large, forgiving head design combined with advanced AI-powered technology for optimal ball flight. They deliver impressive distance gains while maintaining excellent accuracy. The Mavriks are perfect for golfers seeking maximum forgiveness and length, especially those with slower swing speeds. However, they may feel less precise for more skilled players.
Jonathan Sessa
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
Callaway XR fairway woods are designed for distance and forgiveness, featuring a larger sweet spot and Hyper Speed Face Cup technology for increased ball speed on off-center hits. With a shallower face design, these clubs promote a higher launch angle, making it easier to get the ball airborne for better performance.
There's less tech in the XR than in other models. It's a pretty affordable club that is high-launch. For golfers who have quick tempo, there are a couple different options you can buy in terms of loft. There's one that that's 14 degrees. If you struggle to hit your driver, having a three wood that's 14 degrees will help you get a little bit more distance. Three woods are typically a lot easier to hit than drivers, so an option like this will still get you the distance off the tee that you're looking for if you struggle to hit your driver, and it's easier.
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