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Fairway Wood Buying Guide

Golf courses are set up so the average player has a variety of different shots to attempt. This golf fairway woods buying guide is here to help you pick the right clubs that address the long distance shot that is not built for the driver.

For the average golfer, the 220 yard shot at the pin or to carry a hazard is a dilemma. It is too long to call for an iron and too short or too difficult to attempt driver. This guide will help you know what to look for when trying to find the right fairway wood.

3 Reasons to Hit a Fairway Wood

Fairway woods have evolved to having three purposes: a club to hit off the tee that is more accurate than a driver, the go to club hitting long distance from the fairway and a long iron alternative.

3 Types of Fairway Woods

The fairway wood is a versatile club and can be used in a multitude of ways for a golfer to get the most out each facet of the game in which they are utilized. Traditionally there are 4 to 5 different types of fairway woods, ranging from 13 to 26 degrees in loft.

The most common type of woods that are found is the 3 and 5 woods. But there is an array of other clubs called woods that deserve discussion.

3 Wood

The 3 wood is the most common club in the golf bag for fairway woods. It has between 15 and 17 degrees of loft and is the club that will go the furthest of any of the woods.

The 3 wood provides the best alternative to the driver off of the tee and should be the farthest hitting club in the bag with the exception of drivers. The 3 wood is going to almost always be a necessary club for any golfer.

5 Wood

The next most common wood you will find on the golf course is the 5 wood. It is very similar to a 3 wood but due to the higher loft it will be slightly easier to hit, particularly off the fairway, but will not go as far.

A 5 wood gives a golfer all of the same tools as other fairway woods but is a cozy distance between long irons and 3 wood. The loft of this club is usually between 18 and 21 degrees.

Unconventional Wood Styles

There are a few other types of woods that do exist but are very rare to truly see on the golf course or in the store. A 4 wood would be considered the front runner of this group.

4 Woods

The 4 wood loft is 18 degrees (which can be considered a strong 5 wood), but it is not especially common given the in between nature of its loft. It may provide a bit more mileage than the 5.

Others

The next set of unconventional woods is the 7 wood and 9 wood. These woods are only really seen on the course as a replacement to longer irons, like a 4 iron, in some instances.

The 7 wood has lofts in the range of 21 to 23 degrees and the 9 wood will be in the 24 to 26 degree range. Both of these high lofted clubs will have smaller heads on them, making them more versatile.

Fairway Wood Shafts

As with many different golf clubs, fairway woods traditionally have been constructed with steel shafts. This was until the turn of the century as the transition was made to go away from the steel shaft and replace it with a graphite shaft.

A graphite shaft will allow for the increase in a golfer's swing speed since it is lighter in weight. Swing speeds are important to a golfer's swing, making the switch to graphite a wise choice for those golfers with an average swing seeking just a bit more yardage.

Adjustable Fairway Woods

A newer technology that has changed the game for many different clubs, but most importantly for the fairway wood, is the ability to adjust the loft on these clubs. An adjustable head allows golfers to play around and find what works when choosing the right lofts for them.

Fairway Wood Head Materials

Most fairway wood brands are made out of three specific materials, all having slightly unique characteristics.

Steel

The traditional material in fairway woods, this material is still used to this day. Steel provides more weight in the head, leading to more stability throughout the golf club.

Titanium

Titanium has a similar feel to steel, but there are many different characteristics. Titanium faces produce more distance off the clubface. With less weight in the clubface, there is more room for the weight to be placed elsewhere allowing for more forgiveness on a miss hit.

Composite

While the clubface will not have composite material in it, the rest of the head will be made of the material. Being the lightest material out there, this club will provide better swing speed resulting in more distance with good forgiveness.

Fairway Woods FAQ's

Q) What fairway woods should I carry?

A) The answer to this question is going to be very different for every person, because it boils down to feel and how comfortable one is with a long iron. A rule of thumb says every golfer should have one or two fairway woods in their bag.

How comfortable you are with your longer irons dictates whether you feel the need to replace a 3, 4, or 5 iron with a wood. Many fairway woods will also help generate some spin which is a problem for some long iron players.

Q) Where can I use a fairway wood?

A) The answer to this question is going to be very different for every person, because it boils down to feel and how comfortable one is with a long iron. A rule of thumb says every golfer should have one or two fairway woods in their bag.

How comfortable you are with your longer irons dictates whether you feel the need to replace a 3, 4, or 5 iron with a wood. Many fairway woods will also help generate some spin which is a problem for some long iron players.

Q) Fairway wood or hybrid?

A) A very common question when talking about iron replacements is whether a fairway wood or hybrid would be more suitable. Fairway woods are designed to help a golfer hit more consistent shots in any lie angle. The low center of gravity and face angle will help get the ball off of the ground and more consistent ball flight whether its center hits or off center hits.

Most brands make their hybrids lighter than fairway clubs which makes them especially attractive to senior golfers. Remember: no more than 14 clubs in your bag says USGA.

Q) Would a high handicapper benefit from using the right fairway wood?

A) Yes, and it may be even better for a high handicapper to get the ball off of the tee verses a driver with virtually the same distance. Graphite shafts will help with speed throughout the swing promoting good distance and more positive spin, possibly making it easier to hit the ball rather than using a driver.

Questions?

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