Best Fairway Woods for high handicappers
Fairway woods are versatile clubs that can help you hit long and accurate shots from the tee, the fairway, or even the rough. However, not all fairway woods are easy to hit, especially for high handicappers who struggle with consistency and confidence.
That’s why we have compiled this list of the best fairway woods for high handicappers, based on different sources and criteria. These fairway woods are not only affordable, but also packed with forgiveness, launch, speed, and adjustability that can suit your game.
6 Best Fairway Woods for high handicappers
Whether you are looking for a 3-wood, a 5-wood, or a 7-wood, there is a fairway wood for you in this list. Here are our top 6 picks for the best fairway woods for high handicappers in 2023.
1. Wilson Dynapwr Fairway Wood – Best AI-inspired Fairway Wood
The Wilson Dynapwr Fairway Wood is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers who want to benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
This fairway wood features a variable face thickness (VFT) design that is optimized by AI to deliver faster ball speeds and more distance across the face. The clubhead is made of titanium, which is strong and lightweight. The clubface is made of maraging steel, which is thin and flexible.
The club also has a rear weight port that lowers the center of gravity and increases launch angle. The Wilson Dynapwr Fairway Wood also has a premium graphite shaft that provides optimal flex and feel.
Pros:
- Affordable and innovative
- Fast and forgiving clubface
- High launch and low spin
- Strong and lightweight clubhead
Cons:
- Not very adjustable compared to some other fairway woods
- May lack some advanced features or technologies
2. TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Fairway Wood – Best Overall Fairway Wood
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Fairway Wood is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers who want an all-around performer.
This fairway wood features a large clubhead with a low and deep center of gravity, which promotes a high launch and a straight flight. The clubface is made of A.I.-designed Flash Face SS21, which delivers fast ball speeds across the face.
The club also has dual MIM’ed tungsten weights that optimize stability and forgiveness. The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Fairway Wood also has a lightweight wrap that reduces drag and increases speed.
Pros:
- Great for improving your distance and accuracy
- Easy to launch and versatile
- Fast and forgiving clubface
- Stable and balanced clubhead
Cons:
- May feel a little different than most fairway woods
- Not very adjustable compared to some other fairway woods
3. Ping G425 SFT Fairway Wood – Best for Slicers
The Ping G425 SFT Fairway Wood is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers who struggle with slicing the ball. This fairway wood features a draw-biased design that helps you square the clubface at impact and reduce slices.
The clubhead is made of stainless steel, which is durable and solid. The clubface is made of maraging steel, which is thin and flexible. The club also has a fixed tungsten weight that shifts the center of gravity towards the heel and increases launch angle.
The Ping G425 SFT Fairway Wood also has an adjustable hosel that lets you fine-tune the loft and lie to suit your preferences.
Pros:
- Ideal for slicers and beginners
- Durable and solid clubhead
- Forgiving and consistent clubface
- Adjustable hosel
Cons:
- Not very workable or suitable for low spin shots
- May not suit players who prefer a straight or fade bias
4. Cobra LTDx Max Fairway Wood – Best Feeling Fairway Wood
The Cobra LTDx Max Fairway Wood is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers who want a smooth and comfortable feel. This fairway wood features a hollow split rail design that creates more flex and speed on the face.
The clubhead is made of carbon fiber, which is light and strong. The clubface is made of forged 455 stainless steel, which is thin and responsive. The club also has an adjustable weight system that lets you choose between front or back weight positions to suit your launch and spin preferences.
The Cobra LTDx Max Fairway Wood also has an Arccos sensor embedded in the grip that connects to your smartphone and tracks your performance.
Pros:
- Smooth and comfortable feel
- Light and strong clubhead
- Responsive and flexible clubface
- Adjustable weight system
Cons:
- Not very forgiving or stable on off-center hits
- May require a subscription to access the Arccos features
5. TaylorMade SiM Max 2 Fairway Wood – Best Top-Tier Club for High Handicappers
The TaylorMade SiM Max 2 Fairway Wood is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers who want a top-tier club that can improve their game. This fairway wood features a V Steel sole that improves turf interaction and versatility.
The clubhead is made of multi-material construction, which optimizes weight distribution and lowers the center of gravity. The clubface is made of Twist Face technology, which reduces side spin and corrects mis-hits.
The club also has a Speed Pocket that enhances ball speed and forgiveness on low-face strikes. The TaylorMade SiM Max 2 Fairway Wood also has a Geocoustic technology that improves sound and feel.
Pros:
- Proven performance and quality
- High launch and low spin
- Forgiving and consistent clubface
- Optimal weight distribution and center of gravity
Cons:
- May be hard to find in stock or new condition
- May not offer significant gains over newer models
6. Mizuno ST-X 220 Fairway Wood – Best for Straight Shots
The Mizuno ST-X 220 Fairway Wood is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers who want to hit straight shots with minimal curve. This fairway wood features a balanced design that reduces side spin and increases stability.
The clubhead is made of stainless steel, which is durable and solid. The clubface is made of forged Beta Ti, which is thin and fast. The club also has a Wave Sole technology that expands the sweet spot and improves launch conditions.
The Mizuno ST-X 220 Fairway Wood also has an adjustable hosel that lets you fine-tune the loft, lie, and face angle to suit your preferences.
Pros:
- Best for hitting straight shots
- Durable and solid clubhead
- Thin and fast clubface
- Adjustable hosel
Cons:
- Not very workable or suitable for low spin shots
- May lack some advanced features or technologies
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Fairway Woods for High Handicappers
As important as fairway woods are, not all are easy to hit, especially for high handicappers who struggle with consistency and confidence. That’s why you need to look for some key features and factors when choosing the best fairway woods for your game, especially as a high handicapper.
In this section, we will guide you through what to look for when choosing the best fairway woods for high handicappers, by following a 7-point checklist.
1. Forgiveness
One of the most important features to look for in a fairway wood is forgiveness. Forgiveness is the ability of the club to minimize the loss of distance and accuracy on off-center hits.
Forgiveness is especially important for high handicappers who tend to mishit the ball more often than not. To look for forgiveness in a fairway wood, you should pay attention to the clubhead size, shape, and design.
Generally, larger clubheads with round or pear shapes offer more forgiveness than smaller clubheads with angular or asymmetrical shapes. You should also look for clubheads that have features such as variable face thickness (VFT), hollow split rails, or speed pockets that enhance ball speed and forgiveness across the face.
2. Launch
Another important feature to look for in a fairway wood is launch. Launch is the angle at which the ball leaves the clubface, and it affects how high and far the ball will go. Launch is especially important for high handicappers who tend to hit the ball low and short with their fairway woods.
To look for launch in a fairway wood, you should pay attention to the loft, center of gravity (CG), and sole design of the clubhead. Generally, higher lofts with low and deep CGs offer more launch than lower lofts with high and forward CGs.
You should also look for clubheads that have features such as V Steel soles, rear weight ports, or wave sole technology that improve turf interaction and launch conditions.
3. Speed
Another important feature to look for in a fairway wood is speed. Speed is the velocity at which the ball leaves the clubface, and it affects how far the ball will go. Speed is especially important for high handicappers who want to maximize their distance and reach those long par 5s in two or three shots.
To look for speed in a fairway wood, you should pay attention to the clubface material, construction, and design. Generally, thinner clubfaces with forged or maraging steel materials offer more speed than thicker clubfaces with stainless steel or titanium materials.
You should also look for clubfaces that have features such as A.I.-designed flash faces, twist faces, or forged beta Ti faces that deliver faster ball speeds across the face.
4. Adjustability
Another important feature to look for in a fairway wood is adjustability. Adjustability is the ability to change the loft, lie, or face angle of the clubhead, or the weight distribution of the clubhead, by using a wrench or a movable weight system.
Adjustability can help you customize your fairway wood to suit your swing and preferences, as well as adapt to different course conditions and situations. Adjustability is especially important for high handicappers who want more options and versatility with their fairway woods.
To look for adjustability in a fairway wood, you should pay attention to the hosel and weight system of the clubhead. Generally, adjustable hosels with loft sleeves or adapters offer more adjustability than fixed hosels with standard lofts.
You should also look for weight systems that have movable weights or ports that allow you to change the CG location and influence your launch and spin preferences.
5. Shaft
Another important factor to look for in a fairway wood is the shaft of the club. The shaft is the part of the club that connects the clubhead to the grip, and it affects your swing speed, ball flight, and accuracy. The shaft of your fairway wood should match your swing speed and tempo.
Generally, the lighter the shaft, the faster you can swing and the higher you can launch the ball. The heavier the shaft, the slower you can swing and the lower you can launch the ball. The shaft of your fairway wood should also match your flex preference.
The flex is how much the shaft bends during your swing, and it affects your ball speed and direction. Generally, there are five types of flex: extra stiff (X), stiff (S), regular ®, senior (A), and ladies (L). The stiffer the flex, the faster you need to swing and the straighter you can hit the ball. The softer the flex, the slower you need to swing and the more draw or fade you can produce.
6. Budget
Another important factor to look for in a fairway wood is your budget. Fairway woods can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the brand, model, and features.
Generally, more expensive fairway woods offer more advanced technology, adjustability, and customization options, but that does not mean they are necessarily better for you. You can find some excellent fairway woods under $200 that can perform well and suit your game.
The key is to stick to your budget and look for fairway woods that offer the best value for money. You can also look for older models that have been discounted or second-hand fairway woods that are in good condition.
7. Appearance
The last factor to look for in a fairway wood is the appearance of the club. The appearance is the visual aspect of the club, such as the color, shape, or graphics of the clubhead and the shaft.
The appearance of your fairway wood does not affect your performance directly, but it can affect your confidence and enjoyment indirectly. The appearance of your fairway wood should match your personal preference and style. If you like a fairway wood that looks sleek and modern, you should choose a fairway wood with a black or gray color, a round or pear shape, or minimal graphics.
If you like a fairway wood that looks colorful and flashy, you should choose a fairway wood with a bright or contrast color, an angular or asymmetrical shape, or bold graphics.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are some great fairway woods for high handicappers that can help you hit long and accurate shots from various lies. Whether you are looking for a 3-wood, a 5-wood, or a 7-wood, there is a fairway wood for you in this list.
However, the best way to find the right fairway wood for your swing and style is to get fitted by a professional. A custom fitting can help you determine the best loft, shaft, and settings for your fairway wood, as well as compare different models and brands.
A custom fitting can also help you save money in the long run, as you will avoid buying a fairway wood that does not suit you or perform well for you. Therefore, we recommend that you visit your local golf shop or fitting center and try out some of the fairway woods in this list, as well as any other options that may interest you.
By doing so, you will be able to find the best fairway wood for your game and budget. Happy golfing!⛳
