Fairways are notoriously one of the hardest clubs in the bag to hit, especially out of the sweet spot. When hitting off the deck, it can be difficult to get the ball into the air never mind hitting it straight. Therefore, it's important to put the right fairway wood in your bag that suits the style of game you play.
Given the quality and broad range of equipment available these days, there are plenty of options for the higher handicapper. For those with high handicaps, it's crucial to find a fairway that is forgiving for off-centre strikes, because that forgiveness will limit the damage from poor strikes and help you grow in confidence as a result.
The models listed will also help you keep the ball in play more often, which is a common issue for those at the higher end of the handicap spectrum. Acknowledging all of this, here are some of the best fairway woods for high handicappers. Additionally we also recommend checking out our guide on most forgiving fairway woods or best fairway woods for mid handicappers.
WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024
The Quick List
Thanks to a new crown construction, the GT2 is extremely confidence inspiring at address, whilst the increase in ball speed provides incredible distance and carry.
Arguably the most forgiving fairway wood on the market, the Qi10 looks awesome and boasts a confidence-inspiring head for those shots off the tee and fairway.
Forgiveness and high launch are in abundance with the Wilson Dynapower fairway wood, and a custom fitting could unlock even more performance as well.
The Ai Smoke Max D fairway is a really strong option for those who struggle with a slice or want to promote a high draw with their fairway woods.
Power and forgiveness combine to deliver a really solid fairway wood option with the Cobra Darkspeed - it also looks and feels great.
We think Srixon are under-rated when it comes to golf clubs, and the ZX Mk II will help higher handicappers shot lower scores with how easy it is to hit.
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Mizuno are more well-known for their drivers, but the distance and forgiveness produced by the ST-Max 230 really impressed us in testing.
Best Fairway Woods For High Handicappers
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Titleist GT2 Fairway Wood
How does the GT2 help higher handicappers? Well, in testing, we found it to be high launching and low spinning, meaning it combines the best of both worlds to get the ball airborne and far. Not only was there an increase in ball speed, but the L-Cup face design provided great stability, even on miss-hits low on the face.
Looks-wise, the GT2 fairway wood has a much more shallow face, which is something that will really help inspire confidence to those who struggle with launching their fairway woods. What's more, the tour-refined shape meant there was less curvature on the heel and toe compared to previous models.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a fairway wood that’s forgiving when hitting into greens and gives you a boost of speed and distance from the tee, we would recommend the Titleist GT2, with its broad appeal something that the higher handicapper will love!
- Read our full Titleist GT2 Fairway Wood Review
TaylorMade Qi10 Max Fairway Wood
Taylormade make some of the best drivers in golf, so going to them for a fairway wood seems like a decent idea, right?
The Qi10 is really easy to launch which in turn helps you get extra distance out of those 3,5 or 7 wood shots. It's one of the higher spinning fairway woods, which might not suit more skilled players, but the extra spin really benefits players with modest swing speeds who might have trouble getting the ball airborne.
Also helping to get the ball up in the air is an extra degree of loft compared to most 3 woods. The high-launching nature of this club makes it ideal for golfers who have a slowish swing speed, as well as those who typically have a downwards attack angle with their fairway woods. If you are in either of those categories then the Qi10 Max is certainly worth considering.
For more options from Taylormade, why not check out our guide for the best Taylormade fairway woods?
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Fairway Wood Review
Wilson Dynapwr Fairway
As with the visually stunning Wilson Dynapwr drivers, the Dynapwr fairway woods are one of the most stylish looking clubs on the market. A sleek matte clubhead is enhanced by pops of red detailing on its head and sole. Wilson has also refined the head on the club to create a generously sized pear-shape design that will inspire confidence at address for golfers of a wide range of abilities.
A 12g weight is included in the sole of the head which provides players with more stability and a higher MOI, allowing golfers to push further through the ball and get in into the sky. This is perfect for the higher handicapper, but also the more skilled player who simply wants a higher launch.
We found it incredibly easy to get airborne in tested, whilst turf interaction was pleasant. A.I is packed into the PKR2 face which creates different layers of thickness across it resulting in faster and more consistent speeds for shots that don't find the center of the club face.
Overall this fairway wood is a standout when it comes to style, feel and performance around the course.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapower Fairway Review
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Fairway Wood
Callaway have made a fairway wood here that promotes high launch while keeping a strong draw-bias - ideal for the higher handicap player. Those with higher handicaps often miss to the right as they attempt to get the ball into the air, two things you'll barely have to worry about with the AI Smoke in hand.
In terms of performance, our testing showed that it does exactly what a Max D model is supposed to do - which is deliver consistent high draws. This is a result of the Ai Smart Face technology which Callaway created after collecting data from thousands of golf shots to produce a face with varying thicknesses, creating multiple sweet spots the whole way across the face. This state of the art technology makes the Ai Smoke Max D incredibly forgiving and even the shots we didn't catch properly still travelled a good distance. As a result, it should be considered one of the best Callaway fairway woods on the market.
The club is a thing of beauty, and we fell in love with how the club looks both in the bag and at address when we tested it.
This club shines brighter than anything on the market when it comes to shots out of the first cut of rough. You'll no longer be punished for being slightly off-line from the tee, with the shallow face and high MOI helping launch the ball effortlessly from the short rough. We tested it in both wet and dry conditions and it proved a real help on the longer par 4s and par 5s.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Fairway Wood review
Cobra Darkspeed Max Fairway Wood
We're big fans of Cobra woods, whether it's drivers or fairways, and the Darkspeed Max fairway wood is another excellent offering from the brand. It's ideal for the golfer seeking more forgiveness and extra carry distance with their fairway woods, while golfers who are fighting against a slice can also benefit from it. The Max head is the most forgiving of Cobra's Darkspeed range and has been designed specifically with forgiveness in mind and to promote a draw-biased shot shape.
Like the Callaway fairway wood, we loved the love of the Darkspeed. It looks quick and powerful, inspiring confidence no matter the ability of the user. This looks like a club that would fit in the bag of any professional on tour, never mind the higher handicappers at your home course.
In testing, we were impressed by both the feel and acoustics of the Darkspeed. Turf interaction was solid and the club feels hot off the face after impact, giving us higher launch from both the tee and fairway. It's an excellent option for any players who have been struggling with their fairway woods.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Fairway Wood Review
Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway
If you're looking for a versatile fairway wood that is easy to hit from a variety of lies, the Srixon ZX Mk II is a fantastic option. It replaces the Srixon ZX fairway and offers some upgrades, including a new Cannon Sole which shifts the weight more towards the front of the club to move the center of gravity and increase the forgiveness on offer.
The aesthetics appealed to us too. The matte black finish is very striking and combined with some cool white detailing we feel it subtly shows off the curves of the club. This club inspires a lot of confidence over the ball so it should appeal to those looking for more forgiveness in their fairway wood game.
During testing we were very impressed with the forgiveness and speed on offer, which is a result of the Rebound Frame and Dual Flex Zones that are found on the face of the club. These promote faster ball speeds and in our view, we feel that high handicap golfers could really benefit from the consistency this club offers.
- Read our full Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway Review
Mizuno ST-Max 230 Fairway Wood
The Mizuno ST-Max 230 looks fantastic, with the bright blue Cortech Chamber TPU insert on the sole really giving shelf appeal. The gloss black and carbon fibre crown provides a nice blend of classic and modern looks too, and this is perhaps the best looking club on this list.
There's more to it than just looks though and we put the ST-Max 230 through some rigorous testing. We were impressed. It felt as good as a Mizuno club usually feels through impact and produced a solid 'thud' as the face collided with the ball. The ball flight was high which will suit those players who need help getting the ball in the air, but it might not be the best choice for those who play in the wind a lot.
From the fairway and even the first cut of rough it really excelled and the benefits of the ‘Speed Bevel’ (a modification to the leading edge to improve turf interaction and maintain speed from shots struck from the fairway) was clearly in evidence.
Overall whilst there was nothing that blew us away about this fairway wood, we think it is a very solid option on the market and not only will it suit higher handicap players, but those with lower handicaps too.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Fairway Wood Review
How we test fairway woods
When it comes to Golf Monthly's testing procedure, we use the same ethos and methodology for all golf products to make sure they are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. We attend product launches and meet with experts to understand new technology in new products first.
We then look to hit the clubs indoors on simulators so we can get data in a controlled environment. We then do outdoor testing, usually on driving ranges first before taking the clubs out onto the golf course.
Specifically for fairway woods, product testing is headed up by Sam De'Ath, supported by technical editor Joel Tadman. Sam has competed professionally on the EuroPro and Clutch Pro Tours and has extensive knowledge on golf equipment. Joel is also a competitive low handicap golfer, and both are able to test equipment thoroughly before delivering honest and insightful reviews to a wide golfing audience.
What to consider when selecting a new fairway wood
Let's take a look at some of our top things to look out for when purchasing a new set of fairway woods...
Loft
First you need to figure out the gap in your bag where the fairway wood is going to go. Therefore you need to know how far your driver goes, and then your longest iron or hybrid. Knowing this will dictate the ideal loft for your fairway wood, or woods as you might decide to carry more than one. Most golfers will carry a 3 wood, but it's worth considering a 5 wood too, and if you struggle with longer irons and aren't a fan of hybrids, you might want to think about adding a 7 or even a 9 wood to your bag.
Forgiveness
Manufacturers create different models for different levels of player so it makes sense that some fairways are more forgiving than others. The bigger brands will produce a range of woods with different head sizes and shapes which are designed for golfers of varying skill levels. If you struggle to consistently find the sweet spot, then a larger head will work for you, whilst if you are a better player and your strike is more consistent, then forgiveness won't be a priority and workability will be your main requirement.
Adjustability
Adjustability has become a popular design feature in fairway woods of late, with golfers having the ability to dial in loft, moveable weights or shaft fittings. Therefore have a think about how important this is to you because a golf clubs performance can be changed with a turn of a wrench these days. Alternatively if you like to keep things simple, go for a non-adjustable model.
Versatility
Fairway woods are tricky to get right because they have to do so much, and fit properly into a setup. They need to work off the tee, in the fairway, from different lies and some like to use the club around the green as well. As such we recommend properly testing some models and getting a custom fitting because this will tell you if the club suits your game, and whether the club is versatile enough for how you play golf.
Looks
There's no shame in admitting that looks are important when choosing a golf club. We all like to have clubs which look good in the bag, but more importantly you have to like how a golf club looks as you stand over the golf ball. The fairway wood is one of the most difficult clubs to hit so having one that gives you confidence when you look down over the ball is important. As such pick a few models and see how they look down by the ball and in different lies.
Budget
Be aware of your budget. You can go for more premium models or you can opt for cheaper designs. Wherever you fall in budget, this guide will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood.
FAQs
What are fairway woods?
Fairway woods are versatile distance clubs that are designed to be hit from the tee, off the fairway and even from light rough, similar to a mini or small headed driver but with slightly more loft and a shallower face.
Traditionally, the size of a driver head ranges from roughly 440cc to 460cc, whereas a fairway wood often is from 140cc to 180cc. Fairway woods look similar in appearance to drivers but have smaller heads.
Fairway wood faces are much shallower than a driver, which keeps the COG (centre of gravity) lower, helping you to get the ball airborne.
Fairway woods are more forgiving than long irons and almost every Tour player puts one or two fairway woods in the bag.
What fairway woods should I carry?
From rocket 3-woods to soft-landing 11-woods, we help you decide!
This depends on three factors.
First, what ability level are you? Fairway woods are more forgiving than long irons, so if you are a beginner or a high handicap player we’d recommend putting as many fairway woods in the bag as possible, providing the lofts and gapping are correct. If you are a better player, then which woods you carry will depend on the following two factors.
Loft and gapping is the next point to mention. Fairway woods have to be able to fill the gap in the bag from the driver to your irons. Therefore, knowing how far you hit each club gives you insight into which yardages you need to fill with fairway woods. The best way of doing this is on a launch monitor with an experienced PGA professional or custom-fitter.
The final factor is the type of golf course do you play on? If you play a lot of links golf, then you’ll likely need to hit lower penetrating shots, whereas inland or parkland golf requires you to hit shots that fly higher and land softer on the fairway or green. Fairway woods are definitely more suited to target parkland golf rather than fast-running firm linksland golf.
The same logic applies to playing golf in windy conditions. Fairway woods are usually designed to give higher launch which makes them difficult to control in the wind, especially when compared to long irons or driving and utility irons.
What loft should a fairway wood be?
Manufacturers offer a range of fairway wood head styles and lofts, ranging from super-strong three woods at 13.5° to 7,9 or 11-woods which are designed for golfers who struggle to launch mid and long irons and want more confidence inspiring equipment to hit the ball further.
Each golfer is different, in their physical fitness, ability and approach to the game. A wide range of fairway wood lofts can provide options for senior players, women and juniors who want alternatives to hitting longer irons. Many established Tour winners have carried 7-woods when course conditions required high flying soft-landing ball flights on key par-5 holes and at long par-3’s.
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