Most Forgiving Fairway Woods 2024
Forgiving fairway woods to help you play better from the tee and short grass
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![Sam De'Ath](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a4i9nGLyuoubQPMJ3MA78F.jpg)
Most Forgiving Fairway Woods: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Top pick
3. Best looking
4. Best wide appeal
5. Best value
6. Best off the tee
7. Best adjustability
8. Best for slicers
9. Best for simplicity
10. Best high launch
11. How we test
12. How to choose
13. FAQs
Hitting a well struck fairway wood requires skill and precision. The modern trend among club designers is to make fairway woods that are as forgiving and playable as possible for the widest cross section of golfers. The best fairway woods for forgiveness help players in specific ways using innovative technologies, from multi-material crown and face constructions to moveable weighting and loft/shaft adjustability. Club manufacturers know that most recreational golfers hit it left to right, attack steeply without enough loft on the face and struggle to get these longer clubs airborne.
Their solution is to design fairway woods with a draw bias, slight offset and weighting technology designed to create higher launch angles. The most forgiving fairway woods tend to have larger heads than compact better player models. This gives players more confidence at address when looking down at the ball. Larger heads increase the strike zone and help with quality of contact.
Even if you’re a better and stronger player, you find useful benefits by testing some of our selection of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market today. After all, why make the game harder for ourselves? Additionally, take a look at our other guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers or the best fairway woods for mid handicappers.
The Quick List
A strong contender for most forgiving fairway wood of the year. The TaylorMade Qi10 Max fairway looks superb and boasts a confidence-inspiring head that produces outstanding performance from various lies.
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 fairway looks stunning at address and inspires confidence. For the majority of golfers it offers enough speed while being very forgiving on off-center strikes.
The Ping G430 Max is a long yet easy-to-use fairway wood and will be many golfers favorite thanks to its versatility and high launch characteristics.
Its forgiving head and high launch will benefit mid-high handicappers, but when fitted properly will act as a loyal servant in the bag of the better player.
A worthy addition to the Titleist TSR range of metalwoods. Designed to offer players extra yardage off the tee, we thought it was also easy to launch and very consistent.
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. The additional forgiveness means mishits are far less noticeable
Load the next 3 models
The Launch Pad is one of the easiest fairway woods to hit, making it deal for higher handicappers looking for playability and value for money.
The Srixon ZX Mk II fairway was really easy to hit from a variety of lies and the generous sized head inspires confidence. Visually the step down design of the crown may not appeal to all.
This is a strong all-rounder that posses plenty of power and forgiveness to help with performance from the tee and the fairway. The sleek look adds to the overall appeal.
Most Forgiving Fairway Woods
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Top pick
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you’re looking for one of the easiest-to-hit fairway woods in 2024, then you’ve certainly arrived at the right place. Boasting a large 200cc footprint, the TaylorMade Qi10 Max fairway wood will have you brimming with confidence when stood over the ball and quickly gain a reputation for being one of the most forgiving fairway woods money can buy.
TaylorMade has excelled in creating a fairway wood that is exceptionally easy to launch and optimize carry distance. In our testing, we found that the spin was plentiful and will suit golfers who have a moderate swing speed and want to get the ball airborne.
The stated loft of this fairway wood is actually 16°, one degree higher than most traditional fairway woods. Because of the high-launching nature of this club, for those with a slow swing speed or who typically have a downwards attack angle with their fairway woods, the Qi10 Max is certainly worth considering if you’re looking to add to your arsenal during the 2024 season.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Fairway Wood Review
Best looking
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Aesthetics and performance combined, the Mizuno ST-Z 230 fairway wood goes a long way in proving that Mizuno are one of the best club manufacturers on the market. Their reputation developing some of the best golf irons proceeds itself, and the brand are now showing that their game in the metalwoods market game is just as strong with this stunning offering. The ST-Z 230 fairways boast a very cool glossy black clubhead which is contrasted by an icy blue Coretech Chamber on the club's sole. While it boasts a very premium aesthetic, that chamber is an impressive piece of technology that holds a stainless steel weight that alleviates stress on the face of the club, helping to deliver an extra source of energy when you strike through on the ball.
That helps to launch the ball high but also deliver lower spin rates to, which makes it a great option for higher-handicap players looking for a reliable and consistent fairway wood. During testing, it was one of the fastest Mizuno fairways we've played with and it delivered pretty solid yardages too. The club was very also versatile off a variety of lies and was an excellent replacement off the tee when things aren't going so well with your driver.
Where it really impressed was on off-center strikes. Even on miss-hits, the club accommodated for poor shots and the ball still traveled with a strong flight, rarely deviating from my desired target. Overall, the Mizuno ST-Z 230 is an excellent club that will suit a range of golfers, and offers excellent shelf appeal too thanks to its brilliant visuals.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Z 230 Fairway Review
Best wide appeal
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
A favorite among many golfers, the G425 fairway wood is a fantastic club that has been a staple in the bag for many players over the past two years. And after a long wait, Ping are back again with an upgrade on their previous range of clubs, producing the excellent G430 Max and SFT fairway woods. Offering an upgraded design and new performance features, the G430 will appeal to a broad range of players. It comes with a new Carbonfly Wrap that firstly helps to save 10g of weight in the club, but also gives it a premium finish that looks stunning at address.
The matte black crown on the club boasts a sleek design at address but turning the club over will reveal the equally impressive sole plate that has some very cool green and white detailing. You'll also notice at the heel of the clubhead, Ping have added an adjustable weight, which is designed to push the club's center of gravity lower and further back, to help improve the forgiveness of the club and help players produce more favorable launch angles when they strike through the ball.
Combine that with the G430's new Facewrap Technology and when I took it out for a spin, I found the club delivered strong ball flights and had a very stable connection on each shot. That technology also provided a lot of flexibility across the face of the club, delivering faster ball speeds and solid flights on shots that were not struck out of its center. The club felt responsive too and shots hit through the middle were rewarded with impressive distances. Ultimately, this club is certainly one of the best fairway woods available right now. Delivering excellent forgiveness and strong ball speeds, it will cater to the needs of golfers of all abilities.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Fairway Review
Best value
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Wilson Dynapwr fairway woods combine excellent visuals with solid performance and excellent playability to deliver a well rounded club that offers versatility around the course. Akin to the design on the Wilson Dynapwr drivers, the Dynapwr fairway woods come with a brilliant matte clubhead that is lit up by pops of red detailing on its head and sole. Wilson have refined the head on the club to give it a generously sized pear-shape that will inspire confidence to golfers of all abilities when they rest the club behind the golf ball.
On the back of the sole, Wilson have added a 12g adjustable weight that is built to deliver greater stability and a higher MOI to help players push through the golf ball and put higher, more favorable launch angles on each shot. It was very easy to get the ball up into the air with this club when I took it out for a spin on the course, and the turf interaction it offered was also excellent. It cut through thicker lies very easily and I enjoyed the feel it delivered, producing a muted 'thud' sound - great for those who don't like a metallic feel on impact.
I found there was a lot of forgiveness on the Dynapwr, which may be down to the face on the club. That has been crafted using A.I. Technology to make. PKR2 face, which in layman's terms, means this club has varying layers of thickness across its face that results in faster and more consistent speeds on off-center hits.
Best off the tee
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Designed as an option for those who want a fairway wood as predominantly a second driving option, the TSR2+ it is being billed as a “longer, more forgiving, tee-biased 3-wood.” One of the key differences is that the 190cc clubhead of the TSR2+ is 15cc bigger than the other two options. To our eye, the differences in size and shape were small but perceptible and, what's more, the TSR2+ is a fraction longer from front to back, as well as slightly more rounded with a deeper face.
Only available in a 13˚ head, it's great for hitting off the tee, as well as off the turf, as it has the deepest CG of any of the brand’s fairway metals. Thanks to the high launch, off centre strikes weren't compromised, which meant there was ample forgiveness in play.
Titleist also offer the TSR2 and TSR1 which both offer high levels of forgiveness in marginally smaller head sizes compared to the TSR2+.
- Read our full Titleist TSR2+ 3-Wood Review
Best adjustability
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Within the Ai Smoke range, the the Max D has been created to promote a high launch and draw-bias. As such it has a slightly more upright lie angle and larger head than the standard Max model. Despite the head looking fairly large and closed to our eyes on the ground, we think it still looks as good as some of the best fairway woods on the market. The white and grey crushed carbon sole looks beautiful, particularly when shimmering in sunlight and would definitely turn a few heads on the golf course.
From a performance standpoint, it was as expected from a Max D model - consistent high draws through the air. This must be thanks to the Ai Smart Face technology which is designed through collecting data from thousands of golf shots to create a face with varying thicknesses, creating multiple sweet spots the whole way across the face. The result was even our heel struck shots felt as though they had good distance and a powerful ball flight
Where we feel the Ai Smoke Max D fairway wood excelled over the other models in the range was from the first cut of rough. The shallow face and high MOI helped the launch the ball effortlessly from the thick, wet rough and made advancing the ball down long par 4s and par 5s particularly easy.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Fairway Wood review
Best for slicers
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Wilson Launch Pad fairway wood does exactly what it says on the tin and would make a great addition to any high handicappers golf bag. To begin with, the fairway woods are simple, uncomplicated and designed for improving golfers that want clubs that are easy to use and which correct some of their swing faults. In this case, the Wilson Launch Pad fairway will help dampen down a slice.
The most obvious thing you notice about the Wilson LP fairways is that they sit very closed and have an obvious draw bias. This naturally benefits the golfer who slices and helps straighten up ball flight for the majority of mid to high handicap golfers who come over the top on the downswing, hit across the ball and promote a left to right flight.
What's more, the Evenflow shaft is light at 55g, but adds a premium touch to a value driven product. The Launch Pad inevitably flies high but has plenty of forward momentum suggesting that the shaft and head are well set up to keep spin rate down. A great option for any golfer seeking to dampen down a slice.
- Read our full Wilson Launch Pad Fairway Wood Review
Best for simplicity
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
An excellent fairway wood if you're looking for something that is easy to hit from a variety of lies, the Srixon ZX Mk II is a fantastic club that will appeal to a range of golfers. It is an upgrade on the previous Srixon ZX fairway and boasts a new Cannon Sole that shifts the weight more towards the front of the club to improve the center of gravity and the forgiveness on offer. Combine this in your bag with a set of the excellent Srixon ZX7 Mk II or ZX5 Mk II irons (or even a selection of both... if you're feelling adventurous) and you'll have a pretty excellent, easy to use suite of clubs.
Let's focus a little more on the aesthetics on offer here, and during testing we were pretty excited to see how big the clubhead came up behind the golf ball. Its matte black finish is a nice touch, that is combined with some cool white detailing that shows off the curves of the club very subtly. That combined made it feel like this club inspired a lot of confidence when you're stood behind the ball. This certainly appeals to those looking for more forgiveness in their fairway wood game, but there's more! The Mk II comes with several contours on its sole plate, which have been redesigned to center the weight and work with the club's higher trailing edge to create a squarer face angle at impact. That helps to generate straighter ball flights and get the ball up from difficult lies on the course.
On testing, we really enjoyed the forgiveness and speed the face offered. That is down to a Rebound Frame and Dual Flex Zones that are found on the face of the clubm, which help to promote faster ball speeds off the face of the club. We loved the yardages and stability the club offered on the course. In our view, we think inconsistent golfers will really benefit from the consistency this club offers, delivering great accuracy to attack greens on longer par fours and par fives.
- Read our full Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway Review
Best high launch
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We were big fans of the Cobra AeroJet range of woods and it seems like this has continued into the brand's 2024 range, Darkspeed. Featuring three models, the Max head is the most forgiving and has been designed with ultimate forgiveness in mind and to promote a draw-biased shot shape.
Starting with the looks, Cobra has done an excellent job in making the Max fairway wood look every bit as premium and sleek as the LS model, which is not always easy to achieve. The stealth aesthetic looks great as does the matte carbon crown but they do make the head appear a little more compact than it actually is.
But during testing it still performed well. We were particularly impressed with the feel and acoustics of the Darkspeed Max fairway wood. It felt hot and fast off the face and this was backed up with average ball speeds of 155mph. This mid spin and extremely high launch, from both the fairway and rough, is something those struggling with their fairway woods will appreciate from a club that can be difficult to get on with. Overall the Cobra Darkspeed Max fairway wood is an excellent option for those seeking forgiveness, to gain more carry with their fairway woods or those fighting against a slice.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max 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. When it comes to golf clubs, we usually attend product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.
After we have an understanding here, our first port of call when hitting clubs is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. We also use TrackMan at golf facilities across the UK. We then do outdoor testing, usually on ranges at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey, The Wynyard Club in Teesside and at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club in Durham. We then put the clubs into play out on these golf courses.
Specifically for fairway woods, product testing is headed up by Matthew Moore, a 1-handicapper with many years of experience in the golf industry. He is ably assisted by technical editor Joel Tadman, and digital editor Neil Tappin. All three have been testing clubs for many years, and can efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
How to choose a fairway wood
There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a new fairway wood, and that can make getting the right clubs for you a sometimes overwhelming and confusing decision. But don't fret. That's where we come in. Below I've set out a list of key considerations you should bear in mind when purchasing your next fairway woods.
1. Loft
Figure out the specific gap to be filled in your golf bag. Ask yourself how far does my driver go, and how far do your longest irons or hybrids go? Knowing this will dictate the ideal loft for your fairway wood.
2. Forgiveness
Some fairway woods are more forgiving than others, especially because many manufacturers create different models for different levels of player. For example, there are four different Cobra LTDx fairways with different head sizes, shapes and they are designed for different golfers. If you need as much help as possible, a larger head will work for you, whilst if you are a better player and strike is more consistent, then forgiveness may not be a key factor for you.
3. Adjustability
Most modern fairway woods come with a degree of adjustability, whether that’s loft, moveable weights or shaft fittings. Think about how important adjustability is to you, because you can change the characteristics of a club’s performance with a turn of a wrench. Or, you can keep things simple and opt for a non-adjustable model with a stock shaft you hit well.
4. Versatility
Fairway woods must work well off the tee, on the ground from different lies and even around the green. If you have a model that works in only one of these areas, then there may be plenty of improvement and flexibility in upgrading your fairway woods.
5. Looks
You have to like how a golf club looks, especially when looking down on the golf ball. The fairway wood is one of the most difficult clubs to hit, which is why you need something that gives you confidence and may even spark a pang of jealousy in your playing partners. Our advice is go and pick several models, see how they look and feel in your hands and test them in a variety of situations and lies.
6. Budget
Be aware of your budget. You can go for more premium models, such as the TaylorMade Stealth Plus or Callaway Rogue ST LS or you can opt for cheaper designs like the Wilson Launch Pad. Wherever you fall in budget, our guides will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood.
For more advice on the best fairway woods on the market right now, why not also take a look at our guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers, best fairway woods for mid-handicappers and the best TaylorMade fairway woods guide.
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?
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.
If you enjoyed our guide to the most forgiving fairway woods, check out the rest of the Golf Monthly website.
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![Sam De'Ath](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a4i9nGLyuoubQPMJ3MA78F.jpg)
Sam has worked in the golf industry for 12 years, offering advice on equipment to all levels of golfers and as Staff Writer, he tests and reviews equipment throughout the bag. Sam graduated from Webber International University in 2017 with a BSc Marketing Management degree while playing collegiate golf. His experience of playing professionally on both the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tour, alongside his golf retail history, means Sam has extensive knowledge of golf equipment and what works for different types of golfer.
Sam is a member of North Hants Golf Club in Fleet, Hampshire, where he won the club championship 3 times in succession from 2015-2017. His golfing highlight to date is shooting a round of 10-under 60 at his home club, narrowly missing a wedge shot for a magical 59.
Sam’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2, 9°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus, 15°
Hybrid: Ping G430 19°
Irons: Titleist T-100 4 iron, Titleist 620MB, 5-PW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 50°, 54°, 62°
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select GoLo
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x 2021
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