Of all the factors a beginner should consider when looking for fairway woods — or any club for that matter — forgiveness ranks at the top. Many beginners find launching the ball off the fairway one the hardest things in golf. They do everything possible to position weight low and back in the clubhead to promote launch.
Optimally, the combination of low spin and high launch will get you the best distance. But, spin is a double edge sword. More seasoned players like some backspin because — off the tee, it gives their ball rise, and off the fairway backspin provides more stopping power on the green. However, because spin often works against newer golfers — picture that slice that made a sharp turn about yards out — fairway woods designed for high handicappers and beginners reduce spin, at least for the longer three and four woods.
Less spin also helps in the distance category thanks to more roll after landing. As you progress through the bag towards the more lofted clubs, however, spin becomes your friend. A little backspin could be the difference between a birdie putt, and rolling off the back of the green. CG weights will allow you to add, remove, and move weight, from one area of the club head to another. Plus, many CG weights come with a special tool, which usually disappears within about a month , to take them in and out.
Like CG weighting, an adjustable hosel will let you customize your club to fit your swing. The adjustable lie will let you raise or lower the clubs shaft at address. The adjustable loft lets you raise or lower shot trajectory based on your swing. Usually, this means either a standard three or four wood, depending on whether the club has an adjustable hosel. Also look for the most forgiving 3 wood that offers high launch and low spin, as this combination will get you the most distance and accuracy.
Last but not least, look for a more driver-like wood with a more substantial head, deeper face, and rounder profile. Woods with shallow faces have a lower center of gravity and will launch higher with more spin than those with deeper rounder faces.
Also, a longer heel-to-toe profile inspires confidence and makes them perfect for beginners. If hitting a 3 wood off the deck scares you to death, read our tips to crushing your 3 wood next. The average golfer feels more comfortable swinging a hybrid than a fairway wood. The hybrid has a shorter shaft which makes good contact an easier chore. Also, the denser head and lower center of gravity that hybrids typically have, make them more forgiving on mishits and helps get the ball in the air.
Most fairway woods have longer and broader soles and require cleaner contact and a more shallow approach to the ball than hybrids. The longer shaft and larger heads that fairway woods feature give them a considerable edge in distance over their same numbered counterpart. Even better, fairway woods and hybrids continue to take cues from advancements in driver technology. Just as drivers are moving away from the idea of one-size-fits-all, many of our top picks here include multiple versions, adjustable hosels or a vast lineup of lofts.
Whether you are looking for a backup driver or ditching a long iron, these new fairway woods and hybrids have the answers. Full Leaderboard. Fairway Woods. Hot List. Callaway Big Bertha B To help you choose the right model, here are the questions you need to ask yourself Not necessarily. We tee it up with a driver, yet often hit fairways from the deck.
So how your swing presents the club to the ball at impact can differ massively between the two, meaning your prescription for a driver can be very different to a fairway wood. Related: Best Drivers This is a key question — and lots of golfers get it wrong. They go for a fitting and the pro asks them to hit shots with their own club first, then hands over a low-spin model which is naturally faster off the face.
So beware if your fairway fitting numbers and fitter guide you straight into a low-spin model. And check your dispersion, too. If you mainly hit your fairway from the tee, there are strong 3-woods precisely for that purpose. They usually have Each of them makes a great driver alternative.
For maximum versatility, make sure you can launch any low-lofted model from the fairway as well as the tee. Or do like a number of tour players do and team a strong and weaker-lofted fairway at the top end of your bag.
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