What struck me first about the Tour head was its distinctly smaller footprint and the beautifully rounded sole that sits flush to the turf. It sits compactly behind the ball, offering a slightly deeper face profile that just screams workability and, in my opinion, rivals the looks of some of the best fairway woods on the market.

The High-Strength carbon fiber crown gives it a premium, modern look, a recurring signature in PXG’s recent designs. This shaping is exactly what I want in a fairway wood that I plan to use equally off the tee and the turf, as I look for a club that feels like you can manoeuvre the ball whichever way you please.

PXG has packed some interesting innovations into this metalwood, particularly the new Progressive Face Geometry, which features in both models. Unlike many fairways that use a consistent bulge and roll across all lofts, the Lightning woods tailor the face curvature based on the loft.

Since lower lofts tend to require more correction for heel and toe strikes, the 3-wood gets more curve, while the higher-lofts get less. When out on the golf course, this paid off immediately on off-center strikes, keeping the ball on a much tighter line than I initially expected, albeit not as much as the standard Lightning fairway wood, which proved to be extremely forgiving.

The second key development with this fairway wood is the faster, thinner face design. PXG claims the perimeter is 12.5% thinner than the previous Black Ops 0311 model, translating to 4% more face flex. This is a bold claim, although I did see a jump of around 2mph ball speed compared to the model released a few years back.

During my testing using a Foresight GC3 launch monitor, the ball speed was really impressive. I averaged a strong 157.8 mph ball speed, a small but still significant jump compared to the standard model. But speed is only part of the equation as control is key in any Tour model, and so the combination of the compact head shape and the precision weighting system helped me achieve the ball flight I was looking for - penetrating and in control.

Crucially, the spin dropped a couple of hundred rpm compared to the standard Lightning fairway wood, allowing me to settle in at an average spin rate just over the 3000rpm mark when hitting from the deck and even a fraction lower than that off a tee.

This lower spin, combined with the higher launch from the forgiving tech, is the sweet spot for maximum distance and control and made it a perfect alternative to a driver from the tee when playing slightly tighter driving holes.

The Precision Weighting Technology in the Tour model features one heavy (10g) and one light (2.5g) adjustable weight port positioned forward and back, which allows you to dial in a preferred trajectory. When switching the heavier weight to the back, I saw around 200rpm more spin and a slightly higher ball flight due to the change in CG placement, but since then, I have kept it with the heavy weight forward produced the desired penetrating flight and low spin I saw in my test numbers.

Overall, the PXG Lightning Tour fairway wood produced really impressive distance with control, all in a compact, deeper face-shaped head. While I don’t think in the past I would have used a PXG fairway wood because of the squarer footprint and lack of ball speed, the Lightning Tour could easily find its way into my bag this year, and I think it will provide some healthy competition from some of the other manufacturers' lower-spinning models.

Both PXG Lightning fairway wood models are now available online and in recognized PXG retail stores for $379.

As a golfer who prioritizes a powerful, solid feel, I was eager to get the standard Lightning model ($379) out on the course and see if it could deliver on its promise of ‘electrifying power and distance’ and become recognized as one of the best fairway woods on the market.

The Lightning family gives players two distinct head shapes, which immediately created a conflict for me. The standard Lightning head is confidence-inspiring when down behind the ball at address, presenting a square and shallow face with a focus on perimeter weighting for maximum forgiveness. It’s designed to look easy to hit, and in my opinion, it certainly achieves that.

However, if you’re a more confident ball striker who likes to work the ball or wants to see a more penetrating ball flight, then you’ll want to turn your head to the Lightning Tour fairway wood.

Ultimately, I had to put the looks aside and focus on what the standard Lightning was built to do, which is deliver consistency. The high-strength carbon fiber crown gives the whole package a premium, modern, yet stealthy look that PXG is famous for, allowing mass to be pushed low and back for stability. The lower CG placement on this head also delivers an ease of launch from the fairway - a trait typically found in the more forgiving fairway wood options from each manufacturer.

The feedback from the proprietary face material, which is engineered to be thinner and 4% more flexible than the previous Black Ops model, offers a powerful sensation through the hit, and the acoustics match it. It’s on the louder side of the spectrum, but if you want a fairway wood that sounds fast off the face, then the Lightning certainly delivers.

On a solid strike, I saw ball speeds hovering around the 157mph mark, which was a marginal gain of 1mph over the 0311 Black Ops fairway wood. The spined sole design, which PXG claims is crucial for maximum energy transfer, seemed to be working on those shots hit well, but even off-center hits retain that incredible solidity, which is a massive confidence booster when trying to reach par-5s with trouble that lingers short of the green.

The technology packed into this head is all geared towards consistency, with the biggest standout feature being the new Progressive Face Geometry. This is a clever idea where the engineers have adjusted the bulge and roll curvature based on the loft.

My lightning 3-wood (15°) has more corrective curvature to keep mishits on line, while higher-lofted options have less. This helps deliver an incredibly tight dispersion pattern, which was something I noticed, particularly from front-to-back dispersion, where in 13 measured shots using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, I saw less than two yards difference!

PXG has carried on the Precision Weighting System that has been used in previous models, with the standard Lightning offering three ports (back, toe, and heel), giving exceptional directional bias adjustability. If you’re struggling with a left-to-right miss, you could switch the heavier weight into the heel to help promote face rotation, as well as use the hosel to change loft and ever so slightly, face direction.

While cosmetically, I don’t see a whole lot of change between the Lightning and the previous 0311 model, the performance was where the Lightning shone. Faster ball speed equated to more distance, and the playable nature and forgiveness from mishits, I think, will see this club become extremely popular, particularly with mid-handicapper golfers.

From a looks standpoint, the Dynapwr Carbon fairway wood is far superior to the standard model. The gloss carbon crown looks spectacular, particularly in the sunlight and the black and red accents continue on from last year's model, providing a stealth aesthetic with minimal color tones.

The Dynapwr Carbon fairway appears a little more compact at address compared to the standard model and while the likes of TaylorMade have implemented an infinity carbon crown, the Dynapwr Carbon has kept the banner strip along the topline which I think frames the ball well and helped me with squaring the face to the target.

The idea behind the Dynapwr Carbon fairway wood was to lower the flight, spin and launch to produce tour-inspired performance. To see if Wilson had achieved this, I tested it both indoors on a GCQuad Launch Monitor as well as outside on the golf course using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. It was noticeable straight away when comparing the two Dynapwr models that the Carbon was launching considerably lower and produced a flatter trajectory. I saw spin rates fall with the Carbon to 3633rpm compared to the standard model coming in at 4183rpm. This resulted in the Carbon achieving a 10-yard longer carry distance on average at 251 yards.

While the ball flight and power was particularly impressive, it was the improved sound and feel with the Dynapwr Carbon that I was pleasantly surprised with. The carbon crown has really helped tone down the acoustics of this club compared to the standard model and the feel off the face felt more solid and less hollow. This crown also has helped lower the CG in the head, which when combined with a 30g forward tungsten weight on the sole, produced a chasing, low-spinning ball flight that any golfer searching for added distance from a fairway wood would be happy with.

There are certainly more forgiving fairway woods on the market that still offer low spin and shot-making capabilities, such as the TaylorMade Qi35 or the Titleist GT3. The Carbon model just seemed to lack a little stability on mishits and while the ball speed remained fairly consistent thanks to the A.I.-designed PKR-360 technology in the face, the spin dropped quite significantly on shots struck out of the toe, causing balls to fall out of the sky earlier than I'd have liked.

While the Wilson Dynapwr Carbon fairway wood is long and produces fast ball speeds, its compact look at address and lack of stability on off-center strikes will likely only see it perform to its full potential in the hands of very competent ball strikers.

The Wilson Dynapwr Carbon fairway wood, alongside the rest of the Dynapwr range, will be available online and in golf stores from the 12th of February 2025 with an RRP of £295 or $329.99.

The Wilson fairway wood lineup is comprised of two models this year - the Dynapwr Carbon (£295) is tailored towards the better golfers who want a lower ball flight and the ability to work the ball more easily, and the Dynapwr Max (£245) which will suit the majority of golfers looking for more forgiveness and launch.

Aesthetically, the Dynapwr Max has come on significantly from its predecessor and so I was impressed when taking the headcover off. The gloss carbon crown is a big step up from the matte crown we saw last year and the sole of the new model looks far more sleek and premium. Down behind the ball, the Max model appears a little more user friendly than the likes of the compact Carbon head and will inspire a good amount of confidence in those who need it at address, especially from the deck.

From a performance standpoint, the Dynapwr Max fairway wood excelled in some areas but was somewhat underwhelming in others. The 12g weight is positioned towards the rear of the sole, pulling the CG down and back to create a high-launching head with plenty of stability. The Dynapwr Max is far more forgiving than the Carbon model, with mishits not being obviously punished. There's no question that this club is one of the most forgiving fairway woods I have tested this year. I wasn’t swinging particularly well on the day I tested this club outside and the heel of the club got a particularly good workout. The ball flights, however, remained consistent and strong, largely due to the higher spin rate the Max produced - 4183rpm on average.

The high-spinning nature of this club was also the reason this particular model didn’t produce very long carry distances and was one of the shorter models I tested this year. I saw an average carry distance of just 241 yards - 10 yards shorter than the Dynapwr Carbon fairway wood. If you’re looking for maximum distance out of your new fairway wood, the TaylorMade Qi35, Srixon ZXi and Callaway Elyte are all models you’ll want to check out. Unlike the Carbon model, the Max fairway wood doesn't feature an adjustable hosel either, so you'll want to be custom-fitted to ensure you choose the correct loft and lie angle.

It was out on the golf course I got a true understanding of the sound and feel of the Dynapwr Max fairway wood and what golfers it would best suit. Because of its high spin, this club produced a very steep descent angle of 43°, meaning there was absolutely no problem in holding the green when firing at pins from range. The Dynapwr Max did an excellent job in advancing the ball out of the rough too, so if you are a short and erratic tee ball hitter, this fairway wood could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

The lack of carbon fiber on this club does mean the sound is far louder than the other model in the range and is comparable to the likes of the Ping G440 Max and PXG Black Ops fairway woods. For some this won't appeal, to others it will exude power - it's all subjective. But if accuracy and forgiveness are what you’re searching for, then you’ll be hard-pushed to find a club as playable as the Dynapwr Max fairway wood in 2025.

Before diving into the performance, let’s talk about the looks because I think this club is about to divide opinion. From the address position, I think improvements have been made over the previous model and some of that is down to the Carbonfly Wrap that has been introduced into the whole range this year as opposed to just being featured on the LST from the G430 range.

This carbon shines through nicely in sunlight and gives the club a more modern aesthetic - something you’d expect when you’re paying $385. The same single dot alignment feature carries over, which is small to the eye and would arguably suit the LST model and the players using that specific club more. Many would may well want to see something a little larger on the crown to assist with aim and strike.

It’s the sole where I have a little bit of a problem with the G440. I don’t feel as though Ping has progressed the look of this club. The blue colorway and design remind me of the original Ping G series - a family that was released nine years ago. It’s hard to get too worked up over the sole design of a club as really you only see it for a few seconds when you take the headcover off but for the best part of $400, I would want to love the look of the club from every angle and I don't with this one.

While I don't feel the G440 Max fairway wood is the best-looking club on the market, the most important factor is performance. The G440 Max was similar to the G430 Max in the fact that it didn’t excel in any area but was very solid across the board. One thing I found interesting from analyzing my data was that while the ball speeds remained pretty high and consistent, the carry numbers weren’t as strong as other models I have recently tested and I would guess that is largely due to the combination of a fairly low launch and pretty high spin. On average, I produced 3554 rpm of spin with a launch angle of 11.2°. This resulted in a fairly underwhelming carry average of 249.5 yards and 266 yards total, falling short of competitors like the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood and Callaway Elyte fairway wood.

Given the Max is the model suitable for golfers of all abilities and is usually pretty high launching, I was surprised with the low trajectory it produced. When I got onto the golf course, I found this worked in my favor, particularly when teeing the ball up but it did make maximizing carry from the fairway and especially the rough, more challenging. The new-look, deeper face is what probably helped with my confidence when using this club from the tee, although this was designed to lower the CG and promote a higher launch but I found that wasn’t really the case.

One thing that Ping has certainly got right with the G440 Max fairway is the fact it is offered in a 4-wood (17°), a loft that I feel a lot of amateur golfers who struggle with launch and carry could benefit from. Given I’m a fairly fast speed player who doesn’t struggle with hitting a high ball, those that lack confidence in striking the ball from the deck or seek maximum carry should perhaps consider some of the most forgiving fairway wood options instead.

Overall I would say the G440 fairway wood has kept much of the same solid performance benefits that the G430 offered but from my experience hasn’t significantly improved in any area. The Carbonfly Wrap has improved the look at address compared to the previous model but for the price, I would want more from this club as a whole package.

I mentioned in my G440 Max fairway wood review how I was a little underwhelmed with the looks of the lineup as a whole and while that is still the case, the Tungsten sole plate certainly gives the LST a more tech-heavy, modern look. From address, I like the look of this fairway wood, the matte finish gives the impression of a slightly more compact-looking head, one that more confident ball strikers will love. As was the case with its predecessor, the G440 LST has a fairly triangular head shape which has grown on me as time has gone on.

The G440 LST fairway wood boasts a multi-material construction with a Titanium 8-1-1 body, the tungsten sole plate mentioned earlier and the Carbonfly Wrap, which helps redistribute weight from the crown to lower the CG, increase ball speed and MOI. While carbon crowns have played a noticeable role in changing acoustics in products from other manufacturers such as the TaylorMade Qi35 Tour and Callaway Elyte fairway woods, the G440 LST still sounds very much like a Ping. It’s not quite as loud as the G430 Max from last year but it’s still a much more tinny sound than some of the best fairway woods on the market.

Ultimately, a club can look the part but you’re not going to purchase it if it doesn’t perform, so if you’re looking for a low-spinning monster off the tee, is the G440 LST worth it? Well, the data I collected from my testing session shows somewhat of a mixed bag, at least relative to the design of the club and its primary purpose - low spin. On average, I produced 3472 rpm which was just under 100 rpm less than I saw on the G440 Max.

What was interesting to see was the fact, I found the LST model launched at almost the exact same angle as the Max model (11.2°) and the ball speed was less than half a mile per hour faster, averaging 156.4mph. With minuscule improvements made for optimum performance across all parameters, the LST ended up producing a couple of extra yards carry (251 yards) and only one extra yard when it came to total yardage.

Out on the golf course, the performance was sort of what I was expecting, having already seen the data from my indoor testing session. I noticed the LST was a little more volatile with its misses compared to the Max, especially when striking it towards the toe. This would result in a fairly quick left-diving shot that would terrify any golfer.

I found the LST was much more suited to be struck from a tee and this is where the high launch, low spin combination came into its own, producing a penetrating ball flight with plenty of roll. Unless you’re someone who regularly tees off with a fairway wood, I'm struggling to see the benefit of adding this fairway wood to your bag over the impressive G440 Max model.

While you could argue the G440 LST has performed how it’s supposed to, offering less launch and spin to create fast ball speeds and longer distances for high speed players, it’s very marginal. For certain golfers, it will be an ideal option but when you consider it comes with a retail price of $600 ($215 more than the G440 Max) it's not unfair to say that I expected more.

From a looks standpoint, the new ZXi fairway wood truly is one of the best I have seen. Srixon has stuck with the matte black crown they have used for some time now and while it makes the head appear a little more compact than it actually is, it’s a design I personally like.

The head itself has been refined based on tour player feedback and features a stepped-crown design similar to one that has been featured in previous Srixon fairway wood models. Again, this is a look that divides opinion and while it’s not something I’m used to, I found it framed the ball nicely and acts as an alignment tool to help square the clubface. It also lowers the center of gravity to help increase launch, lower spin and create more distance.

The distance increase was noticeable in my testing both indoors using a CGQuad launch monitor and outdoors on the golf course using the new 2025 Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. The ZXi fairway wood produced some of the longest carry and total numbers I saw from my fairway wood testing, resulting in a six-shot average of 263 yards carry and 281 yards total. It is worth noting the stepped crown design is only present in three-wood options and is not featured in five and seven-woods.

It wasn’t just the distance that was impressive with the new ZXi fairway woods, the dispersion both from front to back and side to side was exceptional and a real improvement on the previous ZX Mk II model. A newly designed i-flex face has created thickness in areas of the face where miss-hits are most prominent and the rebound frame design that has been used in previous models is used once again for maintaining ball speeds on off-center hits.

When inside gathering my data, I conduct all my testing by striking balls from the mat rather than a tee, eliminating any inconsistencies with tee height. We're all aware that striking fairway woods from the deck isn’t an easy skill to perfect. There were a couple of shots in my testing where I struck the ball slightly low on the face and I saw very little drop off in carry distance. In fact, there was just seven yards between my best and my worst.

The new lightweight carbon crown also helps position the mass of the head low and therefore maximizes COR. This change from a full titanium structure also dampens the acoustics and vibration produced on previous Srixon models, although the sound is still much louder than the likes of the TaylorMade Qi35 and Callaway Elyte. While in the past I have always opted for quieter-sounding woods, I really began to fall in love with the feel, looks and performance of the ZXi.

I hope the ZXi is the fairway wood that really puts Srixon on the map as a serious competitor in the metalwood market this year. The new drivers have tested equally as well and the whole lineup now has the performance to match the clean and premium looks Srixon has delivered in the previous releases.

Srixon has added an adjustable hosel to the ZXi, a feature that its predecessor didn’t have and only adds to the appeal and versatility of this club. At £379, they come at a premium but the overall package provides excellent bang for your buck. The entire ZXi range will be available to purchase from the 15th February.

It’s clear to see from the get-go that there has been major changes cosmetically with the Qi35 compared to its predecessor. A new chromium carbon fiber finish is found throughout the whole Qi35 range and gives them serious shelf appeal. In my opinion, this fairway wood rivals the aesthetics of any of the best fairway woods I have seen for quite some time. The use of this ‘new-look’ carbon is not just about creating new visuals though, more so, it’s part of an advanced multi-material construction, alongside steel and aluminum to create an eye-catching design with performance benefits.

The Qi35 fairway wood (£309) is one of four fairway wood models in the new TaylorMade Qi35 lineup and is the model that will appeal to the majority of golfers thanks to its all-round performance. For players seeking a touch more forgiveness and a high, mildly draw-bias ball flight, the Qi35 Max or Max Lite (£309) will be what you’re after. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Qi35 Tour fairway wood (£379) which has a sliding weight port on the sole for extra CG customization and boasts a slightly more compact head shape. This is the model for confident ball strikers looking maximum ball flight control.

The main tech story within the Qi35 fairway woods is a revised CG location compared to last year's models. This sees the CG placed slightly lower and further back, lowering the CG projection and resulting in what TaylorMade is calling a ‘greater area of opportunity’ which will see balls launch effortlessly with less spin. The result? More distance.

I tested the Qi35 fairway wood both inside at Foresight Sports HQ in Guildford, Surrey, using the GCQuad launch monitor and 2025 Titleist Pro V1x golf balls as well as out on the golf course to see how it handled different scenarios. Behind the ball this fairway wood instills so much confidence. The rounded head sits flush to the ground and the face is fairly shallow to help you create effortless launch. I also really like the black detailing at the back of the crown, this again accentuates the rounded nature of the head and alongside the silver etched line across the top of the face, really helped with my alignment.

Producing an average of 156mph ball speed, the Qi35 fairway wood was no slouch. Combining this speed with an average launch angle of 12° and a solid 3259rpm of spin saw my average carry from the deck hit just shy of 255 yards and a total of 270 yards - very playable if I do say so myself.

If you find yourself playing in different conditions regularly and require different ball flights then the 4° loft sleeve on the Qi35 fairway wood should appeal to you. This allows you to ramp your loft up or down 2° from the standard head loft, allowing for better control of trajectory and spin and was something I took advantage of when testing outside in windy conditions.

The feel was the same muted, yet powerful sensation I loved from the Qi10 fairway wood range. It makes the ball feel soft and compressed while coming off the face hot. The new chromium carbon crown may have dampened the acoustics even more than last year's model, creating what can only be described as a serious ‘thud’ through impact - a sound I look for and enjoy in a fairway wood.

As far as looks go, I think you’ll be extremely hard pushed to find a better looking fairway wood than the Qi35 this year. The modern matte carbon fiber crown design is blended with gloss tones on the sole to create an ultra-premium look. The performance was also extremely impressive both indoors in a controlled environment and outdoors when facing the elements so if you’re in the market for a new fairway wood and want total performance, the TaylorMade Qi35 should be on your list to try. It's as close to perfect as you're likely to find in this category.

Inspired by tour player feedback the TaylorMade Qi35 Tour fairway wood has been designed for golfers who prioritize workability and ball flight control. I think the new chromium carbon fiber crown looks superb, especially when gleaming in sunlight and probably makes the head appear a little more compact than it already is. The Qi35 Tour head is just 170cc so if you’re someone looking for a slightly more forgiving option, the core Qi35 or Qi35 Max fairway woods are likely to be more suitable.

The gloss sole with satin black and sage green accents brings this club and its technology to life. Not only does the Qi35 Tour fairway wood benefit from the same TwistFace technology found in previous TaylorMade fairway woods but also the Speed Pocket behind the face to improve the consistency of ball speeds on off-center hits. While the Stealth 2 Plus and Qi10 Tour fairway woods both had a sliding adjustable weight to change the CG placement, the R&D team at TaylorMade has taken this innovation one step further and the 40g weight can now be rotated 180° for even further customization. With one end of the 40g weight weighing slightly more than the other, I made sure the heavier weight was further forward to help bring the CG forward and reduce the spin on the ball.

I tested this fairway wood inside using a Foresight Sports CGQuad launch monitor and 2025 Titleist Pro V1x golf balls to gather some standardized data and it made for an interesting analysis. While my left to right dispersion was definitely more volatile, the dispersion from front to back was fairly small. TaylorMade took on feedback from last year's Qi10 range about how the lineup was overly fade-bias and I found this to be the case, particularly with their Tour and LS products. The Qi35 lineup has been refined to promote much more of a neutral ball flight and as you can see from the data, if anything I was turning the ball over from right-to-left a little too much at times and averaged 10 yards left of my target within my six sample shots.

While gathering standardized data inside is useful for the sake of comparison, the Qi35 Tour fairway wood wasn’t designed to try and hit straight shots down the line. It’s been designed based on feedback from some of the best ball strikers and shot makers in the world such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. Trying to hit stock straight shots with this club is like driving a Ferrari but only on 40mph speed-limited straight road. This club reaches its full potential on the golf course when you can be creative, slinging high draws into back left pins and hitting low, burning fades from the tee box.

The feel and sound from the Qi35 Tour fairway wood is the same as the others in the 2025 lineup - powerful yet fairly muted. I’ve always been a sucker for a slightly quieter sound through the ball than the more ‘tinny’ sound found on the likes of Ping drivers and fairway woods.

If you’re a confident ball striker who prioritizes ball flight control and the ability to work the ball around the golf course, the TaylorMade Qi35 Tour fairway wood is by far the standout in this category so far this year. If you’re looking for a more repeatable ball flight I would suggest trying one of the other models in the Qi35 range or if you’re not a TaylorMade loyalist, the Callaway Elyte fairway wood also offers superb performance and looks.

The TaylorMade Qi35 Tour fairway wood will come to retail with an RRP of £379 and will available to purchase from the 30th of January.

What stood out straight away to me with the Qi35 Max was the slightly larger (200cc) footprint compared to the likes of the Qi35 core model and Qi35 Tour fairway wood (170cc). This larger and slightly stretched head size will really appeal to those looking for more confidence when resting the club down at address. This larger head size allows for the CG to be lowered and pulled further back in the head to create more MOI, easier launch and ultimately more forgiveness. TaylorMade has introduced a new TSS weighting system in order to create precise swing weights through assembly and in the case of the Qi35 Max model, this weight is situated on the sole towards the rear of the club.

Aside from the slightly larger head size, the Qi35 Max boasts the same beautiful chromium carbon finish found in the rest of the TaylorMade Qi35 lineup. The continuation of style throughout a range I feel is very important and will have golfers choosing the club that would benefit their game more regularly, rather than one they may like the look of more.

It wasn’t just the aesthetics that were the same with the Qi35 Max model, the feel and acoustics where also comparable, particularly to the Qi35 core fairway wood model. The muted ‘thud’ like sound, synonymous with TaylorMade fairway woods and drivers was still present, although the Max model didn’t feel quite and heavy in the hit as was the case with the core and Qi35 Tour fairway woods.

I thought the performance on the golf course was really solid with the Qi35 Max fairway wood and it produced the ball flights and characteristics I was expecting for the most part. I saw a relatively high ball flight which offered a fairly steep landing angle - a key thing to consider if you’re someone who regularly hits fairway woods into longer par fours or fives.

The large yet fairly shallow head did an exceptional job at tearing through the first cut of rough when put to the test and enabled me to advance the ball down the hole nicely. This was also probably due to the fact I saw pretty high levels of spin on the ball which for the most part would be a good thing for golfers considering this particular model, however as a fairly high-speed player, I did find controlling the spin and trajectory of the ball somewhat difficult when the wind began to blow.

Looking at the data I gathered indoors in a controlled environment, the spin on the Qi35 Max fairway wood was on average around 400rpm more than the core Qi35 model which was to be expected. What caught my attention was the fact I actually saw a touch more launch out of the core model despite the Max model possessing half a degree more loft on the club (15.5°).

Slightly more loft on the head and more spin resulted in a slight drop off in distance when compared to the core model (246 yards carry on average) but it was the consistency in ball flight with the Max model I was most impressed with. The slight draw-bias design was evident and while I’m someone who doesn’t struggle to turn the ball over, the want for the ball to naturally move right-to-left ball flight was evident, making this model perfect for those who slice the ball.

Overall the Qi35 fairway wood pretty much does what it’s designed to do. My mishits were hardly punished and while it wasn’t the highest launching model I have tested this year, the ball flight was easily high enough to have the ball landing softly into greens. The slightly higher spin will help golfers who are low on speed or slightly erratic keep the ball in play more often and the versatility of this model was really impressive.

The TaylorMade Qi35 Max model will come to retail at £309 and will be available to purchase at retail from the 30th of January.

For me, the forgiveness of a fairway wood starts with the looks. The club has to look easy to hit and fill the golfer with confidence when sat behind the ball at address for any positive outcome to come from the shot. The stretched, larger profile of the Callaway Elyte X fairway wood is something I think will provide golfers with this confidence and the shallower face has been designed for those seeking a high-launching ball flight, even when playing from the fairway or first cut of rough. However, the shallower face did make flighting the ball down when playing into wind a little challenging, so this is worth bearing in mind if you often play in windy conditions.

The Elyte X is one of three new fairway wood models in the Callaway Elyte family and while the Elyte Triple Diamond model ($449) stands apart with its gloss black crown and bespoke weighting system on the sole, I love the fact the X ($349) model looks almost identical to the standard Callaway Elyte fairway wood ($349) aside from the slightly shallower face. This is a very clever and sensible decision from Callaway as despite the fact most golfers would benefit from using the X model fairway wood, a golfer's ego can be a very powerful thing and will often prevent them from using the clubs that are seen to be aimed at the higher handicap golfer.

From a technology standpoint, there have been quite a few new additions to the Elyte fairway wood lineup that I think top the performance of the Ai Smoke fairway woods - some of the best fairway woods released last year. A new 34g tungsten Speed Wave has been implemented behind the face to help maximize ball speed and performance on off-center hits - most importantly shots struck low on the face. The improvements on the sole don’t stop there though. A new Step Sole design has been created to improve turf interaction, ensuring a solid and smoother feeling through the ball at impact. This is something that has been used in the design of the popular Apex UW and has now been transferred onto this new range of metalwoods.

The last major change worth noting is the new Ai10x Face. Callaway claims that this new design is offering 10 times the amount of control points or sweet spots on the face compared to last years Ai smoke range. The idea behind this face is to have variable levels of thickness and numerous sweet spots to negate a loss in ball speed on off-center strikes.

Performance wise, I found the Elyte X delivered on its brief perfectly. This fairway wood provided a truly effortless launch and a nice high, drawing ball flight, even when I felt I had struck a couple more toward the heel. Given the high launching nature of this club, I was pleased to see it didn’t overspin and cause big drop in distance. My average spin when testing this model hovered just over the 3300rpm mark, which combined with 155mph ball speed, resulted in an average carry of 252 yards.

I think the number I was most impressed with when collecting all of my data on a GCQuad launch monitor at Foresight Sports headquarters was the descent angle of this fairway wood. The 43.7° descent angle would see the ball stopping on almost any green you’re likely to face and is something seriously worth taking note of if you go for a fitting and often hit your fairway woods into longer par fours or fives.

As a +3 handicap golfer with a solid amount of speed, it would be easy to suggest that I should be put straight into the Elyte Triple Diamond fairway wood but I can honestly say I preferred both the feel and performance on offer of the Callaway Elyte X. The performance was far less volatile than the Triple Diamond and the ball felt far softer and more compressed compared to the much firmer feel of the lower spinning model.

I wouldn’t say there is much to choose between the standard Elyte and Elyte X models in regards to feel or aesthetics. The both look and feel as good as any of the best fairway woods on the market. If you’re looking to upgrade the top end of your bag and want a high launching, draw-bias fairway wood, go for the X model but if you want something a touch flatter that may give you a few extra yards and a slightly more neutral ball flight, the standard Elyte model is a great option.

The Elyte fairway is one of three models in the Callaway Elyte range and is the one that will appeal to the majority of golfers. From a looks standpoint, I can’t help but think the Elyte is slightly underwhelming compared to the stunning aesthetic of the Ai Smoke family but that’s by no means to say it looks bad. I do think it looks a touch bland on the sole but apart from a couple of seconds when the headcover is first taken off, you’ll spend most of the time looking at the club in the address position and that’s where the appeal goes up several notches.

The new Thermoforged carbon fiber crown has been designed to help with weight saving and redistribution and I think looks great when sat behind the ball. Most of the technology within this fairway wood however is on the sole. A new tungsten Speed Wave has been introduced in the 3-7 wood lofts, which is a 34g weight positioned behind the face to bring the center of gravity lower and forwards. This promotes faster ball speeds but fights against a loss of speed and yardage with shots struck low on the face - something I found particularly beneficial when hitting this club into par fives during testing and is what I think will see it become one of the most forgiving fairway woods of 2025.

As far as flight and feel go, I loved the Callaway Elyte fairway wood. I saw really impressive numbers while testing indoors at Foresight Sports HQ in Guildford on a GCQuad launch monitor and 2025 Pro V1x golf balls. The Elyte fairway wood produced a high towering ball flight which felt easy to turn over from right to left, producing a tight draw shape. Through impact, the face felt powerful and compressed the ball well, which produced impressive speed and distance. I averaged 155mph ball speed and 257 yards of carry when striking the ball off the deck - numbers not to be sniffed at.

My testing would not be complete without heading out to the golf course and seeing how the Elyte fairway wood coped in real-life scenarios. The first thing I noticed, not so much when striking this club from the tee but the fairway was how smooth the turf interaction was. The new Step Sole design on the Elyte fairway woods sees the sole raise up halfway back towards the rear of the club. This helps minimize any digging through impact and encourages the club to glide through the turf. I found this also came in handy when hitting from the first cut of rough and the ball popped up in the air with ease for the most part, rivalling any of the best fairway woods for playability.

The biggest miss for most golfers with a fairway wood is a shot struck low on the face and both the Speed Wave technology and the new Ai 10x face worked wonders on this mishit as well as others across the face. This new clubface was designed through the use of Artificial Intelligence the same as on the previous Callaway metalwood lineup but now with considerably more data input to create their most stable clubface to date. To pay testament to this, from a six-shot average in the simulator, I only averaged 11.7 yards left of my target. While this would be poor with a wedge in hand, the same cannot be said when striking a fairway wood with a total average distance of 276 yards.

While Callaway has arguably taken a small step back in regards to the aesthetics of the new Elyte fairway wood range, the performance certainly does the talking. New technology across the clubhead has resulted in what I feel is a more consistent and well-rounded performer compared to last year's model and considering that was my favorite pick of all the fairway woods released last year, I think Callaway will see huge success with this club in 2025 and beyond.

One of the first things worth mentioning is that the Triple Diamond fairway wood is presented in a gloss black head as opposed to the matte carbon fiber crown found on the standard Elyte and Elyte X models. While the best fairway woods are roughly split between gloss and matte, I think it does make the head look a little more compact due to no change in the material on the banner running along the top of the face. I'm not sure why they differ and can only presume the reason is tour player feedback.

While I think this fairway wood does look good down behind the ball, the jury is out on whether or not it beats the look of the other two models. I did notice the face is noticeably deeper than the two more forgiving models, which is a design feature Callaway has implemented to help with control and workability. After getting my data inside on one of the best launch monitors using the new Titleist Pro V1x golf balls (my ball of choice) I headed out to the golf course to get a better understanding of the acoustics of the club and whether controlling the ball was as easy when battling the elements compared to being in a studio.

Having tested the Triple Diamond directly after the standard Elyte fairway wood, I noticed straight away how much firmer the former was off the face. It felt as though there was considerably less compression with the ball and while that gave the initial impression of fast ball speed, I was actually 1mph slower with the Triple Diamond with an average of 154mph. What I drew from the data was that, the good was good and the bad was bad. My best strike carried 264 yards with a total of 289 yards - the longest of the three models by far - but there was so much variance on distance on mishits. Despite a new Ai 10x Smart Face, I found the off-center strikes to be too costly both from front to back and side to side dispersion. There certainly didn’t seem to be the stability on offer that I received from both the Elyte X fairway wood and the regular Elyte head.

Much of the same technology is used on all three of the fairway wood heads in the range such as the Smart Wave tungsten weight placed behind the face for enhanced ball speeds and the new Step Sole design I found particularly beneficial when testing the standard Elyte fairway wood. The Triple Diamond model does feature a removable weight on the sole just behind the Speed Wave which brings the CG of this club even further forward to help lower the flight and spin. Saying that, I found it only spun and launched marginally less than the regular model and while I did manage to produce some strong, piercing ball flights when hitting off a tee on the golf course, I found there was very little difference in height and spin when striking the ball from the ground.

While the Triple Diamond no doubt has a place among elite amateurs and professional golfers, I didn’t find there was enough to be gained in feel, distance and trajectory control, compared to what was lost when it came to stability and forgiveness, especially given it comes to retail at a higher price of $449/£359.

As a +3 handicap golfer and someone who swings their fairway wood around the 111mph mark, I would opt for the standard Elyte model over the Triple Diamond. If you need something more confidence-inspiring with a shallower face, the Elyte X is a great option or I would urge you to look into some of the other most forgiving fairway wood models.

Let’s start with the looks and just take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this club. Cobra has done an excellent job in ensuring the style of the heads match up throughout the family, with each head just showcasing slightly different colored accents to help golfers identify which model they are looking at. The Max is the most forgiving fairway wood in the lineup and has some red highlights which I think work brilliantly with the satin and gloss black tones to rival the looks of any of the best fairway woods on the market.

There are three different heads in the Cobra DS-ADAPT fairway wood range and they all feature different face depths depending on the model and who that club is targeted towards. The LS has the deepest face and is tailored towards the better player. Next is the X model and that sits between the LS and the Max. The Max has the most shallow face which sits really flush to the ground and will inspire confidence to those that need it most with their fairway woods, particularly when striking them from the fairway. I found the shallow face really worked well from balls sitting down in the rough and I even managed to sneak a few out of a fairway bunker!

The H.O.T. face technology is the same as that found in last year's Darkspeed Max model and this really helps with consistency of ball speed across the face. I found there was a good amount of ‘pop’ behind the strike of the DS-ADAPT Max fairway wood, making it feel fast off the face, similar to the likes of the TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood that was one of the best fairway woods released last year.

I found the combination of the shallow face and the two rear removable weights really helped create a high launching ball flight thanks to the center of gravity being positioned further back. One weight is situated in the middle rear while the other is placed further towards the heel to help promote a more draw-bias shot shape and fight against the dreaded slice. As someone who plays with a natural draw this certainly isn’t the right head for me, although I pay testament to the fact it definitely will work the ball considerably to the left as a right-handed golfer.

To aid with launch and help promote that desired, towering ball flight, the Max fairway wood model is set as standard at 15.5°. This however can be changed in a multitude of ways thanks to the new FutureFit33 hosel, which allows golfers to customize their own club like never before and configure their club in 33 different settings. Each of the fairway woods is fitted with Smartpad technology which keeps the clubface square to target regardless of what setting you choose to put your club in.

As a whole I couldn’t really knock the Cobra DS-ADAPT Max fairway wood. It produced a really solid feel through impact and generous distance all while packed in a confidence inspiring shape. If you are looking for a fairway wood that launches high and will get you out of trouble, both in terms of lie and strike, then the DS-ADAPT Max is worth testing for yourself.

The Cobra DS-ADAPT Max fairway wood as well as the whole new DS-ADAPT family will be available to purchase from the 17th January with the Max fairway wood coming to retail at $329/£289.

While aesthetically pleasing, it must be said, it doesn’t look drastically different from the Darkspeed LS fairway wood. In fact, they’re very similar. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though. The matte and gloss black head with carbon crown boasts some serious shelf appeal. While it’s all well and good a product looks spectacular, it’s not going to gain a place in your bag if it doesn’t perform. I took the DS-ADAPT LS Titanium fairway wood out to the golf course to see how it holds up.

I tested the LS directly after the X model and it was clear straight away how much smaller this head appears at address. The LS has been designed with a deeper face than the X in order to reduce spin and after just a few swipes I could attest to the face it does exactly that. The combination of this deeper face and the two 13g removable weights situated towards the front of the club really brings the center of gravity forward and instantly produced a much lower launch than the X model. The LS model also comes set at 14.5° compared to a standard 15° 3-wood loft. While I think both can straight away be considered some of the best fairway woods available, it's clear they each target different golfers.

While I found the low launch and spin a little difficult to manage initially, I eventually warmed up to the club and managed to find the center more often and even started working the ball around. The shape reminded me of the old TaylorMade R9 fairway wood, a small, more triangular shape that was accomplished at hitting roping hooks and sliding fades at will.

While the R9 was tech heavy for its time, it’s safe to say that the DS-ADAPT LS Titanium is in another league entirely. The titanium body and carbon fiber crown is what saved enough weight in the head to be able to add the two 13g removable weights as well as 34g of internal redistributed tungsten for ideal CG placement.

There is a larger and thinner titanium face used than on previous models and combined with Cobra's tried and tested H.O.T. Face Technology, the LS fairway wood creates the fastest ball speeds out of all of the DS-ADAPT fairway wood models - something that was particularly evident during my testing. I saw ball speeds pushing the 160mph mark, which was a couple mph quicker than the other models. With the extra tech in the LS model comes a little extra on the price - $$429/£349 compared to the $329/£289 of the X and Max models - but it does offer extra performance to justify it somewhat.

The new FutureFit33 hosel is just another new and welcomed addition to the DS-ADAPT lineup. This hosel allows for 33 custom settings on the golf club and thanks to the clever sole design and dual cog system, the face angle remains the same regardless of the setting you choose. By scanning the QR code on the neck of the club you will gain access to the hosel configuration chart and can identify which setting will work for you. During my session on the range with the LS fairway wood, I tried the club in opposite settings on the chart and saw drastically different ball flights - some not always playable, mind you.

Overall the Cobra DS-ADAPT LS Titanium fairway wood is one I would definitely recommend to those who have fast swing speeds, don't miss the middle too much and want to lower their ball flight or like to work the ball around a lot. It produced faster ball speeds than the other more forgiving fairway woods in the DS-ADAPT range at the cost of a little accuracy but it’s a trade-off most low-handicap golfers are willing to make.

The DS-ADAPT X fairway boasts a fairly symmetrical shape when looking down at address and I love how the face is beautifully highlighted by the contrasting white score lines running horizontally across it. Sometimes when I use a head with a black finish the head can look a little compact and may put some golfers off but these lines will really help with showing off the loft on the face and also help with alignment.

From the first couple of swings, the DS-ADAPT X fairway wood launched with ease and seemed to go a solid distance. The DS-ADAPT fairway wood line features much of the same technology as the drivers and one of those is the Pwr-Bridge technology that was also used in the Darkspeed range. The DS-ADAPT X fairway wood has the Pwr-Bridge positioned just slightly forward of the middle of the head to help reduce a little spin and increase playability to those that want it.

The main tech story with all of the DS-ADAPT metalwoods is the new FutureFit33 hosel. As you can probably guess from the name, it features 33 different settings and while this may initially feel a little overwhelming, there is a handy QR code etched onto the neck of the club that you can scan and it will bring up a graph showing all of the different settings and how they will affect the flight. I can’t help but feel the QR code stands out a little too much and slightly weakens the look of the club, but at just $329/£289 this fairway wood offers superb bang for your buck.

Positioned in the lineup to be the most versatile and appeal to the most golfers, the X model has a slightly shallower face compared to the LS fairway wood model. I found this makes the head look so inviting behind the ball and particularly when the ball is placed in the rough and you’re looking for a little extra launch. Staying on versatility, the X model performed superbly from the tee as well as hitting into green from the fairway. The ball was soaring at a high trajectory and landing very softly into greens which will appeal to slightly shorter hitters who use their woods regularly on their second or third shots.

The feel was similar to the Darkspeed X fairway wood. The Titleist Pro V1x ball I was using on the course felt firmer than usual off the face of the X model compared to my Titleist GT2 fairway wood but felt every bit as fast. I felt as though I could flight the ball fairly well and received good feedback from the strike location - sometimes more than I would like!

I have no doubts the Cobra DS-ADAPT X fairway will become a favorite among club golfers thanks to its slick looks and solid all-round performance. With a high launch and speed combination, the X model is certainly a club worth checking out if you’re looking for an update within the top section of your bag.

The whole Cobra DS-ADAPT range will be available from the 17th January.

Titleist has always done a great job in producing beautiful golf clubs and the GT3 fairway wood is no exception. This fairway wood boasts a pear-shaped, tour-influenced design that will appeal to a large number of golfers. Behind the ball this fairway wood looks incredibly inviting thanks to less curvature in the heel and sole of the club, which means the head sits completely flush to the ground and will inspire confidence to the golfer looking down.

The Titleist GT3 fairway wood features the same new Seamless Thermoform Crown design found on the GT2 fairway wood and the rest of the GT range. This crown is made from a Proprietary Matrix Polymer which is ultra-light and frees up mass to be redistributed for optimal CG placement, all while keeping the same sound and feel of Titleist fairway woods which gives them such large tour presence.

The GT3 fairway wood has been designed with much more adjustability than the GT2 with a new weight-track system on the sole that has been brought closer to the face than on the TSR3 fairway wood for even more concentrated CG placement and ultimately more control and ball speed. Upon testing I saw a decent jump in ball speed of around 2mph (160mph total) equating to around four extra yards. The ball felt really quick off the face but the soft feel through impact felt as though I had it under control.

The taller face on the GT3 fairway wood is perfect for golfers who are slightly steeper with their angle of attack and is one of the main differences between this model and the GT2. However, when comparing the two directly side-by-side, I found the difference to be miniscule. I was fearful the taller face would result in more thinly struck shots but thanks to the new L-Cup face design and VFT (Varaiable Face Thickness) I saw very little drop off in ball speed compared to shots struck from the middle. The GT3 did prove to be slightly more difficult to launch from the rough than the GT2, probably due to the more mid-launch bias. 

I had fun playing around with shaping the GT3 fairway wood and it definitely lends itself to those who like to be creative and hit their fairway woods regularly from the deck but if you want a higher launching, more user friendly fairway wood, the most forgiving fairway woods or best fairway woods for high handicappers is where you’ll want to turn your attention.

Both the Titleist GT3 and GT2 fairway woods are available to purchase from August 23rd and will come to retail at $399/$349 or $599/£519 with the addition of a Graphite Design premium shaft. That said, the stock shaft offerings are really strong, especially with the likes of the new Project X HZRDUS Black 5th Gen shaft.

Improving on the impressive TSR2 fairway wood was always going to be a challenge for Titleist but thanks to a new construction featuring a Seamless Thermoform Crown made from Proprietary Matrix Polymer, the brand is confident it has. This new tech allows for weight to be saved in the crown and redistributed for optimal CG (center of gravity) positioning for faster speed. The best part about this new technology - which features in the whole GT range - you genuinely wouldn’t know it’s there. Thanks to individual hand buffing, the new crown material blends perfectly into the rest of the construction and leaves Titleist lovers and golfing purists with the traditional, gloss black crown and classy silver tones on the sole. 

Given the TSR2 fairway wood face was a little deep and it wasn’t the shape behind the ball I like, I was delighted to see the new GT2 fairway wood has a much more shallow face - a feature that will really help inspire confidence to those who struggle with launching their fairway woods. The tour-refined shape of the GT2 fairway wood means there is less curvature on the heel and toe compared to previous models and leaves the sole appearing much more flush to the ground. 

The GT2 fairway wood has a CG positioning lower than its predecessor and closer to the face. The result is a high launching, low spinning monster. After just a few hits with the new GT2 fairway wood, I knew it had the potential to be a club I’d consider putting in my bag. As a fairly fast swinger of the golf club (3-wood around 112mph) I rarely have to peel a headcover when hitting into a par-4 or 5 and so this club would be primarily used as an option from the tee if my driver was too much club or the hole tightened up a little.

During testing using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls, I found my ball speed increased around 3mph compared to the TSR2 fairway wood, both using the same Graphite Design Tour AD IZ shaft. This jump from 158mph to 161mph is huge and would roughly give me six yards extra carry - which is certainly nothing to be sniffed at.

The high launching nature of the GT2 fairway wood meant I could still send it upwards if I was required and so don’t be concerned if you’re a golfer who would be hitting this club into greens. In fact, both of the new GT2 and GT3 fairway woods feature a new L-Cup face design which provides a really flexible face with a stable perimeter for enhanced ball speeds, particularly on miss-hits low on the face - the standard ‘miss’ for golfers when hitting fairway woods from the ground. This new technology is what will likely see this fairway wood quickly become one of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market.

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, I would recommend the Titleist GT2. It has an incredibly broad appeal, so don't assume you aren't good enough or that you will automatically fit into the GT3. The GT range comes to retail on the 23rd August and the fairway woods will hold an RRP of $399/$349 or $599/£519 with the addition of a Graphite Design premium shaft.

Coming to retail at just £79, the MacGregor V-Max fairway wood represents a notable discount against the top brands. I personally wasn't a huge fan of the looks of the V-Max fairway wood due to its larger, triangular head shape and the bold, red colorway on the sole. While I personally prefer a more rounded looking head, I can see why the shape of the V-Max fairway wood will boost the confidence of those golfers seeking assistance with their fairway wood game, similar to that of some of the most forgiving fairway woods.

The noticeably straight top-line edge and flat face makes it extremely easy to align  at address, although I prefer a more rounded look up the front, especially when it comes to the woods. That said, during testing I found myself hitting the fairway more often than not. This could be attributed to the V-Max alignment aid on the head, which certainly made lining the ball up in the middle of the face easy, although I could see how its size could be off-putting for those seeking a cleaner-looking club behind the ball.

The MacGregor V-Max fairway performed pretty much as I imagined it would, producing some good shots but all in all it was fairly inconsistent. Granted, the shaft I tested was a regular flex shaft, which is too soft for me, but even when slowing my swing down and clipping some, the feel from the face wasn't as responsive as I was hoping for, despite producing a fairly high pitched ‘ting’ sound through impact. While the V-Max fairway wood produced a high flight when hit from a tee, I was a little surprised to see how low it flew when struck from the deck. This then tempted me to hit the V-Max from the first cut of rough and this is where it really struggled. The head felt quite unstable through the rough and my dispersion dramatically increased, seeing balls falling left and right of my intended target.

Despite the price point of the MacGregor V-Max fairway wood being very attractive, the lack of forgiveness means it may struggle against the best fairway woods for high handicappers. The lower ball flight from the fairway in particular also meant I struggled stopping the ball when landing it on the green using the 15° fairway wood option. These clubs are non-adjustable, so for those who want more loft and naturally a higher ball flight, there is an 18° option available.

While there’s no doubt the performance falls short of the very best fairway woods on the market, there was enough shown by the MacGregor V-Max to warrant advising those just getting into the game to check it out as a cheap alternative at the top end of the bag.

While I tend to prefer a more classic looking head, the modern aesthetic of the Delta XT fairway wood still appealed to my eye. The newly designed Aero Crown reminds me a lot of some of the recent Ping drivers such as the G430 with the Turbulator ridges on top for enhanced aerodynamics. I also really enjoyed the matte black finish on the crown giving it a premium look, although this is somewhat hurt by the red graphics on the sole.

The head size on the Benross Delta XT fairway wood is large enough that golfers of all abilities will feel comfortable when over the ball and I really feel as though the pear shaped head and smooth edges around the top line of the face will appeal to the better player. I was full of confidence when taking my first swings and my smile was beaming from ear-to-ear when I saw the high, towering ball flight it produced. This fairway wood comes with a movable weight port on the sole which will help alleviate a big miss or promote a desired shot shape - a feature I found to be extremely beneficial given many fairway woods don't offer this functionality.

While this club looks great and produces a nice ball flight when struck well, it was the sound and feel of the club where I began to struggle. I have always opted for fairways that offer up a more subtle acoustic, such as the TaylorMade Qi10 Tour or the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max, however, these could not be more polar opposite to the Delta XT. The ‘tinny’ sound produced through impact with this fairway was the loudest of any golf club I have ever tested and made the Ping G30 fairway woods sound like a whisper. The feel was fairly firm and a little harsh off the face too - I can understand why people may view this is a powerful sensation at impact and actually enjoy it but it didn't resonate with me.

The Speed Slot and Fast Face Technology helped produce average distances with the Delta XT fairway wood, with carry numbers hovering around the 250 yard mark. While the ball flight produced by the Delta XT fairway wood was similar to that of many of the fairway wood models I tested this year when struck in the middle of the face, I would advise golfers to look into some of the most forgiving fairway woods if after a more user-friendly fairway wood.

But all in all, there is plenty to like about what this fairway wood offers for the price, especially with the effective adjustability on offer.

It’s interesting to see how there has been a shift in attention from distance and speed to forgiveness this year across all brand’s driver and fairway wood designs. Last year we saw Mizuno release the ST-G - a low launching and spinning fairway wood that looked great and went straight into a lot of Mizuno Staff players' bags at The Open Championship, but the ST-Max 230 is all about stability with speed.

This fairway wood looks superb and the return of the bright blue Cortech Chamber TPU insert on the sole really gives this club some shelf appeal. While the gloss black and carbon fibre crown does provide a nice blend of classic and modern looks, the head shape has changed marginally from the ST-Z 230 that I loved so much. The ST Max fairway wood boasts a larger footprint than we have seen over the past few years and is one that will inspire confidence to any golfer seeking it from their fairway woods, although the deep face would suggest it is better suited to golfers hitting it from the tee rather than a tight lie on the turf.

To give the Mizuno a thorough test, I took it out on the course and wanted to see how it performed in real time, but also alongside last year's low spinning ST-G model. After just a couple of swipes I could see the difference in flight and performance. As a faster swinger of the golf club and someone who naturally creates a lot of spin, the ST-G did perform better for me when struck off a tee. However, that’s not to say there was anything wrong with the ST-Max 230. It felt as good as I would expect a Mizuno fairway wood to feel through impact and produced a solid 'thud' as the face collided with the ball. It did produce a fairly high ball flight that did become a little difficult to control as the wind picked up, but there is the option of an adjustable hosel to lower the loft on the clubhead for those that want to see a lower trajectory.

It was from the fairway and even the first cut of rough where the ST-Max 230 fairway wood excelled. That high ball flight I saw from the tee was also evident when struck from the fairway which actually surprised me given my concerns on the depth of the face. Mizuno has also incorporated what they are calling ‘Speed Bevel’ to the ST-Max 230 - a modification to the leading edge to improve turf interaction and maintain speed from shots struck from the fairway. 

While I didn’t know this at the time, the Speed Bevel is probably the reason for hitting one of my best shots of the day -  a 265-yard shot from a tight, downhill lie over water that landed on the front edge of the green, setting myself up for a 30ft eagle putt. This addition to the leading edge and the high MOI design in this head makes it one of the most forgiving fairway woods I have tested this year, alongside the likes of the TaylorMade Qi10 and Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max.

While there was nothing that blew me away about this fairway wood, the Mizuno ST-Max 230 is a really solid option that will work for golfers of all abilities, particularly those who play on longer golf courses and hit their fairway woods regularly from the deck or those who have slightly slower swing speeds and seek additional height from their fairway woods.

The Mizuno ST-Max 230 fairway wood is available in 15°,18° and 21° loft options and comes to retail with a price tag of $300 or £269.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

In recent years, Cobra has really upped its game in terms of producing metalwoods that compete both aesthetically and through performance with other major manufacturers. Last year we had the Aerojet range, a franchise that saw Rickie Fowler back in the winners' circle for the first time on the PGA Tour in four years, and so releasing product to improve on this was always going to be tricky. Enter stage left the new, stealthed-out, Cobra Darkspeed range.

The Cobra Darkspeed X fairway wood is the 'standard' model out of the three released by Cobra this year. The Max is the more forgiving, slightly draw-bias option and the LS is the low spinning, rocket launcher of a three-wood. 

While I was actually a fan of the Aerojet fairway wood in terms of performance and visuals thanks to its color pops from the white and blue combination, there is something seriously cool about the midnight look of the new Darkspeed range. The slight changes in black and grey tones give this club some serious shelf appeal and they look equally as good when sat down behind the ball. The Darkspeed X fairway is the model created with the majority of golfers in mind, seeking a neutral ball flight and upon testing it did exactly that. Where previous Cobra fairway woods have sat a little closed to me, resulting in a shots sometimes missing left, the Darkspeed X sat flush to the ground and very square, giving me additional confidence that I could hit straighter shots.

The matte black head is a thing of beauty and is on par with some of the best fairway woods we have seen released this year, although I do often find this finish on golf clubs makes the head appear a little more compact, which not everyone likes to see one this particular type of club. On the sole of the Darkspeed X fairway wood, there is one weight port situated low and at the rear of the head, providing a low CG for ease of launch off the fairway and a high MOI for increased forgiveness.

The PWR Bridge technology and continued H.O.T Face technology means ball speeds were fairly consistent, with the average being 155mph from an average clubhead speed of 108mph. For the faster swingers of a golf club I would recommend checking out the Darkspeed LS model, however, as my spin rates where particularly high with the X model, averaging 4100rpm - which is about 1000rpm more than I would like to see.

As you can probably guess from my spin numbers, The Cobra X fairway wood produced a particularly high ball flight and one that will suit golfers looking to maximize their carry distance and stopping power into greens. The feel off the face was energetic very solid, while producing a fairly loud sound to match. Flighting the ball in the wind did prove tricky, although a change in shaft to something with more tip stiffness for myself would help, as would playing around with the adjustable MyFly hosel to create more optimum launch angles.

I would recommend the Cobra Darkspeed X to anyone who wants help producing a higher ball flight with plenty of spin from their fairway wood, using it more off the deck than from the tee. However, for an even more forgiving fairway wood option, particularly for those who tend the slice the ball, it would be worth considering the Cobra Darkspeed Max.

The full Cobra Darkspeed fairway wood line-up will be available to purchase in February 2024 and the Darkspeed X fairway wood will retail at $329.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

The highly-anticipated Cobra Darkspeed range is here and my word, it boasts some good-looking sticks. The black on black head design with subtle changes between gloss and matte details give this range a premium look, but does the performance match? Without meaning to jump straight to the point (a resounding yes) it's worth pointing out there are three fairway wood models in the family, but it was the Darkspeed LS model that really caught my eye and put on the best show in testing.

The LS model is the lower launching and spinning model in the Darkspeed range, followed by the Darkspeed X - a head designed for a blend of power and forgiveness, suitable for the majority of golfers and the Max - a more forgiving head option with additional weight towards the heel to promote a draw-bias shot shape and making it one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers.

As a faster swinger of a golf club, I was naturally drawn to the LS when the three models arrived. The Darkspeed LS head appears slightly more compact and smaller behind the ball compared the X and Max models, something that more confident ball strikers will love and some of the rear detailing on the crown has been removed on the LS to give it that more traditional looking crown. The crown itself is made from the same high-grade carbon fiber found on the other two models and this has allowed weight to be saved and redistributed to place the CG 3.2mm lower than the previous Aerojet LS fairway wood model. I do think the Darkspeed LS fairway wood certainly will give any of the other best fairway woods on the market a run when it comes to looks.

The titanium body and H.O.T face technology allows for fast ball speeds off what feels like a very agile face, while offering plenty of forgiveness on shots struck towards the heel and toe. That said, if a forgiving fairway wood is what you seek then the Max and X models would be more prudent choices. 

When testing, this fairway wood was exceptional off the tee, producing a penetrating, mid-launching ball flight that still found the fairway more often than not. It was a little tricky to launch from the fairway for those with less speed and it did struggle to produce enough spin to really get the ball up in the air when hitting from the first cut of rough.

The head has a standard loft of 14.5°, so half a degree lower than a traditional fairway wood loft, something that also helps keep the launch a little lower. The Darkspeed has two 15g weight ports situated toward the front of the head and a 3g weight towards the back which can be used to help dial in trajectory and desired ball flights. With minimal offset on the LS fairway wood, I found moving the ball both ways fairly easy and while the feel of the ball felt powerful, I would say the sound was a little higher pitched than I would have liked. 

When testing indoors on a Trackman 4 launch monitor and using Titleist Pro V1 golf balls, I saw ball speeds creep up to 159mph and spin around the 2700rpm mark - around 1500rpm lower than the Darkspeed Max fairway wood.

The Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway is a low-spinning three wood that boasts distance and a flatter, powerful ball flight. It is ideal for those with plenty of club speed in the locker who like working the ball at different trajectories and would suit golfers who want an alternative club to hit from the tee away when the driver is misbehaving.

The Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway wood will come to retail at $429 and will be available to purchase in February 2024.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

The Darkspeed range is the latest franchise released by Cobra and within the family sit three fairway woods. The Darkspeed X which has been designed for the majority of golfers, offering good forgiveness and distance. The Darkspeed LS is the lower launching and spinning option while the Darkspeed Max has been designed with ultimate forgiveness in mind and to promote a draw-biased shot shape.

One thing all the Darkspeed fairway woods have that all of the best fairway woods also possess is killer aesthetics. 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.

I love the stealthed-out look of the Max fairway wood and the red accents on the sole of the club give this a slick but modern look. I also enjoyed the matte carbon crown, although I would say this makes the head appear a little more compact than it actually is, which is great for a confident player just looking for a little more help, but may not be ideal for those who want to look down on the largest head possible. 

The tech creating the forgiveness is largely in the sole with two interchangeable weights, one 15g weight situated at the back and low to increase the CG and MOI and the other 3g weight placed towards the heel to help promote a right-to-left shot-shape for a right-handed golfer. The PWR Bridge and H.O.T Face technology that we saw in the Aerojet range of fairway woods and drivers has been carried over to Darkspeed to promote consistent ball speeds and spin rates off the face, regardless of strike location and therefore increasing the overall forgiveness of this fairway wood.

I took this fairway wood out to My Golf Matters in Berkshire where I tested it on a Trackman 4 launch monitor with Titleist Pro V1 golf balls, as well as out to the golf course afterwards to see how it coped in real-world scenarios. I was 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. Thanks to the MyFly hosel, golfers can also customize the club to promote even more movement in their ball flight, one way or the other. I have no doubt the Cobra Darkspeed Max fairway will be considered on of the best fairways for higher handicappers released in 2024.

The Cobra Darkspeed Max fairway wood will be available to purchase in February 2024 and will come to retail at $329.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

Historically PXG has been anything but discreet when it comes to marketing but deep undercover, the troops at PXG have been creating something that I believe could be one of the best fairway woods we see released this year. The Black Ops fairway offers very close to the perfect blend of performance and playability.

As someone who quite likes traditional looking heads, I was a little skeptical when I first laid the PXG Black Ops fairway wood down at address, but over time the head design really grew on me. The black and silver tones alongside a high-grade carbon fiber crown give this golf club some serious shelf appeal and a really premium look. The carbon crown has allowed the engineers at PXG to save mass and redistribute it lower around the head's perimeter, creating what it is calling 'the optimal CG dispersion for forgiveness', similar to that of the new TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood.

The phrase ‘X marks the spot’ has been taken quite literally by the PXG design team in order to highlight the center point on top the crown. I feel this really helps give this fairway wood a rounded, symmetrical look behind the ball. On the flip-side, there are three weight ports that can be chosen individually when custom ordering your fairway wood, ensuring you are going to see the exact ball flight you desire. 

As someone who tends to launch and spin the ball a lot with all of my clubs, I actually ended up going with lighter weights, which does remove some forgiveness, but ultimately gave me fast ball speeds, a strong ball flight and the correct amount of spin to maintain carry. The face itself has been made 12.5 percent thinner than the predecessors and when testing the Black Ops fairway wood, I noticed straight away how good these clubs felt off it. The sensation was springy and the numbers proved that, with ball speeds reaching up to 162mph. Last year the 0211 fairway wood made it into our best fairway woods guide as well as our most forgiving fairway woods guide and I'm confident the Black Ops fairway wood will follow suit.

This fairway performed just as well when struck off the deck as it did from a tee which is testament to how forgiving and easy this club is to use. I saw a high but forward-looking ball flight off the tee which I love, yet it got the ball launching high when struck from the turf. Mishits were really impressive when testing indoors on a Trackman 4 launch monitor, with shots rarely wondering more than 10 yards from my target - that said, I was hitting it well that day!

The acoustics are something I’ve never been overly keen on with PXG clubs as I prefer a more muted ‘thud’ so to hear the improvements in sound on the Black Ops fairway wood when testing was music to my ears (not literally, but you get the point). The sound now matches the ball speed and flight characteristics, which is something I’m sure nearly every golfer will love.

There really was very little to grumble about when it came to the PXG Black Ops fairway wood. If I was to be super picky I may take off some of the detailing towards the rear of the crown to make it less busy, but it might just be that I'm used to seeing a traditional looking head. 

What I like about most when it comes to the PXG Black Ops fairway wood is the simplicity of their only being one model. With the head design, adjustable hosel and precision weighting, there was no need to release more than one head model as this one not only offers performance, but would rival some of the most forgiving fairway woods in certain settings. It still pays to get fitted by a PXG stockist so you know which weights will suit your game, but you don’t have to worry about making the right decision when it comes to the model - some brands like TaylorMade and Callaway offer three fairway wood models, for example. 

The Black Ops head is by no means the most compact or traditional looking fairway wood on the market, but it really is a solid all-rounder that is going to be on par with releases from other major brands this year.

The PXG Black Ops fairway wood is available to purchase from the 11th January 2024 and will retail at $349/£319.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

After having seen the Qi10 driver in the hands of Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Tommy Fleetwood over the past month or so, there has certainly been a sense of anticipation about the launch of this new line of TaylorMade drivers and fairway woods. The Qi10 fairway wood is one of three new fairway wood offerings and is the model that will be suitable for the majority of golfers of different abilities. 

The TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood has been designed with both power and forgiveness in mind. While cosmetically there have been a number of changes made compared to the likes of the Stealth 2 fairway wood, some of the trusted technology that made the previous model one of the best fairway woods has been endorsed in the new Qi10 fairway woods. TaylorMade has persisted with the likes of the Thru-Slot Speed-Pocket to create fast ball speeds and a powerful thud through impact and the V-Steel sole technology continues to offer golfers a smooth feeling through impact and the best turf interaction possible.

One of the most recognizable changes made by TaylorMade with the Qi10 range is the new color scheme of silver and blue tones implemented on both the new Qi10 Drivers, fairways and hybrids. After two years of the red and black combination synonymous with the Stealth franchise, the new pallet is something I feel was needed and gives the Qi10 family a really clean and modern look. A new infinity carbon crown has been introduced which sees a subtle carbon pattern flow right to the leading edge of the face, unlike in previous TaylorMade fairway wood models where the chassis has run across the front and top of the crown. The change in design has also allowed TaylorMade to redistribute the weight saved on the crown to lower in the head, creating a lower CG and therefore making this fairway particularly easy to launch off the deck. I have to say this was particularly noticeable when testing out on the golf course. In fact I had the ball launching a little too high for my liking, but I tend to hit it quite a high ball as standard anyway.

The advanced laser alignment feature is an alignment tool that has carried on from its predecessor and was something I found particularly beneficial when trying to set up square to my target. The thin silver line at the top of the face definitely makes it easier to understand where you club face is aiming at address and works nicely alongside the modern 190cc tour inspired head of the Qi10 fairway wood. The head itself looks fairly compact due to the dark crown and face, but has a large enough footprint to inspire confidence when rested behind the ball. If you are someone who likes an even more compact looking head then it may be worth considering the Qi10 Tour fairway wood - designed for more confident ball strikers who like to work the ball. 

Overall the performance of the TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood was solid and produced an impressive, powerful feeling through impact. Before testing on the course I visited My Golf Matters, Berkshire, to use a Trackman launch monitor and gain some understanding of the numbers this club was producing. The distance was respectable, but there weren’t massive gains to be had over the previous years model. I was averaging 258 yards of carry and an average of spin rate of just over 3000rpm (revolutions per minute). As mentioned previously, the Qi10 fairway was very easy to launch and the speed pocket made lower-struck shots rise and fly similarly to those that were hit out of the sweet spot, the kind of forgiveness we are used to seeing in the most forgiving fairway woods.

While producing the softer feel off the face we have become accustomed too with TaylorMade fairways, the acoustics of the Qi10 fairway definitely felt a little more high pitched compared to TaylorMade models released in the last few years, something some people will love, but others may take some time to get used to.

The TaylorMade Qi10 fairway is a really solid option for those looking to upgrade their fairway woods and produces a nice blend of power and forgiveness. It provided good enough distance to use as a driver alternative off the tee, yet flew high enough to land softly into greens on par 5’s or longer par 4’s. 

The TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood will come to retail at $349/£309 and will be available to purchase from February 2nd 2024.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

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, quickly gain a reputation for being one of the most forgiving fairway wood models released in 2024.

The Qi10 Max fairway wood is one of three new fairway wood models released from TaylorMade this year, the others being the standard Qi10 fairway wood, which promotes a blend of forgiveness and power, and the Qi10 Tour fairway wood - a more compact fairway wood, perfect for more confident ball strikers.

The TaylorMade Qi10 Max fairway wood has been created slightly larger than the other models in the family in order to create maximum forgiveness. The larger head has allowed TaylorMade to move mass to the perimeter of the club, in turn, creating the highest MOI fairway wood the brand has ever released. The new infinity carbon crown runs all the way to the face of this fairway which allowed for even greater weight saving and redistribution to truly maximize forgiveness.

In order to put this cleverly designed fairway wood to the test and see if it could be considered one of the best fairway woods on the market, I took it to My Golf Matters, Berkshire and tested it on a Trackman 4 launch monitor to gain some data, as well as then taking it onto the course and testing it in varying conditions with a Titleist Pro V1 golf ball.

TaylorMade has excelled in creating a fairway wood that is exceptionally easy to launch and optimize carry distance. While testing I spun this fairway wood a little too much, averaging 4066rpm which is around 1000rpm more than I would typically like to see when hitting a three-wood. That said, this fairway really isn’t built for golfers like myself who have good speed and launch the ball fairly high already. 

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, I struggled personally when hitting it from a tee as I lost distance and control of the ball, particularly when hitting into the wind. But 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.

As you can imagine, due to the high launch characteristics and forgiveness with this fairway wood, hitting from the rough and settled down lies on the fairway was made light work of by the Qi10 Max fairway wood. It produced a high, towering ball flight, much like it does when struck sweetly from the middle. 

The feel itself was firmer and a more vibrant sound than TaylorMade fairway woods of the recent past, however for those who like a louder powerful sound at impact, this will certainly please you. I'm someone who prefers a more muted sound through impact and the change in acoustics from a TaylorMade fairway wood surprised me.

The TaylorMade Qi10 Max fairway wood will certainly rival those of the best fairway woods for high handicappers and best fairways for mid-handicappers thanks to how easy it is to get on with. There are few fairways that look premium and sleek as well produce the forgiving performance the Qi10 Max did. 

The TaylorMade Qi10 fairway will come to retail at $349/£309 and will be available in 3,5 and 7-wood loft options. These fairway woods will be available to purchase at retail from February 2nd 2024.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

As someone who gamed the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus fairway during the 2023 season I was particularly excited to see and test the new TaylorMade Qi10 tour fairway wood to see if it could rival its predecessor, which performed extremely well for me last year.

The Qi10 Tour fairway is one of three new fairway wood models released from TaylorMade for 2024. To go alongside the Qi10 Tour you have the standard Qi10 fairway, which combines distance and forgiveness for a look and feel most golfers will love, as well as the Qi10 Max fairway wood which has been created with maximum forgiveness in mind.

So what separates the TaylorMade Qi10 Tour fairway from the other two in the family? First off it has a far more compact-looking head with various customization and adjustability features to give the more confident golfer the utmost in control and workability of their golf ball. The same weight track I loved in the Stealth 2 plus remains and the Qi10 Tour fairway wood remains as the only model in the family to have an adjustable loft sleeve, which alters loft and lie angle. As someone who likes to see the face sit a touch open, I set this to a fraction lower and flat which helps me produce the left-to-right ball flight I prefer with the longer clubs in my bag.

The Qi10 Tour fairway has been created with the better player in mind who has some speed and wants to keep spin and launch a touch lower than what is on show from the other two models in the Qi10 range. The smaller 170cc head looks extremely compact behind the ball and features a new infinity carbon crown, seeing the carbon on the crown extend all the way to the face where it meets the laser alignment line - a silver line at the top of the face designed to help you square the club face up at address. I think the new blue and silver color palette looks superb alongside the gloss carbon black and really gives this club a premium aesthetic and the shelf appeal that rivals the best fairway woods.

Technology such as the Speed Pocket and V-Steel sole remains to aid in producing both fast ball speeds and good turf interaction when hitting from the fairway. While the ball speed looked fast to the eye, upon testing I hovered around the 156mph mark, which was actually a little shy of where I would like to see it. The Qi10 certainly feels firmer off the face than the likes of the Stealth 2 Plus and new Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond - a feeling I’m not particularly keen on, but others may love.

Where the TaylorMade Qi10 tour fairway did excel was in being able to work the ball around depending on conditions. After gathering data at My Golf Matters in Berkshire on a Trackman 4 launch monitor with Titleist Pro V1 golf balls, I took the Qi10 Tour fairway to the course where I could flight the ball down and move it both ways fairly comfortably. 

While the Qi10 Tour fairway doesn’t boast the forgiveness of some of the most forgiving fairways, it isn’t aimed at those who are looking for maximum help with launch and ease of use. I think the TaylorMade Qi10 Tour will be extremely popular on tour and with better club golfers alike due to its small footprint and the high levels of ball flight control it offers.

The TaylorMade Qi10 Tour fairway will retail at a punchy $449/£379 and will be available to purchase from the 2nd February 2024. The Qi10 fairway wood will be offered in both 15° and 18° head options.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

The new Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke family features four fairway woods; the Max - suitable for the most amount of golfers thanks to it’s strong all-round performance, the Triple Diamond - designed for low launch and spin, the Max Fast - perfect for those who want help with launch and height and the Max D which has been created to promote a high launch and draw-bias. While all four models possess some of the new Artificial Intelligence technology that gives these clubs their name, each has been cleverly designed to be suitable for golfers fighting or wanting help promoting certain ball flights.

The Ai Smoke Max D has been designed with forgiveness and ease of use in mind and that’s evident when comparing this club to the other members of the Ai smoke fairway wood family. The Max D is set to be one of the most forgiving fairway woods released this year thanks to multiple technical refinements over last year's Paradym model. Callaway has created the Max D model with a slightly more upright lie angle and larger head than the standard Max model. Despite the head looking fairly large and closed to my eye on the ground, I think it still looks as good as some of the best fairway woods on the market.

The head is created from an even stronger and lighter carbon chassis compared to its predecessor, where a total of 24g has been saved and redistributed evenly both lower and forward to elevate spin and launch angles, but also towards the rear for additional forgiveness. 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.

The performance upon testing was as expected for the Max D model. I consistently saw high draws through the air, so much so that I only missed one ball to the right of my target when hitting shots indoors at My Golf Matters, Berkshire, gathering data on a Trackman 4 launch monitor. As someone who already plays a slight draw, this club was a little overkill and many of my draws turned into hooks, which proves the design of this club is doing what it is supposed to. The Ai Smart Face is a new technology implemented in the whole of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke lineup and has been 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. Even my heel struck shots felt as though they had good distance and a powerful ball flight.

Where I 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. There really was little to complain about with the Max D, other than as much as the shallow face helped launch the ball off the fairway, it made it relatively more challenging to strike the ball correctly when placed off a tee and those who strike the ball with a fairly steep attack angle may find the same issue.

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D fairway wood alongside the other fairway wood models will be available to purchase from the 26th January and will retail at $349/£379. This model of fairway wood will be powered by a MCA Tensei Av Blue shaft or Project X Cypher 2.0 as stock, depending on flex and is available in lofts of 15°,16.5°, 18° and 21°. 

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

After a particularly successful 2023 with the launch of the Paradym range, it was always going to take something special from Callaway to one-up itself and deliver something that will improve the golfer experience, but thanks to the new Paradym Ai Smoke, it looks as though this has been achieved. While Callaway has used A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) in the past with the likes of the Epic Flash, data collected from thousands of shots has allowed the brand to expand on its development within A.I. to produce groundbreaking products.

There was no doubt that the likes of the TaylorMade Stealth 2 and Ping G430 were considered some of the best fairway woods on the market last year, but since the launch of Paradym, there was a noticeable shift in focus within the fairway wood market from Callaway and thanks to the eye-catching visuals of the Paradym Ai Smoke, it wouldn’t surprise me to see this product in a lot of golfers bags come the new golfing season. 

The white and grey crushed carbon sole gives the product its ‘Smoke’ name, which is nicely highlighted in a bolt blue to really capture the attention of your playing partners. When in the sun, both the sole and the carbon crown come to life and look spectacular when this club is at address. While the footprint of the Max fairway wood hasn’t changed dramatically compared to its predecessor, the Paradym fairway wood, the change in color scheme alone should be noted and applauded as I feel this has really enhanced the aesthetics of this fairway wood.

The Paradym Ai Smoke Max fairway wood possesses the largest target audience out of the three new models within the new range. The head is a generous size, framing the ball nicely at address, while the shallow face will inspire confidence to those who struggle when hitting fairway woods from the deck. The classic Callaway ‘V’ alignment aid remains on the Ai Smoke Max model and despite preferring the performance of the lower launching Triple Diamond model, this little feature helped me set up to my target square, more often than not.

The Ai Smoke Max fairway was unbelievably forgiving when taken out for testing which I would imagine is largely due to the Ai Smart Face implemented within the entire Paradym Ai Smoke family. Data from thousands of golf shots has been taken and entered into Callaway's ‘super computer’ to create a face with multiple sweet spots for incredible consistency of ball flight and spin rates, regardless of strike location. A refined carbon chassis also sees a saving of 24g within the head, that has been redistributed to create optimum launch and rival the stability of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market. Callaway has also released the Max D fairway wood model which is even more forgiving than the max and features a slight draw-bias to it.

I swung well when testing the Ai Smoke Max fairway both on the course and inside using a Trackman 4 launch monitor at My Golf Matters studio, Berkshire and used my current ball of choice, the Titleist Pro V1 to gather my data. I loved straight away how soft, yet powerful this fairway felt through impact. My average carry with the Ai Smoke Max Fairway was 264 yards while producing an average launch of 11.6°. The ball flight was a high, towering baby draw, which felt extremely easy to control. The spin averaged just under 3000rpm which is a little high for my liking, but it did mean that the ball was landing into greens softly on par fives when I took this club out to test on the golf course. 

The additional forgiveness within this club made it extremely easy to play out of the first cut of rough with it and still had the ball launching in a good window. The better player may prefer to see a slightly deeper face as when playing off a tee, I caught a few slightly high on the face when pegging the ball up, resulting in shorter distances.

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max fairway will be hard to beat as an all-rounder this season. The stunning looks, generous distance and increased forgiveness over its predecessor should make it a contender for any golfer looking to upgrade their fairway woods during the course of the year.

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max fairway will be available to purchase at retail from the 26th of January and come with an RRP of $349/£379. The Max fairway is offered in multiple lofts from 15°-27° and will come equipped with a MCA Tensei AV Blue shaft as standard.

WATCH: We test and compare the best fairway woods on the market in 2024

The Ai Smoke Triple Diamond fairway is far more compact than the Ai Smoke Max fairway and has a deeper face too. Behind the ball, even as a +3 handicap golfer, the look is somewhat intimidating and it would take a lower handicapper in full flow and with speed to burn to handle it. While I appreciate the sleekness of the design with this head, I can’t help but miss the alignment aid found on the top of the other models in the range to assist with alignment. The grooves on the face run the whole way along to help the club appear to sit a little open to promote a neutral to fade-biased shot shape. 

The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed the TD model doesn’t feature the crushed carbon sole found on the other fairway models or drivers. Instead, it boasts a classic looking steel sole with an additional weight port further forward towards the face to promote a lower ball flight. I took the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond to My Golf Matters in Berkshire to test on a Trackman 4 launch monitor in a controlled environment before heading on the course with it to get a better grasp of sound, feel and ball flight as well as experiencing how it performed in different lies and weather conditions.

After testing it was clear to see why this low spinning fairway wood is so popular in pro golf. It produced solid ball speeds of around 160mph and a carry actually a yard shorter on average than the Ai Smoke Max model at 263 yards, but with a slightly longer average total distance of 283 yards. This will be down to the more penetrating ball flight with a shallower angle of descent creating more roll when hitting the fairway. The spin hovered on average around the 2800rpm mark with some shots dropping as low as 2300rpm, significantly less than the Max model. The feel off the face was significantly firmer than the Max and Max D models which I didn’t love as I’m someone who prefers a softer feel through impact, but there’s no denying that it felt powerful.

While the TD model is undoubtedly harder to strike off the deck than the other more forgiving fairway woods in the Paradym Ai Smoke family, I loved the performance it offered from the tee.This fairway wood is ideal for players looking for a driver replacement off the tee, thanks to a slightly deeper face and powerful ball flight. It coped particularly well with getting my ball through any strong headwinds and was very easy to manipulate the ball flight further when I needed to. The new Smart Face certainly seemed to ensure my miss-hits were a little less penalizing, although it couldn't save some of my more wayward shots! The Paradym Ai Smoke TD model also comes equipped with an adjustable hosel for complete ball flight control, as does the Max and Max D Ai Smoke fairway wood models, and will be available in lofts of 15°, 18° and 21°.

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is a fairway wood that I’m sure will be in the bag of plenty of players on professional tours during the course of the upcoming season, but is very much designed for those with fast swing speeds and with the utmost control over their golf ball. For the majority of club golfers, even established, lower handicappers, I would suggest the Ai Smoke Max fairway wood might be the more playable option.

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond fairway wood model will come equipped with either the new Project X Denali shaft or the MCA Tensei AV Blue shaft as standard and Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip. The product will be available to purchase from the 26th January and will come to retail at $349 or £379.

The Mizuno ST-G has been designed as a low-spinning option for faster-swinging players chasing a more penetrating ball flight. To boost ball speed, Mizuno has implemented their cortech chamber technology into the head, which is essentially an internal stainless steel weight encased in elastomeric TPU. This is designed to take stress away from the clubhead and provide an additional energy source. 

Much like with the ST-G driver, Mizuno has absolutely nailed the aesthetics here. The clean, compact, and beautifully pear-shaped head, really appealed to my eye. The crown has a black gloss finish and a simple Mizuno logo to help center the ball at address. 

The face is relatively deep, which may not appeal to those who struggle to launch their fairway woods, but again for me this was a real plus point. I use my 3 wood a lot off the tee as well as the fairway, so the extra depth felt useful when the ball was teed up a touch. The sole is also neatly put together with the 80g stainless steel soleplate and the subtle cortech chamber complimenting the Mizuno graphics. 

I tested the Mizuno ST-G fairway woods both indoors using the SkyTrak+ launch monitor and outdoors at Saunton Golf Club, North Devon, on both occasions using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. The overall first impression, even before striking the ball was one of real quality. 

The upgraded Lamkin ST Hybrid grip feels very premium and the stock Mitsubishi Kai’li shaft graphics have been well chosen to compliment the Mizuno color scheme. As is often the case with some of the best Mizuno irons, you really feel like you are holding a well-crafted piece of kit.

Fortunately, once I started hitting balls, I was most certainly not disappointed. The ST-G felt very easy to launch both from the fairway and the tee, but the low spin characteristics of the head produced a powerful and neutral ball flight. Mizuno has managed to tune the spin down here through a combination of the cortech chamber, precisely placed sole weights, and a lightweight waffle crown.

Ball speeds were comparable to the best fairway woods I have tested, including the Taylormade Stealth 2 Plus and the Ping G430 LS. I have to say though, the thing that stood out the most for me throughout the testing process was the exceptional sound and feel. For a fairway wood producing so much ball speed, the feel was bordering on soft which is not something I was expecting. The sound is pleasingly muted also, which contributes to the impression of softness.

I found no real bias either way in terms of curvature and felt the head produced reasonable levels of forgiveness given the nature of its design, with mishits suffering more in terms of distance than dispersion for me at least.

I tested both the 3 and 5 wood options, and one of my only criticisms would be the lack of a “strong” 3 wood in the range. Whilst the quick switch hosel of the 15-degree 3 wood does allow you 4 degrees of adjustability, the face opens significantly when tuned down in loft which I personally don’t really like the look of. An option at around 13 degrees that still sits square would be a real weapon from the tee and one that a lot of better players tend to seek out.

Overall, Mizuno has produced a really solid option here that will stand alongside some of the best fairway woods on the market. The looks behind the ball and the exceptional sound and feel were the highlights of this club for me, and it will definitely appeal to the lower handicap player looking for a lower spinning fairway wood.

Ping made us wait a good six months or so for the LST version of its G430 fairway wood but we finally got our hands on it recently and based on our initial findings during testing, it was certainly worth the wait.

In terms of technology, this club has plenty just like the rest of the G430 range - notably an eight-layer Carbonfly Wrap crown like we saw on the G430 LST driver saves 5.5g of weight to help lower the center of gravity and maximise launch and ball speed. The 169cc head also has an 80 tungsten sole plate and a new variable roll radius that improves performance on shots struck low on the face.

Down at address, this looks surprisingly inviting for a low-spin model - not too compact. Plus it sits a little open, which will appeal to the better player that doesn’t want to see the ball going left. The grey dot at the front of the crown helps position the ball centrally, ably assisted by the white grooves in the heel and toe.

Connect with the middle for the first time and the feeling is exciting. Solid, stable and explosive it leaves you desperate to hit another shot. The sound off the face is louder than most, despite the carbon crown and the refinements Ping has made to the acoustics that make it marginally more subtle than G425 fairway wood. 

I tested the Ping G430 LST fairway in 15° with the Ping Tour 2.0 75x shaft. This was originally built for a colleague with a faster swing speed, but I actually got on with it really well. Despite it being the low spin head and the shaft being very strong, I got more that sufficient launch and peak height when hitting shots off the range mat. This only improved when I reverted to hitting shots off a low tee.

The data from the SkyTrak+ launch monitor suggested I was within optimum ranges for most parameters and that it was outperforming my Titleist TSR3 fairway. Despite using range balls, I averaged 226 yards of carry and 250 yards of total distance, which was six yards longer than my TSR3 thanks to 1mph added ball speed. The G430 LST also spun around 500 rpm less but launched a degree higher.

In terms of ball flight, shots did have quite a strong draw to them at times - such is the tendency given my in-to-out swing path. It also causes some toe strikes, which really exaggerated that flight and caused carry distance to drop due to the reduced spin. It wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that this club is designed for fairly competent ball strikers - if you use a lot of the face, the higher spin profile found on the G430 Max fairway will serve you better. My dispersion with the G430 LST was wider than my own Titleist TSR3, which suggests it isn't one of the most forgiving fairway woods - but given the low spin, there's enough help on offer for the slight mishit.

That said, I was surprised at how playable and consistent this fairway wood was once I got in the groove. It got the ball up in the air with ease and feels incredibly powerful. It also comes with an Arccos sensor screwed into the grip which, as a user of Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors, makes the process of incorporating this club into my bag set up and collecting performance data a much simpler one.

The elephant in the room here is the price. Coming in at £550 (around $580), it costs £200 more than the other fairway wood models in the range and even more than the G430 Max and SFT drivers (£525). This is a big jump and one that will be tough for many golfers to justify, regardless of how well it performs. But if money is no object I don’t think it would be farfetched to suggest this is one of the best all-round fairway woods for the faster swinger. It was really enjoyable to hit and is certainly a strong contender for a place in my bag.

The Callaway Big Bertha Fairway woods are a comprehensive upgrade on the B21 Big Bertha metalwoods that we thoroughly enjoyed playing with back in 2022. One of the things I look out for when testing a new set of fairway woods is how much forgiveness and consistency they offer. Playing from over 200 yards out can often be a hard thing to do, particularly if you're trying to score well on a par 5. But being able to grab a club you can rely on and pump the ball straight down the fairway towards the green is invaluable. That is something the Big Bertha range of clubs has really excelled at over the years, delivering bags of power and accuracy from both the tee and the ground and is once again evidenced in this latest addition to the brand's iconic range of clubs.  

New for 2023, Callaway's Big Bertha fairway woods are designed to help golfers eliminate their slice and be more accurate by placing more weight towards the heel of the club. The result, as I found out in testing, is a very reliable metalwood that plays well from both the ground and off the tee.

Visually, the new Big Bertha is stunning. It doesn't stray too far from the stealthy visuals seen on the Great Big Bertha fairway wood that was released in the autumn of 2022. It comes with a glossy black clubhead design that boasts some sleek maroon red and chrome detailing on the sole that provides a premium look. Something that will split opinion here, though, is the glossy crown on this club. While it does help to add a sleek finish, some players may not enjoy how shiny the crown is, with it reflecting the sun's rays a little too easily. 

At address, the Big Bertha looks very inviting to hit. It comes with a slightly oversized footprint compared to some of the best fairway woods in the game. The club sits quite shallow to the ground too - something many of the best fairway woods for high handicap golfers get right. 

Having put this club to the test over several rounds at The Springs Resort and Golf Club in Oxfordshire, I was impressed with how lightweight and consistent it was. Callaway has cut the shafts shorter on the Big Bertha woods to make them much more playable, while the implementation of a triaxial carbon crown in the head makes them feel light, easy to swing and perfect for players who don't necessarily have a fast swing speed. Even with stiff shafts, they did feel a little whippy and that may or may not be to your taste depending on how fast you swing the club. For me, it did take a little getting used to, particularly when I transitioned to the top of my back swing, but it certainly help get the ball up and away more easily. 

During my testing sessions, these fairways delivered some impressive numbers and even when slowing my swing down for control I was still very happy with what the club produced. My speeds with the 3-wood averaged out at around 139 mph, while the 5-wood totalled up to around 137mph. The clubs felt hot on impact - even on a few of my poorly struck shots, which still travelled an ample distance towards the target.

The high launch on offer is something many high handicap players will be able to benefit from and the ball hung in the air nicely before coming down softly. Distances were also excellent. I was able to really rip through my 3-wood to hit it over 225 yards on a couple of occasions off the tee. One thing the B21 really got right was its interaction with the turf and it's clear Callaway has once again paid plenty of attention to making these fairways just as forgiving off the ground as they are off the tee, with shots off the deck travelling impressive distances.

Accuracy is also something many golfers struggle with in their long game and these clubs can help there too. They come with a built-in draw-bias, thanks to their ultra-low and deep center of gravity. My shots flew very straight with both the 3-wood and the 5-wood, and the control I had over the ball was excellent, so much so that felt I rarely pushed any shots, with the ball generally travelling straight. 

Overall, these are a very consistent and powerful set of fairway woods that are perfect for less experienced players looking to improve around the course. They come in at £349/$434 each, which, at first look may be a large sum to part ways with, but is a pretty good value investment, seeing as these clubs will help you improve as a player. I also think they're a solid purchase for any intermediate players too, with the 2023 Big Bertha fairways offering a very similar performance to many of the best fairway woods for mid handicappers.

And if you decide to buy a Callaway fairway wood, take a look at our Callaway coupon page.

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 was one of the most anticipated launches of 2023 following on from the success and buzz caused by the original Stealth franchise last year. It seemed like the topic of conversation leading into the 2023 launch season was, what can TaylorMade do differently to improve on an already fan favorite model? Three TaylorMade fairway wood options are available this year, the Stealth 2 - suitable for the majority of golfers, the HD - for those seeking more forgiveness and draw bias and the Plus, which is adjustable, more compact and designed for the better player.

Watch: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

The fairway wood is often considered the hardest club to hit in the bag, especially when struck off the deck, however with what TaylorMade has branded ‘a cheat code’ the Stealth 2 fairway looks set to wash that stigma away. With a new refined look, featuring a clean carbon gloss crown, the Stealth 2 certainly boasts shelf appeal and a premium look, making it look one of the best TaylorMade fairway woods to date. Weight has been saved in the crown and toe in order to be redistributed towards the rear of the head, helping create a lower center of gravity and therefore resulting in higher launch. The iconic black and red colorway carries over from the previous generation and is featured in the shaft and head cover also.

To see if the TaylorMade Stealth 2 was as impressive as it looks, I took a 15° model out on the course and tested it with a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball to see how it performed. I think what initially struck me was how easy I found the Stealth 2 fairway to set up to my target. The new gloss carbon crown contrasted well against the jet black topline, which was then supported by a white stripe on the top of the face. This three-step alignment aid really made setting up square to target much easier than I found with the original Stealth fairway wood. 

The club sat fairly shallow, which for me inspires confidence and makes me feel as though I can really launch the ball, even when hitting off the fairway. This seems to be a trend in fairway woods for 2023 as both the Callaway Paradym and Ping G430 Max both hug the turf in exactly the same way. However, compared to its competitors, the Stealth 2 fairway appeared to come off the face quicker than the already impressive Paradym, which produced ball speeds of up to 162mph. The ball flight was an extremely high trajectory, similar to that of the G430, which produced a peak height of 113ft when struck off the deck. Its impressive performance on when I hit poorly struck shots off the bottom or toe definitely saw the Stealth 2 as one of the most forgiving fairway wood options of 2023.

The versatility of this club is actually something that surprised me more than anything. I knew the Stealth 2 fairway would come loaded with an abundance of power, but would it perform from various lies and could it conjure up varying ball flights? Well I'll to cut straight to it, yes! Despite being a bonded head in a world of adjustable hosels, the Stealth 2 fairway was super impressive and really brought out my creative side on the golf course. I normally find bonded heads sit slightly closed, but this was certainly not the case with the Stealth 2. In fact it sat almost perfectly square which really encouraged workability off the tee and into greens. 

The V Steel sole design continued to offer tremendous turf interaction, while gliding through damp first cuts of rough like it’s wasn't even there. Because of the revised center of gravity, this head launched extremely high and so hitting out of more buried lies was less of an issue than what I have found in the past from TaylorMade fairway woods. There is even the option of a HL model which comes set at 16° for those seeking even more assistance in launching the ball.

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 produced exceptional feel and muted yet powerful ‘thud’ through impact. The aesthetics run parallel with all of the best fairway woods released this year and the option of lofts from 15° all the way to 24° mean this versatile fairway wood will not only suit low handicappers, but make it one of the best fairways for mid-handicappers. The TaylorMade Stealth 2 fairway is available now and will retail at £379.

Should you choose to buy the Stealth 2, take a look at our TaylorMade discount codes.

With the abundance of new product releases over the past month all boasting new technology, it can be particularly hard to stand out. However Wilson with the return of the Dynapower franchise is looking to do just that. Dynapower came to fruition seventy years ago with an iron that was extremely popular, now Wilson looks to rekindle the popularity of the franchise by getting the fairway woods and drivers in the hands of their tour players such as new signing Kevin Kisner.

The Wilson Dynapower fairway is a generously sized, pear shaped head that comes in a satin black finish with red detailing around the perimeter. The aesthetics were refined after consulting contracted tour players to design a club that would appeal to all levels of golfer. The face appears fairly shallow and the sole hugs the ground tightly which will inspire confidence behind the ball, particularly when hitting off the deck. It actually reminded me a lot of the Srixon ZX Mk II fairway wood in terms of how the club looked at address which was one of my favorite releases of 2023.

Watch: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

The sole of the Dynapower fairway features Wilson’s trademark shield logo as well as its iconic brand name. There is a 12g weight situated towards the rear of the sole which helps produce a high MOI and stable clubhead while increasing the launch and forgiveness. Some of the fairway woods I compared the Dynapower directly to were the Yonex Ezone Elite 4 and the Mizuno ST-Z 230 due to their high launch characteristic and forgiving nature. In testing I found the Dynapower launched high with very little effort, both off the tee and the fairway. In fact, it achieved some of the highest ball flights from a fairway wood in recent testing which meant the carry gains, especially from the fairway, were impressive.

The Dynapower fairway flew visibly higher than the Mizuno which peaked at 39.8 yards (119ft) which would already be considered a very high ball flight. The combination of increased spin and height did mean the Dynapower often fell a couple of yards short of the Mizuno which averaged 235 yards of carry. In terms of forgiveness, the Dynapower was very similar to the ST-Z 230, a fairway which blew me away with how straight it was on miss-hits, making them both perfect fairway woods for higher handicappers. The Dynapower rarely drifted more than 15 yards off target, even when testing in a cross-wind. The Ezone Elite 4 was more comparable in terms of it all over DNA and even felt very similar on off-centre strikes, both of which are some of the most forgiving fairway woods we have tested.

Through impact the Dynapower provided good turf interaction and performed strongly out of the first cut while delivering a fairly muted ‘thud’ through impact, one I prefer over a more ‘tinny’ sound.

There was a good sense of forgiveness on the Dynapower fairway with poorly struck shots not wandering too far offline. I tested a 15° model, which as I mentioned previously was perfect for those seeking height and carry, however when playing into a breeze, lowering the trajectory became difficult. Where a bonded head reduces weight in the hosel and can be used effectively elsewhere to increase performance, the lack of adjustability does hinder the ability to be able to tune in a certain ball flight or fight against a typical miss. However, if properly custom fitted and placed in a correct shaft and loft combination you will reap the rewards from the Dynapower fairway. 

Dynapower A.I. Technology has been used to create a PKR2 face which allows for varying thickness across the face resulting in faster and more consistent speeds on off-center hits. More complex face thickness patterns on the face is a common trend I have seen in the release of fairway woods so far in 2023 and a welcome one, especially on what is often perceived to be the hardest club to hit in the bag.

The Wilson Dynapower fairway is one that has been designed with the majority of golfers in mind, both visually and performance wise. A confidence-inspiring head is backed up by its power and forgiveness, resulting in a fairway wood that wouldn’t be out of place in both high-handicappers and tour professionals bags this season. For its versatility and clean looks, I believe the Wilson Dynapower fairway is one of the best fairway woods released this year. The Dynapower irons, hybrid and driver all impressed us while testing and would make up a very strong set for a mid-high handicapper coming into the new golfing season. 

The Dynapower fairway comes in marginally under some of the other premium brands at £220, which I feel is extremely good value and will be available early March 2023.

If you decide to buy one of these fantastic Wilson fairway clubs, first look at one of our Wilson coupon codes. 

Having utilised its own premium graphite materials for 75 years, Yonex continues to impress with the release of the Ezone Elite 4 range for this year. The Ezone Elite 4 range is built for beginners and higher handicappers looking to maximize launch and distance. It features some of the same technology we have seen from Yonex in the past, while also refining aspects found on previous models to make this range perform for those it’s targeted towards.

Watch: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

That includes a premium Yonex shaft offering which is made upwards of 85 percent graphite. Despite coming as a regular flex shaft, the tip end has been stiffened slightly to promote stability and a high launch. I put the Yonex Ezone Elite 4 fairway through its paces by testing on the golf course as well as inside on a GCQuad Launch Monitor to see what performance golfers can expect.

One of the first things that strikes you when peeling off the headcover is the metallic blue glow on the crown. A lighter blue shine is centred by a darker blue perimeter which acts somewhat of an alignment aid alongside the two silver arrows above the face. This may not suit the eye of those looking for a more classic design, however for those wanting something a little different Yonex tick the box with this model. 

The Yonex Ezone Elite 4 is the largest head profile made by the brand which features a new design where weight has been redistributed in order to create a lower centre of gravity, in turn promoting more stability and making it one of the most forgiving fairways we have tested. The Ezone Elite 4 fairway produced the kind of launch angle we’d expect to see out of a low CG forgiving head, on average 12.5° which translated into a high yet more floaty ball flight when on the course.

The diagonal groove pattern as seen on the face of recent Yonex fairways and hybrids remains present in the Ezone Elite 4 and is said to improve accuracy by more consistent spin rates over the standard horizontal grooves we are used to seeing. Testing inside, my data somewhat proved this was the case with the 15° model averaging 3347 rpm (revolutions of spin), however I'll never know if horizontal grooves would be better or worse. I did see the odd ball really climb up high but this is more likely due to the fact the shaft is considerably lighter and softer than one I would be fitted for. That said, it has enough stability built in for the majority of golfers.

The Yonex Ezone Elite 4 fairway certainly wasn’t the fastest model we have tested in recent months, however that isn’t necessarily what it’s designed for. This model will please exactly who Yonex is targeting - the golfer who doesn’t perhaps swing it overly fast and is looking for more height. The ease in promoting a high launch with decent spin will equate to more carry and distance, pleasing those who seek it, making it one of the best fairways for high-handicappers we have tested. The Ezone Elite 4’s soft yet powerful sensation off the face is a feeling synonymous with Japanese golf club manufacturers and was even pleasant on off-center hits. 

Despite being a larger footprint, the Ezone Elite 4 sits fairly shallow, allowing it to glide through rough fairly easily and was useful in advancing the ball up par fives and into greens on longer par fours. Because of the height generated from this fairway metal, greens were easy to hold from distance making it an ideal club to use on longer par threes as well as in firm conditions.

The Yonex Ezone Elite 4 fairway will be available from the 1st March 2023 and will come to retail at £199, providing excellent value for money for golfers seeking performance on a budget.

The TSR1 fairway wood features in the final addition of Titleist’s TSR metalwood family, joining TSR2 and TSR3. The introduction of the TSR1 range, which also includes a driver and hybrid, is designed to suit players with a moderate driver swing speed of less than 90mph, and this means that Titleist now has a full spectrum of clubs to facilitate any level of golfer.

Watch: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

Nevertheless, Titleist does not want to pigeon-hole golfers into a certain category, and based on the company’s philosophy that every golfer swings the club differently and therefore should be fitted for the best performing products for their game, it might be that a player suits a TSR1 driver, but a TSR2 fairway wood.  

As a golfer with a moderate swing speed, I definitely fit the profile for the TSR1 fairway wood and should benefit from its design characteristics that promote more speed, higher launch, distance, yet without sacrificing forgiveness. 

First impressions, the classic-looking clubhead is quite compact, so much so, I was convinced that it is significantly smaller than my current 19-degree 5-wood, but I was wrong. It must be the glossy all-black finish that creates this deception. In fact, compared with my 3-wood, when looking more closely at the 18-degree TSR1 fairway, overall the clubface has a larger footprint. Actually, it's this design characteristic that also differentiates TSR1 and TSR2 along with the grey detailing.  

The TSR1 sets itself apart from other TSR models by its ultra-lightweight design and the TSR1 fairway is 20 grams lighter than the TSR2 model. This is evident as soon as you pick up TSR1, as it feels comfortably light and evenly weighted across the whole club thanks to the high-quality shaft and grip that complement the clubhead for a  total lightweight package. 

Interestingly, to deliver an optimized launch, spin, speed scenario for a moderate swinging golfer, the clubhead of the TSR1 fairway is slightly heavier than its predecessor TSi1. Combined with the weight-saving open hosel construction, this allows for a deeper center of gravity placement. It also has a higher MOI over previous models to help minimise performance losses from mishits.

Many women don’t always find fairway woods the easiest club to hit, but my current 3-wood is my go-to club, the one I feel most confident playing, so after initially testing off a mat, I was keen to play 18 holes and find out how the TSR1 fairway performed.  

Of course, at address it’s so important to feel completely at ease with a club in your hands, you’re almost halfway there to hitting a good shot. I can honestly say that I felt very confident over the ball because the look and feel of this club suited me, although I’m not used to a shiny crown, so in bright sunlight I did notice my reflection and this was a little off-putting at first. 

Not knowing what to expect, especially hitting off damp fairways, I was pleasantly surprised that my first strike flew effortlessly high and straight, yet what impressed me most was the speed I could feel through the shot and the powerful sound off the clubface. This wasn’t beginner’s luck, as I hit several balls from the same spot to compare accuracy and distance, and each shot performed similarly.  

It’s fair to say that compared with my current 3-wood, on average I didn’t notice a great deal of extra yardage, but when I hit my best shots, it was a different story, providing me with a wow factor moment in terms of flight, accuracy and remarkable distance. It’s also worth mentioning that I got away with mishits, so I cannot fault the forgiveness of this club.  

All in all, for a player with a moderate swing speed, the TSR1 fairway delivers on its promise for golfers to play off fairways with ease and confidence, so in my opinion it is amongst one of the best fairway woods on the market, joining the best women's fairway woods on the market right now. 

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Mizuno has always held an excellent reputation for making some of the best golf irons money can buy, but it has often struggled to repeat this acclaim with its  metalwoods. The 2022 ST-Z fairway wood certainly made positive strides, but now with the release of the new ST-Z 230, Mizuno looks to be a serious contender in the fairway wood market and for an Editor's Choice award.

Watch: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

The ST-Z 230 fairway really is a thing of beauty, a classic gloss black carbon crown frames the ball perfectly at address making this one of the best fairway woods released this year for looks. A compact, but not overly small head inspires confidence behind the ball, yet feels workable and will please the eye of all levels of golfers. One of the main selling points for us when it came to first impressions was the upgraded stock grip, with a Lamkin ST Hybrid 360 grip fitted as standard. 

We tested the new Mizuno ST-Z 230 fairway wood inside on a GCQuad Launch Monitor using Titleist Pro V1x Golf balls, as well as on the course at North Hants Golf Club in Hampshire, to see how it fared compared to some of the other best fairway woods we have hit recently. The ST-Z 230 is the only fairway model released by Mizuno compared to the two last year and so Mizuno have tried to make a club that performs well across the board. Thanks to the adjustable hosel the ST-Z 230 fairway can be tuned to create the ball flight any golfer wishes to promote.

The ST-Z 230 model is a high launching, straight bias, mid-to-low spinning fairway wood. Thanks to a new MAS1C steel face and boosted by Mizuno’s new Cortech Chamber, this was one of the fastest Mizuno fairways I have ever hit. I averaged 152mph ball speed and 235 yards of carry with the ST-Z 230 fairway - certainly not numbers to be sniffed at, although I can’t help but say I was expecting a little more for how fast this club feels off the face. The Cortech Chamber, highlighted in blue on the sole, holds a stainless steel weight which relieves stress from the face, creating an additional source of energy. Positioned further forward towards the face of the club, the Cortech chamber reduces spin rates, allowing for a more powerful flight and hitting sensation. 

The Mizuno ST-Z 230 fairway was fairly versatile and performed steadily both off the tee and the deck, as I hit shots into a par 5 green. The ball flight tended to climb a little which made flighting the ball in windy conditions not overly easy. Moreover the additional spin was useful when playing out the rough, helping get the carry out of tricky lies I didn’t always see in other fairways I have tested this year. Where I feel the ST-Z 230 particularly impressed was on off-centre strikes. The ball rarely fell off line despite my tendency to hit off the toe with a fairway wood. In fact, in my indoor testing session, only one ball finished more than ten yards from my desired target line, making the ST-Z 230 up there as one of the most forgiving fairways I have tested this year.

Despite improvements on speed, launch and spin over its predecessor the ST-Z 230 fairway struggled to keep up with some of the other big brands. However the ability to neutralize the ball flight on miss-hits certainly made this fairway one of the easier to hit. In summary, if you are looking for speed and distance I would perhaps turn your attention to the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond or the Cobra Aerojet LS fairway, however the Mizuno ST-Z 230 will be hard to beat if you are looking for a reliable, forgiving fairway wood option.

The Mizuno ST-Z 230 drivers and fairways will be available from February 2023 with the fairways coming to retail at £299.

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With how popular the G425 range was across all levels of golfers, it was going to take something special to replace it. Introducing the G430 family, the latest Ping release that features two fairway models, the SFT (Straight Flight Technology) and the Max. The Max is the model that will suit the majority of golfers, that ranges from tour professionals to the weekend warrior. 

WATCH: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

So what’s new on the G430 Max fairway? Ping has introduced a Carbonfly Wrap which is visible across the top of the crown from head to toe designed to save weight (10g) and lower the centre of gravity for less spin and more ball speed. This carbon finish along with the dark grey and neon green accents give the G430 Max fairway a more premium and modern look, which we believe gives it more shelf appeal than the G425 fairway it has come in to replace. The club sits low to the ground appearing shallow, inspiring the ability to really launch the ball high off the fairway or a tee.

The G430 Max fairway also features Facewrap Technology which provides a stable connection between sole and crown, resulting in more flexibility on the face to produce faster ball speeds and higher launch. This allows for more consistent ball speeds and spin rates off the face regardless of strike location - an impressive addition to Ping fairway woods already notorious for being some of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market. 

In our testing, thinly-struck shots popped up and flew just shy of an optimum peak ball flight, rather than coming out low and not achieving good carry. When playing into the wind, it was harder to keep the G430 Max down and it felt the ball often climbed a touch. The feel from centre strikes was a firm powerful one and I was pleasantly surprised with the feeling of miss-hits.

By using a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor, we were able to gather data inside to back up our findings on the course. The Ping G430 Max fairway produced an average ball speed of 154.5mph and average carry of 244 yards. The data remained fairly consistent across the shots hit, quickly becoming one of the best Ping fairway woods we have seen. We tested the G430 Max in a stock shaft option, the Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 75g stiff flex set at 15°. The shaft was slightly too light for me, although it did a really good job in keeping up with me to produce repetitive ball flights. The spin for me was also a little high, averaging 4132 rpm (revolutions per minute), but combined with good launch meant my peak height only saw a 3ft difference from the lowest flight to highest, which I thought was pretty remarkable.

Overall Ping has continued to impress us with the ability to create a fairway wood that continues to deliver exceptional forgiveness, yet see ball speeds that crept up to match some of the longer fairway woods in the game. The sleek look of the G430 Max fairway makes it even more appealing to hit and is certainly one of the best fairway woods available this year as vouched for in Editors Choice.

The G430 Max will be offered in five different stock options and the choice of a Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips in various sizes, on sale from January 27th with an RRP of $385/£350.

TaylorMade has forever been known for producing fairway woods that impress and the new trio of models for 2023 follow suit. The TaylorMade Stealth 2 is the latest range on offer with a choice of three heads to cater for golfers of all levels. There is the standard Stealth 2 model, the Stealth 2 Plus which is a more compact, adjustable head aimed for the better player as well as the Stealth 2 HD - the most forgiving and larger footprint of the three models.

WATCH: Gear Of The Week show discusses the new TaylorMade Stealth 2, Cobra Aerojet and Ping G430 

Visually TaylorMade hasn't veered too far from the first generation Stealth fairways. As the name ‘Stealth’ these models come in a mixture of gloss and satin black tones across the head with flashes of red to add to the shelf appeal. TaylorMade has opted for a gloss finish on the crown this year as opposed to the matte finish we saw in the first generation, but a satin black top line in front of the gloss crown provides a subtle alignment aid along with the ‘T Bug’ TaylorMade alignment stamp and white strip first seen on the top of the face of the original Stealth models. We think aesthetically the Stealth 2 HD is one of the best TaylorMade fairway woods we have seen.

TaylorMade has designed the Stealth 2 HD fairway with a larger, low-profile sole to help this club sit flush to the ground, visually inspiring confidence to its user. This head design also enhances the ability to promote added launch and draw bias, which we found to be very effective during testing. Even when I thought I was going to hit a high right shot with this club, it rarely fell more than 10 yards right of target, which really gave me confidence as I felt I was eliminating the two-way miss. TaylorMade has continued to use its V Steel Sole Design on the Stealth 2 HD fairway, which provides superb turf interaction and performed exceptionally well out of lies from the fairway, the rough and even off the tee. Due to the characteristics of the HD fairway the ball flew high and jumped out of some nasty lies very well on the golf course, making it extremely versatile.

Thanks to the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket TaylorMade has incorporated into the Stealth 2 fairway family, ball speeds remained exceptionally consistent even on miss-hits which again only bred confidence. The Stealth 2 HD fairway felt extremely powerful off the face and produced the same thumping sound synonymous with TaylorMade fairway woods. 

We tested the Stealth 2 HD inside on a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls to also gain some club and ball data in neutral conditions. The Stealth 2 HD produced consistent but high spin numbers, 4332 rpm on average (revolutions per minute), which wasn't necessarily optimised for my swing speed but will help slower swinging golfers keep the ball in the air and increase carry. The Fujikura Speeder NX is a very good new stock shaft for the Stealth 2 fairway family and the Golf Pride Z-Grip Plus2 grip comes in black and red to nicely match the color scheme of the rest of the club.

The fact the Stealth 2 HD comes fitted at 16° is ideal for those looking to recreate the high draw ball flight produced by TaylorMade staff player Rory McIlroy, but a bonded head does restrict any adjustability. For golfers looking for that customization, the Stealth 2 Plus fairway allows you to change loft and lie to produce a desired ball flight. Overall the Stealth 2 HD proves to be very stable and reliable making it one of the most forgiving fairway woods we have tested.

Retailing at £299 the TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD is towards the more premium end of the market, however its overall performance means it should be seriously considered if you’re in need of a forgiving fairway wood replacement. The Stealth 2 fairway wood family will go to retail on 17th February 2023.

If you opt to add the Stealth 2 HD to your bag, take a look at our TaylorMade voucher codes.

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus fairway has undergone the most radical change of the range from the previous TaylorMade Plus Stealth fairway. It is still aimed at the high swing speed player, but now it offers a wide choice of adjustability options, helping stake it's claim in the 2023 Editor's Choice.

WATCH: Gear Of The Week show discusses the new TaylorMade Stealth 2, Cobra Aerojet and Ping G430 

Central to these in more ways than one is the sliding 50g steel weight in the middle of the sole. By loosening the screw that holds it in place you can move it to the back and create a higher launch. If you slide it forward into what TaylorMade describe off the record as the ‘garage’, then you will reduce the spin by around 200rpm and create a club that plays similarly to the previous Rocket 3 version of the previous Stealth Plus, one of the best fairway woods for mid handicappers. 

In testing using premium balls and GCQuad outdoors, I was getting around a 1.5° difference in launch between each of the 3 settings. The spin was similar for me between the middle and back setting, but fell significantly when the weight was in the front setting.

It is a sliding pathway so you can tighten the weight in any position you like to suit your preference for flight, but also sound. When the weight was forward then the Stealth Plus 2 fairway sounded very solid. When it was further back then it sounded a little more hollow due to the exposed cavity and the balance did not feel as good.

My preference was to leave it around the middle and that is just as well as that was the best performing setting for my swing speed, which is around 100mph with a driver. There was not major distance gains between each setting, but the middle setting was around 3 yards more carry than the other two. However the trajectory was very different and that is what the adjustability of this club provides.

You can also vary the loft and lie by up to 2° using the usual TaylorMade adjustable hosel that is back in a fairway again. Combined with the trajectory varying sliding weight, this means that the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus is only available in a 15° and 18° head as the previous Rocket 3 flight can be achieved in same head as the new 3-wood.

What you can’t see is the improvement to the face, which now uses variable face thickness to create a wider sweetspot. The previous model had a 2.7mm thick face but now we have a face that varies from 2.3mm to 3.1mm in order to generate more ball speed and the TwistFace design is also there to straighten any wayward shots, making it one of the best TaylorMade fairway woods money can buy.

As you can see this is a very comprehensive fairway wood, but before you all rush out and buy one, a few points to note. The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus fairway has a smaller 170cc head than the standard model and is really aimed at high swing speed and high spin players who want a more penetrating fairway.

I was testing this alongside former European Tour player Nick Dougherty who even in his retirement is swinging it faster than me. He was all over it because it gave him the flight he wanted that he could not get with the standard fairway at his swing speed.

Yes, I could get it going, but with the standard model being more forgiving and easier to hit from a larger and £80 cheaper head, then it would have to be a significant performance gain for most players to switch to the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus. So therefore fitting is advised and if it is right for you then the Plus is a worthy choice.

If you decide to buy from this range, take a look at our handpicked TaylorMade discount codes.

Cobra’s fairway woods in recent years have certainly impressed and now with three new offerings, there should be a model for golfers of all abilities. Aerojet is Cobra’s latest range which includes the standard model, suitable for the majority of golfers, the MAX which is the most forgiving, draw bias option and the LS option, which is the lower spinning model designed for a skilled player seeking a lower flight and workable trajectory. The Aerojet family has come in to replace the Cobra LTDx range which was extremely popular and we thought was one of the best fairway woods on the market.

WATCH: Gear Of The Week show discusses the new TaylorMade Stealth 2, Cobra Aerojet and Ping G430 

Visually the Cobra Aerojet LS ticks all the boxes for the stereotypical better players' metalwood. The head is fairly small and compact, with a sleek gloss black carbon crown. Conversely on the sole, there are red and blue accents that nicely highlight some of the tech used in the design of the club, which provide a classic yet modern overall aesthetic. The acoustics of the club were a delight, providing a loud but solid pitch as opposed to the more tinny sound Cobra has been associated with in the past.

Cobra has incorporated a new PWR-Bridge weighting design which has allowed for advanced flexibility within the face and sole as well as moving the centre of gravity lower and more forward in the head to promote faster ball speeds. This did run true when testing the Cobra Aerojet LS fairway wood on a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls, I saw an average ball speed of 157.7mph. I can’t say the speed necessarily blew me away but the Aerojet LS certainly delivered on its promise of producing low spin. I produced on average 3018 rpm (revolutions per minute) which was on average just under 200 rpm less than the LTDx max I was testing it against. 

The carbon fibre crown is designed to also lower CG (centre of gravity) to aid launch and flight consistency and while the latter ran true, the launch was one of the lowest we have seen while recently testing fairway woods. However the golfer looking to play the Aerojet LS model is most likely looking for the more penetrating ball flight that it delivered. Playability was not an issue as I found the LS very easy to move both ways on the golf course, however when hitting out the rough the lack of spin meant the ball did fall out the sky a little earlier than I'd have liked.

The Cobra Aerojet LS fairway would make a superb option off the tee for those looking to hit less than driver, however due to its lower flight which peaked at 33ft (6ft lower on average than the Callaway Rogue ST LS fairway) and a shallow angle of decent we found this fairway lacked a little stopping power when hitting into greens on the course.  The Aerojet LS fairway also features two adjustable weight settings which are positioned in the heel and toe and can changed around to promote a neutral or fade bias ball flight, something the majority of lower handicap golfers will appreciate to help with more control when hitting into greens or keeping the ball in play.

That said, with the adjustable hosel you're able to increase the loft and add height if you plan on using it more into greens. This makes it perfect for those golfers who prefer the smaller head footprint on offer without having to sacrifice the loft they may desire. For those seeking more spin and help with launch, the Cobra Aerojet Max would be great alternative and is set to be one of most forgiving fairway woods we have ever tested.

As standard the Cobra Aerojet LS fairway will come equipped with a Mitsubishi Chemical Kai’li White extra stiff flex, will retail at £269 and will be available to purchase from the 10th February 2023.

After the impressive series of LTDx clubs from 2022, Cobra had a serious job on its hands to make the new Aerojet range offer significant performance benefits. The standard LTDx was one of the best fairway woods of the year last time out, so what has Cobra done to advance the good work in the all-new Aerojet franchise? Firstly, much like with the LTDx, I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable feel off the face from 2023's class of fairway woods. From my very first hit with this club, it was hot and powerful while creating a satisfying crunch on impact. 

WATCH: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

Through advanced machine learning, Cobra has advanced its H.O.T face for 2023, creating fast ball speeds over a wider area of the face and allowing perimeter hits to maintain good ball speed and spin characteristics. Despite the power on offer, it feels like a genuinely forgiving fairway wood. It's a compelling feeling well worth trying out for yourself if you're after a powerful fairway wood and I was seriously impressed with how well my poor - mostly heel - strikes performed. 

Off the tee this club is a real winner for power and distance but, for me, there are certainly easier fairway woods to hit off the deck than the Aerojet. The CG has been moved lower and more forward in this model and, while this makes for powerful distance off the tee, I think this will hinder those ball strikers who need as much help as possible with fairway woods off the deck. 

I'd put the 3-wood down as a fantastic, powerful option off the tee with its ability off the floor very much down to the type of ball striker you are. The 18° 5-wood proved to be a winner in my testing when hitting off the deck and perhaps this says more about my ability to hit a 3-wood off the ground than it does about the club itself. However, having used the Ping G425 Max 3-wood for the last 18 months, I would suggest the Aerojet isn't the easiest off the deck. 

The crown is made from carbon and has a gloss finish just as the drivers do. Annoyingly, it doesn't seem to have quite the same deep, carbon black finish as the Aerojet driver and quite simply I prefer the matte finish that was used on the LTDx fairway. Of course, opinions on gloss or matte finishes are totally subjective and this gloss finish still gives a premium look if that is to your taste. 

While the carbon crown finish is a bit too sharp for me, the white lines on the face give the clubface a good definition and make framing the ball off the tee or off the ground easy. The comprehensive MyFly hosel remains in the Aerojet fairway and will allow you to adjust for loft and lie. For a lower spinning model, Cobra offers the Aerojet LS which comes in a 'Big Tour' shape of 172cc compared to the 168cc head in the standard fairway. There's also the Aerojet Max fairway wood which is a slightly more forgiving head and some draw bias for those who tend to slice the ball. 

As is the case with most Cobra products, you'll also find the RRP comes in slightly lower than most of its competitors this year. All three fairways come in at £269/$269, a decent chunk below its 2023 competitors with performance being very similar. Are the gains over LTDx significant in Aerojet? Significant might be a strong word, but I have to commend Cobra for the developments it has made in the face construction of the Aerojet range. The forgiveness from off-center shots is a really positive development and, with three different heads and plenty of fitting options, I can easily see the Aerojet fairway wood being a favorite amongst a wide range of golfers this year. 

The new Callaway Paradym line up includes three adjustable fairway metals designed to target golfers of all abilities with the standard Paradym suiting the broadest spectrum of players. The Callaway Paradym TD (triple diamond) is a lower spinning model aimed at the better player with a faster swing speed while the Paradym X which is the most forgiving model with a slight draw bias. The Paradym family comes in to replace the Epic range and sit along the Rogue ST, which will be repositioned lower in price in 2023.

WATCH: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Paradym fairway is the beautiful carbon sole panel, which is due to a new construction model from Callaway where weight from the head has been repositioned to increase MOI for greater stability and forgiveness as well as faster ball speeds. It catches the eye in the Callaway Paradym driver but also in the fairway woods too - and even more so when sparkling off the sunlight giving it extreme shelf appeal. Additionally, the Paradym gave me a lot of confidence at address, due to a matte black topline marked with Callaway's traditional V alignment aid, which made setting up to my target extremely easy. 

I tested the Callaway Paradym fairway indoors using a Foresight GCQuad as well as on course at North Hants Golf club, set at 15° using a Project X HZRDUS Black 70g X-Stiff shaft and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. 

The new tech incorporated seemed to provide noticeable gains over Callaway's previous model the Rogue St Max when looking at the data. The Paradym had an average launch angle of 11.7°, nearly a degree higher than the Rogue ST Max, while average ball speed also saw the Paradym faster by 2mph with an average of 161mph. Moreover, the Paradym did produce more spin, 200rpm on average to be precise, which resulted in only a two yard carry margin on the Rogue ST Max. However, this spin and carry was beneficial when hitting into a par five off the fairway or out the first cut of rough as the ball popped up a little higher, resulting in a steeper descent angle and therefore making it easier to hold the green.

Where I thought the Callaway Paradym fairway really excelled was the feeling off the face. It was about as soft as I’ve felt from a fairway wood, meaning there were no ‘dead’ feeling shots even when not striking it quite as intended. I felt it still delivered a serious amount of power which for me is the perfect combination for a fairway and will undoubtedly be one of the best fairway woods released this year. The better player who is looking for a more penetrative flight and an alternate option off the tee when the driver may not be behaving should look into the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond model.

The Callaway Paradym fairway will be available in three stock shaft options; Alidla Ascent in light flex, Project X HZRDUS Silver in regular or stiff and Project X HZRDUS Black in stiff or x-stiff. The shaft will come with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 as standard with a RRP of $379/£379 and will be available to purchase from the 24th February. The Paradym fairway wood joins the Paradym driver in being included in our Editor's Choice awards for 2023.

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For the faster swinging, more confident golfer, Callaway has released the Paradym Triple Diamond (TD) amongst their newest range of fairway woods. The TD has a deeper face than its family members, perfectly suited for the golfer who is looking to reduce spin and hit a lower and more penetrating ball flight. The Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond fairway features the new technology found in the whole Paradym fairway wood range, such as Jailbreak Batwing Technology, and is set to replace the Rogue ST LS fairway as the top-of-the-range low spin offering. We took the Callaway Paradym TD fairway, alongside its predecessor to Foresight Sports HQ to test on a GCQuad Launch Monitor, as well as on the course to see how the two compared and see where any differences in performance can be identified.

WATCH: Sam De'Ath and Neil Tappin discuss the best fairway woods of 2023

One of the things we liked straight away about the Paradym fairway wood range was that each head looks slightly different and would individually appeal to golfers of differing abilities. The Paradym and Paradym X sit more on the closed side at address with the latter designed to promote a semi-draw bias. The TD fairway certainly stands alone in its neutral to somewhat open address position, a feature that will please those who will predominantly miss to the left. The head of the Paradym TD is noticeably more compact and features no alignment aids on the crown which presents a clean, stripped-back look, one I really enjoyed. However to aid alignment on this lower spinning model, full face alignment lines have been added ensuring setting up square to target is not an issue. 

Callaway has moved away from the matte black finish that was seen on the Rogue ST range, instead opting for a navy carbon crown with a glossier finish and a matte dark grey front section. This gives the club a premium aesthetic, making it look one of the best Callaway fairway woods around and boasts shelf appeal to rival the likes of the Titleist TSR3. The feel off the Callaway Paradym TD is every bit as good as its looks, presenting a more understated ‘thud’, similar to that of the Rogue ST LS fairway.

So does the Paradym TD outperform the Rogue ST LS fairway? I used Titleist Pro V1x golf balls as well as the respective extra stiff shaft option in each to find out. Despite a more compressed, faster feeling off the face, the Paradym TD ball speed (160.6mph) actually averaged 0.5mph slower than the Rogue ST LS. Despite the Paradym averaging 11.5 of launch and only 0.3 of a degree less than the Rogue ST LS on GCQuad, the ball flights were noticeably different on the course. 

The Paradym TD produced an average 3131rpm (revolutions per minute) of spin, just over 250rpm less than the Rogue ST LS. This lower spin rate combined with a fractionally lower launch resulted in a much stronger ball flight that didn’t have the tendency to climb up like the Rogue ST LS. Interestingly when inside in neutral conditions, the Callaway Paradym fairway only produced three yards more carry in the air (270 yards) as opposed to the Rogue ST LS at 267 yards. However the lower spin rate on the Paradym TD meant when exposed to the elements on the course, it excelled, effortlessly passing past the Rogue ST LS fairway off the tee.

The Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond is no doubt one of the best fairway woods on offer, especially for competent players seeking alternatives to hit off the tee. Thanks to its launch and spin characteristics, it proved to be long and surprisingly forgiving considering its smaller compact head design. A look that will definitely please the eye of the better player looking to add to or upgrade their fairway wood armory.

The Paradym TD fairway will come equipped with a Mitsubishi Chemical Kai'li shaft when ordered in extra stiff and comes with an RRP of $379/£379.

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The Srixon ZX Mk II fairway wood has undergone some big changes to the sole plate compared to the previous Srixon ZX fairway. The new Cannon Sole features a weight pad that is more towards the front of the club behind the face in order to position the CG in the ideal place. Behind it the contours of the sole plate have also been redesigned to centre the weight and also create notches in the heel and toe.

WATCH: Gear Of The Week Callaway Paradym And Srixon ZX MKII Launches

The notches work with the higher trailing edge to create a squarer face angle at impact and also more versatility from any lie. In testing on grass this we evident from the ease which the Srixon ZX Mk II fairway played, whether from short grass or semi-rough, making it one of the best fairway woods around.

The body is made from steel as is the crown in the 5 (18°) and 7 (21°) woods. The 3 (15°) and 3+ (13.5°) heads feature a carbon crown again which is lighter and moves the CG lower to get the ball airborne, which is helpful in these lower launching fairways. The internal structure is reinforced with the Rebound Frame and the Dual Flex Zones on the face aim to maximise speed and enhance forgiveness across the face making this one of the most forgiving fairway woods that money can buy.

The crown features a step down design at the front, which creates a defined leading edge for those who want it. I am not mad about this, especially as it curves away towards the toe to give an impression of the face being open, but if you can see past this then the dark matte finish is a pretty classy look. At address the Srixon ZX Mk II fairways sits very well behind the ball and the 177cc head of the 3-wood is 4cc larger than the previous version and looks very confidence inspiring.

To help with the appearance, the higher lofted woods have also been beefed up with the footprint of the 5-wood increasing by 25cc to 165cc and the 7-wood by 18cc to 145cc. I like this approach as everyone wants more forgiveness and the larger and taller head will do this and lower the CG. It will certainly appeal to those who struggle to get the ball airborne, making it one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers. 

The Srixon ZX Mk II fairway was really easy to hit and if you like the looks and are not familiar with the brand then I would encourage you to try out this versatile fairway that is easy to hit from any lie. It feels fast and reassuringly stable, something inconsistent golfers will welcome when attacking small greens into par fives.

We crowned this club the best fairway wood of 2021 so clearly, the Cobra Radspeed has a lot going for it, despite having been replaced by the newer LTDx line.

At address, the Radspeed has an inviting profile that sits squarely behind the ball. You could also its only weak point is it gets a bit messy where the CNC Milled face meets the crown, although some will argue this actually assists with alignment.

Strike a few shots away and you immediately notice it offering up an explosive feel at impact across the face, just like we experienced with the Cobra Radspeed drivers. In terms of ball speed, it averaged just under 149mph with a healthy launch in excess of 14° from the deck, even in 14.5° of loft, with spin just under 2900rpm. As a result the flight was strong, leading to carries on average of 243 yards - making it one of the longest fairway woods we’ve tested this year.

While being long, it is the Baffler sole rails that set this club apart, extracting the ball surprisingly cleanly from iffy lies to ensure any loss of height and carry distance is minimized. These aren’t too pronounced that would cause the club to bounce up from firm turf, but gentle enough to keep the head gliding along the top of the ground and not dig down into it either.

It always amazes us that more manufacturers don’t implement something similar on their fairway woods because the performance benefits are obvious.

While it packs plenty of punch, this doesn’t come at the detriment of control - for a long time it was part of my setup as my fairway-finding club off the tee.

The adjustable loft means it can be fine-tuned to hit the distance or flight window you want plus there are four different versions to cater for every player type, including the slice-fighting Radspeed Draw and rocket-launching Radspeed Big Tour, which is as close to a driver as a fairway wood is likely to get.

It comes into the range alongside the all round playability of the TSR2 and the more adjustable TSR3 options. One of the key differences comes with the shape and size of the TSR2+. The 190cc clubhead is 15cc bigger than the other two options. To my eye, the differences in size and shape were small but perceptible. The TSR2+ is a fraction longer from front to back, slightly more rounded and has a deeper face.

I thought it struck a fine balance between being classic and confidence-inspiring (it looks usable off the tee and off the deck). One thing that certainly helps with that is the white groove lines that span the width of the face and highlight the loft on offer. Having said that, the TSR2+ is still quite compact and if you are after one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers this might look intimidating at address. 

The TSR2+ is only available in a 13˚ head but it does feature the familiar Titleist SureFit hosel that allows you to adjust both the loft and lie. I wanted to see how the performance measured up and whether it could be considered among the best fairway woods so I hit it both on a launch monitor and on the golf course up against the standard TSR2 fairway wood. 

I’m going to start with some context. Over the last few years I have used the Titleist TS3 and then the TSi2 models, in 15˚ and 16.5˚ respectively. For me, not being the best fairway wood player, looking down on some additional loft was more confidence-inspiring. What really impressed, and surprised me, about the TSR2+ was how easy it was to launch - Titleist says it has the deepest CG of any of the brand’s fairway metals. In my launch monitor testing, my average launch angle with the 13˚ TSR2+ (hitting off a small tee) was 11.8˚ versus 12.1˚ with the TSR2, which I had set to 16.5˚. The peak height of the TSR2+ was one yard higher. 

Without having to feel like I was swinging the club too hard, I was able to find a good flight and plenty of distance (my average total yardage was 275). This was also evident as I hit it on the golf course. The distances were noticeably longer than I’ve been used to over the last few years - I hit one drive that went 281 yards.

This brings me onto the performance of the TSR2+ off the deck. I was concerned that I’d really struggle in this department but was pleasantly surprised. The combination of the generous launch angle with enough backspin to get the ball into the air and keep it there, meant that I hit some really good shots. Yes, the ball flight was fairly strong here but it was also consistent. I also loved the powerful impact sound on offer.

So, the question is, will I be putting the TSR2+ in my bag? Well the answer is probably not. Whilst it is clearly a top performing fairway wood (that delivers on its promise of distance, flight and forgiveness), I’m veering towards the standard TSR2 model in 16.5˚ instead. My home club is tree-lined and tight off the tee. The extra power of the TSR2+ would be useful on many courses, but for me, the extra all round playability of the TSR2 (with a little less distance built in) is ultimately what I’d be looking for. 

There is no doubt the TSR2+ is a worthy addition to the range for 2022 and for those who want a second driving option, this is well worth considering. The technology that’s been built into the head makes it both consistent and powerful. 

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While the changes in tech on the TSR3 driver have been minimal, the TSR3 fairway wood represents a more seismic shift in design and subsequent performance. Much of it is hidden under the bonnet but the eagle eyed among you will notice that the ARC (Active Recoil Channel) has gone. This is because Titleist was able to reconfigure the way the hosel enters the clubhead and make significant weight savings. The sole plate has also been made thicker, which makes the centre of gravity lower and deeper - a key ingredient for fairway wood performance, especially from the deck.

What you will clock straight away is the new SureFit CG weight track system that now has five positions instead of three, providing more adjustability for golfers seeking greater assistance in managing their ball flight and launch characteristics.

At address, another change you’ll notice is the full face scorelines that undoubtedly make aligning the club face easier and just makes the club look more inviting to hit behind the ball. So much so that in the first shot I hit with it in testing against my TSi3 fairway I achieved my longest carry of 240 yards, beating it by a full five yards through the air. 

Further testing suggested this may have been somewhat of a fluke - in the end I only averaged two yards longer with the TSR3 versus TSi3 but aside from a little more distance, there are other aspects that represent significant improvements.

The first being the turf interaction. With ARC no longer there, the front section of the sole behind the face is flatter and wider, which means the club glides more smoothly through the turf and is more forgiving when you catch the ground slightly too early. The second being dispersion - I was noticeably more in control of where the ball was going with the TSR3, a trait you associate with the most forgiving fairway woods. Shots were finishing considerably less offline and also travelling a yard or two higher as well, helping with stopping power into greens.

The club easily becomes one of the best fairway woods on the market and with the option of the moveable weight, hosel adjustability and premium shafts, golfers have the opportunity to absolutely nail this area of the bag and give themselves a go-to one off the tee and turf. While the range has been expanded to include the tee-biased TSR2+ fairway, I can't help but feel the TSR3 is the most versatile fairway wood in the range, helping it earn a place in the 2023 Editor's Choice.

If you would like to add Titleist golf clubs to your bag, check out our handpicked Titleist discount codes.