Fairway wood is the most underrated golf club that will get you breaking 90. A fairway wood that can go for more than 160 yards of the tee straight into the fairway is the best alternative if your driver costs you shots repeatedly. This should be your secret weapon in the golf bag. Fairway woods should be your favorite club considering their forgiveness and soft-landing effect.
To add to that, if you are a high handicapper, beginner, and slow swinger, you will need fairway wood with more loft to help you cover extended, straighter distance than a low-lofted club. Do you still need extra motivation to pick a fairway wood in your game? They are much easier to play with than hybrids.
Here is a review of the best fairway woods for high handicappers, beginners, and slow swingers if you have made up your mind.
Table of Contents
Best Fairway Woods for High Handicappers Review
MW8 Moon Wood – Premium Golf Fairway Wood for Men and Women
The MW8 Premium fairway wood is for both high handicap women and men. This wood is one of the most popular products among beginners and high handicappers struggling with their swing. In reviews, it has a reference as the best fairway wood for golfers who are out to improve their swing.
The construction features a shallow clubface and a lower CoG that allows you to enjoy a higher ball launch and speed. The lower CoG also maximizes ball trajectory regardless of your swing speed. This quality makes it one of the most straightforward woods to hit. The sole also has a wide design to improve turf interaction and overall playability.
Another impressive feature is that the MW8 Premium fairway wood comes with a shaft length specifically designed for women. Additionally, the wood meets all tournament requirements, meaning you can use it in any competition.
One of the concerns that players raised is that the wood comes short of feel. However, this should not be a significant concern since the MW8 Premium fairway wood is a design for beginners and high handicappers who prefer more forgiveness to feel.
Pros:
- Designed for both men and women
- Higher ball trajectory
- Perfect for improving swing
Cons:
- Short of feel
Callaway Golf 2018 Rogue Fairway Wood
The Rogue Fairway Wood (2018) is perhaps the top-rated Callaway wood for high handicappers in the market. The fairway wood comes in multiple loft options making it a perfect choice. Additionally, it features the Callaway patented Jailbreak technology. This aspect improves energy transfer for extra power on every shot.
It is one of the best woods for low swingers; hence it also features a lightweight clubface that enhances its MOI. Thanks to the fact that the clubface has more weight on the edges. Callaway is known to invest so much in technologies that improve their golf products’ overall playability and performance. The Rogue Fairway Wood (2018) is no exception. It is designed with the cup face technology for more speed on the ball and decent distance coverage.
The positioning of the CoG on the Rogue Fairway Wood (2018) promotes ball launch with lower spin. What is more impressive is the aerodynamic construction that reduces drag to improve your swing speed.
Going through the drawbacks, many players consider the Rogue Fairway Wood an expensive option compared to other fairway woods in its category, which may put some beginners off. Additionally, the CoG location is not in a position most preferred by golfers. Instead of focusing the CoG low and back, its setting is in a different place. It may require players to spend more time training to adapt to the wood.
Pros:
- Lightweight clubface
- Higher ball launch and speed
- More forgiveness
- Jailbreak and clubface technologies
Cons:
- Requires time to get used to
- A bit costlier
TaylorMade M6
The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood is a prevalent club among high handicappers. Why? This may be due to the brand’s excellent marketing, which has seen the M series become a popular choice in the market. However, the TaylorMade M version is also superior in quality and overall performance, making the M6 among the best fairway woods for beginners.
To start, the M6 comes in multiple loft options. Yes, you will have to decide between the 15 degrees, 18 degrees, 21 degrees, and 24 degrees lofts. The item is also a top-rated option among high handicappers due to incorporated technologies. One such technology features a specific design that enhances its forgiveness even if you do not hit the center of the golf ball. With the product, you will not have to worry about off-center hits. Every shot will be straight and cover as long a distance as possible.
Additionally, the construction features multiple materials, each designed to offer a game-improving advantage. For instance, the crown is made of carbon to improve the overall playability while also delivering a decent distance. Another exciting aspect of the M6 is the speed pocket construction that offers more flexible options, such as improved performance with low-face hits.
As much as the M6 fairway wood features more forgiveness, the product may not be very straightforward for players who want to improve their swings. For instance, the club tends to guarantee better and improved shots even with off-center strikes. As much as this is considered suitable for beginners, it is also misleading, making it hard to learn. The golf wood is also more expensive.
Pros:
- More forgiveness
- Lightweight construction for high launch and ball speed
- Features multiple loft versions
Cons:
- A bit costly
- Can be misleading, especially for beginners who want to learn to hit the sweet spot
TaylorMade Men’s AeroBurner
The Men’s Aeroburner ranks among the top 3 woods that you will find. One of the most notable features of this fairway wood is the drag reduction feature. The aerodynamic design is a popular aspect that most high handicappers look for because it helps with the swing.
Additionally, the clubface designing uses more robust materials that improve its overall durability. The Aeroburner sign is also placed at the right place to help you line your shot for better accuracy. The TaylorMade Men’s Aeroburner may not have a giant head than its peers, but it does not fall short of decent forgiveness.
The construction is perfect for players looking for more speed on their swings since it reduces drag with every swing.
The hosel and raised crown mean the Men’s Aeroburner is the fasted TaylorMade fairway wood in the market. The CoG is designed the same way as the M6 for higher launch coupled with lower spin. However, the TaylorMade Men’s Aeroburner is not adjustable in any aspect. What does this imply? Many players who prefer adjustability would settle for the R-15 instead.
Apart from the lack of adjustability, the TaylorMade Men’s Aeroburner is also a pricey product than other fairway woods in its category.
Pros:
- Offers higher ball launch with low spin
- Multiple technologies for overall playability and performance
- Wider sweet spot
- More forgiveness
- The Aeroburner logo can help make shots more accurate
Cons:
- Expensive
- Lacks adjustable features
TaylorMade M4
If you ever need a fairway wood designed to offer high handicapper more forgiveness to improve every shot, then you should consider the TaylorMade M4. As much as the product lacks adjustable features, you can tweak the hosel sleeve to change the lie and loft angle, as you deem suitable for your game.
Plus, the M4 is one of the easiest to hit fairway woods in the TaylorMade M series. This item is a specific design that exists to help players who struggle to hit the ball right by slicing. The M4 is also perfect for its better ball launch coupled with low spin. The CoG is positioned as in most TaylorMade fairway woods, making this possible.
The steel crown construction is also lightweight, which adds to the speed of the ball with every hit and higher launch. This aspect is also responsible for a low spin on every shot. The weight distribution on the M4 is another factor to applaud.
Another remarkable feature is the speed pocket technology in the clubface that contributes to improved ball speed and more forgiveness. The overall construction, especially the sole shape, gives it a better sound when you hit the ball.
On its drawback, some players complain about the whippy lightweight shaft.
Pros:
- Designed perfectly for slicers
- Adjustable hosel sleeve
- Offers higher ball launch coupled with lower spin
- More forgiveness
- Improved accuracy
Cons:
- More lightweight shaft
Taylor Made Men’s RBZ
TaylorMade dominates the list of the best fairway woods for high handicappers, beginners, and low swingers. Its superior technology and build quality awards it that entitlement. The Men’s RBZ version is no exception in this rating.
The Men’s RBZ comes with a black satin finish that is sure to turn heads on the golf course. On the question of overall performance, this golf wood offers even more.
The speed pocket technology is among the top-rated features for improved ball launch and distance. Additionally, the incorporated mass pad ensures that you get the best sound when you hit the golf ball. This aspect also improves the feel despite the Men’s RBZ being specifically for beginners.
This product is perhaps the most advanced TaylorMade club when it comes to the CoG. For instance, the club features a not-so-deep profile, which helps to lower the CoG. The core also has a definite design with titanium to move the CoG deeper into the clubhead. This makes the club more forgiving and improves ball launch and energy transfer.
One of the significant concerns you will notice with this fairway wood is the smaller sweet spot than its peers in the market. However, it is an excellent choice for high handicappers, beginners, and slow swingers. Though it may not be the most excellent fairway wood in perfection, its overall performance is satisfactory.
Pros:
- Better sound when you hit the ball
- Better feel and response
- Offers a higher ball launch
- Lower spin
- Better energy transfer
Cons:
- Smaller sweet spot than its peers
Callaway Golf 2019 Epic Flash
The Callaway Epic Flash wood is one of the best woods for high handicappers. The technology used to design this fairway wood ensures it highly features one of those you will never want to pass in the market.
As the name suggests, the Callaway Epic Flash (2019) design involves a face that improves both distance and speed with every shot. Additionally, the incorporated steel construction and technology makes it one of the most forgiving fairway woods for high handicappers, beginners, and low swingers on the market.
The Jailbreak technology is always associated with Callaway golf products. This design allows more ball speed and distance regardless of your swing speed. The patented technology ensures you have stiff wood with improved energy transfer.
Though the Callaway Epic Flash is a bit pricier than its peers in the market, the overall performance and playability justify the hefty price tag. Moreover, it is among the easiest to play with fairway woods with a better ball trajectory.
Pros:
- One of the easiest fairway woods to play with
- More distance and improved ball speed
- Decent energy transfer
Cons:
- Expensive than its peers
Callaway Men’s Steelhead XR
The Callaway Men’s XR wood is among the unique fairway wood you will find on the market. The club features the most recent and advanced technologies that will allow you to lower your handicap. For instance, its face design improves distance with every shot regardless of whether you get the sweet spot or not. This aspect makes the Callaway Steelhead XR a more forgiving fairway wood for high handicappers.
If you are a player with an eye for looks, the hawkeye sole improves overall playability and gives it a classic appearance that will turn heads. Accordingly, the Callaway Steelhead XR`s design is of the latest technology that improves your swing, so you won’t have to worry about your swing speed.
Another notable feature is that the wood is lightweight for more power on the golf ball. This creation also improves the launch while lowering spin to help you cover a longer distance regardless of your swing speed. The peripheral carbon crown design also adds to this effect.
One of the concerns raised about the Callaway Steelhead XR is its questionable durability. This means you may start noticing signs of wear and tear after some months.
Pros:
- Launches the ball higher with lower spin
- Improves swing speed
- Better designed sole to improve how you interact with the turf
Cons:
- Tends to break after a few games
Ram Golf EZ3 Mens Wood Set – Driver, 3 & 5 Wood
Are you on a budget and want one of the top-rated 5 wood for beginners or a 3 wood with more forgiveness? You should consider this club.
This fairway wood features a giant head with an even larger sweet spot that allows you to hit the ball straight over a longer distance, even with off-center hits. This is one of the aspects that makes it perfect for high handicappers and beginners.
Additionally, the Ram Golf EZ3 fairway wood has a graphite shaft that makes it lightweight for improved swing. The same aspect allows you to cover a longer distance with an average swing.
One of the drawbacks of the Ram Golf EZ3 Wood is that it is not a popular brand among golfers. Also, it comes with questionable durability. As much as it offers more forgiveness, you may want to reconsider your options if you are not ready to replace your fairway wood after a shorter period of using it.
Pros:
- Appropriate weight distribution
- More forgiveness
- Pocket friendly
Cons:
- Not as durable as you would expect
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Men’s Fairway Wood
The M2 Fairway Wood for Men is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers. This mainly down to its superior features designed to improves your game. The M2 for men looks like the versions before it. However, it also features a newly developed sole that offers improved playability.
If you are after versatility, this should be your choice. It comes in two options; 3 wood and 5 wood. Furthermore, the M2 Fairway Wood is one of the best woods when it comes to material design. Among the materials used to build it are stainless steel and carbon crown.
Another most notable facet of this wood is the multiple technologies for more improved performance. If you want better ball speed, you will love it even more. Its cone inversion feature also ensures a larger clubface which translates into a more prominent sweet spot and more forgiveness.
This fairway wood also features a better feel for beginners. However, all these features reflect in the price tag, which seems a bit high for beginners.
Pros:
- Newly designed sole
- Perfect feel
- More forgiving
Cons:
- Tends to be pricier
Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik
The Mavrik 2020 version is solely built for high handicap golfers. However, this fairway wood tends to have a smaller head, which may not be suitable for golfers struggling to find the sweet spot. Apart from the thinner face at the edges, the item also has a better positioned CoG. This aspect improves your chances of hitting the ball at the center.
The design in this product guarantees two essential aspects: a decent spin and a better ball speed. Accordingly, the CoG is slightly lower and deeper to maximize trajectory and ball flight. The core made of tungsten energy ensures that it is possible.
Technology also plays a significant role in making this wood one of the best in the market. Its construction features urethane microspheres responsible for dampening vibration to give you a better feel. This design also provides a better response every time you hit the ball.
Pros:
- Decent response with every shot
- Ai technology is present in its design
- Designed for speed and better spin
Cons:
- Small head makes it hard to hit
TaylorMade SIM MAX Fairway
Are you struggling to decide on the best fairway wood to carry in your golf bag? You should check out the TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway. It is one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers who want to improve their overall performance on the fairway. What makes it a hit on the market is its forgiveness that will enhance your shots even with off-center hits.
You will also get a decent distance and highly adjustable features with this product. Yes, you can tweak the loft by a difference of two degrees to suit your play style. In addition, the face angle and lie are also adjustable, allowing you to change them to suit your needs.
As if that is not enough, the TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway has adjustable weights that will allow you to control its launch angle.
On the downside, the TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway is perhaps the smallest SIM series profile. The wood is also pricier for beginners.
Pros:
- Features a compact clubhead
- Highly adjustable
- Offers more forgiveness
Cons:
- A bit costly
- Smallest profile of all the TaylorMade SIM series
How to Buy Good Fairway Woods for High Handicappers
Here is an enlightenment for the perfect fairway wood to buy if you happen to be a high handicapper or a beginner struggling to fine-tune your swing. Instead of just picking any available option on the market, you should consider fairway woods with more forgiveness. These types come with high loft but are also easy to hit.
If the available options overwhelm you, here are some factors to consider when choosing the best fairway wood for high handicappers, beginners, and slow swingers. You will never go wrong.
Distance
A club should be forgiving and long enough. Modern golf courses are becoming longer by the day. Therefore, you have to ensure your golf club is perfect for such changes.
You should consider buying fairway wood with a thin face to help you launch the golf ball over a longer distance along the fairway. In that case, any par 5 should not be a scary thing but an opportunity to extend your score. This means that distance is something you do not want to ignore when buying fairway wood.
Forgiveness
High handicappers and beginners often struggle to hit the sweet spot. Meaning that forgiveness is something you will certainly need to help you fine-tune your shots even if you hit the golf ball off-center. Therefore, the golf wood you buy should complement your play style fully.
A more forgiving fairway wood will allow you to project the golf ball straight even with off-center hits. Plus, some woods are built with a more prominent sweet spot to improve your game. However, the sweet spot is not the only factor to focus on when considering fairway wood forgiveness.
You should also concentrate on the loft. If you want to choose between the 3 wood and 5 wood, it is prudent that you go for the 5 wood with more loft. The 5 wood is also easy to hit and has more backspin for a decent distance.
Cost
Yes, the cost matters when choosing the best fairway wood for high handicappers. It can be very frustrating if your preferred fairway wood is too expensive for you. Apparently, the best fairway woods will be more expensive. However, there are top-rated golf woods that go for more affordable prices. Always compare prices and other specs before settling on a product.
Bear in mind that if a fairway wood costs more than the rest in its category, it should also have better features and performance than its peers. Otherwise, you should not consider buying it whatsoever.
Shaft
The shaft is another essential consideration when choosing the best fairway wood. This aspect depends primarily on your play style. You can decide to go for a shaft with more stiffness or one that bends slightly.
More advanced technology enables manufacturers to develop shafts with multiple flex selections. If you are a high handicapper or slow swinger, you should go for the flexible type. However, you can slowly upgrade to a stiffer one as your swing speed improves along the way.
Accordingly, it would help if you looked into the shaft weight. The shaft material is a determinant of its weight. For instance, graphite shafts are more lightweight than steel shafts. A light shaft ensures that the weight is transferred to the clubhead, making it easy to transfer the energy to the golf ball more proficiently. It then offers a decent distance.
Shaft length is the last thing to consider about a club’s shaft. The shaft can long or short, depending on who is using it. In most cases, fairway woods with shorter shafts are a design for women. On the other hand, a fairway wood with a longer shaft is more suited for men and tall golfers.
Durability
Fairway woods are getting costlier by the day. Every additional feature designed to improve performance always reflects in the retail price.
Therefore, you should ensure that you pay for something that will last longer. Fairway wood durability should be a priority. Look into the fairway wood build quality and artisanship to determine if it will serve you for years without replacement.
Adjustability
Modern fairway woods are more adjustable for versatility. So, what are the aspects that determine adjustability?
Some fairway woods designs are for both high handicappers and mid handicappers. These tend to come with adjustable lofts. Implying that you can tweak the loft as you desire, whether you want it higher or lower. This feature can help you minimize costs by buying one wood that serves many purposes, which is a bonus. Also, you may not have to carry many clubs in your golf bag.
There are many woods designed with adjustable weight options. Such clubs allow you to adjust the center of gravity to make the club offer you the best swing.
Launch
High handicappers, slow swingers, and beginners often find it challenging to launch the ball higher. However, you should not worry about this if you have fairway wood. Here are two factors to consider when it comes to the launch.
Fairway wood for high handicappers comes with larger club heads with the weight focused back and low. This means that the CoG is distributed well to give you maximum launch.
Fairway wood with a high loft is something high handicappers should prioritize. A golf wood with a low loft will always give you a low trajectory with every shot. High swingers never worry about this aspect. However, high handicappers and low swingers should go for higher lofts to get the ball higher.
Desirability
Well, desirability may not be a big deal unless you want to be on the same level as other players. Whereby you may want to buy the latest version of a fairway wood that other players are talking about to avoid being left behind.
There are essential aspects that make fairway wood more desirable. In this respect, you should consider the golf wood brand and manufacturer’s reputation. Does the golf wood feature modern technology aspects? Does it have the best features?
For a fairway wood to be more desirable than the rest, it must have better features and superior performance. Brands such as TaylorMade and Callaway tend to be more desirable due to their superior technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider fairway wood?
Fairway wood will help you fill the gap. For instance, if you are in the fairway but too far for a hybrid to hit the greens, a fairway wood will assist you in getting closer to the greens. These woods are excellent for high handicappers who cannot shoot well with long irons and drivers.
What are the advantages of fairway woods for beginners?
Fairway woods for high handicappers come with more forgiveness and distance. The two aspects are achieved by making the clubhead bigger and focusing the weight on the perimeters. This allows for a more prominent sweet spot.
These woods also have a thin face and a well-positioned center of gravity to improve shot accuracy.
What should I look for when buying fairway woods for high handicappers?
If you are a high handicapper, you should consider all features illustrated in the buying guide section. In a nutshell, you may want more forgiveness and a high launch. Such qualities are achieved in different forms depending on the manufacturer.
Are fairway woods designed for beginners?
Fairway woods are the easiest to hit since they are designed lighter with more forgiveness. The lowered center of gravity also helps beginners get better ball launches. However, fairway woods designs are for all golf levels.
Which specific brands should I consider when buying fairway woods?
This is a tricky question because there are many reputable brands in the market. The best fairway wood for you should depend on features that suit your game and not the brand. Some brands have excelled in manufacturing top-rated fairway woods for high handicappers. Examples include TaylorMade and Callaway.
How many fairway woods should I have in my golf bag?
What you carry in your golf bag depends on your level and style of play. You should only have clubs that improve your game. Therefore, if you feel a club is deterring you from hitting greater heights, dump it.
That said, the best fairway woods to have if you are a high handicapper are the 3-wood and 5-wood. However, you may have anything as long as it helps you hit the ball well and improves your results.
Conclusion
Though most pros use woods ranging between 13 and 15 degrees which are very hard to hit or get a decent launch off the tee, stick to 17 degrees loft and above fairway woods.
The MW8 Premium fairway wood is for both high handicap women and men hence recommendable. It’s also one of the most popular products among beginners and high handicappers, considering the high trajectory and perfect swing it provides. What more could you desire?
However, the choice always comes down to personal preference. Also, compare the products reviewed in this post to find one that works for you.