If you’re a beginner or high handicapper, the most important aspect of any club is forgiveness. Forgiveness is essential so that users can gain confidence and improve their skills. No one starts out knowing everything and forgiving golf clubs are here to help you advance to the next level. However, to find the most forgiving fairway woods, you have to dig deep. With so many options out there, it can be intimidating to even start looking.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
The 3 Most Forgiving Fairway Woods in Golf
This article lists the 3 most forgiving fairway woods on the market right now and breaks them down for your convenience. With the pros and cons clearly listed and a mini buyer’s guide included, you can be sure that you will pick the right wood for your needs.
1. Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 Fairway Wood
This fairway wood maximizes forgiveness by using dual carbon fiber in both, the toe and heel of the club. With extra weight in the back of the club head, center of gravity is adjusted and moment of inertia (MOI) is increased. This prevents twisting and, thus, increases forgiveness. The EXS 220 always features a Diamond Cup Face and a dual-carbon sole to increase distance and forgiveness by increasing moment of inertia.
The Diamond face tech is used to maximize speed and reduce spin, leading to game improvement and forgiveness on mishits. Featuring 44 different diamond shapes behind the club face, this wood manages to create a sweet spot that is centered for maximum forgiveness.
In addition to forgiveness, another major advantage this wood provides is its improved speed. It features wide speed channels which lead to not only increased speed, but also smoothness on the green. Feel is also taken into account to make sure that the golfing experience is enjoyable. This Tour Edge fairway wood uses a sound diffusion bar to ensure that vibration from impact is absorbed, leaving behind only feedback.
Pros
- Options for flex and loft
- Suitable for seniors (senior flex available)
- Maximizedspeed and distance
- Reduced spin and twisting
- Increased forgiveness
- Improved feel
Cons
- No left-hand option
2. Callaway Steelhead XR Fairway Wood
In addition to forgiveness, this fairway wood brags easier launch, more versatility and increased distance. With a graphite shaft and a J-36 carbon crown club head, this club is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver. The design also features a shorter hosel, which aids in reducing weight.
The graphite shaft provides more flexibility than a steel shaft and increases distance as well as durability. Perimeter weighting is used to manipulate the center of gravity in order to provide easier launch, faster speed, lower spin, and ultimately, more distance. The aerodynamic club head helps golfers’ swing speed, and results in increased distance.
This is one of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market not only because of its lightweight nature, but also due to the modern sole that makes launching the ball into the air much easier – something that is extremely helpful for beginners. The Hyper Speed Face Cup increases speed and distance, even during a mishit, making this ideal for high handicappers.
Pros
- Options for hand orientation, flexand loft
- Lightweight and easier to launch
- Increased speed and distance
- Extremely forgiving
Cons
None
3. Cobra Golf F-Max Airspeed Fairway Wood
The F-Max Airspeed is a premium fairway wood that claims to increase swing and consistency. With a lighter club, Cobra Golf makes sure that golfers’ swing can be increased without additional effort. A graphite shaft combined with a carbon fiber crown ensures that the club is lightweight, and even redistributes some weight to the rear of the club for increased moment of inertia. The lighter shaft also helps golfers with speed while maintaining stability.
The design also takes alignment into account, with ridges provided to help golfers with visual alignment. This, in turn, helps to ensure a square clubface and a straighter shot. Perimeter weighting also helps golfers avoid the dreaded slice, and further help with straighter shots. In addition to this, the F-Max fairway uses an offset hosel to correct mishits and center shots for more consistency.
Pros
- Options for hand orientation, flexand loft
- Suitable for seniors (senior flex available)
- Sleek carbon fiber weave finish
- Increased MOI
- Perimeter weighting
- Reduced slicing and correction on mishits
- Increased speed and distance
- Increased stability and consistency
Cons
- Premium price tag
Things to Consider
There are certain factors that one should keep in mind when shopping for new fairway woods. The following can help you make a more informed decision!
Club Head
Common materials for club heads include steel, titanium and composite. Titanium and composite are great for forgiveness since they are lighter than steel. Titanium is not only more lightweight, but also extremely durable, and is often regarded as the best of the three options. More lightweight clubs are not only easier to maneuver, but also allow for weight to be redistributed to other areas of the club face, which increases forgiveness and results in straighter shots.
Shaft
Buyers should keep in mind both, shaft length and material. Shafts that are too long can result in inconstant shots, while shafts that are too short may compromise speed and distance. Shaft length is best to try out in person to make sure that you can perform your best.
The most common materials you will find in the construction of fairway shafts are steel and graphite. Graphite has become more popular as of late for its durability, flexibility and lightweight nature. Some steel shafts provide more control and are preferred by more advanced players.
Our Final Thoughts
While all three of our picks are some of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market, the one that stands out among the rest is the Cobra Golf F-Max Airspeed Fairway Wood. This lightweight wood will help you with all aspects of game improvement, including speed, distance and launch. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, you can’t go wrong with the items on this list.
