Fairway woods are some of the most versatile clubs you can own. Whether it’s from the tee or from the fairway, you won’t be stuck for options no matter which one you choose to buy.
This Fairway Woods Buying Guide is designed to help make that choice much easier. We’ll give you advice on replacing those dreaded longer irons that many golfers struggle to get along with, or even replacing your driver with something more forgiving.
Manufacturers have taken huge steps forward in recent years. Today’s fairway woods are much faster, more forgiving, and packed with technology. Designs now blend lightweight materials such as carbon with high-strength steel or titanium faces, pushing the ball speed and maximum MOI boundaries.
On tour we’ve seen a noticeable shift in recent years with the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood both using 7-woods. We’ve even see 9-woods featuring in some golfers’ bags, as a way of launch the ball higher and stop it more quickly.
At the other end of the scale, mini drivers are now bridging the gap between traditional drivers and strong 3-woods, giving players an option for control without losing much distance.
So, where do you start? The key is to think about how you’ll use the club most often – from the tee, the fairway, or to replace those awkward long irons. This guide will help you narrow the choice and make the right decision.
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Fairway Woods – Tee Shots
Hitting fairways can set up easier approach shots, and fairway woods can be your best friend off the tee. With more loft than a driver, they are generally easier to control and more forgiving on mis-hits. A 3-wood can often travel nearly as far as a driver but with a higher launch and more spin, keeping the ball straighter.
For many amateur golfers, this trade-off between raw distance and control makes sense. Using a 3-wood instead of a driver can keep you in play more often, and that usually saves shots. Some players even swap their driver for a strong 3-wood or mini driver if accuracy is more important than maximum yardage.
Fairway Woods – From The Fairway
As the name suggests, fairway woods are generally most suited to being hit from the fairway. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t more versatile options out there that can be used from the rough.
If you’re hunting for distance, a stronger lofted option such as a 3-wood or 4-wood is a great start. These clubs generate higher ball speed and will maximise your carry distance. If your main aim is attacking greens with control, a higher-lofted 5, 7 or even 9-wood could make more sense. These fly higher, land softer, and stop much quicker, which is crucial if you want to hold the green.
Plenty of golfers find it easier to launch a wood than a long iron. That’s why we’re seeing a resurgence in higher-lofted woods.
As a rough rule: 4-wood replaces a 2-iron, 5-wood replaces a 3-iron, 7-wood replaces a 4-iron and 9-wood replaces a 5-iron.
Swapping to these high lofted woods aren’t just about distance, they’re about building your overall confidence coming into greens.
Going for Par Fives in Two
For many golfers, one of the most exciting shots in the game is reaching a par five in two. If that’s your aim, a fairway wood might be needed!
To make this shot work, you’ll want a club that launches high but still produces plenty of distance. A shallower clubhead profile is usually best for this role. It helps lift the ball from tight fairway lies while still offering versatility from the tee. If your dream is to knock a long second shot onto the green, the fairway wood is the tool that makes it possible.
Fairway Woods vs Hybrids
Should you choose fairway woods or hybrids? The answer depends on your swing and the courses you play. Most golfers benefit from carrying a mix of both.
Fairway woods are larger, more forgiving, and better from the tee and fairway. They launch higher and cover more distance.
Hybrids are more versatile from the rough or uneven lies. Their smaller heads cut through long grass more easily and feel closer to hitting an iron.
It’s also worth noting that distance isn’t equal between the two. A 19 degree fairway wood will typically travel further than a 19 degree hybrid, simply because the longer shaft and larger head generate more speed.
The best setup usually includes a driver, one or two fairway woods, and one or two hybrids. This balance gives you options for every situation without leaving big yardage gaps.
For more, check out our Golf Hybrids Buying Guide.
Adjustability
Fairway woods used to be fairly simple, but in recent years adjustability has become a key part of their design. While not as advanced as drivers, many modern fairway woods allow you to change loft, face angle and even weight distribution.
Loft – Most adjustable hosels allow you to change loft by +/- 2 degrees, allowing golfers to optimise their launch angle and spin rate after purchasing. While some brand’s loft systems allow you to change the loft, they can also help adjust lie angle at the same time if necessary.
Face Angle – Square to target is the default, but open or closed settings can correct common misses. A closed face can help fix a slice, while an open setting can reduce hooks.
Adjustable Weights – Certain fairway woods feature sliding or interchangeable weights. These can change the club’s centre of gravity, which influences launch, spin, and shot shape. Many brands now make this a custom fitting option rather than something golfers change themselves.
Getting fitted is the best way to take advantage of these features. Adjustability can be the difference between a club that feels good and a club that genuinely improves your game.
Materials
Fairway woods are built using different materials, each offering unique benefits.
Steel – Still the most common choice, steel is strong, durable, and forgiving. It allows for compact, affordable heads that perform consistently.
Titanium – Lighter and stronger, titanium is often used in larger fairway woods. It allows manufacturers to build thinner faces, shifting weight lower and deeper for higher launch and forgiveness. The trade-off is cost. For example the Ping G440 LST Titanium fairway now has an RRP of £499!
Composite – Carbon crowns and panels are becoming more popular. These reduce weight in certain areas, letting designers move the centre of gravity where it helps most. Some clubs also add tungsten to the sole for stability and forgiveness. Composite designs often provide the best balance of performance and value.
Shafts
The shaft plays an important part of any fairway wood. Longer shafts create more clubhead speed and therefore more distance, but that comes with a slight loss of control. Hybrids often use shorter shafts to feel more like irons, but overall fairway woods are designed to help push your total carry distance.
Nearly all fairway woods today come with graphite shafts. Graphite is much lighter than steel, making it easier to swing faster. It also comes in multiple flexes and weights to suit players from beginners to professionals.
When testing fairway woods, don’t overlook the shaft. Finding the right flex and weight can transform how the club feels and performs.
For more, check out our Golf Shafts Buying Guide.
Final Thoughts
Fairway woods have changed a lot in recent years. They’re no longer just 3-woods you pull out when you can’t hit driver. They’ve become true utility clubs that can play multiple roles.
Whether you’re chasing accuracy from the tee, attacking long par fives, or looking for an easier alternative to long irons, there’s a fairway wood to suit. For some players that means adding a mini driver, for others it could be swapping in a 7-wood like the pros.
The most important step is to test different lofts, shafts, and head designs. Try them off the tee, from the fairway, and even from the rough. Once you find the right fit, a fairway wood can quickly become the most trusted club in your bag.
