It is possible to make golf a lot simpler by locating the appropriate fairway woods that correspond to your swing speed and level of expertise. Assisting you with tee shots on confined courses, your approach shot on a long par 4, improving off-center hits with greater turf contact, and providing you with a great deal of confidence are all things that may be accomplished with the appropriate fairway wood(s).
Nevertheless, it is simple to experience feelings of being overpowered by the vast assortment of fairway woods. Having been a golfer for the past quarter of a century and having been blogging about golf equipment since 2017, I am eager to be of assistance.
I’m going to make the procedure easier for you today so that you can make secure purchases. It is my personal experience that selecting the appropriate three-, five-, or even seven-wood can have a significant impact on your long game.
7 Best Fairway Woods for High Handicap Golfers
Here are my picks for the best fairway woods for high-handicap players.
1. Callaway Paradym X
With the Paradym range, Callaway assembled an amazing collection of drivers and fairway woods. A major upgrade over the Callaway Mavrik Max or Rogue Max fairway woods are the Paradym fairway woods. Mostly since their ball speeds are increased and they are customisable.
I simply not say enough good things about the Paradym Triple Diamond driver and 3W in 2023. Because the Triple Diamond lacks a draw bias and is less forgiving, it is best suited for more experienced, lower-handicap players; although, the larger Paradym X design accommodates high handicappers. Offering great launch and a little draw bias, it is the most forgiving fairway wood in the Paradym series. This fairway wood can undoubtedly aid someone whose ball flight needs to be straightened out.
Higher handicappers find it so dependable because of its “batwing technology.” Using artificial intelligence, this stiffens the club’s body to encourage higher ball speed, which translates into more distance. These woods are said by Callaway to be up to seven yards longer than the Rogue ST Max line.
Higher moment of inertia (MOI) made possible by the forged carbon on the sole also makes it more accommodating to mishits. Additionally contributing to more spin, higher launch, and longer distance is the 25-gram, high-density tungsten, which helps drive the centre of gravity (CG) low and forward. One of my top selections when combined with the two stock shafts and several weight choices.
2. Titleist TSR1
Some truly fantastic golf clubs are produced by Titleist. Everybody can find something there, from woods to putters. Going with the TSR3 fairway wood is the most forgiving choice if you’re a high handicapper. Although smaller and not as forgiving of mishits as the TSR1, the TSR2 and TSR3 are nevertheless excellent fairway woods.
One of the nicest-looking fairway woods on this list. A popular motif among Titleist woods, the all-black design should give you a great deal of confidence at address position. Easy to queue up, these clubs should help you hit the sweet spot more frequently.
Low centre of gravity (CG) of the TSR1 enhances forgiveness and maximises launch. With its SureFit adjustable CG track system, which lets you precisely set the club for your optimal launch and trajectory in one of five locations, it also offers enhanced adjustability.
3. Wilson Dynapower
Higher handicappers will find Wilson to be an excellent brand because they are more affordable and incredibly forgiving than most others on this list. Wilson Dynapower fairway woods feature variable face thickness to help increase ball speeds for longer distances, and rear weighting to encourage a higher launch even at slower swing speeds.
A Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX shaft available in A, R, or S flex comes with this forgiving fairway wood. Higher handicappers will find all of the shafts to be between 53 and 63 grammes ideal. Along with that, I really like the Lamkin Crossline 360 grip.
The fact that these fairway woods lack a draw bias variant like those from TaylorMade or Callaway is my sole complaint. Still, with so much MOI, the club is among the most forgiving fairway woods.
4. TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD
In their Stealth HD model, TaylorMade offers high handicappers still another choice. The club’s name, “HD,” refers to its higher launch than the regular model. Its draw bias also helps to straighten out a slice.
Being the most forgiving model yet from TaylorMade, this stealth fairway wood has been referred to as a “cheat code” for golf. Considering that the 3W head is above 200cc, you should feel far more confident than with their Stealth or Stealth Plus model.
What appeals to higher handicappers about this club is the Inverted Cone Technology. To increase ball speed for greater distances—even if you hit it off the toe or heel—the TaylorMade team modified it with a narrower face.
This club does, however, have two drawbacks. Just one stock shaft and no hosel that can be adjusted. The 3-, 5-, or 7-woods all include a Golf Pride Z-Grip Plus 2.
5. Cobra AeroJet Max
The 2022 Cobra LTDx Max was greatly improved upon by the new Aerojet Max. More stability and a tuneable pull bias in these fairway woods help out from the fairway or on the tee.
PWR-BRIDGE weighting in these woods places the centre of gravity low on the face for quicker ball speeds. For even more customising, they include two adjustable weights and adjustable loft features. Higher handicappers will find that their carbon crown also provides more forgiveness and high launch. There are two lightweight stock shaft options as well to suit various swing styles.
6. Cleveland Launcher XL Halo
While Cleveland’s fairway wood selection isn’t extensive, for higher handicappers—especially those on a tight budget—they do have a great option. Easy to use as a fairway finder off the tee or launch off the deck are the XL HALO woods. It is much lighter and more forgiving than the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo fairway woods from recent years.
Biggest Cleveland clubhead design to date, it’s enormous. It is therefore very long, very forgiving, and high launching. This fairway wood works great if you have trouble finding the short grass with a driver.
Along with Gliderail Technology, which keeps the face square during contact, are twin rails along the sole of the club. You can use this club even if you have some nasty falsehoods in the rough.
Cleveland offers an Accuracy Build as well, in which the club is made half an inch shorter without requiring counterbalancing. With fairway woods, this reduces large misses and facilitates control.
7. Callaway Big Bertha
Callaway earned two appearances on our list because their Big Bertha is perfect for players with higher handicaps who require assistance controlling their slice. Both less expensive and even more forgiving than Callaway Paradym X are these woods.
These are difficult to match if you want improved accuracy at a lower price, rapid ball speeds (due to the Jailbreak Technology), and an effortless launch. One of the best buys in golf, these woods are adjustable (in the 3- and 5-wood), and come with several stock shaft choices. Not to mention they offer a 7W, 9W, and Heavenwood (21 degrees) as well.
I’m confident that all seven of these clubs can help your long game out. But how do you decide? Consider these factors:
- Size of clubhead: One of the main factors when picking fairway woods is the size of the clubhead. Higher handicappers need a larger head as it makes the club more forgiving (high MOI) and generally higher launching. Mid- to lower-handicap golfers prefer a smaller head, losing some forgiveness but gaining shot-shaping abilities.
- Adjustability features: Most fairway woods on this list have adjustability features to change the lie angle and loft — but not all. If you’re the type of player who likes to tinker with equipment and/or are trending toward a mid-handicapper, I’d suggest getting an adjustable wood. Also, some brands (like Callaway) offer adjustability only in the 3- or 5-wood, not higher-lofted fairway woods.
- Shaft: Don’t forget to compare fairway woods based on the different stock graphite shafts. The right shaft can make a big difference in distance, trajectory, and accuracy. Lighter shafts are the best choice for slower swing speeds and can help add distance for beginners.
- Price: Lastly, price is always a big factor, and that varies a lot, from $180 to $350. If you want to save money, opting for an older version, such as the TaylorMade Sim Max or Rogue fairway wood, can also help save a few dollars.
Choose the Right Fairway Wood for You
All seven of these fairway woods can help your long game and hopefully find the sweet spot more often.
As you become a mid-handicap or better, you might need a low-spin fairway wood. Playing the right golf gear is so important, whether you’re a high handicap or a scratch golfer with faster swing speeds.
When it comes to choosing the right golf ball, adding in some hybrids, or playing forgiving fairway woods like the ones mentioned above, contact a Curated Golf Expert today to answer any of your questions and help you make the right decision.