Versatility ranks near the top of the priority list when selecting a new fairway wood. Having a 3-wood that finds the fairway off the tee is important, but there’s a good chance you’re also looking for something that can also attack par-5s when the opportunity presents itself. You need something that can do it all.
Having recently highlighted 5 fairway wood that deliver off the tee, we turn our attention to a group that gets it done off the turf. During GOLF’s 2020 ClubTest, these fairway woods stood from the pack during robot and player testing. Let’s take a closer look.
Bridgestone Tour B JGR
Bridgestone Tour B JGR
Lofts: 15 and 18 degrees
Our take: The boost wave crown combines with power slit technology for max face flex at impact, resulting in longer hits. The variable thickness face minimizes distance loss on off-center strikes, while the micro-milling texture lessens unwanted spin.
ClubTester’s take (10-hdcp): “Jumps off the face. Launching in a higher window than I’m accustomed to seeing, which is nice.”
Robot’s take: One of the most forgiving clubs for fast swingers, especially on toe hits.
Mizuno ST200
Lofts: 15 and 18 degree
Our take: The MAS1C Maraging design allows for a greater energy transfer and faster ball speeds from across more points on the face. Consider it a high-launch fairway wood that won’t ever “balloon.”
ClubTester’s take (3-hdcp): “I like the setup, feel and sound. Can I buy this now?”
Robot’s take: If you need more spin, the ST200 is your fairway wood.
Ping G410
Lofts: 14.5, 17.5, 20.5 and 23.5 degrees
Our take: The shallow, forged Maraging steel face pairs with a low-back CG placement, resulting in a fairway wood that produces a long, penetrating ballfight with low spin. A tungsten weight is placed back and deep for more stability and forgiveness.
ClubTester’s take (16-hdcp): “Straight as an arrow with a piercing flight. Easy to hit, too.”
Robot’s take: Top 3 in accuracy among all woods tested.
Titleist TS2
Lofts: 13.5, 15, 16.5, 18 and 21 degrees
Our take: An ultrathin crown allows for more weight to be positioned lower and deeper in the head of the forgiving TS2. Active Recoil Channel 3.0 and variable face thickness produce greater flexibility for more ball speed on off-center hits.
ClubTester’s take (6-hdcp): “Feel was second to none—what you’d expect from a Titleist fairway.”
Robot’s take: One of the leaders in overall accuracy.
Wilson D7
Lofts: 15, 18 and 21 degrees
Our take: Wilson’s nonadjustable D7 fairway shows off its bona fides with a package geared for golfers who require extra speed and forgiveness. A responsive 455 stainless-steel face insert and crown design featuring sections that are strategically thinned out to minimize mass keeps the overall weight on the feathery side. The thin face design is meant to mitigate ball speed loss on shots catching the heel or toe.
Robot testing revealed a product that’s extremely forgiving and could be a strong option off the turf. With launch and spin numbers on the higher side, D7 has a handle on the drop-and-stop shot. Golfers were also taken by the classic profile and how easy it was to square the face up at address.
ClubTester’s take (10-hdcp): “Wilson wasn’t even on my radar before testing. They have my attention now with a seriously strong product that does it all.”
Robot’s take: High peak height and spin rate make this is a worthy option from the fairway.
