Best fairway woods for forgiveness | ClubTest 2025

Regardless of your skill level, fairway woods are an essential weapon. Whether you’re laying up off the tee, hoping to reach a par-5 in two, or simply trying to cover as much ground as possible in your journey to the green on any hole, a well-fit fairway wood is a key ingredient to playing good golf. But because of their relatively low lofts, fairway woods can also be one of the most difficult clubs to hit well — especially off of tight lies on the fairway. That’s where helpful technology kicks in. Forgiveness is an important component in every fairway wood, with some models better-suited to some players than others.

Which players can benefit from added forgiveness from fairway woods? Just about everyone! But typically, players with low or moderate swing speed can benefit from a fairway woods with a slightly larger clubhead size and a lower center of gravity, which makes launching the ball up in the air a little bit easier.

Players who have a hard time hitting a 3-wood can also benefit from adding higher-lofted fairway woods to their bags, like 5-woods and even 7-woods. There are plenty of new options to consider this year.

Below, you’ll find the 10 best forgiving fairway woods for 2025, according to our ClubTest raters and fitters.     

See something you like? Click through and buy your new fairway woods on Fairway Jockey today. For additional exclusive insights on new fairway woods from leading brands, join InsideGOLF for only $40/year. Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. 

MORE CLUBTEST: BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SPEED | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR LOW SPIN | BEST FAIRWAY WOODS FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS

Ping G440 SFT

*Ping’s G440 SFT fairway wood was awarded ClubTest 2025 Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the fairway wood forgiveness category.

PING G440 SFT Custom Fairway Wood

$349

The G440 fairway family (MAX, LST, SFT) advances PING’s reputation as a Tour-preferred model of choice through a re-designed face structure and low CG system. The face is taller for more confidence off the tee while maintaining a CG location that delivers high- launching performance off the ground. Golfers in need of slice-correction technology fit best in the SFT (Straight Flight) option, which features a draw-inducing CG location. HIGH MOI Easy to launch, stable design increases forgiveness.  FLEXING FACE Maraging steel face flexes for more ball speed, optimizes spin.  TALLER FACE PROFILE Improves performance off the tee, maintains low CG.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, optimize launch/spin and increase forgiveness. 

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THE BASICS: For players who need some help correcting a slice, Ping’s G440 SFT fairway wood features a draw-inducing CG location that helps direct shots back into the fairway. The face is taller to give players more confidence when hitting the club off the tee, while the CG location enables high-launching performance off the ground too. According to ClubTester Paul McCombs, the G440 SFT is “an excellent club and a worthy upgrade.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING G440 FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Elyte

Callaway Elyte Custom Fairway Wood

$349.99

FEATURES & BENEFITS All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds     Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face. New Step Sole for Efficient Turf Interaction & Improved Center Face Contact Engineered for cleaner contact, the new Step Sole minimizes skidding, ensuring smoother, more solid strikes. Developed through extensive studies and the success of the Apex UW, this sole shape delivers better turf interaction for consistent results.

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THE BASICS: The Elyte fairway wood, like all of Callaway’s Elyte models, features the company’s new Step Sole design that comes from studying the success of the Callaway Apex UW line. The idea was to help golfers strike the ball more consistently in the center of the face and to help them avoid striking the ball low on the face. With Step Sole, Callaway says, 57 percent of the sole area has been moved down, minimizing turf interaction to help the golfers strike the ball more cleanly in the center of the club. Designed for better players and mid-level handicaps, the Elyte features mid-high launch and low spin. “I hit the club the most consistent and it was the easiest to get into the air,” said ClubTester Robert Resnick. “The look inspired confidence and distance was maintained on mishits.” Tester Greg Caster concurred. “The club doesn’t look too big at address and I like the matte finish,” he said. “Not intimidating to hit. Has a nice comfortable weight.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Elyte X

Callaway Elyte X Custom Fairway Wood

$349.99

FEATURES & BENEFITS Confidence-Inspiring Design & Effortless Launch       The Elyte X model shape at address boosts confidence for looking for a larger footprint behind the ball. Designed with a shallower face, it’s perfect for those looking for an effortless launch, delivering a high flight and draw-enhanced shot shaping.   All New Tungsten Speed Wave for Consistently Fast Ball Speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face.  Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.

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THE BASICS: In addition to Callaway’s Step Sole technology describes above, the Elyte family of fairway woods also features another other piece of tech to help with low strikes is the all-new Tungsten SpeedWave, which is featured on all of the fairway woods up to 7-wood. The 35-gram weight positions mass low and forward, reducing spin and increasing ball speeds. The Elyte X offers the highest level of forgiveness in the Elyte family, with high launch, mid-level spin and a stretched-back profile. The Elyte X is designed for all players, including high handicappers. “I enjoyed hitting this club,” said ClubTester Paul McCombs. “Hit my longest shots of the day with it. It instills confidence with forgiveness, has an excellent look and distance was comparable or exceeded my current gamer.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

Cleveland Halo XL

Cleveland Launcher Halo XL Custom Fairway Wood

$249.99

All-new Halo XL Fairway Woods feature upgraded GlideRail sole technology for optimal turf interaction on shots off the deck. Plus, with new MainFrame XL Faces, low Centers of Gravity, and Rebound Frame, HALO XL Fairway Woods are everything you need to ditch the duffs and launch your long game to a new level. MAINFRAME XL FACE MainFrame XL Face Technology uses a variable thickness pattern that maximizes flex at impact to boost distance. It also repositions weight low and deep in the clubhead for added forgiveness and consistency. GLIDERAIL Cleveland proprietary GlideRail Technology gets a new, optimized design to deliver cleaner, uninterrupted swings through the turf. Three rails along the sole of the club help keep the face straight through impact.

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THE BASICS: A key attribute of the Halo XL woods line is the Glide Rails on the sole of the clubs to help lower the center of gravity by positioning extra mass on the sole and to help deliver more effective turf interaction to better maintain a square face through the impact zone. In essence, they act as rudders to help the club glide through the grass without digging and are especially effective from the rough. “I also like the shiny finish and alignment,” said ClubTester Heidi Dalton, 16-hdcp. “The feel was the best of the bunch.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF CLEVELAND HALO XL FAIRWAY WOODS

Cobra DS-Adapt Max

Cobra DS-Adapt Max Custom Fairway

$329

NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. NEW INTERNAL ADAPTIVE WEIGHTING SYSTEM The MAX model features an internal weight pad positioned in the back/heel area to create the optimal combination of stability with maximum draw bias. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds. MAX FORGIVENESS & DRAW-BIASED CONTROL Adjustable back and heel weight positioning allows you to fine-tune draw bias in our most forgiving head. TIGHTER DISPERSION A lightweight carbon crown improves weight distribution to position the CG lower and further back, creating a more playable clubhead. 

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THE BASICS: Cobra’s DS-Adapt line not only incorporates cutting-edge tech but also brings a renewed emphasis to precision tuning that’s both more robust and easier than ever to adjust. Each DS-Adapt model model features Cobra’s innovative FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, offering 33 unique loft and lie settings that can now be adjusted independently for the first time in a Cobra driver, providing golfers with a huge range of fitting options on the fly. The tech enables loft, lie and face angle to all be adjusted independently thanks to SMARTPAD technology, which keeps the clubface square. The MAX fairway wood also features two movable weights that allow players to customize stability or slice correction by positioning the heavier weight towards the back or heel. “Nice looking,” said ClubTester Glen Hamel. “Imapct was smooth and it’s easy to swing. Mishits went straight and far, with nice and high ball flight.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA DS-ADAPT FAIRWAY WOODS

Mizuno ST-Max 230

Mizuno ST-Max 230 Custom Fairway Wood

$180

  MAX MOI. MAX STABILITY. A larger footprint, wide profile fairway wood – engineered to deliver absolute straight line performance from across the clubface. A high energy MAS1C steel face is enhanced by an expanded CORTECH Chamber, shifted closer to the clubface to increase both centre and off centre ball speeds. A speed bevel applied to the leading edge ensures that performance is equally impressive from tee and turf. A wrap around toe composite completes weighting improvements with the collective aim of delivering an impressively straight, predictable ball flight.

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THE BASICS: The max forgiveness and geometry of the driver continue with the new ST-Max 230 fairway woods and hybrids by offering a larger footprint to help add MOI and stability around the entire head. Suitable for a wide range of players, Mizunos ST-Max 230 fairway woods utilize a high-strength MAS1C steel face for ball speed that matches up with the larger Cortech chamber on the sole. A composite-wrap crown covers the toe section of the fairway wood heads to reduce overall mass higher in the head. “Nice look, sleek, good weight and good size,” said ClubTester Mike Klonoski. “Was money when well struck, with forgiveness and distance.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO FAIRWAY WOODS

Srixon ZXi

Srixon ZXi Custom Fairway Wood

$329.99

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THE BASICS: The new Srixon ZXi fairway woods feature much of the same technology as the drivers, including the redesigned i-FLEX clubface and an adjustable hosel. But, on a fundamental level, certain models differ significantly. The 3- and 3+ fairway woods incorporate stepped carbon crowns to lower the CG for higher, longer shots — specifically, 4.6 more yards of carry compared to previous generations. The ZXi fairways also feature tweaks to the leading edge that make the toe area appear more grounded at address, and the new sole design is optimized for added forgiveness. “Best feel of the bunch, so solid. I didn’t hit any bad shots with this club,” said ClubTester Bryan Wiborg. “It’s a perfect fit for the gap I’m trying to fill in my bag. I want to buy this club immediately! Ball speed, distance, launch angle, all great.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF SRIXON FAIRWAY WOODS

TaylorMade Qi35 Max

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Custom Fairway Wood

$349.99

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THE BASICS: Many of the technologies found in the previous Qi10 fairway wood line are carried over into the Qi35, including Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, TSS weights and, this time, a Chromium Carbon Crown. The Qi35 introduces several new features as well, such as improved shaping, weight distribution and optimization across all of the new models. For the first time, TaylorMade is putting 4° loft sleeves in all 3- and 5-woods in the fairway wood line to allow for even greater options for fitting. Previously, adjustable loft sleeves were limited only to the Tour line.  At 200cc, the Qi35 Max is the largest model in the line, designed for the highest moment of inertia (MOI) and a quicker, higher launch and slight draw bias. For context, 30 years ago “big” drivers topped out at 190-200cc. “Club felt good and I could get the ball where I wanted to,” said ClubTester Rob Hinderberger. “When I hit behind the ball, it stayed online. Absolutely would buy — looked and felt great.”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 FAIRWAY WOODS

Titleist GT2

Titleist GT2 Custom Fairway Wood

$399

Experience high-launching distance from the tee and off the deck. GT2 Fairways leverage a proprietary crown and new forged face to produce consistently impressive speed and trajectory on every swing. Built for added confidence, these fairways are designed to boost performance — no matter where you hit it. For players looking for extra confidence in their fairway, GT2 delivers consistently impressive speed and launch—no matter where you hit it. Deeper, More Forward CG Launch it from any lie. GT2 Fairways push performance higher and farther by shifting CG even lower and closer to the face – generating maximum distance through higher launch and lower spin. Forged L-Cup Face GT Fairways introduce a forged face into the club construction to bolster performance on low-center impacts. The new insert wraps around the bottom of the club to preserve ball speed, maintain launch conditions, and enhance sound and feel — even when you’re trying to pick it clean from a tight lie. Redesigned Internal Hosel To extract every ounce of performance in GT2 Fairways, Titleist engineers pursued every gram of weight savings. The redesigned internal hosel achieves subtle mass improvements that unlock real benefits on every swing.

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THE BASICS: The high launch, low spin GT2 is offered in five lofts (13.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees) for golfers who want to consider the idea of going beyond the 5-wood into the ever-popular 7-wood. The shallower face profile on GT2 gives it a look that’s ideal for golfers with a sweeping delivery. Titleist’s L-Cup construction wraps around the leading edge and into the sole. It’s forged from high-strength 465 stainless steel, not cast. In this case, forging improves the overall durability and performance on low misses. Titleist also flattened out the sole radius from heel to toe. It’s a subtle change that allows it to sit flush on tight turf conditions.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST GT FAIRWAY WOODS

Wilson Dynapwr Max

Wilson 2025 Dynapwr Max Custom Fairway Wood

$279.99

The new DYNAPWR Fairways are optimized with multiple sweet spots, thanks to AI driven PKR-360, and the strength and high ball speeds of forged custom 455 face material. PKR-360 Our AI driven PKR-360 has an increased number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each fairway design to create a larger sweet spot and drive higher ball speeds everywhere across the face. FORGED CONSTRUCTION Custom 455 face material provides strength and high ball speeds while elevating the feel shot after shot.

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THE BASICS: With the Dynapwr Max fairway wood, a thin-cast steel crown helps take the CG low and back, as well as a 12g weight to help players launch the ball up in the air easier. Wilson used AI to create PKR-360, which increased the number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each driver’s design. This results in a larger sweet spot and faster ball speeds across the face of each driver. Also contributing to a larger sweet speed is a new Open Hosel construction, which strips away material from the heel side of the face, allowing the face to flex more. “Very stable-feeling head,” said ClubTester Robert Resnick. “Good distance, easy to get in the air with good ball flight. I’d buy!”

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF WILSON DYNAPWR FAIRWAY WOODS