Robot testing verifies these fairway woods have exceptionally low launch

Whether you regularly play in windy conditions or just need something that goes forever off the tee with some semblance of consistency, a low-launch fairway wood can fill an important hole in the bag setup.

The previous installment of GOLF’s robotic testing insights took a look at fairway woods (15 degrees) with exceptionally high launch angles. Now we’re shifting the focus to a crop with a noticeably lower launch. As you’d expect, low-spin fairway woods produced some of the lowest launch angles during testing, which checks out.

Moving the center of gravity low and forward is the easiest way to shed spin and lower launch at the same time. That being said, don’t assume all low-spin fairways are going to produce a penetrating flight. (If you don’t believe us, just look at Ping’s G430 LST launch numbers.)

If you struggle with too much spin, try out one of the models listed below and watch your distance increase. It’s one of the easiest ways to get spin within a reasonable range and turn your 3-wood into a strong secondary option off the tee.

Check out the notable low launch angle results below.

(How we calculate: Each fairway wood is tested at 95 mph using a three-point face mapping. We hit six balls from each location on the face — heel, toe and middle — and came up with an average based on the 18 strikes.)

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TaylorMade Qi10 Tour | 13.1 degrees

TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Custom Fairway Wood

$449.99

Introducing the Qi10 Tour fairway. Experience TaylorMade speed with Qi10 forgiveness…off the tee and off the deck. MAXIMUM ADJUSTABILITY A lower profile moveable weight system features a 50g sliding weight and a 2° loft sleeve for a wide range of flight options. Golfers can shift the weight back for higher launch and stability, center it for all-around performance or move it forward for a low-spin ball flight with maximum distance. NEW INFINITY CARBON CROWN An Infinity Crown provides a clean, uninterrupted view at address while also optimizing performance.

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Cobra Darkspeed LS | 13.8 degrees

Cobra DarkSpeed LS Custom Fairway Wood

$429.99

The LS model features our first ever Titanium fairway construction for driver-like performance in a refined clubhead shape tailored for precise shot shaping. TOUR INSPIRED SHAPING Subdued clubhead styling inspires a Tour-validated look and feel at address. TITANIUM CONSTRUCTION A multi-material construction blends a lightweight 8-1-1 Titanium body and face, and a carbon crown to improve weight distribution for more distance.

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Mizuno ST-G | 14.2 degrees

Mizuno ST-G 440 Custom Fairway Wood

$399.99

CORTECH CHAMBER A chamber located on the sole adjacent to the face, filled with an elastomeric material with inserted weight provides: Larger CORAREA, improved spin performance, and tuned impact sound. ULTRA LOW CG CONSTRUCTION Lighter density 811 Ti body combined with 88g higher density steel along the sole provides the lowest CG construction. MULTI-THICKNESS CORTECH FACE Refined to maximize CORAREA combined with the SAT2041 Beta Titanium face material. WAFFLE CROWN Extremely thin lightweight crown portion. MODERN PLAYER’S PEAR SHAPE An inviting, compact, head that sits perfectly square at address. HIT TUNED IMPACT SOUND Strategically placed internal sound ribs tune the impact sound to the appropriate frequency and sound pressure QUICK SWITCH ADJUSTABILITY 4 degrees of loft adjustability to fine-tune address look and trajectory.

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Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond | 14.6 degrees

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Custom Fairway Wood

$349.99

Ai SMOKE TD FAIRWAY The new Paradym Ai Smoke fairway represents a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai journey. This new family of fairway woods feature the most sophisticated face in Callaway history, the Ai Smart Face. Breakthrough Fairway Performance Powered by Ai Smart Face™ Ai Smoke fairway woods utilize Ai Smart Face; a breakthrough technology in face design that utilizes thousands of actual player swings. Every Ai Smart Face is designed to optimize launch and spin, creating sweet spots across the face. Workable Shape and Penetrating Ball Flight The Triple Diamond fairway wood will benefit golfers who want to work the ball, and typically have faster swing speeds for a penetrating ball flight with lower spin.

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Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max | 14.7 degrees

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Custom Fairway Wood

$349.99

Ai SMOKE MAX FAIRWAY The new Paradym Ai Smoke fairway represents a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai journey. This new family of fairway woods feature the most sophisticated face in Callaway history, the Ai Smart Face. Breakthrough Fairway Performance Powered by Ai Smart Face™ Ai Smoke fairway woods utilize Ai Smart Face; a breakthrough technology in face design that utilizes thousands of actual player swings. Every Ai Smart Face is designed to optimize launch and spin, creating sweet spots across the face. Refined Shaping with Adjustability for More Versatility With progressive shaping and the most extensive offering, Ai Smoke Max Fairway Woods will be the optimal choice for players who want consistent launch and a neutral ball flight. An adjustable hosel in the 3W and 3HL models gives players additional control to dial in loft and shot shape.

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Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf.

Jonathan Wall

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to joining the staff at the end of 2018, he spent 6 years covering equipment for the PGA Tour. He can be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com.

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