TOP 10 FAIRWAY WOODS
Callaway GBB Epic £279 I www.callawaygolf.com
Our verdict: Epic fairways don’t have the same “jailbreak” tech as the drivers, but that doesn’t mean they’re a slouch when it comes to power. A ball speed 2mph quicker and carry 10 yards further than our test average is seriously impressive.
Lofts: 3+/14°; 3/14°; 5/18°; H’wood/20.5°; 7/21°, 9/24° Stock shaft: Project X HZRDUS, Fujikura Pro, Diamana M+ Green, Aldila Rogue Adjustable hosel: Yes
Callaway XR 16 £189 I www.callawaygolf.com
Our verdict: A very good fairway with a face depth that’s just as useful from the tee as it is the fairway. Thanks to the forgiveness you don’t need to be the world’s best ball-striker to get a decent performance from its well-engineered head.
Lofts: 3+/14°; 3/15°; 4/17°; 5/19°; 7/21°; 9/23°; 11/25° Stock shaft: Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 Adjustable hosel: No
Cobra King F7 £189 I www.cobragolf.co.uk
Our verdict: Our test pro wasn’t sold on the squashed, wide head, but for amateurs it’s a really good design. Baffler rails help you get shots airborne, because lots of mass is located very low in the head.
Lofts: 3-4/13-16°; 5-6/17°-20°; 7-8/21°-24° Stock shaft: Fujikura Pro 65 Adjustable hosel: Yes How much loft change: 3° (three draw settings)
Mizuno JPX900 £279 I Golf.mizunoeurope.com
Our verdict: A really nice fairway that will perform at its best in the hands of mid to fast swing speeds. In the hands of a serious golfer, and with the right set-up, it’s workable and versatile off fairway or tee.
Lofts: 3/15°; 5/18°; 7/21° Stock shaft: Fujikura Speeder Evolution 2 Adjustable hosel: Yes How much loft change: +/-2°
Ping G £220 I www.ping.com
Our verdict: In our book fairways need to be really versatile clubs. You primarily need to launch them off the fairway, but you’ll also need to fall back on them for tight tee shots, and we know the G can do a very solid job at both.
Lofts: 3/14.5°; 5/17.5°, 7/20.5° plus 13° Stretch Stock shaft: Alta 65 High Balance Point Adjustable hosel: Yes How much loft change: +/-1°
Ping G SF Tec £220 I www.ping.com
Our verdict: We love how the SF Tec doesn’t look like a “game improvement” club, but Ping have stealthily snuck in some great game improving tech. If you struggle to stay away from the right side of the course, it’s well worth a look.
Lofts: 3/16°; 5/19° Stock shafts: Alta 65 High Balance Point Adjustable hosel: Yes How much loft change: +/- 1°
Srixon Z F65 £229 I www.srixon.co.uk
Our verdict: The F65 is more punishing on off-centre hits than some of the competition, but we can’t take anything away from its powerful performance. If you only carry one fairway the 17° 4-wood would be an excellent option.
Lofts: 3+/13.5°, 3/15°, 4/17°, 5/19° Stock shaft: Miyazaki Kaula Mizu 6 Adjustable hosel: No
Taylormade M1 £279 I www.taylormadegolf.com
Our verdict: The M1 was an absolutely top performer in our test in the hands of our pro. It is 25cc smaller (150cc) than the M2 and as much as that makes for a cute little head sat behind the ball, it does mean slightly less forgiveness.
Lofts: 3/15°; 3HL/17°; 5/19° Stock shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Tini Adjustable hosel: Yes How much loft change: +/- 2°
Taylormade M2 £229 I www.taylormadegolf.com
Our verdict: The M2 really is pimped for distance and forgiveness in the hands of the club golfer. Both amateurs found it a much better fit than M1, so it was no surprise it delivered the longest carry – 12 yards further than average.
Lofts: 3/15°, 3HL/16.5°, 5/18°, 5HL/21°, 7HL/24° Stock shaft: TM REAX Adjustable hosel: No
Titleist 917 F2 £280 I www.titleist.co.uk
Our verdict: It’s really simple and unfussy, which slightly better golfers often prefer. If you’re going to pay this much for a fairway make sure you get properly fitted, Titleist offers an excellent shaft choice at no extra cost.
Lofts: 13.5°/15°/16.5°/ 18°/21° Stock shafts: Aldila Rogue Max, Fujikura Speeder Pro TS 84, Mitsubishi Diamana Blue 70/Red 60 Adjustable hosel: Yes