BEST OF THE REST

SRIXON ZX MKII £279

TG VERDICT: The MK II was a TG winner in 2023 and put in another strong performance here. It was our second-longest (249 yards) and third-fastest (153.9mph) wood of 2024, which is impressive considering it’s not new for this year and the competition is incredibly fierce. With launch, backspin and height just below our averages, it’s a better fit for slightly stronger players, so make sure you can launch it successfully from the deck before buying in.

COBRA DARKSPEED LS £349

TG VERDICT: The titanium chassis LS is extremely fast and long when hit from the middle, but cripplingly punishing when hit away from centre. However, if you’re a high-speed player, you’ll want to find low-spin fairway wood options. If pushed for a favourite in 2024, this would be our recommendation. Our pro loved its cute, unfussy head and how it sat at address. And even though it’s set up as Cobra’s low-spin fairway, it produced really good ball flight numbers.

WILSON DYNAPOWER £220

TG VERDICT: Good value fairways are hard to come by in 2024, so much so that if we were buying on a budget this year, we’d look to models like the Dynapower, which is set to be retired at the end of the year. Our pro really enjoyed the crisp impact sound, its inoffensive head shape and its very solid data. With a carry distance of 245 yards, the model was tied fourth longest and produced a ball speed above and a shot area below our test averages.

TITLEIST TSR3 £289

TG VERDICT: With fewer spinlowering options around for higher speed players, particularly at affordable prices, the TSR3 has snuck its way on to our radar this year. This smallerheaded model isn’t an option for everyone, but if you have decent levels of speed and are looking to lower your fairway wood ball flight, it should ping your radar. And with the model being retired around mid-summer, you might be able to pick a TSR3 up for very decent money.

PING G430 MAX £350

TG VERDICT: The G430 Max has strong stock shaft options and an adjustable hosel that lets you tailor the loft, lie and face angle. At 153.7mph, it posted the fourth-fastest ball speed of our test, and a carry distance 4.3 yards further than our average. It also had the smallest ball speed drop-off (nine yards) and a shot area 61% smaller than our test average. It’s pricey and now two years old, but the G430 Max remains an excellent option.