TOP 10 FAIRWAY WOODS

Callaway Rogue ST Max | £299

TG VERDICT Compared to most fairways, the Rogue ST Max is very low-profile, so the face is not very deep. There’s also a wide but naturally appealing shape, so it builds confidence nicely while also being super easy to launch from the turf. Compared to the lower spinning Rogue ST Max LS model, you get more launch, spin and peak height, which will maximise carry distance at club golfer speeds.

Taylormade Stealth | £279

TG VERDICT Aside from the Stealth sitting beautifully square at address, and us loving its completely non-offensive matt black crown, the model was also our third longest fairway, gave us the smallest amount of carry distance drop-off, and hit shots into our third smallest dispersion area. That means it delivers on both distance and accuracy on the golf course.

Ping G425 Max | £299

TG VERDICT We talk a lot about the forgiveness of Ping drivers and irons at TG, but the fairways are just as friendly. We’ve been big Ping fairway fans for years and the G425 Max is every bit as good as its predecessors. Compared to the competition, there’s a flatter sole, lower profile head and less face height, which gives a really friendly, confidence-inspiring appearance at set up.

Srixon ZX | £249

TG VERDICT In the hands of our higher speed test pro, Srixon’s ZX family has utterly performed across the board over the last two years. So much so that if you’re lucky enough to fall into the above-average speed category; your game is definitely in safe hands with the brand. We love the ZX’S cute, almost triangular head shape and its sound and feel. Perfect for decent players who want to manipulate ball flight.

Taylormade Stealth Plus | £349

TG VERDICT Very few amateur golfers will spend £349 on a fairway wood, but it’s important to understand that, thanks to a titanium and carbon fibre chassis, the Stealth Plus is essentially a mini-sized driver, so it comes with extra production costs. It launches and flights shots higher (while lowering spin), giving a steeper descent angle and getting shots to drop out of the air and stop on long approaches.

Cobra King LTDX Max | £249

TG VERDICT Within our ‘Best 2022 Fairway Wood Test’, the Cobra King LTDX Max wasn’t our fastest or longest, but at reasonable speeds it is so very easy to launch from the turf. We love the head shape, and how the model sits at address. Add in how the Max produced our third best carry distance drop-off (10 yards / 4.2%), and we reckon it’s a very good fairway wood for club golfers this year.

Titleist TSI2 | £279

TG VERDICT The TSI2 may now be two years old but it didn’t stop our test pro from producing his fastest average ball speed with it, and those sorts of numbers, along with the extra spin associated with the slightly wider head, translate to it being just 7 yards back from our very longest fairway wood of 2022. If having the latest model is important to you, Titleist fairways are scheduled for an update later this year.

Wilson Launch Pad | £200

TG VERDICT Cast your eye over the data charts on our website (www.todaysgolfer.co.uk) and those in the know will spot the Launch Pad as our joint highest launching, highest spinning and highest flying fairway wood of 2022 – traits that help maximise carry distance at average club golf speeds. A brilliant, super easy-launch and anti-slice fairway for average speed players in 2022.

Benross Delta X | £249

TG VERDICT Benross equipment hasn’t ripped up any trees here since the brand was taken over by American Golf. And while the Delta X was nowhere close to being a fastest or longest fairway wood this year (it was 25 yards back from our longest), it did produce some very impressive consistency and accuracy numbers. If you’re considering a value-for-money fairway wood this year, look no further.

Callaway Rogue ST LS | £299

TG VERDICT Low-spin fairway woods rarely appear among our recommendations as the smaller heads tend to be less forgiving and harder to launch from the turf. But the Rogue ST LS was our longest fairway wood of 2022 and ranked third best at protecting ball speed, while also hitting shots into our second smallest dispersion area. It’s not super forgiving, but it is a very powerful and compact fairway wood.