Equipment
2013 Best Fairway Woods
Golfers love fairway woods that allow them to hit long, straight shots off the tee and off the ground. But fairway woods are not only some of the hardest clubs to hit consistently. They’re also some of the toughest to fit.
We surveyed six of the top-ranked clubfitters in North America to identify the best fairway woods on the planet, which are longer, straighter and better looking than the fairway woods of the past. Click here to read the specifics on the voting committee and how we picked the best.
Start with these five top-ranked fairway woods in your next fitting session and we guarantee that you’ll be on your way to hitting more fairways and greens in no time.
Winners
Callaway X Hot
RBZ Stage 2
Tour Edge Exotics XCG6
PING G25
Adams LS
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[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]Callaway X Hot: The X Hot Pro has a more forward CG than the standard model, giving it a flatter trajectory with less spin. Both models feature a modern version of Callaway’s warbird sole for enhanced turf interaction from less-than desirable lies.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/97868/callaway-x-hot-fairway-woods-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
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[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2: TaylorMade was the first major OEM to break ground into the high-COR fairway wood category with the original RocketBallz, and we applaud the company for making the second generation of those fairway woods longer and more playable.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/88555/taylormade-rbz-stage-2-fairway-woods-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
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[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]Exotics XCG6: The XCG6 is the longest Exotics fairway wood yet. It has a 15-3-3-3 beta titanium cup face, a high-density steel body and a tungsten sole plate that are combo-brazed for the ultimate in power and forgiveness.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/101886/exotics-xcg6-fairway-woods-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
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[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]PING G25: The G25 has more ball speed than the G20, with a higher launch, and more forgiveness. Their smaller size and matte black finish makes them look as good as they perform.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/110054/ping-g25-fairway-woods-and-hybrids-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
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[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]Adams LS: The titanium face and crown, combined with a stainless steel sole creates an exceptionally low center of gravity and thin, fast face. That means gains in speed and trajectory.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/110416/adams-super-s-and-ls-fairways-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
Click here to see the “Best of” winners for other club categories.
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We always get some great photos of some phenomenal putters at tour events and love to share them. Here are a few from the 2024 Zurich Classic that caught our eye and seemed interesting. (And as a reminder, you can check out all our photos from New Orleans here)
MJ Daffue’s Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype
MJ is going with the new Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype this week. The putter is a multi-piece mallet that puts an emphasis on stability with the wings on the back. Daffue’s putter does have a design that differs from retail with a monotone finish, which eliminates the black paint on the aluminum parts that we see at retail. He also has a half siteline milled into the top and an L-neck welded on for some additional toe hang. The face features a deeper milling that should offer a softer feel and slightly quieter sound.
Scotty Cameron T-7.5 Prototype
We spotted a few different Scotty Cameron Phantom models with modified rear flanges. It looks like the straight black flange was cut into a half circle for a little softer look at address. On this T-7.5, you can still see the raw aluminum from the back view, so this might have been a last-minute job to get them out on tour. The semi-circle also has a white line on it, maybe to frame the ball differently.
Alex Fitzpatrick’s Bettinardi SS16 DASS
Alex’s SS16 is made from Bettinardi’s famous D.A.S.S., or double-aged stainless steel, for a softer and more responsive feel. The face has a unique diamond pattern milling and features a logo that I feel like I have seen before, but can’t put a name to. The putter is a classic mid-mallet style with a simple, single white siteline on the top. The sole is clean with just the SS16, DASS, and a green triangle logo on it.
Steve Stricker’s Odyssey White Hot No. 2
This putter has made some amazing putts in its long career! Stricker’s White Hot No. 2 might be in the top 10 of most famous putters in golf. When you see all the dents and lead tape, you know the heel will be up and it will be sinking putts! The soft White Hot insert looks to be in good shape and has less wear on it than the rest of the putter. We don’t know how much lead tape is on the sole, but it has to be multiple layers compacted down over the years.
Doug Ghim’s Scotty Cameron T-7 Prototype
This T-7 should win the award for “best color finish” in this list with its deep chromatic bronze. It looks like Scotty added a cherry bomb dot to the heel of the deep-milled face and filled it with a very dark blue paint. The rest of the putter looks pretty stock with its single site line on the topline and twin site lines down the “fangs” of the putter. Twin 5-gram weights are installed in the sole and the putter is finished off with a gloss black double bend shaft with a fill shaft offset.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
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Project X’s Denali wood shafts have been seen in more and more golf bags this year as we start off the season. As a refresher, Denali Blue is the mid-launch and mid-spin model while Denali Black is for players seeking lower launch and spin.
Denali combines great feel with stability and increased ball speed. Currently, Project X only offers Denali Blue and Black in wood shafts, but we spotted a hybrid shaft in Daniel Berger’s bag at the 2024 Zurich Classic.
The shaft looks to be a Denali Blue 105G – HY in TX flex. No word on details from Project X yet but we can assume that this is a mid-launching shaft that weighs around 105 grams in Tour X-Stiff flex.
Berger has this shaft in his TaylorMade P770 3-iron, likely for some added launch and spin to hold the green from longer distances.
Hopefully, this means we will see some more shafts coming under the Denali name in the future, as I think many of us would like to try one in a hybrid or utility iron!
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
- Check out in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s full WITB here.
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- Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
6-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 (4-PW)
Shafts: Project X Denali Blue 105 TX (3), Project X 6.5 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F), Callaway Jaws Raw (60-08C)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Mini DB
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy PistolLock 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s clubs in the forums.
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
Rory McIlroy WITB 2024 (April)
Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)
Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
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19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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19th Hole3 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole3 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole1 week agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
tyler
Jun 3, 2014 at 1:05 am
The Callaway X Hot Pro is the real deal. I was a bit concerned about the lack of adjustability and initially I was hooking it pretty good, but after spending some time with it I have to say it is the best fairway I’ve ever owned. It feels and sounds perfect and the sole is perfect from any lie. The “compression channel” thingy on it is legit. It really does go so much farther than any fairway I’ve owned. My advice is not to be worried about going with a stiffer shaft in this because it gets the ball up no problem and the stiffer shaft is nice for control.
Jon
Nov 4, 2013 at 1:44 am
Cobra amp cell should be on this list…
spencjah
Jul 28, 2013 at 1:17 pm
How about the 3deep. I found it really good. Off the tee and off the deck. Best 3 wood I found. Club is for better players but the best I have tested.
Frank
Jun 5, 2013 at 12:32 pm
g25?! i would think the anser beats them out their people playing the anser woods that arent even with ping
Zak Kozuchowski
Jun 4, 2013 at 10:15 am
Here’s how we do it, guys
http://www.golfwrx.com/reviews/best-of-awards-and-the-inside-scoop/
– Zak
Charles
Jun 4, 2013 at 9:39 am
Yes, what puts the covert outside the winner list. Really like the lofts’ choice on one club.
Ryu
Jun 4, 2013 at 10:45 am
The sound and feel of the covert is ridiculous! It’s just like hitting plastic golf clubs, The people also don’t like the ‘SWOOSH’ logo on the clubhead. For me the swoosh is okay but the sound and feel is just horrible.
Kyle
Jun 4, 2013 at 12:03 am
Not sure how the covert didn’t make this list. Tested mine against everything and it came out on top
Steve
Jun 4, 2013 at 8:26 am
Clubs work different for everyone. I hate the Covert, but love the 913F. The club works for me, but not for everyone. Different strokes for different folks.
Rob
Jun 5, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Yeah, same here. Hated the Covert too, and the AMP Cell just flat outperformed for me over the Covert and the RBZ Stage 2.