- Callaway Mavrik Max<\/strong><\/a> (best all-around wood)<\/li>
- Cleveland Launcher Turbo<\/strong><\/a> (best for slower swing speeds)<\/li>
- Cobra F-Max Superlite<\/strong><\/a> (best budget-friendly wood)<\/li>
- No products found.<\/span><\/li>
- Cobra F9 Speedback<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If I was just an average weekend golfer and was in the market for a new fairway wood, these are the options I\u2019d consider. There\u2019s really no reason to go out and blow a bunch of money on this year\u2019s gear if you don\u2019t have to. All of these options are solid and don\u2019t think you could go wrong with any of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who Is Considered An Average Golfer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An average golfer is anyone who shoots above 90 on a par 72 golf course. These golfers are also referred to as high handicap players.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This might seem a little bit hard to believe but these numbers take into account all types and ages of golfers. What\u2019s pretty crazy is that the average golf score has actually gotten worse over the past number of years (even with the gear getting \u201cbetter).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the way I break down golf scores and what group you fit in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- If you shoot above 90 = High handicap (average).<\/strong><\/li>
- If you shoot between 80-90 = Mid Handicap<\/strong><\/li>
- If you shoot below 80 = Low handicap<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This just keeps things simple and easy to understand. Golfers in each of these groups should look for different features in a fairway wood. A beginner could use a club that\u2019s designed for low handicaps but it\u2019s not going to perform nearly as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, if you normally shoot in the 90s or 100s then you\u2019re in the right place. If you\u2019re someone who consistently breaks 90, you might want to check out our fairway woods for mid handicaps article instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Best Fairway Woods For Mid Handicappers.<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Should High Handicappers Use Fairway Woods?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fairways woods are very important for beginners and high handicaps and should be the go-to club off the tee. They\u2019re more accurate and will help average players hit more fairways and lower scores.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the best ways for people to lower their scores is by hitting more fairways. How many golfers do you see hitting their second shots from the rough? It\u2019s really hard to get a par when you\u2019re hitting from the thick stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you go out and get yourself a driver or hybrid, I definitely recommend you get yourself a good fairway wood and get consistent with it. Even to this day, I don\u2019t have a driver<\/strong> and prefer hitting my wood off the tee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, a driver might give me 20 extra yards but the way I look at it is what club will land in the fairway more often<\/strong>? For me (and most others) that\u2019s going to be a fairway wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was playing not that great one day and couldn\u2019t hit a fairway to save my life (was maybe 10 over through 9 holes). I decided to bench the driver and 5-wood and hit my 7-wood off the tee. I ended up shooting 4 over on the back 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me give you a scenario.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If someone came up to you and said I\u2019ll give you a million bucks if you can tee off and land the ball 175+ yards in the fairway. What club would you hit? That\u2019s the only club you need right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, these are the first clubs a beginner\/high handicap should get:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- 175+ yards club<\/strong><\/li>
- 150-yard club<\/strong><\/li>
- 100-yard club<\/strong><\/li>
- Sand wedge<\/strong><\/li>
- Putter<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you got really good with these 5 clubs I can guarantee you\u2019ll shoot good scores. If I was starting from scratch and were following this guideline, my 175+ yard club would be a wood<\/strong> (not a hybrid or driver).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once I could hit fairways in my sleep with the wood I\u2019d go out and get a hybrid.<\/strong> They\u2019re a lot easier to hit out of the rough and it\u2019ll add a bit more versatility to your game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Best Hybrids For Average Golfers.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
After that, I\u2019d go out and get a driver.<\/strong> I\u2019d probably wait until I broke through 100 and 90 and was consistently shooting in the 80s. That\u2019s a pretty good time to add some yardage to your game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Best Drivers For Average Golfers<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In case you were wondering when you should be using fairway woods instead of other clubs, here\u2019s a general guideline I like to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do Hit:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- On longer par 3\u2019s.<\/li>
- When the green is in range and no hazards are close.<\/li>
- If the fairway is narrow and accuracy is important.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t Hit:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- When you\u2019re 280 yards from the pin and want to get it \u201cclose\u201d.<\/li>
- If you\u2019re just in range but there\u2019s water next to the green.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Should High Handicappers Use A 3 Or 5 Wood?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The best type of fairway wood for a beginner or high handicap is 5-wood. They\u2019re easier to hit off the fairway and will go just about as far as a 3-wood.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve had both clubs over the years and the 5 wood is a lot easier to play. It\u2019s easier to hit because it\u2019s normally an inch shorter and it has more loft on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just think about what\u2019s easier to hit, your 3 iron or your 7 iron<\/strong>? Your 7 iron has more loft and is a bit shorter. The exact same goes for your woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first number of years I played, I always used a 3-wood. What made me switch was reading an article by Butch Harmon that was called \u201cBench Your 3-Wood<\/strong>\u201c. It got me thinking but made a lot of sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He basically said that 5-wood will be a lot easier to get in the air and will go the same distance<\/strong> for most golfers. It\u2019s better off the fairway and will go the same distance off the tee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5-wood seems like the obvious answer to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s say you already had a driver. The best driver loft for most high handicaps is between 11-13 degrees. Most 3-woods have a loft around 15 degrees. It wouldn\u2019t really make sense for the average golfer to have two clubs that close together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The loft of a 5-wood is normally around 18 degrees and that\u2019ll be a much better gap between clubs. My ideal setup is an 11-degree driver, 18-degree 5-wood, and 22-degree hybrid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What To Look For In A Fairway Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to fairway woods, the average player needs to look for different things than a scratch player. They don\u2019t normally swing as fast, they miss the sweet spot more often, and they want much straighter shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some general things you\u2019ll want to look at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Forgiveness<\/strong><\/li>
- Distance<\/strong><\/li>
- Launch height<\/strong><\/li>
- Spin<\/strong><\/li>
- Adjustability<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Probably the most important thing is how forgiving<\/strong> the club is. The more forgiveness your clubs has the more fairways you\u2019ll hit. The more fairways you hit the better your scores will be. The most forgiving fairway woods have a slightly bigger head that makes the sweet spot bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What most people look for is distance<\/strong> but it\u2019s actually not as important as you might think. Remember I talked about shooting my best 9 holes ever with a 7-wood? That club only went 200 yards or so, so that clearly shows how important distance actually is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another super important feature is launch height.<\/strong> A lot of average golfers don\u2019t have the fastest swing speeds and might have trouble getting the ball in the air. More height will give you more distance. Loft is your friend and that\u2019s one of the reasons I like 5-wood more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing to also be aware of is the spin rate.<\/strong> It might seem like a good idea to have less spin on your shots but it\u2019s probably not a good idea for the average golfer. There are low spinning options for drivers and woods (Sub Zero, Tour, etc) but these are for better players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last thing to consider is adjustability.<\/strong> Being able to adjust loft, lie, and weight is pretty cool and all but it\u2019s not something a high handicap should be focusing on. Keep things simple, work on your swing, and come back to these after. If your club has adjustments, cool, but it\u2019s not a big deal if it doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Shaft Flex For High Handicaps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Shaft flex is based on how fast you swing the club, but for most high handicaps, the best shaft flex is regular. This will generate more speed and keep the ball flying straighter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know what fairway wood you want, you\u2019ll need to figure out what shaft is right for you. This is just as important as the club itself because it\u2019ll have a big impact on your shot shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A shaft that\u2019s too firm will give you low shots that tend to slice. A shaft that\u2019s too soft will tend to hook the ball. Not always but these are some general guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What you need to do is figure out your swing speed. If you don\u2019t know your swing speed then figure out how far you normally drive the ball. Here are some guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- If you drive the ball under 200 yards = swing speed under 80 MPH = senior\/ladies shaft<\/strong><\/li>
- If you drive the ball 200-240 yards = swing speed 80-90 MPH = regular shaft<\/strong><\/li>
- If you drive the ball 240-275 yards = swing speed 90-100 MPH = stiff shaft<\/strong><\/li>
- If you drive the ball over 275 yards = swing speed over 100 MPH = extra stiff shaft<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Picking the right shaft for your swing will help you get the most distance and will give you the most control. I\u2019ve used all types of shafts and I could hit the ball fine with each. My consistency was all over the place though with the wrong flex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Fairway Woods For Beginners & High Handicaps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know exactly what to look for with your fairway wood, we\u2019ll jump into some of my favorites. I think there are zero reasons for you to go out and spend 400 bucks on this year\u2019s clubs as an average player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pretty much all of the clubs over the past 5 years hit the ball the same distance.<\/strong> If you want the latest and greatest club then go right ahead, but just know, it\u2019s not necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The clubs I\u2019ve listed below are the ones I\u2019d consider<\/strong> if I was an average player in the market for something new. Each of them is slightly different but you can\u2019t go wrong with any of them. We\u2019ll talk about who each of them is perfect for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Callaway Mavrik Max (My #1 Pick)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=f7tOMKW3nPQ<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Callaway makes some of the most popular golf products and the Mavrik Max is their 2020 fairway wood<\/strong> designed for higher handicap players. It\u2019s built for distance and maximum forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I currently use the Epic Flash fairway wood (2019 version) and absolutely love it. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s forgiving enough for the average player and that\u2019s why the Mavrik would be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a few different models of the Mavrik fairway wood (standard, Max, Sub Zero). The Sub Zero<\/strong> is for low handicap players and is definitely out of the equation. Max<\/strong> is bigger and is going to be a lot more forgiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are working your way through the 90s and don\u2019t need a whole lot of forgiveness, you might want to get the standard Mavrik.<\/strong> I like it better myself because it\u2019s slightly smaller but it\u2019s definitely not as easy to hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This club is designed to give a high launch and the flight bias is a slight draw<\/strong>. It won\u2019t fix a slice but it can help straighten things out a little bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I like about this club is that the face is designed to hit the ball a decent distance if you hit the toe or heel. Let\u2019s be honest, we rarely hit the center of the face and that\u2019s why this is a cool feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Check The Mavrik Price On Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Mishits still hit the ball well.<\/li>
- The launch height is great for most.<\/li>
- The bigger face is easier to hit.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The alignment aid isn\u2019t the best.<\/li>
- No adjustments.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cleveland Launcher Turbo (My #2 Pick)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/outofboundsgolf.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/3_Blog-Post-Pic-9-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA lot of people overlook Cleveland clubs but they\u2019re some of my favorite on the market. The Turbo is their model designed for high handicaps and it\u2019s probably one of the easiest clubs I\u2019ve ever hit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think it\u2019s best suited for someone with a slower swing speed<\/strong> but it\u2019s completely fine if you don\u2019t. It\u2019s designed to launch the ball high in the air, give a straight ball flight, and generate the most distance for the average golfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m currently using Cleveland irons and have one of their wedges and absolutely love them. I really liked the previous year\u2019s Launcher and the new Turbo is even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not overly fancy, it\u2019s not adjustable, and it\u2019s not the best for shaping the ball around. That\u2019s not who this club is designed for and I actually like the simple grab and shoot design<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As long as you want to hit the ball high, long, and straight<\/strong>, you\u2019ll really like the Turbo wood. It\u2019s one of my favorites and should be the go-to if you\u2019re swing is starting to slow down a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Check The Turbo Price On Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- It has better alignment help.<\/li>
- The launch is high for slower swing speeds.<\/li>
- It\u2019s incredibly forgiving.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- There are no adjustments.<\/li>
- It\u2019s not the best for controlling the ball.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cobra F-Max Superlite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/outofboundsgolf.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2_Blog-Post-Pic-10-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you don\u2019t golf a whole lot or just don\u2019t want to drop big money on a new club, the Cobra Superlite could be perfect for you. It\u2019s not quite as good as the other two clubs but it\u2019s definitely the best in its price range<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like with a lot of game-improvement clubs, the Superlite has a bit of offset<\/strong> to help fight the slice. You might not want this as you get better, but for now, it\u2019s going to help you out a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing to be aware of is that this probably isn\u2019t the best choice for faster swing speeds.<\/strong> If you do swing the club pretty fast, you\u2019d prefer the Callaway. If you have a slow to mid swing speed, you\u2019ll see awesome results with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ball flight isn\u2019t going to be as high as the other two clubs but it\u2019s still pretty decent. It\u2019s also not adjustable, which could be a pro or con depending on how you look at it. For the price though, I really can\u2019t complain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I really like about the Superlite is the sound and feel<\/strong> at impact. Some clubs are sort of embarrassing to hit at the range because you can hear it from 2 miles away. That\u2019s not the case with this bad boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also feels really solid through impact as well and that can boost confidence. Pair it with a ball that\u2019s suits your swing and you\u2019ve got a pretty deadly combo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Check the Superlite Price On Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The price can\u2019t be beaten.<\/li>
- Great distance for mid to low swing speeds.<\/li>
- The sound and feel are solid.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- No adjustments.<\/li>
- Not ideal for faster swing speeds.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
PING G410<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/outofboundsgolf.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/3_Blog-Post-Pic-12.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you have a slower swing speed<\/strong> and want something that\u2019s really forgiving, this could be an option for you. PING is a little bit underrated but they make some awesome clubs for mid to high handicap golfers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d personally get the Cleveland<\/strong> instead because it\u2019s cheaper, but the two clubs are very similar. You can hit the club on the toe, the heel, low, or high, and it\u2019ll send the ball fairly straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The good news with this is that you\u2019ll end up hitting more fairways. That\u2019ll really help take you from a high to mid handicap or from the high to low 80s. The bad news is that it\u2019ll be harder to hit a draw or fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The G410 is higher launching<\/strong> and will be easier to hit for golfers with slower swing speeds. If you have a faster swing speed then you\u2019ll get more distance with a slightly lower launching club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing to be aware of is that you can adjust the loft but it\u2019s only up or down by 1 degree. That\u2019s why I think it\u2019d be important to get the 5-wood instead of 3-wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- No products found.<\/span>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The ball flight is high.<\/li>
- It\u2019s one of the more forgiving woods.<\/li>
- You can hit it from all lies.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- There are minimal adjustments.<\/li>
- It\u2019s not the best for shaping the ball.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cobra F9 Speedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/outofboundsgolf.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/7_Blog-Post-Pic-1-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a solid all-around fairway wood that can be used as you get better,<\/strong> this could also be a good option. I didn\u2019t find it as high launching<\/strong> as the Cleveland or as forgiving<\/strong> as the Callaway, but it was pretty close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The club does have two rails on the bottom and that does help hit out of the rough<\/strong>. Out of all the woods, the Cobra was probably the best out of the rough and is good for people who hit behind the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There aren\u2019t as many adjustments as some but there are more than the G410. On the Speedback, you can adjust the loft of the 3-wood between 14-16 and the 5-wood from 17-20 degrees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I did mention that this club is long.<\/strong> That was definitely the case but it wasn\u2019t miles above the others. Most clubs that have come out over the past 5 years hit the ball very similar distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can pick from either yellow and grey or silver and grey. I prefer the look of the silver Cobra, but I don\u2019t mind the look of the yellow version either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- No products found.<\/span>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Check the Superlite Price On Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Check The Turbo Price On Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- If you drive the ball 200-240 yards = swing speed 80-90 MPH = regular shaft<\/strong><\/li>
- Distance<\/strong><\/li>
- Forgiveness<\/strong><\/li>
- Best Drivers For Average Golfers<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- 150-yard club<\/strong><\/li>
- 175+ yards club<\/strong><\/li>
- If you shoot between 80-90 = Mid Handicap<\/strong><\/li>
- Cleveland Launcher Turbo<\/strong><\/a> (best for slower swing speeds)<\/li>