Best Fairway Woods For High Handicappers 2022

Fairway woods are arguably the toughest clubs to hit well. Not only is the sweet spot minimal but, off the fairway, they can be difficult to launch. Therefore, it's important that you can get all the help to hit a high launching shot that keeps straight and on the target.

With their being an array of options available for the higher handicapper, it's crucial that you find a model which provides a high level of forgiveness on off-centre strikes. By providing forgiveness, it will increase your confidence at address, as well as improve the consistency of the strike and distance.

We at Golf Monthly have tested a number of the best fairway woods on the market, with the video below picking out some of the high-level performers that would make a great addition to your golf bag.

Watch us put the leading fairway woods of 2022 to the test

Importantly, the models listed will help the ball in play more often, which is a common issue for those at the higher end of the handicap spectrum. Acknowledging all of this, here are some of the best fairway woods for high handicappers. Additionally we also recommend checking out our guide on most forgiving fairway woods or best fairway woods for mid handicappers.

Best Fairway Woods For High Handicappers

For higher handicappers who struggle to get fairway woods up in the air quickly and easily, the Stealth fairway wood is an ideal solution and can be used to equal effect off the tee and off the deck.

The 190cc Stealth Head comes in five options from 3-wood through to 9-wood, is non-adjustable and fitted with a Fujikura Ventus shaft as stock. What's more, the red and black Stealth colorway is highly aspirational and, under the hood, you’ll find TaylorMade’s most trusted tech, including V Steel sole, Twist Face and the Speed Pocket.

The striking 3D carbon coated head looks great at address and a new laser-etched alignment aid on the clubface makes it easy to line up. In our fairway wood testing, the Stealth was one of the top performing clubs and was especially forgiving on off-centre hits, delivering strong distance and dependable control for anyone who doesn't always middle it.

•  Read our full TaylorMade Stealth Fairway Review

Cobra LTDx fairway woods are packed with innovative technology, including a carbon fiber crown and Cobra’s PWR-COR and H.O.T. FACE technologies. Engineers also redistributed weight and moved the CG lower and forward in the head for faster ball speeds and higher MOI for greater forgiveness.

There are two adjustable weights (12g and 3g), one positioned back for a higher launch and the other deep towards the heel for a draw-biased shot shape. This is the kind of help that makes the ball easier to launch, dampen down a slice or create a high powerful draw.

For anyone struggling with consistency of strike, a low ball flight or too much slice, the Cobra LTDx fairway is a great option. The feel off the face is outstanding and it was among the most accurate fairway metals we’ve tested this year.

• Read our full Cobra LTDx Max Fairway Review

Titleist have made significant changes to its TSR3 fairway wood, with the ARC (Active Recoil Channel) being removed for 2022. In its place, Titleist have reconfigured the way the hosel enters the clubhead and made significant weight savings. What's more, the sole plate has also been made thicker, which makes the centre of gravity lower and deeper - a key ingredient for fairway wood performance, especially from the deck.

There is also the addition of the new SureFit CG weight track system that now has five positions instead of three, providing more adjustability for golfers seeking greater assistance in managing their ball flight and launch characteristics.

It's not just the weighting system that has been improved, with the company introducing full face scorelines that undoubtedly make aligning the club face easier and makes it look more inviting to hit behind the ball. This means it is perfect for higher handicappers who are wanting to launch the ball higher, as well as align their tee and second shots.

• Read our full Titleist TSR3 Fairway Wood Review

Golf manufacturers are always finding new ways of implementing technology into their clubs and, with the Callaway Great Big Bertha fairway wood, you could argue that it's the most tech-filled club on the market, with the company loading the fairway wood with everything you need to maximise distance and forgiveness.

It features a titanium face and body, making it extremely lightweight, as well as internal Jailbreak with Batwing technologies that enhance ball speed across the face. and a triaxial carbon crown and forged carbon sole for forgiveness.

Such is the effect of the technology that, in testing, the lightweight shaft boosted swing speed, while the 3-wood version was keeping up and outdistancing some of the 2022 drivers! This distance was accompanied by a very solid impact feel and sound, with the ball flight also relatively straight and high, making it perfect for high handicappers who want ease of use.

Mizuno fairway woods are some of the most criminally underrated woods on the market and the new ST-Z has shown marked improvements on last year’s ST2000 model.

We love this model for how high it launches, making it a great fairway wood for those who use them to approach greens, especially as a second shot attacking a par 5. The ST-Z also has plenty of adjustability, which the ST2000 didn’t have, allowing you to get just the right kind of ball flight and distance.

• Read our full Mizuno ST-Z Fairway Wood Review

The Rogue ST MAX D Fairway is Callaway’s first-ever dedicated draw fairway wood and is specifically aimed at golfers looking to correct or neutralise a slice in their game.

Rated as one of Callaway's best fairway woods, it has a slightly closed face at address with vertical and horizontal grooves giving a more upright lie angle. On the sole, there’s a 27g Tungsten speed cartridge and more weight located toward the heel to create that high launching, powerful draw flight. The matt black finish also provides a classic, compact look which feels very premium.

For a forgiving anti-slice fairway wood, the MAX D played nicely on the course and was especially playable from the fairway and short rough, with the flight being high and towering. While not as long or as accurate as the other Rogue ST fairways, the MAX D is packed with forgiveness and will benefit any golfer who slices the ball consistently.

• Read our full Callaway Rogue ST Max D Fairway Review

The Wilson Launch Pad fairway wood does exactly what it says on the tin and would make a great addition to any high handicappers golf bag. To begin with, the fairway woods are simple, uncomplicated and designed for improving golfers that want clubs that are easy to use and which correct some of their swing faults. In this case, the Wilson Launch Pad fairway will help dampen down a slice.

The most obvious thing you notice about the Wilson LP fairways is that they sit very closed and have an obvious draw bias. This naturally benefits the golfer who slices and helps straighten up ball flight for the majority of mid to high handicap golfers who come over the top on the downswing, hit across the ball and promote a left to right flight.

What's more, the Evenflow shaft is light at 55g, but adds a premium touch to a value driven product. The Launch Pad inevitably flies high but has plenty of forward momentum suggesting that the shaft and head are well set up to keep spin rate down. A great option for any golfer seeking to dampen down a slice.

• Read our full Wilson Launch Pad Fairway Wood Review

Srixon say this is their most advanced fairway yet thanks to their ‘rebound frame’ technology. This provides a more efficient transfer of energy by focusing more energy into the ball. Put simply(ish), it works by layering alternating zones of flexible and stiff material which then transports the correct energy into the ball.

This fairway wood features in four options, with the 3+ and 3 using a lightweight carbon crown to push the MOI up and increase forgiveness in the lofts where higher handicappers need it most.

•  Read our full Srixon ZX Fairway Wood Review  

Ping is renowned for its forgiveness across its range and the new Ping G425 fairway wood family is no different. Without a doubt, the Ping G425 SFT fairway wood is the best of the bunch for higher handicappers.

The weight is positioned slightly more towards to the heel to encourage a draw shape and the one-piece face makes for very fast ball speeds, 1.5mph quicker than last year’s Ping G410.

The G425 SFT is lofted at 16° for extra forgiveness and playability, but its adjustable 1.5° up or down so this club can be fine-tuned to suit any needs. If you are a Ping fan, we also think you will like our guide on the best Ping fairway woods too.

This fairway wood is a great option if you have a moderate to slow swing speed and are looking for ultimate forgiveness. Offering all the same technology benefits that were introduced in the TSi2, you also get the added benefit of it being super-lightweight. It is 50g lighter than the average fairway wood currently on the market.

As a result, it is the ideal fairway wood for a golfer who tends to approach a lot of lot of the greens with a wood. This is because it has added height and spin to help stop the ball.

How we test fairway woods

When it comes to Golf Monthly's testing procedure, we use the same ethos and methodology for all golf products to make sure they are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible.

When it comes to golf clubs, we usually attend product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.

After we have an understanding here, our first port of call when hitting clubs is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. We also use TrackMan at golf facilities across the UK.

We then do outdoor testing, usually on ranges at West Hill Golf Club, Surrey, The Wynyard Club in Teesside and at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club in Durham. We then put the clubs into play out on these golf courses.

Specifically for fairway woods, product testing is headed up by Matthew Moore, supported by technical editor Joel Tadman.

Both are competitive low handicap golfers, able to efficiently test the biggest product releases and successfully communicate equipment technology and product features to a wide golfing audience.

What to consider when selecting a new fairway wood

Let's take a look.

Loft -  Figure out the specific gap to be filled in your golf bag. Ask yourself how far does my driver go, and how far do your longest irons or hybrids go? Knowing this will dictate the ideal loft for your fairway wood.

Forgiveness - Some fairway woods are more forgiving than others, especially because many manufacturers create different models for different levels of player. For example, there are four different Cobra LTDx fairways with different head sizes, shapes and they are designed for different golfers. If you need as much help as possible, a larger head will work for you, whilst if you are a better player and strike is more consistent, then forgiveness may not be a key factor for you.

Adjustability - Most modern fairway woods come with a degree of adjustability, whether that’s loft, moveable weights or shaft fittings. Think about how important adjustability is to you, because you can change the characteristics of a club’s performance with a turn of a wrench. Or, you can keep things simple and opt for a non-adjustable model with a stock shaft you hit well.

Versatility - Fairway woods must work well off the tee, on the ground from different lies and even around the green. If you have a model that works in only one of these areas, then there may be plenty of improvement and flexibility in upgrading your fairway woods.

Looks - You have to like how a golf club looks, especially when looking down on the golf ball. The fairway wood is one of the most difficult clubs to hit, which is why you need something that gives you confidence and may even spark a pang of jealousy in your playing partners. Our advice is go and pick several models, see how they look and feel in your hands and test them in a variety of situations and lies.

Budget - Be aware of your budget. You can go for more premium models, such as the TaylorMade Stealth Plus or Callaway Rogue ST LS or you can opt for cheaper designs like the Wilson Launch Pad. Wherever you fall in budget, this guide will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood.

If you enjoyed this guide on the best fairway woods for high handicappers, check out the Golf Monthly website