Fairway Wood Fitting
A fairway wood has one job most golfers never actually check: land a predictable number well below the driver and well above whatever comes next in the bag.
Off the Tee vs. Off the Deck
A fairway wood usually pulls double duty — a second option on tighter tee shots, and a long-approach club off the turf on par-5s. Those two roles want slightly different things from a head and shaft, so we test both scenarios during a fitting rather than just tee shots.
Turf interaction matters as much as ball flight here. A head that catches or digs from the deck undermines confidence even when the launch numbers look fine off a tee.
What We Adjust
Loft
Stock 3-wood and 5-wood lofts vary more between manufacturers than most golfers expect, which is exactly why we test on carry number rather than the club name stamped on the sole.
Head Depth
Shallower heads generally launch easier off the turf; deeper-faced heads can offer more control for players who already generate plenty of height.
Shaft Weight
A slightly heavier shaft than your driver often tightens dispersion on fairway wood shots, where strike consistency matters more than outright speed.
Landing the Right Rung
The single most common fairway wood problem we find isn't ball flight — it's placement. A 3-wood that carries within ten yards of the driver isn't earning its spot, and a 5-wood that duplicates a 4-hybrid is just extra weight in the bag. We build to whatever number actually opens a gap the rest of your set needs filled.
Find Your Fairway Wood's Real Job
Sessions run 45–60 minutes testing both tee and turf shots across major manufacturers.