MY GOLF BLUEPRINT

Fairway woods: loft and usable launch

Golf clubs standing in a red golf bag under a blue sky. — Photo: Kindel Media / Pexels

A fairway wood can serve as a tee club or a long shot from a good lie. The club number is less important than its actual carry and how often you strike it well.

Specifications to compare

Actual loft
Shaft length
Carry from turf and tee
Landing height and stopping ability

A useful fitting test

Test from both a low tee and a good lie. Keep the results separate. Compare a more lofted wood if the lowest-lofted option rarely launches reliably.

Trade-offs

Do not assume a 3-wood is automatically easier than a driver from the tee or that it is suitable from deep rough.

Example decision

If a 5-wood carries farther on your ordinary strikes than a 3-wood, its extra loft may be serving you better.

Before buying

Confirm the exact model, playing side, loft, shaft, length, condition and return terms. Use the manufacturer’s current specification sheet for the actual club. This guide does not claim a product test or a guaranteed result.