Fairway woods are the best friends of many golfers looking for the close-range feel of an iron but the power of a driver on the golf course. They’ve quickly become the second-shot golf clubs of choice on courses the world over, replacing the more difficult long irons.
But as golf technology improves over time, new clubs regularly enter the limelight, leading many players to drop their old clubs for more updated, modern fairway woods.
So if you’re on the lookout for a new fairway wood to add to your golf bag, in no particular order, here are our top picks for the 5 best fairway woods in 2023.
Our top fairway woods of 2023
Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood
One of the most popular Callaway fairway woods outside of the iconic 'Big Bertha' range, the Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood is a fantastic all-rounder, designed to help players of all levels improve their striking and ball speed.
In terms of fairway wood head styles, Paradym clubs are some of the most visually spectacular on the market today and would make anyone look like a serious player on the fairway or the tee. The glossy-black undercarriage is accentuated by elements of gold and grey, making this a stand-out attraction in any bag, while the split black and blue top creates an appealing contrast when lining up the ball - aided by the appropriately-placed line-up marker.
Utilising AI technology, Callaway has incorporated what it calls a “Jailbreak Batwing Structure” which helps direct mass away from the centre of the club face, towards the edges, for a greater sweet spot and more distance.
As a result, the Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood is often cited as one of the smoothest-hitting clubs in the range, making it ideal for players who want to raise their confidence levels and lower their scores at the same time. In terms of feel, it's probably the best fairway wood on this list.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Fairway Wood
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Fairway Wood marks a considerable improvement over the 2022 model.
As an adjustable fairway wood - thanks to the addition of a 50g shifting weight in the head - players can customise their club to best match where they consistently strike the ball, for a more desired launch angle. Moving this weight also affects the way the club feels on impact, so players can experiment and land on the perfect strike feel for their swing.
Boasting TaylorMade’s “Inverted Cone Technology”, the Stealth 2 Plus benefits from an ultra-thin face that aids force transfer between the club head and the ball, leading to increased ball speeds.
A perfectly-balanced clubhead made from a combination of steel, carbon and titanium will help you move your weight through the golf ball, without feeling dragged by the club, for smooth and precise striking. Definitely one to consider if you’re looking for an improvement wood.
PING G430 Max Fairway Wood
PING has produced a very forgiving fairway wood in the PING G430 Max Fairway Wood. The addition of a carbon crown has lowered the centre of gravity, helping players to effectively strike the ball from across the clubface, not just the centre. The new crown has also slashed the weight of the club, helping players increase their swing speeds to generate even greater power and ball flight.
PING’s impressive ‘Spinsistency’ technology makes an appearance here, which helps to lower ball spin and helps players to control their shots as they approach the green, ensuring the ball doesn’t roll too far.
Players can also customise their desired trajectory with the impressive aerodynamic hosel sleeve, which can be set in eight different positions, for excellent flexibility and control. If versatility is what you’re looking for in a fairway wood, consider this one.
Titleist TSR3 Fairway Wood
An evolution of the TSi series, the Titleist TSR3 Fairway Wood is part of the results of six years of technology investment and research from the famous golf brand. The face features prominent, full grooves that grip the ball greater on impact, assisting in its direction.
It also comes packed with an adjustable CG Track System, allowing players to customise the sweet spot on the club face, for greater forgiveness, striking, feel and distance.
The pure black hood - broken up only by the slick TSR logo that doubles as a marker - offers a refined touch that would look right at home in any professional’s bag. Speaking of the hood, Titleist has worked hard to improve the overall aerodynamics of the clubhead, allowing it to better cut through the air for greater swing speeds and more forceful strikes.
A high-end club with a high-end feel, offering high-end results.
Mizuno ST-Z 230 Fairway Wood
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 Fairway Wood seemingly ticks all boxes, especially in the appearance and forgiveness departments. On the shelf, this fairway wood instantly grabs the eyes, with the mostly-black sole broken only by a stunning, minimalist stripe of blue.
Mizuno built this club with forgiveness in mind - a sentiment that’s reinforced with the addition of a high-energy MAS1C steel face that delivers exceptional striking across almost all points of impact, with an extra 8g backweight offering fantastic balance in the club head.
If you’ve never tried a Mizuno wood before, we’d recommend giving this one a go.
Grab your new fairway wood at Clarkes Golf
Ready to pick up your next fairway wood? Hit one of the links above or check out our full collection of fairway woods at Clarkes Golf. Or, if you’re in the Rainford area, you can head down to our amazing golf shop to see your new golf club in person and try it before you buy.
You can find us at:
Mill Lane, Rainford
St Helens, WA11 8LN.
