Fairway Woods Buyer's Guide 2006
Today's fairway woods have tons of technology and an array of features that make them a must from the tee, fairway and rough. Don't miss out.
| Bobby Jones Player Series www.bobbyjonesgolf.net (866) 858-5522 | $230  Jess Ortiz takes his vast knowledge of both traditional and modern wood design and creates a unique club with an elegant look.Features: An eye-catching shape and low-profile design that utilizes a forged maraging-steel crown insert to move more weight into low and deep areas of the clubhead for a low and deep CG. That means higher-flying shots. Advantages: Playability from the tee, fairway and rough, as well as higher launch angles and greater overall distance. Benefits: Higher overall trajectory for greater distance, forgiveness and accuracy. What We Like: Unusual but classy look combined with modern performance. The Bobby Jones and Jesse Ortiz combo is a plus. Lineup: Player Series Clubhead: Maraging steel Clubface: Same Loft(s): 13°, 15°, 17°, 19° (no LH) Shaft(s): Graphite Design JS graphite (X, S, R) |
Bridgestone J33 |
| Callaway X www.callawaygolf.com (800) 818-5117 | $250 ($225 steel)  Callaway has long been a stalwart in fairway-wood design, and the X is the company’s latest and possibly best yet.Features: A three-piece stainless-steel clubhead and dual-keel sole as well as strategically placed perimeter weighting create a high MOI and consistent trajectory and ballflight. Advantages: Unique sole design stabilizes the clubhead both at address and through contact. Benefits: Any golfer who ultimately needs forgiveness from a 3-wood, look no further. What We Like: Slightly smaller Tour models with stronger lofts. Lineup: Fusion, X, Big Bertha Titanium, Big Bertha Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Loft(s): X—15˚, 17˚, 19˚, 21˚, 23˚ (15˚, 19˚, 21˚ available LH); X Tour—13˚, 15˚ (no LH) Shaft(s): Proprietary Fujikura graphite (X, S, R, A); Callaway steel (uniflex) |
Cleveland Launcher Steel www.clevelandgolf.com (800) 999-6263 | $200  Cleveland continues its run at the top with outstanding new steel woods.Features: The low-profile clubhead is built using Thin Crown Technology, which takes approximately 15% more weight out of the top so it can be redistributed to low and deep areas. A Carpenter-steel face increases effective hitting area. Advantages: The profile of the clubhead makes it easy to slide under the ball from a variety of lies, while the Carpenter-steel face adds ball speed. Benefits: Those who are looking for a hot-faced fairway wood with a traditional look. What We Like: Offset models are a nice touch. Lineup: Launcher Comp, Launcher Steel, Launcher Steel Offset Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Carpenter steel Loft(s): 13˚, 15˚, 15˚ o/s, 17˚, 19˚, 19˚ o/s, 22˚, 22˚ o/s, 25˚ (15˚, 15˚ o/s, 19˚, 19˚ o/s, 22˚, 22˚ o/s, 25˚ available LH) Shaft(s): Cleveland Silver graphite (X, S, R, A) |
Golfworks Maltby KE4 |
HiPPO XXL www.hippo-golf.com (800) 204-2807 | $99  This Euro-based company offers solid performance at attractive prices. Features: Unique energy cell system locates two polymer chambers in the back of the clubhead to lower and deepen the CG while also minimizing energy loss at impact. A deep-face design made of maraging steel and a power-channel soleplate round out the design features of this distance-oriented club. Advantages: Distance—HiPPO designers have geared this club to produce long, high shots for the average player. Benefits: A solid club for golfers who place a premium on distance, and those who favor their fairway woods off the tee. What We Like: A really long wood, like the XXL. Lineup: ITX2, XXL Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Maraging steel Loft(s): 15°, 17°, 19°, (no LH) Shaft(s): HiPPO XXL graphite (S,R) |
Traditional profile designed for more accomplished players, but with the addition of some modern technological advantages.
Maltby/Golfworks’ new fairway woods feature a unique weight-adjustment system.
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