Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Fairway Woods Buyer's Guide 2007
Whether it?s a fairway wood or hybrid, knowing what club to hit depends on what clubs are in your bag
| Cleveland HiBore Fairway clevelandgolf.com (800) 999-6263 | $219   Cleveland’s HiBore Fairway woods use Distance Driven Geometry and make hitting from the fairway a piece of cake. Features: Like the HiBore driver, the HiBore Fairway woods have an inverted crown design, which aids in effectively placing the sweet spot and the hot spot of every wood right in the center of the clubface. This helps golfers attain not only maximum ball speed, but also the optimal launch characteristic desired for each wood. Advantages: The large face area works to minimize any loss of distance on off-center hits. Benefits: This club will perform well with any kind of golfer. Better players can upgrade the shaft What We Like: The look inspires confidence, and they’re almost too easy to hit. Lineup: HiBore, Launcher Comp Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Lofts: 13°, 15°, 19°, 22° (15°, 19° available LH) Shafts: Fujikura HiBore graphite (X, S, R, A); Custom shafts available | Cobra Speed LD cobragolf.com (800) 225-8500 | $225
 Cobra’s latest entry in the fairway wood category includes a diverse collection of woods designed for maximum power and slice reduction.Features: The Speed LD fairway metals have an extended profile from front to back, as well as an increased slope in the crown section to further enhance the MOI as well as lower the CG. Translation: bigger and higher shots. Advantages: Each metal is designed to promote a draw, which not only eliminates slices, but also tacks on a few more yards of distance. Benefits: Recreational golfers will find these woods appealing; slicers will dig the offset version. What We Like: These woods look like drivers, but it’s pretty easy to get the ball airborne off the turf. Lineup: Speed LD: F, M Offset, M Offset Seniors, M Offset Women’s, Speed Pro Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Lofts: 15.5°, 17.5°, 18°, 20°, 21°, 23°, 24°, 26° (available LH) Shafts: Speed Pro LD graphite (S, R, A, L); Nippon steel (S, R) | ||||
| KZG GF2 kzgolf.com (800) 200-8800 | Custom Order  Movable-weight technology continues to be a valuable asset among more seasoned players seeking the utmost in fairway wood shotmaking.Features: The GF2 fairway woods feature what KZG called “Gravitational Force Technology,” which enables clubfitters the ability to adjust between 49 different weight configurations. This type of customization can either enhance or eliminate fades, slices, draws and hooks. Advantages: The stainless steel body and sole are very strong, but the proprietary steel used in the clubface is what launches the ball at blazing speeds. Benefits: All players who want a fairway wood that yields consistent results. What We Like: The no-nonsense good looks and the piercing trajectory. Lineup: Gemini, GF2, CH III, Cobalt Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Proprietary maraging alloy Lofts: 15°, 19°, 23° (15°, 19° available LH) Shafts: KZG Novatech graphite (X, S, R, A, L); Custom shafts available | MacGregor NVG2 Draw macgregorgolf.com (800) 841-4358 | $199  With Greg Norman now a principal investor, MacGregor is even more hell-bent on helping golfers improve than ever before. Features: Designed with a draw-bias, MacGregror’s Cup-Face 360 technology and a Triple Action shaft, these fairway woods are bona fide slice removers. Advantages: The cup-face design really enhances the sweet spot, making it much more forgiving on off-center hits. The draw-bias weighting not only eliminates slices, but helps add distance as well by imparting drawspin for a more penetrating ballflight. Benefits: Slicers, but also those who want to hit it farther from the fairway. What We Like: No offset needed. The genius is inside… Lineup: NVG2, NVG2 Draw Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Maraging steel Lofts: 13°, 15°, 18°, 21° (15°, 18° available LH) Shafts: Fujikura Triple Action graphite (X, S, R, A) | ||||
| HiPPO ITX3 hippo-golf.com (800) 204-2807 | $99  The ITX3 fairway woods incorporate the same cool technology found in the ITX3 driver. Features: Of the few fairway wood models that incorporate carbon and steel, the ITX3 does it well by combining a carbon crown with a stainless steel face. The ensuing result is a low CG that produces a high initial launch angle. Advantages: Additional weight bars in the heel region promote a draw bias and reduce the effects of a slice. The radiused sole enables the clubhead to slip through the grass with ease. The ITX3 fairway woods also seem to fit as the perfect buffer between the ITX3 driver and ITX3 hybrids. Benefits: Players of all skill levels will appreciate the performance and great value of the ITX3. What We Like: A great performer and among the best clubs you can buy for the money. Lineup: ITX3, XXL, OS4 Clubhead: Stainless steel, Carbon Clubface: Stainless steel Lofts: 15°, 19° Shafts: HiPPO proprietary graphite (S, R) | Mizuno F-50 |
Mizuno applies composite-crown technology to fairway-wood design.
Page 3 of 9
1 Comment