The Clubfitting Department
Fairway Woods
General Loft and Numerical Designations
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Basic Guidelines & Comparisons
An Overview of Fairway Woods
There is much overlap and confusion nowadays amongst fairway wood
designations. The factors that determined traditional designations
were as follows: Head Size, Loft, Shaft Length, Lie and Head Weight.
Many woods now blend factors from one type of wood with another to
achieve specific performance parameters. There are no set standards.
Weight distribution in the head often plays as important of a role in
shot trajectory as does the loft. Shaft flex and bend point also
factor in. Some 4 woods will hit higher than some 5 and 6 woods. Some
3 woods are really 2 woods, etc. etc.
Some well-known woods such as Callaway's Heavenwood are hybrids. The
Heavenwood has a 6-wood size head with a 7-wood loft and a 5-wood
length. This makes for a better long-range, lofted trouble wood than
does a straight 7-wood. It can be used in conjunction with a 4-wood
better than a normal, shorter 7-wood. The yardage gap between the
clubs won't be as pronounced. Many woods are not purely one thing or
another therefore they are designated on their sole by their degree of
loft, not by a traditional wood number.
Another reason that many manufacturers now use degree numbers instead
of traditional numbers is that market analysis clearly shows that
golfers are reluctant to leave behind the concept of 1 - 3 - 5 wood
sets even when their game cries out for 2, 4, 6 or 8 woods to fill
crucial gaps. A "strong three" or a "fairway driver" sells better than
a 2 wood. A "strong 7" sells better than a 6. This consumer confusion
and reluctance is changing slowly.
New technology in head design and in graphite shafts is deeming old
standards irrelevant. Modern 2 woods hit more easily than old 3 woods
due to weight distribution patterns and shaft selection. They are
often as long off of a tee as were traditional drivers of a short time
ago. The use of a traditional 3-wood in conjunction with an
overlength, extra-light, jumbo driver leaves too large of a gap in
available yardages. Dropping down on the tee to a 3-wood gives up too
much distance. Many players are switching to 2 and 3+ woods and then
going with 4 and 5+ woods. These serve as easy, safe versions of
traditional 3-woods. A long, graphite-shafted 7-wood is then given the
role of a traditional 5 wood. The trajectory is higher and the landing
is softer.
The odds are that the woods set of the future will be a Jumbo,
overlength Driver combined with a 2-wood/fairway driver, 4-wood and 6
or 7-wood. Research indicates that the majority of golfers hit short
woods much better than they do long irons, consequently 9-woods will
become more prevalent. This, however, could all be upset by the
growing popularity of the new, fusion clubs - wood/iron combinations
such Taylor Made's Rescues.
Basic Guidelines & Comparisons
(Remember, there are actually no set, industry standards.)
Club #
Loft Length Description & Notes
1 wood
(Driver)
6.5 to 14 degrees steel - 43"
graphite - 44" & up
8 to 11 degree range is standard. Senior Drivers are often 12
degrees. Ladies' drivers are generally 12 to 14 degrees.
2 wood 12 to 13 degrees steel - 42 1/2"
graphite - 43 to 44" Should be midway between a 1 & 3 wood. Also known
as a Fairway Driver or a Grass Driver when given the a head size
approximating that of a driver.
3+ wood 13 to 14 degrees steel - 42 1/4"
graphite - 43 1/2" Also known as a Strong 3 - ideally 1/4 inch longer
than a standard 3 wood with a slightly larger, lighter head though
often only the loft is lessened.
3 wood 15 to 16 degrees steel - 42"
graphite - 43" The traditional second wood in a golfer's bag - a
mainstay for 90% of the world.
4+ wood 16 to 17 degrees steel - 41 3/4"
graphite - 42 3/4" Strong 4 - A slightly easier, shorter 3 wood. Ideal
for those using a long 2 wood as well. Now popular with Adams,
Orlimar, etc.
4 wood 17 to 18 degrees steel - 41 1/2"
graphite - 42 1/2" For decades, a favorite of tour pros who were good
with 1 & 2 irons. Safer than a 3 wood, longer than a 5 - an easy club
to use.
5+ wood 18 to 19 degrees steel - 41 1/4"
graphite - 42 1/4" Strong 5 - Essentially a 4 wood
5 wood 19 to 21 degrees steel - 41"
graphite - 42" The easy hitting long wood. Good for approach shots and
easy tee shots.
6 wood 21 to 23 degrees steel - 40 1/2"
graphite - 41 1/2" Rarely seen number - many 5 & 7 woods are actually 6 woods.
7+ wood 23 to 24 degrees steel - 40 1/4"
graphite - Strong 7 - Often used in lieu of 6 woods. Shaft should be
longer than a regular seven. A good compliment to 4 woods.
7 wood 23 to 26 degrees steel - 40"
graphite - 41" Many variations on the 7 wood exist - it is the
traditional Trouble Club for heavy rough
8 wood 26 to 27 degrees No
standard length Virtually never seen. Short 7's and long 9's are used
instead. A few are manufactured.
9 wood
28 to 29 degrees No
standard length 9 woods vary from being nearly 7 woods to being easy,
wedge-style woods. Excellent short "trouble" woods.
11, 13, 15 woods
29 to 38
degrees No
standard length Several manufacturers produce higher lofted woods.
These are mostly intended for those who hate hitting irons.
Manufacturers vary greatly on specs for these clubs.
Golf Club Review's General Recommendations
Fairway Woods
http://www.swingweight.com/fairway_wood_designations.htm |
