Fairway Woods

* Category Leader

: PING G10; STREET PRICE $220
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com
LOFTS
14, 15.5, 17, 18.5, 21.5, 24; draw version in 15.5, 17, 18.5, 21.5

TECH STORY
The thin, sloping crown intersects with the sole, and a skirtless design enables the repositioning of weight. An internal weight pad places the CG low and close to the face to increase the launch angle and mitigate damage from thinned shots.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"The audio was exactly right for a fairway wood. By far, the most crisp-feeling club I've hit. . . . Camber is nice for hitting shots out of less-than-perfect lies. . . . You can go down and dig it out and work it a little bit. . . . It's a workhorse, a John Deere tractor, a doer, not a talker. . . . Feels like a real-deal golf club. I hit the 4-wood as long as I hit most 3-woods. Feels very one-piece."

HOT
Plenty of thinking under the hood here. The improved CG location over the G5 allows lofts to be half a degree weaker yet produce the same playability. The 4-wood has been added to the line for those who need even more loft.

NOT
Still, a 43-inch 4-wood might be a bit much.

* Category Leader

: TAYLORMADE BURNER/BURNER TP; STREET PRICE $200 ($250 for TP version)
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com
LOFTS
15, 18, 21; TP version available in 13, 14.5, 17.5

TECH STORY
The company's "superfast" technology involves a lighter shaft and grip to promote a faster swing speed. A large clubhead (185cc on the 3-wood) raises the MOI. The "pull-face" construction frees designers to vary the face thickness more precisely to increase coefficient of restitution on off-center hits.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"This club takes me back to my childhood days when I'd scream: 'MINE!'. . . . It comes off the face consistently and goes high in the air. Toe hits, heel hits -- everything is just about perfect. . . . TP version is a better player's club that really performs time and again."

HOT
The high-launch properties of the head-shaft combo neatly counter today's low-spin balls. The TP version serves the better player who's looking to control trajectory.

NOT
Large-headed 3-wood might intimidate weaker players on tight lies. There's a built-in left bias on the standard model so you have to pay $50 more for a neutral setup.

CLUBS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

: BOBBY JONES PLAYERS SERIES; STREET PRICE $200
WEBSITE: bobbyjonesgolf.com
LOFTS
13, 15, 17, 19

TECH STORY
The three-piece clubhead has a 17-4 stainless-steel body, ultra-thin (0.35 millimeter) forged maraging steel in the crown and a thin (1.6 mm) Carpenter 465 face. Weight saved is moved to the rear sole to enhance the trajectory and to fortify what designer Jesse Ortiz calls "the triangle of stability" shape.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"This is a winner. The ball flies long and straight and comes off hot. . . . Wow, this went farther than anything I hit and is as solid as humanly possible. . . . I don't know what it is about this head shape, but no matter how I set it down it goes square. Fantastic."

HOT
This club looks as if it belongs in the U.S. Golf Association's Golf House museum, but the appearance is the only thing throwback about it. Love the special steel face, and the lightweight brazed crown means no graphite composite. Result: better weight distribution without sacrificing sound and feel.

NOT
The club is three years old. Where is Version 2.0?

: CALLAWAY BIG BERTHA; STREET PRICE $200
WEBSITE: callawaygolf.com
LOFTS
16, 19, 22, 25

TECH STORY
A large head (200cc in 3-wood) and wide face help increase MOI. Callaway uses variable-face thickness to improve performance on off-center hits and to enhance perimeter weighting. The sole design features two subtle rails, helping the club sit in place without rocking. A white stripe across the top of the clubhead promotes proper alignment.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"Good feel, bore and audio. . . . White line across the top helps me align the club. . . . Made for the person who needs help getting the ball up in the air. . . . Too big and bulky, but boy does it go well."

HOT
It's a club better players might overlook (their mistake) and weaker players might not fully appreciate (because it lets them hit difficult shots so easily). The secret might be the higher lofts.

NOT
The 3-wood's bulkiness might cause some to consider a higher-lofted wood from the turf. Its natural left bias might trouble better players.