Hot List 2009: Fairway Woods: Golf Digest

CLEVELAND LAUNCHER

STREET PRICE: $180
WEBSITE: clevelandgolf.com
LOFTS: 13, 15, 17, 19, 22
TECH TALK: The crown is a half-millimeter thick, saving weight that has been added to the horseshoe-shape weight pad on the perimeter of the sole. The result: A moment of inertia (MOI) exceeding 3,000 and a center of gravity (CG) that promotes a higher trajectory. The face is 11 percent larger than previous Launcher fairway editions.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "The longest one I've hit so far. The ball took off." ... (L) "Has a crispness at impact that is hard to beat. The ball just shoots off the face. A nice surprise."... (L) "Long, straight and high -- who wouldn't like that?"... (M) "Very easy to hit. Doesn't feel like it has a tiny sweet spot -- it has the same feedback all over the face."

HOT: The rear weighting seems like a nifty arrangement, and we like a trio of 3-wood lofts. Two versions of R- and S-flexes is a keen idea as well.

NOT: We'd like to see a hot-steel face insert.

COBRA S9-1

STREET PRICE: $180
WEBSITE: cobragolf.com
LOFTS: Pro: 13, 15, 18; F- and M-Speed: 15.5*, 18*, 21*, 24†, 27† (*also in offset, †seniors only)
TECH TALK: Cobra has addressed the needs of three types of golfers: fairway woods for better players (the Pro) and two versions -- a regular-hosel configuration and an offset model--for those who need a higher launch. The standard model has a weight-saving shaft and a wide, shallow-face profile.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "They got it right. Solid at impact, and the ball leaps off the club." ... (T) "The regular version flies high, and the pro version penetrates. Nice management of game-improvement and player trajectories." ... (L) "Standard in terms of looks, but there's nothing standard about its performance. There's that hot Cobra 'crack' off the face."

HOT: A solid entry with MOI benefits that are readily apparent. We especially like the confidence provided by the shallow face.

NOT: Check the number on the sole. That 7-wood looks as big as a 3-wood.

PING G10

STREET PRICE: $220
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com
LOFTS/BOUNCE: 14, 15.5, 17, 18.5, 21.5, 24.5; draw: 15.5, 17, 18.5, 21.5
TECH TALK: Weight taken from the crown, face and hosel is redeployed in an internal weight pad that positions the CG in an optimal location to increase ball speed and reduce spin. A shallow face and increased heel-to-toe length provide a larger effective hitting area and promote forgiveness.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Just perfect. It's what a fairway wood should look like." ... (L) "After having the same fairway wood for five years, I have a new date. Send me an invoice. This thing is amazing." ... (T) "A great, solid club. Hard to mis-hit." ... (M) "Came off the face with a lot of heat."

HOT: Ping has covered all areas technologically and otherwise, including a 17-degree 4-wood with a 43-inch shaft for players who need more loft than a 3-wood offers.

NOT: The shallow face requires an adjustment for those who like a 3-wood as a backup driver.