Hot List
Best Fairway Woods: Innovation
The best clubs in each category of the Hot List reflect excellence across an array of criteria. For Innovation in fairway woods, our editors and scientific panel meet with manufacturer R&D teams throughout the year to better understand what companies are doing and why and how important those efforts might be relative to the current standard. For example, although it was common years ago for a fairway-wood line to offer a range of lofts, today’s leading fairway woods include models that fit certain sub-groups. They also feature adjustable hosels, multiple materials and new alloys to expand the design possibilities. Here you’ll see how our editors evaluated fairway woods based on their interpretation of Innovation, with each achieving a minimum of 4.5 stars. Note: The star rating is for the brand’s family of models (e.g., Elyte family, Qi35 family, GT family), so the rating applies to all the models in a family.
Callaway
Elyte
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
The Elyte is designed for easy launch with low spin and is available in seven lofts.
A new internal-weighting structure frees up the lower portion of the face to flex with the same ball-speed potential as the center of the face.
A 31-gram tungsten bar is positioned extremely low and forward, pushing the center of gravity even lower and allowing the face to flex more freely.
A high-strength steel-alloy face insert wraps around the crown and sole for faster ball speeds.
Callaway used AI-driven algorithms to develop a variable-thickness face that optimizes spin, launch and ball speed.
The carbon-composite crown saves mass that’s used to lower the center of gravity and provide perimeter weighting.
The sole geometry has a stepped design with extensive relief on the back half for improved turf interaction.
Top 5 in Performance, low- and high-handicaps
15, 16.5, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel on the 15, 16.5)
Callaway
Elyte Max Fast
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
The lighter overall weight targets players with moderate swing speeds who are looking for a higher launch and a built-in draw bias.
A new internal-weighting structure frees up the lower portion of the face to flex with the same potential ball speed as the center of the face.
A tungsten bar is positioned extremely low and forward, pushing the center of gravity even lower and allowing the face to flex more freely.
A high-strength steel-alloy face insert wraps around the crown and sole for faster ball speeds.
Callaway used AI-driven algorithms to develop a variable-thickness face that optimizes spin, launch and ball speed.
The carbon-composite crown saves mass that’s used to lower the center of gravity and provide perimeter weighting.
The sole geometry has a stepped design with extensive relief on the back half for improved turf interaction.
16, 19, 22, 25 degrees (fixed hosel)
Callaway
Elyte X
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
Slightly larger than the standard model, the Elyte X focuses on forgiveness, higher launch and a slice-fighting draw bias.
A new internal-weighting structure frees up the lower portion of the face to flex with the same potential ball speed as the center of the face.
A tungsten bar is positioned extremely low and forward, pushing the center of gravity even lower and allowing the face to flex more freely.
A high-strength steel-alloy face insert wraps around the crown and sole for better overall ball speeds.
Callaway used AI-driven algorithms to develop a variable-thickness face that optimizes spin, launch and ball speed .
The carbon-composite crown saves mass that’s used to lower the center of gravity and provide perimeter weighting.
The sole geometry has a stepped design with extensive relief on the back half for improved turf interaction.
Top 5 in Forgiveness, middle-handicaps
15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel on 15, 16.5)
Callaway
Elyte ♦︎♦︎♦︎
$400
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$400
The compact, tour-preferred shape is designed for high-skilled players looking for lower spin and launch.
The sole includes a fixed weight screw near the front to lower the center of gravity and maintain a neutral ball flight.
A new internal-weighting structure frees up the lower portion of the face to flex with the same potential ball speed as the center of the face.
A tungsten bar is positioned extremely low and forward, pushing the center of gravity even lower and allowing the face to flex more freely.
A high-strength steel-alloy face insert wraps around the crown and sole for better overall ball speeds.
Callaway used AI-driven algorithms to develop a variable-thickness face that optimizes spin, launch and ball speed.
Carbon-composite crown and sole sections save mass that’s used to lower the center of gravity and provide perimeter weighting.
The sole geometry has a stepped design with extensive relief on the back half for improved turf interaction.
The stock shafts for this model are heavier with a stiffer tip for reduced spin and launch.
15, 18, 21 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel on 15)
TaylorMade
Qi35 Tour
$450
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$450
The taller face height targets players seeking maximum ball speed and extreme low spin, especially those who often hit a fairway wood off the tee.
A thin, flexible titanium alloy face increases deflection for more distance.
A sliding sole weight shifts the center of gravity from front to back to control spin.
The 40-gram weight is heavier on one side for a wider range of center-of-gravity settings and for less spin compared to last year’s Qi10 Tour.
The company’s trademark slot in the sole stretches longer into the toe to create a wider flexible area, especially impacts low on the face.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps
15, 18, 21 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
Callaway
Elyte Ti
$450
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$450
The use of multiple materials, including a more resilient titanium face, makes this the lowest-spinning fairway wood in Callaway’s lineup.
The titanium construction makes it easier to launch because of the more flexible face.
The design’s highly stable head shape makes it an ideal choice for players looking for a club that’s just as strong off the tee as it is from the fairway.
A new internal weighting structure frees up the lower portion of the face to flex with the same potential ball speed as the center of the face.
A 70-gram tungsten bar (more than four times the mass used in last year's Ai Smoke) is very low and forward, pushing the center of gravity lower while allowing the face to flex.
Adjustable sole weights (14 and two grams) can switch positions to boost launch (heavy weight back) or reduce spin (heavy weight forward).
Top 5 in Performance, middle-handicaps
15, 16.5, 18 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Cobra
DS-Adapt LS
$430
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$430
The most compact fairway wood in the company’s lineup favors better players looking to lower spin.
The titanium face creates more distance potential, especially combined with the lowest, most forward center of gravity of any Cobra fairway wood.
Internal tungsten weighting surrounds the weight ports in the sole, moving the center of gravity low and forward so that shots launch higher with less spin for more carry.
The taller face height compared to the X and Max models, particularly on the 3-wood, makes this an ideal alternative for the driver on tight tee shots.
The face is designed with variable thicknesses across 15 distinct regions for more consistent speed across the face.
The adjustable hosel features 33 settings for tweaking ball flight low, high, left and right.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps
14.5, 16, 17 degrees (with a 33-way adjustable hosel)
Cobra
DS-Adapt Max
$330
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$330
The largest head in the DS-Adapt lineup favors players looking for forgiveness and slice-correction.
A carbon-composite crown—the thinnest in company history—saves mass that’s relocated low and in the heel for the most forgiveness and draw bias in the lineup.
Two movable sole weights (13 and three grams) in the heel and center allow players to adjust for forgiveness (heavy weight in the rear) or draw bias (heavy weight in the heel).
The face is designed with variable thicknesses across 15 distinct regions for more consistent speed across the face.
The adjustable hosel features 33 settings for tweaking ball flight low, high, left and right.
The weaker lofts and 9-wood model are easier to launch for players with moderate swing speeds.
15.5, 18.5, 21.5, 24.5 degrees (with a 33-way adjustable hosel)
Cobra
DS-Adapt X
$330
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$330
This mid-size model caters to players looking for lower spin and forgiveness.
A carbon-composite crown—the thinnest in company history—lowers the center of gravity and allows mass to be moved to the perimeter for greater stability on off-center hits.
An internal bridge-like weight close to the face and slightly above the sole provides a distance boost through a low, forward center of gravity.
The thin space between the bridge structure and the sole and the face allows for better face flex, particularly on impacts below the middle scoreline.
The face is designed with variable thicknesses across 15 distinct regions for more consistent speed across the face.
The adjustable hosel features 33 settings for tweaking ball flight low, high, left and right.
Weight in the deep center of the sole provides stability and can be switched out for swingweight preferences.
Top 5 in Sound/Feel, low-handicaps
15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees (with a 33-way adjustable hosel)
Mizuno
ST-G
$250
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$250
Better players will find its compact size and emphasis on low spin appealing.
The all-titanium body includes a high-strength, beta-titanium alloy in the face designed with variable thickness to maximize on-center and off-center ball speed.
A cut-through slot in the sole creates extra flexing in the lower part of the face where many impacts occur.
A steel bar within the slot’s polymer filling shifts the center of gravity forward to reduce spin.
The 90-gram steel soleplate further lowers the center of gravity to yield higher launch with less spin.
The adjustable hosel expands the loft range of the two stock heads from 13 degrees on the 3-wood to 20 degrees on the 5-wood.
15, 18 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Ping
G440 LST
$550
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$550
Better players with faster swing speeds will benefit the most from this design’s use of multiple materials to produce a higher launch and less spin.
This new version has a more rounded shape and a taller face for improved versatility off the tee as well as a muted sound.
The lightweight titanium face features a new alloy that’s stronger, allowing it to be made 8 percent thinner for increased resiliency across the face.
A carbon-composite piece wraps around the back of the crown and into the rear skirt, saving weight to lower the center of gravity for less spin.
The bottom of the club has an 85-gram tungsten sole plate (6 percent heavier than last year’s model) to increase launch angle and reduce spin.
A slimmer rear back weight ensures the club rests closer to the ground for a consistent face angle regardless of the adjustable loft and lie settings.
A redesigned interior section of the hosel frees up room for the heel side of the face to flex more efficiently and saves weight to maintain a lower center of gravity.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps
15, 19 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Ping
G440 Max
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
The Max is the rare club that fits average players and tour pros alike. Last year’s G430 Max was among the most played fairway woods on the PGA Tour for much of 2024.
The 440 Max has a taller face for more ball speed and distance across the face, particularly on tee shots, while presenting a confidence-inspiring look.
A redesigned interior section of the hosel frees up room for the heel side of the face to flex more efficiently and saves weight to maintain a lower center of gravity.
A carbon-composite piece wraps around the back of the crown and into the rear skirt, saving weight to lower the center of gravity for reduced spin.
The high-strength steel alloy wraps around the crown and sole for greater rebound on mis-hits.
A slimmer rear back weight ensures the club rests closer to the ground for a consistent face angle regardless of the adjustable loft and lie settings.
The larger, rounder shape controls vibration for a denser sound at impact.
Top 5 in Performance, low- and middle-handicaps
15, 17, 19, 21, 24 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Ping
G440 SFT
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
With the shallowest face height of the three Ping fairway woods, this model targets players who use fairway woods off the ground and not the tee.
The high-strength steel alloy wraps around the crown and sole for greater rebound on mis-hits.
Extra loft on the 3-wood and 7-wood and a shorter shaft length on the 5-wood help golfers with average to below-average swing speeds launch shots higher.
A redesigned interior section of the hosel frees up room for the heel side of the face to flex more efficiently and saves weight to maintain a lower center of gravity.
A carbon-composite piece wraps around the back of the crown and into the rear skirt, saving weight to lower the center of gravity for less spin.
A slimmer rear back weight ensures the club rests closer to the ground for a consistent face angle regardless of the adjustable loft and lie settings.
16, 19, 22 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
TaylorMade
Qi35
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
This model appeals to the broadest range of average to above-average swing speeds looking for consistent distance and fitting options through multiple lofts and a 4-degree adjustable hosel.
A lower profile than the Qi10 increases the likelihood of center-face contact and provides a sleeker look at address to instill confidence.
Although the lower face height typically would make the face less flexible, the Qi35 features a redesigned thinner face to maintain ball speed and distance.
The company’s trademark slot in the sole stretches longer into the toe to create a more flexible face.
Lightweight carbon composite covers nearly the entire crown to lower the center of gravity so that the ball launches higher with less spin.
With the adjustable hosel, the loft range stretches from 13 to 23 degrees.
Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps
15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
TaylorMade
Qi35 Max
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
With its larger address shape, shallower face, deeper front-to-back size and slightly weaker lofts, this model targets players looking for easier launch and forgiveness on off-center hits.
A built-in draw bias in its neutral setup looks to offset the miss of the typical golfer.
The lower face height compared to last year’s model means the equator of the ball when resting on the turf lines up more directly with the center of the face.
Although a shallower face height might typically restrict how flexible the face is, the redesigned face is thinner for more potential ball speed.
The company’s trademark slot in the sole stretches longer into the toe to create a more flexible face, especially for impacts below center.
Lightweight carbon composite covers nearly the entire crown to lower the center of gravity so that the ball launches higher with less spin.
With the adjustable hosel, the loft range stretches from 13.5 to 26.5 degrees.
Top 5 in Forgiveness, middle-handicaps
15.5, 18.5, 21.5, 24.5 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
TaylorMade
Qi35 Max Lite
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
Built on the same platform as the oversize Qi35 Max, the lighter overall weight favors golfers with moderate swing speeds looking to launch the ball higher.
A built-in draw bias in its neutral setup works to offset the miss of the typical user.
A sub-50-gram shaft also helps to boost launch.
Lightweight carbon composite covers nearly the entire crown to lower the center of gravity so that the ball launches higher with less spin.
Although a shallower face height might typically restrict how flexible the face is, the redesigned face is thinner for more potential ball speed.
The company’s trademark slot in the sole stretches longer into the toe to create a more flexible face, especially for impacts below center.
With the adjustable hosel, the loft range stretches from 13.5 to 23.5 degrees.
15.5, 18.5, 21.5 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Titleist
GT1
$400
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$400
Built for golfers with moderate swing speeds, this lighter design focuses on combining higher launch with increased stability on off-center hits.
A deeper center of gravity (deepest in the GT lineup) fuels that enhanced stability.
The GT1 has a shallower face compared to the TSR1 (and GT2/GT3) to help instill confidence in golfers who struggle to launch the ball in the air.
Front and rear sole weights (11 and three grams) emphasize higher launch and forgiveness (heavy weight in rear) or high launch and lower spin (heavy weight in front).
Features a new thermoplastic-polymer-matrix crown (also used for the GT drivers) that weighs one-fifth as much as the surrounding steel.
The GT uses a high-strength 465-steel-alloy face insert that bends around the sole in an L-shape to enhance flexibility low on the face.
The leading edge features a flatter sole curvature that allows the front of the face to sit tighter to the turf for optimal ball speed and spin.
15, 18, 21, 24 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
Titleist
GT2
$400
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$400
Targeting golfers with average to above-average swing speeds, the GT2 is larger than the GT3 and emphasizes forgiveness and higher launch.
Features a new thermoplastic-polymer-matrix crown (also used for the GT drivers) that weighs one-fifth as much as the surrounding steel.
Has a lower and slightly more forward center of gravity than last year’s TSR2. This promotes a higher launch and better energy transfer for more carry distance.
The GT2 uses a high-strength 465-steel-alloy face insert that bends around the sole in an L-shape to enhance flexibility low on the face.
The leading edge features a flatter sole curvature that allows the front of the face to sit tighter to the turf for optimal ball speed and spin.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps
13.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
Titleist
GT3
$400
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$400
This model has a taller face height and a potentially flatter ball flight than the GT2.
Designed for golfers who tend to hit down on the ball and who use a 3-wood off the tee.
The adjustable weight track in the front of the sole distributes weight in one of five locations from heel to toe to better fit a player’s flight preferences or typical impact locations.
Features a new thermoplastic-polymer-matrix crown (also used for the GT drivers) that weighs one-fifth as much as the surrounding steel.
The GT3 uses a high-strength 465-steel-alloy face insert that bends around the sole in an L-shape to enhance flexibility low on the face.
The leading edge features a flatter sole curvature that allows the front of the face to sit tighter to the turf for optimal ball speed and spin.
Top 5 in Look, low-handicaps
15, 16.5, 18 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
Tour Edge
Exotics C725
$300
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$300
This tour-preferred shape will attract better players with higher swing speeds looking to reduce spin.
The one-piece titanium body and face enhances face flex to produce more distance.
The variable-thickness face has rows of diamond-shaped patterns in seven depths to improve ball speed on off-center hits, particularly near the heel and toe.
A carbon-composite crown redistributes weight in the form of a massive 90-gram sole structure (75-gram tungsten weight, 15-gram movable weight) for a lower, more forward center of gravity and reduced spin.
Front and rear switchable sole weights let golfers tweak launch higher (15-gram weight in rear) or reduce spin (15-gram weight in front).
The rear weight structure has three ports for draw, fade and neutral ball-flight preferences.
A rigid band of titanium in the rear perimeter stiffens the overall clubhead to create more potential flexing across a broader area of the face.
13, 15, 18 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Wilson
Dynapower Carbon
$330
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$330
Designed with better players in mind, this model offers the lowest spin in Wilson’s fairway-wood lineup.
The thin carbon-composite crown lightens the head’s mass at the top and helps shift the center of gravity toward the bottom for reduced spin.
The variable-thickness face was designed with the help of AI analysis, which considered thousands of permutations to optimize distance, launch and off-center performance.
A 30-gram tungsten bar rests flush with the sole at the front of the club to keep the center of gravity low and forward for less spin and more direct energy transfer.
The center of gravity is 6 percent lower and 5 percent more forward than last year’s Dynapower Carbon.
The design balances low spin with forgiveness by adding an internal weight pad against the rear wall to increase stability.
A lighter structure on the interior part of the hosel saves weight and opens additional space behind the heel side of the face, allowing it to flex more freely.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps
13.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees (with a six-way adjustable hosel)
Wilson
Dynapower Max
$280
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$280
The Max is larger front to back and has a shallower face than the Dynapower Carbon, which should appeal to golfers looking for easier launch and forgiveness on mis-hits.
The variable-thickness face used AI analysis to consider thousands of permutations to optimize distance, launch and performance on off-center hits.
The variable-thickness crown includes four sections that are thinner than a credit card to save weight that’s relocated in the sole to optimize spin and increase launch.
A lighter structure on the interior part of the hosel saves weight and opens additional space behind the heel side of the face, allowing it to flex more freely.
Top 5 in Forgiveness, middle-handicaps
15, 18, 21 degrees