Price
$380
PXG Lightning Tour
Price
$380
OFFICIAL RETAILER
1 / 3
2 / 3
matt martian photography
3 / 3
Why we like it
- The more compact of the two Lightning fairway wood options favors better ball-strikers looking for a flatter trajectory and versatility from a variety of lies.
- The Tour uses a rounded sole shape that allows for cleaner action through the turf, particularly from the rough.
- Developed through input from PXG’s tour staff, the taller face targets players who mainly use a 3-wood off the tee, as well as those who want to avoid fairway woods that fly too high.
- The perimeter of the face is 12.5 percent thinner than previous PXG fairway woods to increase face deformation at impact for more ball speed and a higher launch.
- Two movable weights in the sole (2.5 grams and 12.5 grams) control trajectory. Placing the heavier weight in the back increases forgiveness and promotes a higher ball flight; placing it in the front lowers flight and decreases spin.
- 15, 18 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
What our testers said
handicap
- all
- low
- mid
- high
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
I like the deep face and it was boomerangy. That said, I could still control it. Good responsiveness.
Wei
56, Handicap 14
10+ years testing
I really like the dark-ish finish on the face, it blends in really well with the aesthetics of the crown. If perfection were a descriptor for sound, this has it. Even on your mis-hits, the sound makes it feel like you've really crushed it.
Skylar
28, Handicap 7
3 years testing
The club works really well. It makes a really satisfying sound. Even if you hit it on the toe, the turnover isn't too far left. Pretty easy to use. It also goes really far.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
It's a lower-launching wood. I love the way it sets up at address. It doesn't look like you'll pop it up. Wish it had a little more power.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
The head has a lot more graphics than I like to see on a wood, but the performance is great and forgiving. Heel, toe shots or hitting the ball on the screws all fly through the same window, which is nice to see.
SEE ALL (12)
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
I like the deep face and it was boomerangy. That said, I could still control it. Good responsiveness.
Wei
56, Handicap 14
10+ years testing
I really like the dark-ish finish on the face, it blends in really well with the aesthetics of the crown. If perfection were a descriptor for sound, this has it. Even on your mis-hits, the sound makes it feel like you've really crushed it.
Skylar
28, Handicap 7
3 years testing
The club works really well. It makes a really satisfying sound. Even if you hit it on the toe, the turnover isn't too far left. Pretty easy to use. It also goes really far.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
It's a lower-launching wood. I love the way it sets up at address. It doesn't look like you'll pop it up. Wish it had a little more power.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
The head has a lot more graphics than I like to see on a wood, but the performance is great and forgiving. Heel, toe shots or hitting the ball on the screws all fly through the same window, which is nice to see.
Scott
38, Handicap 16
10+ years testing
Felt like it was really packing a punch. It would deliver a springy feel to the ball. there was a more muted crack at impact that just felt powerful and the ball would explode off the face. Ball flights were low but driving into the wind.
Shane
37, Handicap 12
6 years testing
If you hit the sweet spot, you're rewarded handsomely. For anything that crept outside of that center face, you saw a little bit of a drop off. At impact, the sound was really kind of punchy, not a long blast.
Timothy
46, Handicap 17
1 year testing
This club was excellent from a distance point of view and didn't sacrifice anything directionally. I felt like I was going to have a good hit because of the aesthetics and how it looked. Maybe because of that confidence, I got a really good distance.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
This club was feast or famine. When hit really well and out of the center of the face, it went right in the flight window I wanted it to. When mis-hit it, those were extremely exacerbated. Think the looks are nice. I I like the carbon on top. It looks really good sitting behind the ball and sets up really square.
Jin
31, Handicap 10
2 years testing
It's a bigger head than I'd expect, so it felt like I'm thinning the ball more. The ball flight is low, but it still gets the carry distance that I'm looking for. It feels firmer on the hands. Not a ton of dispersion, even on mis-hits.
Wesley
31, Handicap 4
3 years testing
A very buttery face when you hit it in the middle. It's almost like the ball just melts into it, but it comes off very hot, very fast. It is not as forgiving as I would like. The off-center strikes can go a long ways offline, but the good ones are really good and really far.
Gary
38, Handicap 13
10+ years testing
Even when I didn't make my best swing, it was still getting out there. Very much a wooden-bat feel, really pleasant at impact. The neutral shape at address framed the ball squarely. Don't be afraid of the "Tour" designation. You don't have to be a tour player to know how to set it down.
Wei
56, Handicap 14
10+ years testing
I really like the dark-ish finish on the face, it blends in really well with the aesthetics of the crown. If perfection were a descriptor for sound, this has it. Even on your mis-hits, the sound makes it feel like you've really crushed it.
Scott
38, Handicap 16
10+ years testing
Felt like it was really packing a punch. It would deliver a springy feel to the ball. there was a more muted crack at impact that just felt powerful and the ball would explode off the face. Ball flights were low but driving into the wind.
Shane
37, Handicap 12
6 years testing
If you hit the sweet spot, you're rewarded handsomely. For anything that crept outside of that center face, you saw a little bit of a drop off. At impact, the sound was really kind of punchy, not a long blast.
Timothy
46, Handicap 17
1 year testing
This club was excellent from a distance point of view and didn't sacrifice anything directionally. I felt like I was going to have a good hit because of the aesthetics and how it looked. Maybe because of that confidence, I got a really good distance.
Jin
31, Handicap 10
2 years testing
It's a bigger head than I'd expect, so it felt like I'm thinning the ball more. The ball flight is low, but it still gets the carry distance that I'm looking for. It feels firmer on the hands. Not a ton of dispersion, even on mis-hits.
Gary
38, Handicap 13
10+ years testing
Even when I didn't make my best swing, it was still getting out there. Very much a wooden-bat feel, really pleasant at impact. The neutral shape at address framed the ball squarely. Don't be afraid of the "Tour" designation. You don't have to be a tour player to know how to set it down.
Skylar
28, Handicap 7
3 years testing
The club works really well. It makes a really satisfying sound. Even if you hit it on the toe, the turnover isn't too far left. Pretty easy to use. It also goes really far.
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
I like the deep face and it was boomerangy. That said, I could still control it. Good responsiveness.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
It's a lower-launching wood. I love the way it sets up at address. It doesn't look like you'll pop it up. Wish it had a little more power.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
The head has a lot more graphics than I like to see on a wood, but the performance is great and forgiving. Heel, toe shots or hitting the ball on the screws all fly through the same window, which is nice to see.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
This club was feast or famine. When hit really well and out of the center of the face, it went right in the flight window I wanted it to. When mis-hit it, those were extremely exacerbated. Think the looks are nice. I I like the carbon on top. It looks really good sitting behind the ball and sets up really square.
Wesley
31, Handicap 4
3 years testing
A very buttery face when you hit it in the middle. It's almost like the ball just melts into it, but it comes off very hot, very fast. It is not as forgiving as I would like. The off-center strikes can go a long ways offline, but the good ones are really good and really far.
NO REVIEWS
There are no tester reviews here.
A Skeptic’s Guide To New Golf Equipment
Featured In
Related Clubs
1 / 24
PXG
Lightning
$380
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Silver
$380
The larger of the two Lightning options mixes forgiveness with adjustability and a higher range of lofts to provide ease of use for most average players.
The squared-off face design provides a larger lower face area to push more weight low and forward while creating room for more ball speed in the place many average golfers most often contact their fairway woods.
The perimeter of the face is 12.5 percent thinner than previous PXG fairway woods to increase face deformation at impact for more ball speed and a higher launch.
2 / 24
Callaway
Quantum Max
$400
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$400
The shallow-face design lifts your confidence at address and facilitates launch while offering the broadest range of lofts in the entire Quantum family.
Combined with the lightweight carbon-composite crown, a 30-gram “floating” tungsten bar positioned low and forward within the head yields a lower center of gravity for less spin and more distance.
Affixed to the sole, the internal bar rests slightly above the floor of the club. This position keeps mass low while freeing the bottom of the face to flex more freely for better ball speed from impacts lower on the face.
3 / 24
Callaway
Quantum Max D
$400
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$400
The larger address profile sets the stage for the most forgiving model in the lineup, and the draw bias and upright lie angle will work to counteract a slice.
The carbon-composite crown helps lower the center of gravity for higher launch, but expect the Max D to launch higher than the standard Max.
A 30-gram “floating” tungsten bar positioned low and forward within the head yields a lower center of gravity for less spin and more distance.
4 / 24
Callaway
Quantum Max Fast
$450
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$450
The lightweight build of this model helps players with moderate swing speeds move the club faster and with more control for higher launch and greater distance.
Lighter shafts and slightly weaker lofts make this the ideal option for players seeking the highest launch.
The carbon-composite crown helps lower the center of gravity for higher launch.
5 / 24
Callaway
Quantum Triple Diamond
$450
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$450
Built with a tour-focused compact shape and deeper face, this model produces less spin and a lower launch.
Additional mass in the form of a fixed weight in the front of the sole pushes the center of gravity forward to lower spin.
The carbon-composite crown helps lower the center of gravity for less spin.
6 / 24
Cobra
OPTM LS
$470
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$470
The most compact and versatile head in the lineup uses a titanium body and thin-ply carbon composite crown to save mass that’s used for a spin-killing lower center of gravity and three movable weights. Its titanium face also provides a boost in ball speed.
A 37-gram internal slug of heavy tungsten is glued into the sole to provide the lowest, most forward center of gravity in all of Cobra’s fairway woods for lower spin, more speed and a more penetrating trajectory.
One key to consistent performance is how that internal weighting and the spacing of the sole weights are balanced to stabilize the head.
7 / 24
Cobra
OPTM Max
$370
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$370
The larger-headed option in the OPTM fairway wood line is designed to help average golfers with higher launch and off-center-hit forgiveness.
Movable sole weights (14 and three grams) in the rear perimeter and heel side provide options for a player to emphasize forgiveness (heavy weight in the rear port) or a slice-fighting draw bias (heavy weight in the heel port).
Internal weight pads that distribute additional weight to the rear perimeter and the hosel create a built-in draw bias.
8 / 24
Cobra
OPTM X
$370
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$370
The most versatile option in the OPTM fairway wood line uses adjustable front and rear sole weights (11 and three grams) to control spin, launch and forgiveness.
With the 11-gram weight in the back setting, ball flight is neutral, and players should expect higher launch and extra forgiveness. With the 11-gram weight in the front position, expect a penetrating flight with higher ball speed and lower spin.
Internal weight pads that distribute additional weight to the rear perimeter and the hosel create a built-in draw bias.
9 / 24
Mizuno
JPX One
$350
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$350
This versatile single model covers lofts from 13 to 26 degrees through adjustability and features a new sole channel designed to boost ball speed across the face.
The channel is wider in the heel and toe portion to create more face deformation for impacts on the toe and heel while maintaining center-face ball speed.
The head width heel to toe gets progressively smaller as lofts increase to improve workability and ease of use on uneven lies.
10 / 24
Ping
G440 LST
$600
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$600
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 resilience across the face.
11 / 24
Ping
G440 Max
$385
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$385
The Max is the rare club that fits average players and tour pros alike. The 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, and offers 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.
12 / 24
Ping
G440 SFT
$385
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$385
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 face 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.
13 / 24
TaylorMade
Qi4D
$380
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$380
For average to above-average swing speeds (even tour players), the standard model provides the most efficient shaping, the fastest face, and the broadest range of lofts to fit more types of golfers and ability levels.
A larger lightweight carbon-composite crown helps to shift the center of gravity lower for easier, higher launch with low spin.
The relatively shallower face features refined variable thickness to improve flexibility for on- and off-center hits.
14 / 24
TaylorMade
Qi4D Max
$380
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$380
The larger footprint at address (18 percent larger than Qi4D Tour and 5 percent larger than Qi4D) inspires confidence for average golfers struggling with inconsistent impacts, as does the enhanced stability on off-center hits.
With the sole weight in the rear, the center of gravity shifts farther back for a higher moment of inertia (increased forgiveness) and higher launch.
An additional weight kit provides a range of options to increase or decrease the swingweight based on player-fitting preferences.
15 / 24
TaylorMade
Qi4D Max Lite
$380
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$380
Built on the larger platform of the Qi4D Max, this model uses a lighter overall head and shaft (up to 21 grams lighter than the Qi4D Max) to provide increased distance potential and enhanced control for moderate to slower swing speeds.
The 3-wood checks in at 200cc (18 percent larger than the Qi4D Tour) for improved moment of inertia (stability on off-center hits).
With the sole weight in the rear, the center of gravity shifts farther back for increased forgiveness and a higher launch.
16 / 24
TaylorMade
Qi4D Tour
$450
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Gold
$450
Designed for skilled players with above average swing speeds, the Qi4D Tour’s compact shape and internal weighting (low and forward) deliver high-energy transfer with ultra-low spin.
A lightweight carbon-crown and a full titanium body and face save mass for a 60-gram block of tungsten low in the forward part of the sole to push the center of gravity lower and more forward than in Qi35 Tour.
This lower center of gravity means this model features slightly higher measured lofts than the Qi35 Tour for higher launch while maintaining lower spin.
17 / 24
Titleist
GT1
$400
•
Golf Galaxy
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.
18 / 24
Titleist
GT2
$400
•
Golf Galaxy
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 the TSR2. This promotes a higher launch and better energy transfer for more carry distance.
19 / 24
Titleist
GT3
$400
•
Golf Galaxy
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.
20 / 24
Callaway
Apex UW
$370
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Silver
$370
This compact model offers a combination of hybrid and fairway wood attributes for the above-average player looking for low-spin and more workable launch options from a low-lofted approach club.
The lightweight tri-axial carbon-crown saves mass that’s redistributed in a high-density tungsten bar that rests low and forward within the head, lowering spin and enhancing the energy transfer at impact.
Screws in the sole suspend the 41-gram tungsten bar, letting it “float” above the interior surface so that the sole and face insert can flex more effectively, particularly on lower impacts.
21 / 24
Srixon
ZXi
$330
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Silver
$330
This better-player fairway wood expands its size and interior weighting to increase playability for a broader range of golfers.
The new design mixes a thinner center-face section with thick regions in the heel and toe to improve distance.
Rigid and flexible zones in the crown and sole surrounding the face increase flexibility.
22 / 24
Tour Edge
Exotics LS
$400
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Silver
$400
This compact, low-spin model targets better players with above-average swing speeds who like to work the ball off the tee.
The multi-material head includes a 6-4 titanium body, a high-strength, lightweight 8-1-1 titanium face insert and a weight-saving carbon-composite crown.
An 80-gram tungsten weight pad pushes the center of gravity low and forward to decrease spin and increase energy transfer at impact.
23 / 24
Wilson
Dynapower Carbon
$430
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Silver
$430
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 used AI analysis that considered thousands of permutations to optimize distance, launch and off-center performance.
24 / 24
Wilson
Dynapower Max
$380
•
Golf Galaxy
Hot List Score
Hot List Silver
$380
The Max is larger front to back and has a shallower face than the Dynapower Carbon. This 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.