Equipment
5 New Metalwoods That Offer Forgiveness
You might think that all metalwoods are designed to do the same thing: launch it high with low spin. In a way they are, but they go about it in different ways. The newest metalwoods target certain types of swings: (1) big hitters who need shots to launch with less spin; (2) slower swingers who need more clubhead speed; and (3) hitters who need a straighter ball flight. Whether it’s less weight or redistributed internal mass, most new metalwoods are player-specific. So start your search knowing your weaknesses, and make a purchase based on how a new club can correct what’s wrong. Here are five fixes worth considering.
Photo by Ryan Zimmerman
TOUR EDGE EXOTICS CBX
Better players looking for a low-spin fairway wood might benefit from this construction. It includes a titanium face fused to a high-strength steel body. A lightweight carbon-composite piece in the rear of the sole allows more weight to be placed forward.
PRICE: $350
CALLAWAY GBB EPIC STAR
This ultralight driver is designed for golfers with slower swing speeds and features the same distance technology found in the standard Epic—including two rods that join the crown and sole to help the face flex across a larger area.
PRICE: $700
COBRA F-MAX
This fairway wood provides full service for the flaws of average golfers. Helpful features include a lighter swingweight, anti-slice bias, higher lofts and larger, more comfortable grips. A thin, high-strength steel face insert gives distance a boost.
PRICE: $200
TITLEIST 818 H1
The H2 is preferred by tour players, but the H1 here offers something for the rest of us.
The latest version is more stable on off-center hits and is designed for golfers who hit their hybrids with more of a sweeping motion than a downward strike.
PRICE: $280
PING G400 SF TEC
We don’t just hit slices with our drivers, so the G400 line has a heel-weighted fairway-wood option. A high-strength steel face provides extra flexing for more distance, and the slightly larger head size offers forgiveness on mis-hits.
PRICE: $270