Fairway woods can be just about the hardest club in the bag to hit for many golfers, but if you are lucky enough to find one that you like then it can easily save you shots at the top end of the bag.
Luckily, equipment manufacturers are well aware that this can be a problem area for lots of us, and over the last few years there has been an influx of technology added to models which will help to provide forgiveness, distance and forgiveness off the tee and on longer approaches into the green.
In no particular order, these are our top picks for fairway woods in 2022...
Best Fairway Woods Of 2022
Released: 04/03/2022
RRP As Reviewed: £299
Quick Hit: Great looking fairway provides high launch and easy alignment, with a draw bias for those who need it.
The Tech: A new AI Jailbreak sees two new batwings moved to the edge of the head to provide extra stability, whilst a 27g tungsten cartridge is low and forward in the head to lower spin. An AI Flash Face is different for every single model and loft in the range, whilst the Flash Face Cup allows for extra speed and spin on off-centre strikes.
Golfalot Says: "I couldn’t fault the strike and average distance of the Rogue ST Max, overall it performed excellently."
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Released: 04/01/2022
RRP As Reviewed: £349
Quick Hit: Fantastic looking fairway is more forgiving than expected and provides consistency and workability.
The Tech: An 80g V-Steel sole plate has been engineered to provide more forgiveness, improving turf interaction and versatility. A strong Titanium Zatech face combines with Twist Face to enhance ball speed and promote straighter shots. The Speed Pocket design is more flexible than ever for max ball speeds and extra forgiveness.
Golfalot Says: "It looks and feels fantastic too, in classic TaylorMade style, and whilst the lack of a red carbon face is disappointing, the overall performance was excellent so this goes down as yet another TaylorMade success story."
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Released: 23/09/2022
RRP As Reviewed: £289
Quick Hit: The club that tour pros asked for delivers off the tee if you want a hot fairway finder.
The Tech: A larger head shape than the TSR2 which is built for the tee, the TSR2+ has the deepest CG of any Titleist fairway for more forgiveness and a straighter ball flight
Golfalot Says: "From the tee however was where this club really excelled, the club just felt so easy to hit! It found it was almost like a mini driver."
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Released: 11/02/2022
RRP As Reviewed: £249
Quick Hit: Forgiving and very long fairway is one of the models to beat this year, and provides good value for money.
The Tech: Pwr-Cor technology sees weight positioned low and forward in the head for faster ball speeds and reduced spin rates, whilst a H.O.T face design produces variable face thicknesses to maximise ball speeds.
Golfalot Says: "In my opinion it looks good, feels good, offered me plenty of forgiveness in my usual bad strikes with a fairway and it packs a serious punch. It's one of the longest fairways I have tested this year."
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Released: 25/03/2022
RRP As Reviewed: £219
Quick Hit: As the name suggests, this fairway launches high and provides plenty of confidence thanks to its forgiveness.
The Tech: The XL design provides a very high MOI for plenty of forgiveness while the hibore crown step drops the CG for easier launch. Glide rails help to improve turf interaction on heavy shots and keep the club squarer at impact, whilst increased ball speed comes thanks to a Rebound Frame.
Golfalot Says: "If you're looking to add high launch, forgiveness and in turn some extra yards to your fairway wood game - this club has to be on your testing list - it will give you wings."
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Released: 23/09/2022
RRP As Reviewed: £289
Quick Hit: Fantastic looks, feel and sound with much more playability than previous generations.
The Tech: There are now five adjustable positions in the SureFit track to fine tune performance, whilst weight has been shifted deeper and lower in the head to aid launch and forgiveness.
Golfalot Says: "I’d change right away to the TSR3."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
View the rest of our Best of 2022 articles here!
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