SS King Cobra hyper steel 3-wood.
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Fairway wood is a generic term for clubs slightly smaller than a driver but with a bulbous head - and not in the iron category.
Since persimmon-headed clubs have been overtaken in technology by metal-headed clubs - fairway metal is a better description of the wide range of clubs that fall into this category.
The fairway metal - with a range of lofts - is one of the most versatile clubs in your bag. It can be used off the tee instead of a driver, out of the rough, from the fairway, even around the green for those delicate little chips from the fringe.
I have even used a 5-wood and 7-wood on the green to play the ball up and over a couple of steep tiers when a putter seems ill-equipped for the job.
What kind of lofts are available in fairway metals?
Fairway metals usually start with a 3-wood (about 15 degrees) though you can get 'strong' 3-woods with slightly less loft (13/14 degrees) which replace the old 2-wood, which was popular as a persimmon-headed club.
Regularly available from most manufacturers are 5-, 7- and 9-woods (17/18, 21/23 and 27/28 deg respectively).
Women's 11-,13- and 15-woods from Nancy Lopez.
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Some manufacturers also produce 11-, 13- and 15-woods, aimed at women golfers and seniors who struggle with long and medium irons.
What kind of clubhead should I look for?
Most fairway metals heads are stainless steel or coated with titanium. Ideally you're looking for a head that sits nicely at address and produces a satisfying crunch at impact.
Most heads on modern fairway metals are slightly 'toed in' as an anti-slice mechanism and help produce a low penetrating flight in the 3-woods and 5-woods and a higher, drawing flight in the 7- and 9-wood so the ball lands softly.
Titanium-coated heads offer the manufacturer the opportunity to make the head bigger, though this is no real advantage for the rough where you're looking for a lower profile head to be more efficient.
What about the shaft?
Beginners and players with less powerful swings - like seniors and women golfers - will benefit from a more flexible shaft.
An average player with a swing speed of 75-90 mph will be looking for a regular shaft; players with powerful swings - in the 90-110 mph range - will purchase a club with a stiff or firm shaft to provide more control. Many shafts are also available in a uniflex that will fit most golf swings.
The choice is, basically, steel or graphite. The better play will more likely plump for steel in his or her fairway metals because they are not looking primarily for extra distance, but consistency, accuracy and penetrating flight for finding narrow fairways off the tee or greens at well protected par-5s.
The mid to higher handicapper will get more benefit from a graphite shaft - it will tend to give a higher launch angle and give good distance for less effort.
TaylorMade V-steel fairway metal.
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Metals woods v. irons?
If you are happy with your 3- and 4-iron, there's little point in investing in a 5- or 7-wood. However, if the long irons give you problems, you'll find these lofted metals extremely versatile.
A 3-wood proves a hand gap-filler between driver and long irons, however, especially when the course is flanked by trees, water or other trouble and you occasionally need an alternative to driver.
The 3-wood, too, will be less likely to divert from the straight and narrow because loft is the enemy of the slice and hook.
Another important feature of fairway metals is their ability strike the ball out of light rough far more cleanly than irons with corresponding lofts. The lower centre of gravity getting the ball in the air quickly is also a factor.
Given the amount of time that most golfers spend in the light rough, this can be a major bonus.
Is choosing the right weight important?
The lighter the club, the faster the swing speed and the longer the ball can be hit, so a mid- or high-handicap player who does not have a strong swing will benefit from a lighter fairway metal.
Low-handicap golfers, or any golfer with a high and powerful swing speed (like a professional), should choose a slightly heavier club to provide slightly more control.
What's the secret of playing fairway metals from bunkers?
Never attempt to play a shot out of a fairway bunker when the lip is steep. The loft to too shallow to get the ball airborne.
Flattish bunkers or where the lip is 10-15 yards ahead, will accept a 5- or 7-wood comfortably.
The secret is to wriggle your feet into a stable position and grip or choke down on the shaft slightly to allow for your feet being just below the ball.
Focus on the front of the ball and swing well within yourself so you don't slip at impact. Try to nip the ball off the surface and it will fly out with backspin enough to make it check and stop on landing.
TaylorMade R580 fairway metal.
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What should I pay for fairway metals ?
Among the cheapest clubs we found under £50 were the Olyo 2304 steel fairway metals (steel shaft) and the oversize PT-Advance clubs from Benross (graphite), both at £49.99.
Slightly more expensive were the King Cobra SS Hyper steel clubs (£140) and Callaway Steelhead III (£139), Titleist 976F fairway metals (£145) and Mizuno Blue Rage (£119).
Ping's i3 metalwoods cost £165, while TaylorMade's R580 ti fairway metals will set you back £299 with a graphite shaft.
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