Best Fairway Woods 2026: Elevate your game off the tee and off the deck

Whether you're trying to reach a par-5 in two or you need a fairway finder off the tee, the right fairway woods can add invaluable versatility to your golf bag. 

Indeed, fairway woods have become an increasingly common sight in bags at all levels of the game in recent years. 

Better players and amateurs alike have, interestingly, begun erring more and more towards placing high-lofted woods in the bag as high-launching, forgiving alternative to hybrids and long irons. Meanwhile, fairway woods all the way up to a 7-wood loft are once again regaining popularity as the wider interest in hybrids begins to cool a little.

With all the biggest brands in golf offering a wide variety of fairway woods to suit different swing speeds, tastes and budgets, we've selected the best of the bunch to help you decide which one you should spend your hard-earned cash on.

We've tested the newest models from the biggest brands to dial down our favourites, looking at everything from forgiveness to distance as well as value and aesthetics.

Our mission, as always, is to help you get the most out of your game and shoot lower scores at a price that is right for you.

Here, then are what we consider the best fairway woods of 2026, starting with what we consider the best of the bunch.

The best golf fairway woods for 2026

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TaylorMade Qi4D/Qi4D Max

RRP: £319

Key Features:

• Multi-material construction featuring carbon crown and steel twistface
• Speed Pocket protects ball speeds and reduces spin on low-face strikes
• Trajectory Adjustment System (TAS) weights add more adjustability options
• Optimised CG locations add even more easy distance and launch
• Slightly more open face and flatter lie angle inspires more confidence at address

Pros:

• Delivers exceptional performance in every metric
• Feel and sound are once again spot on from TaylorMade
• Sole design is modern and very premium

Cons:

• Footprint of the Max option is very large

While, the Qi4D driver line has had a dramatic overhaul compared to the old Qi35, the approach TaylorMade brought to its new metalwoods was altogether more incremental, taking everything people loved about prior Qi woods and refining it further for 2026.

A driving motivation for TaylorMade's engineers going into 2026 was the notion that they wanted each of their new models to feel as distinct from one another as possible. As such, the Qi4D Max is noticeably larger at address compared to the core model, with a 200cc head size compared to the core wood's 185cc. 

TaylorMade have knocked it out of the park with the Qi4D and Qi4D Max fairway woods, delivering a pair of ultra-forgiving, easy-hitting options that are distinct enough to cater to a much wider array of golfers. This isn't a revolutionary update by any stretch of the imagination, but by refining what players loved about the past two Qi models even further, they've pushed ever so slightly closer to true perfection with this pair of models.

READ OUR FULL TAYLORMADE Qi4D/Qi4D MAX FAIRWAY WOOD REVIEW

TaylorMade Qi4D MAX Golf Fairwayfrom £319.00 at Scottsdale Golf

The most forgiving fairway woods

Callaway Elyte/Elyte X

RRP: £309

Key Features: 

• Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds
• New Step Sole for efficient turf interaction & improved centre-face contact
• Ai 10x Face for optimal launch and tight downrange dispersion

Pros:

• The noticeable uptick in speed from Ai Smoke
• Lovely head design
• Very easy to launch

Cons:

• None to report

Callaway’s Elyte Fairway Woods take performance to new heights in 2025, building on the success of the Ai Smoke line. Featuring the innovative Tungsten Speed Wave, a 36-gram weight positioned low and forward, these woods deliver faster ball speeds, higher launch, and improved spin. The Ai Smart face, with 10x more control points, enhances consistency across the face.

In testing, the Elyte demonstrated significant gains in speed—averaging 5 mph faster than its predecessor—and slightly higher spin for increased carry and total distance. Its neutral flight bias and ease of launch make it versatile from the tee or fairway. Despite its advanced performance, the Elyte remains user-friendly, providing confidence and forgiveness even for mid to high-handicap players.

Aesthetically, Callaway has hit the mark with its sleek black-and-chrome design, subtle green accents, and a traditional profile that inspires confidence at address. The crown’s carbon overlay adds a polished touch, while the feel is hot, crisp, and rewarding—a hallmark of Callaway woods.

The Elyte fairway wood excels in speed, playability, and forgiveness, making it one of the standout clubs of 2025. Whether upgrading or seeking a reliable fairway option, this club is a must-try. Bravo, Callaway.

READ OUR FULL CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS REVIEW

Titleist GT2

RRP: £349

Key Features:

• Seamless Thermoform Crown: allows for redistribution of mass for optimised CG placement
• L-Cup Face: Improves performance on low impact shots
• Classic Titleist styling: delivers timeless good looks and a sleek and refined profile

Pros:

• Stunning aesthetics
• Excellent sound and feel
• Produces hot ball speeds

Cons

• Definitely more forgiving fairway woods on the market

Delivering blistering ball speeds, superb aesthetics and classic Titleist feel and sound, the new GT2 Fairway Wood is a sight to behold.

Featuring a new seamless thermoform crown, constructed using a newly invented Proprietary Matrix Polymer, the GT2 retains the same crisp sound and feel we loved about the TRS line, but due to the reduced weight of the new material, weight has been redistributed in the head in order to improve performance.

Compared to TSR2, we noticed an uptick in ball speed from across the face, with shots from the heel or toe retaining both speed and spin remarkably well.

From the tee, this wood is an absolute rocket and it produces a neutral ball flight that is easy to work both ways. 

In terms of aesthetics, Titleist has stuck with the tried and tested clear black gloss crown that is so widely loved, and on the sole, a mix of gloss and matte panels frame the GT logo, which really hits the mark.

From the fairway, turf interaction is smooth and despite the compact head shape there is still a good amount of forgiveness on offer. 

Is the GT2 the most forgiving fairway wood we've tested recently? Probably not, but if you're an accomplished golfer who wants a ball strikers dream, then you are in the right place.

Coming in at £349, the GT2 is among the most expensive woods on this list, but you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck. 

READ OUR FULL TITLEIST GT2 FAIRWAY WOOD REVIEW HERE

The best budget fairway woods

Vice Golf VGF01

RRP: £219

Key Features:

• Draw bias and large sweetspot for long, straight shots
• Lightweight head and reinforced steel face provides plenty of power
• Low-back CG makes for easy launch
• Horizontal and vertical alignment aids

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Plenty of easy launch and power
• Shape and lie at address inspires plenty of confidence
• Big sweet spot and draw bias provides lots of forgiveness

Cons:

• Looks won't be for everyone
• Lack of fitment options and adjustability

Vice's VGF01 represents part of the direct-to-consumer brand's first proper foray into the world of fairway woods, offering a one-size-fits-all option for golfers who want a high-launching, easy-hitting fairway wood that, priced at just over £200, won't break the bank.

Aimed very much at satisfying the needs of less frequent golfers and committed game improvers alike, the VGF01 is engineered to provide a high, straight ball flight as frequently as possible, with added alignment aids on the face helping inspire confidence and consistency at address. It also comes in a choice of 3, 5 and 7 wood lofts, putting a huge array of long game options at your finger tips.

Like many modern woods, it also comes with a natural draw bias, which is great if you struggle with your longer shots trailing right – however it's worth noting that the VGF01 isn't adjustable and comes with a fairly limited choice of shafts, so if the VGF01 doesn't fit your game from the outset, you may find yourself short on options.

READ OUR FULL VICE VGF01 FAIRWAY WOOD REVIEW

Tour Edge Exotics E725 Fairway Wood

• Ridgeback Titanium Technology – A structural brace along the clubhead spine that enhances stability, increases energy transfer, and expands forgiveness on off-centre strikes.
• 3D Diamond Face Technology – 61 diamond-shaped patterns with variable thickness behind the face to boost ball speed, maximize flex, and maintain consistent performance across the hitting area.
• Adjustable Rear Sole Weight – A strategically placed weight at the back of the clubhead that optimizes the centre of gravity (CG) for higher launch, reduced spin, and improved stability through impact.

Price: £249 / $250

Pros:

• Solid overall distance and forgiveness
• Fantastic value for money

Cons:

• Not quite as workable as others

The Tour Edge Exotics E725 Fairway Wood is an absolute gem, bringing together premium materials, innovative design, and elite performance.

It’s incredibly forgiving yet packs a serious punch, making it a fantastic option for golfers of various skill levels.

If you’re after a fairway wood that inspires confidence, delivers explosive distance and offers a decent amount of playability, the E725 should be on your radar.

Tour Edge has once again proven that you don’t need to break the bank to get tour-level performance—you just need the right technology in your hands.

READ OUR FULL TOUR EDGE EXOTICS 725 FAIRWAY WOOD REVIEW

What are the advantages of different fairway wood lofts, and and how does it affect distance?

Loft refers to the angle of the face in relation to the vertical, and it's a key consideration when purchasing a new fairway wood, with the majority of brands offering a range that typically includes 3, 5 and 7 woods. 

Each will come with its own set of characteristics, so choosing the right one for your needs is vital. Here's a simple guide to each:

3-wood: An ideal fall back for when the driver is misbehaving off the tee, with only a small drop off in distance it can often be a more accurate alternative for tight fairways and second shots into long par-5s.

5-wood: A higher launching, softer landing alternative to a long iron, 5-woods offer a larger club face which may benefit players who struggle to produce adequate ball-speed with a four or five iron.

7-wood: Becoming ever more popular on the PGA Tour, 7-woods offer excellent stopping power on greens thanks their high launch and increased spin. The large club head also provides plenty of forgiveness and makes them easy to hit from the tee, fairway or even the rough.

How do the latest fairway woods compare to older models in terms of performance?

While the performance gains most club manufacturers can boast of attaining year-on-year are pretty minimal, it's undeniable that the last decade has seen golf's OEMs make huge strides in wood performance from both a distance and forgiveness standpoint.

Woods in general, from drivers to fairway woods and hybrids, are now longer, more accurate and more forgiving than they've ever been, with manufacturers constantly testing the very limits of ball speed performance, size and MOI to help their clubs perform at their best in the hands of a wider array of golfers.

While we would never recommend upgrading to a new model every year (or even every two years), we thoroughly believe that if any club in your bag is more than 5-10 years old, it's worth testing out some newer gear to see if you can achieve some real performance gains from the latest tech available.

What else should I consider when buying a fairway wood?

1. Club Head Size

Fairway woods come in a variety of different head sizes, with each suiting a different type of player and skill level. More compact woods tend to suit players who prefer to shape the ball, and a smaller profile behind the ball can often be considered more aesthetically pleasing,

Larger heads tend to offer increased forgiveness with a more confidence-inspiring look at address. 

Size matters, so be sure to find a head size that fits your game but also your eye.

2. Adjustability

The two varieties of adjustability to consider when buying a fairway wood are weight and loft. 

Movable weights can be a handy tool to fine-tune both the centre of gravity and moment of inertia of your wood, with the PXG Black Ops being a perfect example of this. 

Moving weight forward in the club head will results in a more piercing ball flight and increased distance while adding weight to the back of the club will promote increased spin, higher launch and improved forgiveness.

Some clubs also offer weights that can be adjusted for ball shaping. Additional weight at the toe of a club will create more draw bias while moving weight closer to the heel will favour a fade. 

3. Shaft

Getting the correct shaft in your fairway wood is of equal importance to getting the right head. With a wide variety of weights and flexes available to suit different swing speeds, we highly recommend heading to your nearest fitting studio to ensure you have the correct setup to suit your swing. 

Using lighter, less stiff shafts will produce a higher, right-to-left biased ball flight, while heavier, stiff shafts will launch the ball lower with a higher tendency to shape the ball to the right.

Most manufacturers will offer drivers in regular (R), stiff (S) and extra stiff (XS) shaft flexes.

Other flexes include light or ladies flex (L), senior (A) and more extra stiff options (XXS, XXXS).

4. Shot Type

Fairway woods are versatile tools that can be used for a wide variety of different shot types. Whether you're looking for something to offer a little added accuracy off the tee, or a tool to help you reach long par-5s in two, the wide variety of fairway woods on the market can suit every golfers needs.

Check out our full range of golf equipment guides below:

• The Best Golf Drivers
• The Best Golf Mini Drivers
• The Best Golf Irons
• The Best Golf Wedges
• The Best Golf Putters
• The Best Golf Package Sets
• The Best Golf Balls
• The Best Golf Gloves
• The Best Golf Rangefinders
• The Best Golf GPS Watches
• The Best Golf Bags
• The Best Golf Travel Bags
• The Best Golf Push Carts
• The Best Electric Golf Trolleys
• The Best Golf Push Carts