Equipment
2013 Best Fairway Woods
Golfers love fairway woods that allow them to hit long, straight shots off the tee and off the ground. But fairway woods are not only some of the hardest clubs to hit consistently. They’re also some of the toughest to fit.
We surveyed six of the top-ranked clubfitters in North America to identify the best fairway woods on the planet, which are longer, straighter and better looking than the fairway woods of the past. Click here to read the specifics on the voting committee and how we picked the best.
Start with these five top-ranked fairway woods in your next fitting session and we guarantee that you’ll be on your way to hitting more fairways and greens in no time.
Winners
Callaway X Hot
RBZ Stage 2
Tour Edge Exotics XCG6
PING G25
Adams LS
[colored_box color=”grey”]
[one_fourth last=”no”]
[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]Callaway X Hot: The X Hot Pro has a more forward CG than the standard model, giving it a flatter trajectory with less spin. Both models feature a modern version of Callaway’s warbird sole for enhanced turf interaction from less-than desirable lies.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/97868/callaway-x-hot-fairway-woods-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
[colored_box color=”grey”]
[one_fourth last=”no”]
[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2: TaylorMade was the first major OEM to break ground into the high-COR fairway wood category with the original RocketBallz, and we applaud the company for making the second generation of those fairway woods longer and more playable.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/88555/taylormade-rbz-stage-2-fairway-woods-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
[colored_box color=”grey”]
[one_fourth last=”no”]
[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]Exotics XCG6: The XCG6 is the longest Exotics fairway wood yet. It has a 15-3-3-3 beta titanium cup face, a high-density steel body and a tungsten sole plate that are combo-brazed for the ultimate in power and forgiveness.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/101886/exotics-xcg6-fairway-woods-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
[colored_box color=”grey”]
[one_fourth last=”no”]
[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]PING G25: The G25 has more ball speed than the G20, with a higher launch, and more forgiveness. Their smaller size and matte black finish makes them look as good as they perform.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/110054/ping-g25-fairway-woods-and-hybrids-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
[colored_box color=”grey”]
[one_fourth last=”no”]
[/one_fourth][three_fourth last=”yes”]Adams LS: The titanium face and crown, combined with a stainless steel sole creates an exceptionally low center of gravity and thin, fast face. That means gains in speed and trajectory.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/110416/adams-super-s-and-ls-fairways-editor-review/”]Read Full Review[/button][/three_fourth][/colored_box]
Click here to see the “Best of” winners for other club categories.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Memorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
-
Equipment5 days agoMemorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
-
News1 week agoRussell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
-
Whats in the Bag3 days agoJ.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
-
Equipment3 days agoBest irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
-
Equipment1 week agoDetails on Jason Day’s latest prototype Avoda iron setup
-
Equipment3 weeks agoCJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
-
News2 weeks agoCharles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
-
Equipment2 weeks agoDetails on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
tyler
Jun 3, 2014 at 1:05 am
The Callaway X Hot Pro is the real deal. I was a bit concerned about the lack of adjustability and initially I was hooking it pretty good, but after spending some time with it I have to say it is the best fairway I’ve ever owned. It feels and sounds perfect and the sole is perfect from any lie. The “compression channel” thingy on it is legit. It really does go so much farther than any fairway I’ve owned. My advice is not to be worried about going with a stiffer shaft in this because it gets the ball up no problem and the stiffer shaft is nice for control.
Jon
Nov 4, 2013 at 1:44 am
Cobra amp cell should be on this list…
spencjah
Jul 28, 2013 at 1:17 pm
How about the 3deep. I found it really good. Off the tee and off the deck. Best 3 wood I found. Club is for better players but the best I have tested.
Frank
Jun 5, 2013 at 12:32 pm
g25?! i would think the anser beats them out their people playing the anser woods that arent even with ping
Zak Kozuchowski
Jun 4, 2013 at 10:15 am
Here’s how we do it, guys
http://www.golfwrx.com/reviews/best-of-awards-and-the-inside-scoop/
– Zak
Charles
Jun 4, 2013 at 9:39 am
Yes, what puts the covert outside the winner list. Really like the lofts’ choice on one club.
Ryu
Jun 4, 2013 at 10:45 am
The sound and feel of the covert is ridiculous! It’s just like hitting plastic golf clubs, The people also don’t like the ‘SWOOSH’ logo on the clubhead. For me the swoosh is okay but the sound and feel is just horrible.
Kyle
Jun 4, 2013 at 12:03 am
Not sure how the covert didn’t make this list. Tested mine against everything and it came out on top
Steve
Jun 4, 2013 at 8:26 am
Clubs work different for everyone. I hate the Covert, but love the 913F. The club works for me, but not for everyone. Different strokes for different folks.
Rob
Jun 5, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Yeah, same here. Hated the Covert too, and the AMP Cell just flat outperformed for me over the Covert and the RBZ Stage 2.