Robot testing confirms these 3-woods are ideal secondary options

With the help of Golf Laboratories’ swing robot, GOLF’s 2024 ClubTest continues to deliver robotic testing insights on the newest equipment releases. We continue our fairway wood insights with the five models designed to launch it low. And if you want to learn more about the latest models, click here to get the full rundown on every fairway wood for ’24.

The driver is fun to whack on courses where the fairways are wide and generous. But things start to get scary when the trees encroach on the short grass and hazards become more plentiful. We’ve been there. In those moments, it’s easy to try and choke down and swing easier with the driver to just keep it in play. The problem is you’re bound to make a mistake if you’re playing defensively for all 18 holes.

This is where a strong secondary option comes in handy. For most golfers, it’s a fairway wood or hybrid that keeps the ball in the fairway. The shorter shaft and additional loft make it easier to control the ball and keep it from ending up in a watery grave. Or maybe it’s a mini driver.

If you don’t have one of the above, then it’s time to consider the idea of a fairway wood with driver-like properties. We’re talking about a 15-degree offering that launches low with reduced spin. The combination should make it easier to keep up with your driver at a shorter (more controllable) length.

Our robotic testing (95 mph) with Golf Laboratories’ swing robot revealed 4 offerings with lower-than-average launch angles and spin rates. Check them out below.

(How we test: The launch angles and spin rates are an average of 18 balls struck out of the geometric center, toe and heel.)

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TaylorMade Qi10 Tour

TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Custom Fairway Wood

$449.99

Introducing the Qi10 Tour fairway. Experience TaylorMade speed with Qi10 forgiveness…off the tee and off the deck. MAXIMUM ADJUSTABILITY A lower profile moveable weight system features a 50g sliding weight and a 2° loft sleeve for a wide range of flight options. Golfers can shift the weight back for higher launch and stability, center it for all-around performance or move it forward for a low-spin ball flight with maximum distance. NEW INFINITY CARBON CROWN An Infinity Crown provides a clean, uninterrupted view at address while also optimizing performance.

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Launch: 13 degrees

Spin: 3,100 RPMs

Cobra Darkspeed LS

Cobra DarkSpeed LS Custom Fairway Wood

$429.99

The LS model features our first ever Titanium fairway construction for driver-like performance in a refined clubhead shape tailored for precise shot shaping. TOUR INSPIRED SHAPING Subdued clubhead styling inspires a Tour-validated look and feel at address. TITANIUM CONSTRUCTION A multi-material construction blends a lightweight 8-1-1 Titanium body and face, and a carbon crown to improve weight distribution for more distance.

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Launch: 13.8 degrees

Spin: 3,402 RPMs

Mizuno ST-G Titanium

Mizuno ST-G 440 Custom Fairway Wood

$249.99

CORTECH CHAMBER A chamber located on the sole adjacent to the face, filled with an elastomeric material with inserted weight provides: Larger CORAREA, improved spin performance, and tuned impact sound. ULTRA LOW CG CONSTRUCTION Lighter density 811 Ti body combined with 88g higher density steel along the sole provides the lowest CG construction. MULTI-THICKNESS CORTECH FACE Refined to maximize CORAREA combined with the SAT2041 Beta Titanium face material. WAFFLE CROWN Extremely thin lightweight crown portion. MODERN PLAYER’S PEAR SHAPE An inviting, compact, head that sits perfectly square at address. HIT TUNED IMPACT SOUND Strategically placed internal sound ribs tune the impact sound to the appropriate frequency and sound pressure QUICK SWITCH ADJUSTABILITY 4 degrees of loft adjustability to fine-tune address look and trajectory.

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Launch: 14.2 degrees

Spin: 3,657 RPMs

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Custom Fairway Wood

$349.99

Ai SMOKE TD FAIRWAY The new Paradym Ai Smoke fairway represents a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai journey. This new family of fairway woods feature the most sophisticated face in Callaway history, the Ai Smart Face. Breakthrough Fairway Performance Powered by Ai Smart Face™ Ai Smoke fairway woods utilize Ai Smart Face; a breakthrough technology in face design that utilizes thousands of actual player swings. Every Ai Smart Face is designed to optimize launch and spin, creating sweet spots across the face. Workable Shape and Penetrating Ball Flight The Triple Diamond fairway wood will benefit golfers who want to work the ball, and typically have faster swing speeds for a penetrating ball flight with lower spin.

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Launch: 14.6 degrees

Spin: 3,818 RPMs

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf.

Jonathan Wall

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to joining the staff at the end of 2018, he spent 6 years covering equipment for the PGA Tour. He can be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com.

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