For Old Times Sake....a Fairway Wood Thread

[Duffner's Waggle]

I wanna hear about the oldies but goodies that never fully make it out of your bag, no matter what else you try. 

 

Some of you may remember my 3-wood exploits from many years ago. I tried everything once. It was a crazy time. I'm not proud. 

 

I tried:

 

Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro

Titleist 915F

Titleist 915Fd

Srixon F45

Ping G25

Titleist 913Fd

Taylormade M2

Taylormade Jetspeed

Taylormade Aeroburner Mini

Ping Rapture 

Callaway X2Hot 3Deep

Taylormade SLDR Mini (16)

Taylormade RBZ Tour Spoon

Cleveland CG Black

Mizuno JPX

Tour Edge Exotics E8

Cobra Bio Cell

Taylormade SLDR TP

Nike Covert 2.0

Cleveland Classic XL

Adams Tight Lies

 

You get the point. If it was out there, I likely bought it, tried it, sold it. 

 

In the end....the club that has withstood the test of time and outlasted all others is a Ping G20 4w (16.5*) with a Diamana Flowerband Whiteboard 73X, 1/2" under standard loaded with a little lead tape to get the swing weight back up. There's nothing pretty about it AT ALL. It's big and ugly and has the half moon alignment marks on it. It's not the kind of thing I'd ever pick up off the rack or gravitate towards. None of the tech some of the models above have, but man it is just so stinkin good. 

 

So what fairway wood do you have in your bag that nothing else seems to be able to kick out?  Good to be back on WRX, Good to be back into golf. Missed this! 

 

[Newgs]

For what felt like forever I used an Adams Speedline boxer hybrid fairway wood that I won in a raffle at a charity tournament. Used that club until I got my Titleist 917f which I don't see leaving the bag anytime soon. I have not gotten rid of it though...

Edited August 28, 2020 by Newgs

[Hack Daddy]

Tight lies, only cause the hossel could take a bend, and I could pick that thing of any fairway. The BioCell was legit too. 

[Hougz79]

I gamed a Cally Warbird 4W for a few years after HS, loved that thing.  Had the Memphis 10 "uniflex" steel shaft.  Definitely required a smooth swing.  Titleist 909F2 with a Diamana 83X WhiteBoard stayed in my bag from release to 2016.  Absolutely loved that thing.  

[caniac6]

Orlimar TriMetal +

[Willian70]

Callaway X Hot pro 5 wood 19* degrees.  Still in the bag might not ever leave.  

[ChipNRun]

Played with old Tour Edge Bazooka BetaTi 3W and 5W from 2002 to 2008; had Grafalloy light weight stiff shafts. Low profile pair, really worked well for me until I started having trouble in general with stiff shafts.

 

Completely redid my bag in 2008-09 time frame. Got a Calla XTour 3W to match my HyperX Tour driver. Driver worked super, but 3W didn't launch high enough. (Long-term reality: I can handle Tour head in drivers, but not in fairway woods.)

 

I then switched to the TaylorMade stock RBZ 3W/HL and 7W with early 45-gram shaft. These delivered big hooks every third shot. All my other clubs delivered a slight draw, so I traded off the RBZ the following season. (Note: The next season's RBZ Stage 2 FWs with orange trim were much better - had 60-gram shaft - but lost out to Tour Edge XRails).

 

So, counting the brief RBZ adventure, I'm in my ninth season of some variation on 4W + 7W.

The XRails have been the primary weapons, except for a 2.5 year term with the Alpha 815s. After two years of solid hits with the Alphas, I started struggling with them last season. So, the XRails went back in the bag. I'll turn 70 in November, and I think it's time to get lighter shafted long clubs.

 

The XRails have a modest boat-hull sole, and glide through the rough and across the turf with ease. They would probably rank as SGI, and the main drawback is that in good swing seasons I know I'm sacrificing yardage. Hence my two years with the Alphas.

 

A couple of years back I hit some solid shots with a Tour Edge E9 Beta 4W with a 54-gram shaft, but didn't have $300 spare to buy it.

 

Edited August 28, 2020 by ChipNRun
Remove double-post of XRail / Alpha pix.

[spring70]

Bone Stock RBZ Tour 3 wood until last year, that lasted 7 years?, currently have a 917f2, but I am testing a new TEE EXS Pro 15*. I think the TEE is better than RBZ, but i may need to go 4 wood.

[tshirttan408]

RBZ stage one. No good off the deck but a canon off the tee.

[Duffner's Waggle]

30 minutes ago, ChipNRun said:

Played with old Tour Edge Bazooka BetaTi 3W and 5W from 2002 to 2008; had Grafalloy light weight stiff shafts. Low profile pair, really worked well for me until I started having trouble in general with stiff shafts.

 

Completely redid my bag in 2008-09 time frame. Got a Calla XTour 3W to match my HyperX Tour driver. Driver worked super, but 3W didn't launch high enough. (Long-term reality: I can handle Tour head in drivers, but not in fairway woods.)

 

I then switched to the TaylorMade stock RBZ 3W/HL and 7W with early 45-gram shaft. These delivered big hooks every third shot. All my other clubs delivered a slight draw, so I traded off the RBZ the following season. (Note: The next season's RBZ Stage 2 FWs were much better - had 60-gram shaft - but lost out to Tour Edge XRails).

 

So, counting the brief RBZ adventure, I'm in my ninth season of some variation on 4W + 7W. The XRails have been the primary weapons, except for a 2.5 year term with the Alpha 815s. After two years of solid hits with the Alphas, I started struggling with them last season. So, the XRails went back in the bag. I'll turn 70 in November, and I think it's time to get lighter shafted long clubs.

 

The XRails have a modest boat-hull sole, and glide through the rough and across the turf with ease. They would probably rank as SGI, and the main drawback is that in good swing seasons I know I'm sacrificing yardage. Hence my two years with the Alphas.

 

A couple of years back I hit some solid shots with a Tour Edge E9 Beta 4W with a 54-gram shaft, but didn't have $300 spare to buy it.

 

 

This is the kind of fairway wood HO'ing I'm here for! Love it. 

[leftymatt]

Love the thread!

 

I have a Great Big Bertha Ti 4 wood with the Warbird sole ('96 or '97 I think?) that I inherited a while ago and I just can't bring myself to get rid of it. I mess with the top clubs in the bag more than anything and every time I bring this thing back out, I start to think of how much money I could have saved if I just let it be.

 

It has the original firm flex UL graphite shaft that has worked well. Like another post above, it forces me to smooth out the swing a bit - probably a good thing anyway

[driveandputtmachine]

Unfortunately, I started my search for a 3 wood about a year into your search..  I am still searching

Strike through the ones of yours I have missed....

 

Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro

Titleist 915F

Titleist 915Fd

Srixon F45

Ping G25

Titleist 913Fd

Taylormade M2

Taylormade Jetspeed

Taylormade Aeroburner Mini

Ping Rapture 

Callaway X2Hot 3Deep

Taylormade SLDR Mini (16)

Taylormade RBZ Tour Spoon

Cleveland CG Black

Mizuno JPX

Tour Edge Exotics E8

Cobra Bio Cell

Taylormade SLDR TP

Nike Covert 2.0

Cleveland Classic XL

Adams Tight Lies

 

in addition I tried the Cobra LTD, Cobra F8 and F9 (both plus and standard), Rogue, M6, TS2, PXG 341 and 341 X, G 400, regular aeroburner, X hot, X Hot2.

 

Currently auditioning TM M5 and Ping 410.  

 

I am completely distraught now that I know my search has carried on beyond yours, and I have owned at least as many as you have and maybe more.  I think I need to find a fairway woods anonymous group and see if I can cure myself.

Edited August 28, 2020 by driveandputtmachine

[tim583]

G25 4 wood baby. Had that thing since it was new. Change irons like underwear but that 4 wood persists. 

[Nard_S]

 

Carry a McHenry Metals Tour Pure in #5W. Bought a NOS like the one above for $20 several years ago. It replaced my King Cobra #5W (another fine club) after it's S300 shaft failed.

[mizunoMX25]

I played the TM Burner from 2007 to last year when I upgraded to TS2. Still not sure the TS2 is better than the Burner, and have recently been experimenting with the SIM TI 5 wood.

[BlkNGld]

It's ancient by the standards here, but I've yet to find something that's threatened my XHot Pro 4w.

 

That I got it through the goodwill of GolfWRX and Callaway and its longevity make it my all time bang for buck champ.

[RainShadow]

Currently have a Rogue 4 wood with an Atmos Blue TS 70 that I don't see going anywhere.

Prior to that I had Xhot 3 and 5 woods with OG Blueboard 73xct's in them that were incredible. I just can't seem to hit the 3 anymore, but the 5 goes in for certain courses, replacing my 3 hybrid.

[CDLgolf]

I'm still using a Ping g25. I've tried the G, G400 , 2 Taylormade models and a couple Adams but still prefer the g25

[Duffner's Waggle]

45 minutes ago, driveandputtmachine said:

Unfortunately, I started my search for a 3 wood about a year into your search..  I am still searching

Strike through the ones of yours I have missed....

 

Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro

Titleist 915F

Titleist 915Fd

Srixon F45

Ping G25

Titleist 913Fd

Taylormade M2

Taylormade Jetspeed

Taylormade Aeroburner Mini

Ping Rapture 

Callaway X2Hot 3Deep

Taylormade SLDR Mini (16)

Taylormade RBZ Tour Spoon

Cleveland CG Black

Mizuno JPX

Tour Edge Exotics E8

Cobra Bio Cell

Taylormade SLDR TP

Nike Covert 2.0

Cleveland Classic XL

Adams Tight Lies

 

in addition I tried the Cobra LTD, Cobra F8 and F9 (both plus and standard), Rogue, M6, TS2, PXG 341 and 341 X, G 400, regular aeroburner, X hot, X Hot2.

 

Currently auditioning TM M5 and Ping 410.  

 

I am completely distraught now that I know my search has carried on beyond yours, and I have owned at least as many as you have and maybe more.  I think I need to find a fairway woods anonymous group and see if I can cure myself.

Got a couple more in my closet I could add to your list for the right price. I would be a terrible FW Ho Anon sponsor. 
 

but seriously lemme know lol

[jholz]

All of my fw's are relatively ancient. I switch between a 13* Diablo Octane Tour (the ole' Stenson special), a 15* Diablo Edge Tour, and an 18* Mizuno F-50. I don't change clubs often or willingly. 

[Juice1121]

I had a massive 3 wood search that spanned most of the decade, I would say from a broken Titleist 910F in 2012/2013 up through the 2017 M2 which I found in March of 2018 per my WITB thread. My list doesn't look that dissimilar to yours though. 

 

Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro

Titleist 910F

Titleist 910Fd

Ping G25

Ping G30

Titleist 913Fd

Taylormade M2

Taylormade Rocketballz Tour

Taylormade M1

Taylormade Jetspeed

Taylormade Aeroburner Mini

Ping Rapture 

Taylormade V Steel

Callaway X2Hot 3Deep

Cobra LTD

Cobra Baffler

Cobra Bio Cell

Callway Epic SZ

 

 

It got so bad, I didn't bag a fairway for all of 2015. Just cranked a hybrid down as low as it could go. This doesn't even touch the different shafts I have rotated in and out. There's probably a list just as long as this one. 

 

I am thankful every day I look at my M2 HL that I am not looking for anything else. My wallet thanks it as well. 

[Brian8225]

I played a Ping G2 from about 2005 to 2019. It broke last year and now I have a 410LST in the bag. I switch drivers every other week but that 3 wood had almost a 15 year run and I never had a reason to even look at another club. This LST is going nowhere for a long time, absolute rocket off the tee or the deck.

[VNutz]

Ah, memories. What a wonderful reminder of one of the greatest threads from yesteryear.

 

3w had been a revolving door for 5 years or so. Finally went back to a 5Deep about 3 years ago and have been content since. It's not perfect, I'd like something perhaps a little easier off the deck, but it's not difficult by any means. Great combination of higher loft, deeper face for lower spin and a taller face to be great off the tee. I've been temped by others, but she's still my main squeeze, for now. ?

[Golfingfanatic]

Still using a TaylorMade M2 Deep Face 16.5°. The best fairway wood in the last 10 years imo.

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Duffner's Waggle said:

I wanna hear about the oldies but goodies that never fully make it out of your bag, no matter what else you try. 

 

Some of you may remember my 3-wood exploits from many years ago. I tried everything once. It was a crazy time. I'm not proud. 

 

I tried:

 

Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro

Titleist 915F

Titleist 915Fd

Srixon F45

Ping G25

Titleist 913Fd

Taylormade M2

Taylormade Jetspeed

Taylormade Aeroburner Mini

Ping Rapture 

Callaway X2Hot 3Deep

Taylormade SLDR Mini (16)

Taylormade RBZ Tour Spoon

Cleveland CG Black

Mizuno JPX

Tour Edge Exotics E8

Cobra Bio Cell

Taylormade SLDR TP

Nike Covert 2.0

Cleveland Classic XL

Adams Tight Lies

 

You get the point. If it was out there, I likely bought it, tried it, sold it. 

 

In the end....the club that has withstood the test of time and outlasted all others is a Ping G20 4w (16.5*) with a Diamana Flowerband Whiteboard 73X, 1/2" under standard loaded with a little lead tape to get the swing weight back up. There's nothing pretty about it AT ALL. It's big and ugly and has the half moon alignment marks on it. It's not the kind of thing I'd ever pick up off the rack or gravitate towards. None of the tech some of the models above have, but man it is just so stinkin good. 

 

So what fairway wood do you have in your bag that nothing else seems to be able to kick out?  Good to be back on WRX, Good to be back into golf. Missed this! 

 

I let the best 3 wood I ever had go like an idiot. It was a Ping Tisi tec 14* and it had a tour rfo hosel. (flat + open) Literally never missed the center of the face. But like an idiot I got rid of it for a Tour Edge Exotic CB2. Still kicking myself for that one.

[cobra18]

F6 Baffler with a Proforce V2....i never hit a dreadful shot with it. I hit some poor shots, but never anything that instantly turns the hole into a failure. It is also so good out of the rough that i honestly don't know what i would replace it with....

[Hack Daddy]

3 hours ago, Willian70 said:

Callaway X Hot pro 5 wood 19* degrees.  Still in the bag might not ever leave.  

 

My buddy has an entirely new bag, but refuses to give up his x hot 3/5 lol.

[Hack Daddy]

4 minutes ago, cobra18 said:

F6 Baffler with a Proforce V2....i never hit a dreadful shot with it. I hit some poor shots, but never anything that instantly turns the hole into a failure. It is also so good out of the rough that i honestly don't know what i would replace it with....

 

Oh man, I had a baffler with a v2 96 that didn't go very far, but was laser straight. It was amazing off the tee.

[Albatross85]

Titleist TS2 is as good as anything ever made. Had one for almost 2 years and just got kicked out by a SIM ti which is way too long in reality but its just too good. The twist face stuff actually works and it is always in the fairway. Stupid long though, probably within 10 paces of my driver if i hit them both on the screws. 

Edited August 28, 2020 by Albatross85

[sailfishchris]

I am boring:

Titleist 910 F  -2010/2016 w Diamana  Blue Board

Ping G30  -2017/2018 same Diamana Blue Board  

Ping G400   -2018/ (current) Tensei Pro Range