Low-profile, forgiving, easy to launch fairway woods

[North Butte]

On 6/24/2021 at 11:29 AM, MaineMariner said:

Callaway Mavrik Max has a nice shallow profile that hugs the ground. It's ridiculously easy to launch. In fact, I'm currently switching the shaft out in mine because I find it launches too high. It definitely has a larger footprint than most, FWIW.

 

I'm not sure how to describe the sound. I wouldn't call it "tinny", but I also don't think it's as deep and muted as the Cobra F9 I have. Solid crack is what I'd say.

I've got just one round under my belt with a Mavrik Max 7-wood. Definitely easy to hit straight and get up in the air (after all it's a 21-degree 7-wood!) but not as high flight as the Ping G25 7-wood I had years ago. 

 

Supposedly draw biased and I certainly didn't hit any slices or fade with it but then again I didn't hit any hooks or even hard draws. Couple dead straight shots, couple shots that looked like a slight draw initially but then kind of straightened out.

 

I'm not good at listening to the finer points of sound. Sounds about like my Taylormade M6 5-wood I guess. Certainly no louder than the M6 and not especially high pitched. 

[drumdude96]

On 6/24/2021 at 9:36 AM, ChristopherMcDonald said:

Alright guys need some help. I'm looking for some fairway woods to potentially replace my 2007 Burner Fairways. 

 

Short list of wants:

1. Low Profile - specifically a shallow face; not opposed to a slightly larger footprint.

2. Easy to hit/Forgiving - Apparently I still need some help getting the ball in the air. My miss is low on the face 

3. Preferably from the last couple of years to benefit from whatever tech advancements have been out there.

4. Sound - preferably a muted/solid/less tinny type of sound (Cobra LTD's sound great, but I can't hit them to save my life)

 

EDIT: Please do your best to avoid dropping in your favorite better-players-club. I'm a 20 handicap and almost all of my strokes are lost off the tee/long second shots. 

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Well, if you can check your ego at the door, Callaway B21, Tour Edge Hot Launch, and Cobra MAX.  You will not find anything easier to hit than those.  Mavrik Max is probably pretty good too, but anything with "Sub Zero" in the name is a no-no if you need help with launch and forgiveness.  If you can demo the B21's, they are really nice.  They get in the air easily and help to mitigate fades and slices if you fight that sort of shot shape.  The Hot Launch and Cobra MAX clubs are in the same ballpark.  Most of the stuff I saw mentioned in the first several posts would be better in the hands of a mid to low capper. 

[Valtiel]

On 6/24/2021 at 7:57 AM, ChristopherMcDonald said:

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't the LST heads lower spin and therefore less forgiving/harder to get up?

It is important to understand that while the "LST" models in both driver and fairway are indeed designed to be "lower spinning", that is in relation to PING's core design and not an any type of standard among woods. PING currently uses a very shallow faced fairway design which will always be higher launching and spinning on average over a deeper face design, even with a more forward CG. 

Another good way of looking at it is to compare some recent driver models, lets use the SIM MAX, G400 MAX, and G400 LST. The SIM MAX is actually more similar and even lower spinning than the 400 LST, with the G400 MAX being in a completely different category with a ~15% higher MOI. "MAX" for both companies means their most forgiving model, but that is only relative. 

[SwingMan]

On 6/24/2021 at 9:36 AM, ChristopherMcDonald said:

Alright guys need some help. I'm looking for some fairway woods to potentially replace my 2007 Burner Fairways. 

 

Short list of wants:

1. Low Profile - specifically a shallow face; not opposed to a slightly larger footprint.

2. Easy to hit/Forgiving - Apparently I still need some help getting the ball in the air. My miss is low on the face 

3. Preferably from the last couple of years to benefit from whatever tech advancements have been out there.

4. Sound - preferably a muted/solid/less tinny type of sound (Cobra LTD's sound great, but I can't hit them to save my life)

 

EDIT: Please do your best to avoid dropping in your favorite better-players-club. I'm a 20 handicap and almost all of my strokes are lost off the tee/long second shots. 

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Tour Edge EXS 220 is a candidate

[Kevmonton]

On 6/24/2021 at 10:42 AM, ChristopherMcDonald said:

Unfortunately I won't be able to hit the more forgiving cobra offerings at my fitting but I can probably get my hands on some at Roger Dunn.

 

Never really got along with the ping fairways, the sound being a big issue

If you are hung up on the sound put about 4 grams of hot melt toward the rear of the head and buy a lighter sole weight from Maltby golf.  Will perform the same and sound better.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

OP, your fairway requirements are very similar to mine. I've hit the Mavrik and liked it, and the only thing stopping me from getting it was the price.

Another option you might want to consider is the PRGR Egg. Here is a link to their latest model, but you could also try to find older used models. Supposed to be very easy to launch.

PRGR Egg fairway woods

JDM, though, so I don't know about availability where you are. They do have an agent in the USA (click the Agency link at the top of page).

[JAMH03]

First of all being a 20 handicap doesn't always give an accurate picture. Many 20 handicaps hit the ball like 12 handicaps or better, just not as consistently or the higher caps sometimes lack finesse.

2007 Burner is a dang good utilitarian fairway wood how did those serve you?



What did you like or dislike was there anything you wanted different other than a new coat of paint? How comfortable were you with the shaft you played in them? What shaft do you have in your driver how does that fit? What's your driver SS?

Are you adverse to buying pre-owned clubs?

My gut instinct is that choosing something similar to those but slightly newer would be the way to go.

Beyond that 9:10 times people decide on issues other than fit.

So budget and tastes really have to be considered.

What's your budget? What style or tastes do you have?

From my point of view to fit the OP's main requests this is where you'd have to go.

More loft:
Less length:
A shaft that fits your swing 


I'm guessing that the Cobra's are out, presumably TM are not high on the list because you didn't ask about them at all.

I agree with the posters above Ping, Callaway, Tour edge are the way to go.

Were it me I'd look at Tour Edge, Mizuno, Adams, Ping Callaway my focus would be on the loft of the head and fit of the shaft both in length and how well I square it up.

I'd like to hear how it goes

Edit*

Sound is very personal. I missed that in the OP 
I'd lean towards titanium faces if you can at all. 
 

Edited June 26, 2021 by JAMH03