Fairway Wood Fitting
A fairway wood has to work off a tee and off a deck lie, and those are two different demands on the sole. We test both inside the room instead of hoping one range mat covers both cases.
Firm and Soft, Back to Back
Our hitting mat swaps between a firm setting that mimics a sun-baked fairway lie and a softer setting closer to a rain-softened lie after a summer storm. Sole glide reads differently on each, and a head that feels great off one setting can bite and stall on the other.
We test every candidate wood on both, then chart which sole shape stays consistent regardless of turf firmness.
What We're Actually Comparing
Sole Width & Camber
A wider, more rounded sole tends to forgive a fat strike on soft turf; a narrower sole often wins on tight, firm lies.
Loft Gapping to the Driver
We check the carry gap against your driver first, since a fairway wood that's too close in distance just duplicates a club you already own.
Shaft Weight & Launch
Lighter shafts tend to add clubhead speed off the deck; heavier shafts often tighten dispersion at the cost of a few yards.
Dial In the Gap Between Driver and Irons
Sessions run 45–60 minutes and cover tee and deck testing on every candidate head.