TAYLORMADE Burner Super Fast Fairway

The new TaylorMade Burner Superfast Fairway metals are designed to offer more distance by increasing swing speed. It’s got a lightweight, extra long shaft and a large clubhead and face. At 200cc, it’s the largest fairway head in the TaylorMade line.

I wonder, though, if the extra speed you gain through the longer shaft will be offset—in terms of scoring—by less accuracy. Whenever accuracy is demanded off the tee, the traditional advice has been to bag the driver and use the three wood. The higher loft and shorter shaft theoretically would produce a better result than the longer, but less accurate driver.

CALLAWAY Big Bertha Diablo Fairway Wood with Graphite Shaft-Neutral

Callaway’s Edge Technology takes advantage of weight placement within the all-stainless steel clubhead of this Diablo Fairway Wood. By strategically shaping the head, Callaway engineers attempted to produce Draw and Neutral options that golfers can choose to match with their swing type and shot shape. Callaway says that it also helps golfers release the club at impact with full power, especially when swinging aggressively. And of course, the club has Callaway’s Variable Face and Short Hosel design technologies.

Acer XK Draw Fairway Woods - Clubhead

Adding a draw bias to the design of the Acer XK Fairway woods, this club incorporates a number of technologies previously found only in big name clubs. The variable face thickness reduces the perimeter area of the impact area so the entire club face could be more active. This, Hireko says, acts to increase the area of forgiveness over a larger portion of the face. The clubs also have a VCT (variable crown technology) that moves unwanted weight normally reserved for the crown was repositioned deep within the head. Finally, Hireko says, the wide profile increases the Moment of Inertia. All these features provide for a high launching ball flight with incredible accuracy.

One thing I really like about these clubs is that they offer a 4-wood option. That something you dont’ see much of any more. But a 4 wood is a great option for players who want just one fairway wood in their bag—freeing up space for another wedge or a utility club, or even a second putter (something I’ve considered).

Acer Mantara Fairway Woods - Custom Assembled

The rather strange look of the Acer XP Mantara Fairway is designed to maximizes control to produce both long and straight shots from anywhere on the face. The unique sole configuration assists this wide profile design to glide easily through any rough and even tight fairways. The hosel has been repositioned closer to the face than a normal fairway wood to be more in line with the leading edge of the face for a more square alignment to the ball at address.

Best of all, it’s selling for just $44.95

NIKE Dymo Squared Fairway

These days, geometry rules in golf club design. The Nike Dymo line offers clubs that are supposed to offer maximum stability and distance on off center hits. Nike says that the four separate quadrants on the sole minimize interaction with the turf at impact, making it easier to get the ball in the air from any lie, control the head through the impact zone and hit it straighter and farther with confidence. Square geometry delivers exceptional stability and control. Weight positioned to the corners moves the CG ( center of gravity ) back, resulting in easy power that is straight and long. Round geometry highlights the players need for precision. The CG placement, combined with the softer Quad Keel design, delivers workable performance.

Power Play Caiman Rawpower Fairway Wood - Custom Assembled

With the Power Play Caiman Woods, Hireko Golf offers an original design with top technology at a value price.

The clubface is an ultra-thin maraging steel face insert that Hireko says increases the ball speed coming off of the face to approach the legal COR limit for spring-like effect. In addition to the “hot” face Hireko employs a “cup face” technology which moves the weld significantly behind the face to create a greater trampoline effect over the entire hitting surface. This results in greater distance no matter where the ball makes its impact on the face. 

To increase playability without sacrificing accuracy, the clubhead has been designed a little heavier to increase the contact relative to the increased club length. This, Hireko says, makes the club feel and play like a low lofted 5 wood, with the distance of a three wood.

Combined with the unique geometric shape Hireko moved as much weight deep in the rear of the club as possible to create a very highest moment of inertia possible with a clubhead this size.

You can get this club in a stock shaft for $59.95. Custom stock and grip options are available.

Cobra S9-1 F Men’s Driver

Considering Geoff Ogilvy’s rise to become one of the top two or three players in the world, it’s surprising that the clubs he plays—Cobra—don’t get more love. Perhaps it’s that Cobra has always lived in the shadow of its sibling, Titleist. Titleist has always the cachet of being a serious players’ club, so Cobra pales in comparison.

The new Cobra S-9 has a “nine points design” that’s supposed to distribute the hot spots across the face of the driver. The center of gravity is supposed to improve launch, spin and ball flight.

But what I find interesting about the design is that Cobra talks about “bulge and roll,” two terms you don’t hear much about these days. In the days of persimmon woods, bulge and roll helped work the “gear effect.” That means that shots hit off the heel or toe will have a tendency to curve back to center. That reduces the variance of the ball spin.