Have you ever stood on the tee box, staring down a long par 5, and wished you had a secret weapon in your bag? That secret weapon often lives in the form of a 5-wood. This club sits in a tricky spot. It’s longer than your irons but shorter than your driver, making it crucial for those in-between shots. Many golfers find choosing the perfect 5-wood a real headache. Should it be low lofted for maximum distance, or higher for more forgiveness? The wrong choice can leave you short of the green or hacking out of the rough.
Finding the right 5-wood can unlock incredible potential in your game. It offers the power you need to attack longer holes but with better control than you might expect. We understand the confusion that comes with shafts, head shapes, and lofts. This guide cuts through the noise. By the end of this post, you will know exactly what features matter most for your swing speed and playing style.
Get ready to upgrade your long game. We are diving deep into the best 5-woods available today, breaking down what makes them shine. Let’s explore the features that will help you hit the fairway with confidence on every swing.
Top 5 Fairway Wood Recommendations
- Dual rebound channels help generate more distance combined with gorgeous eye-catching cosmetics.
- Precision forged alloy construction for performance and durability.
- Blackout Max Shaft: Matching lightweight graphite shaft with a soft Powerbilt custom rubber grip.
- Headcover Included - Includes a matching form fitting head retro cover for maximum protection.
- #5 Wood Specs: Loft: 21 degrees, square face angle, Length: 42.25 inches, Flex: Regular. Backed by One-Year manufacturer’s warranty.
- The Rogue ST MAX D is our first dedicated draw fairway wood. It's the highest launching fairway wood in our lineup and utilizes a slightly closed face, more upright lie angle and additional weight in the heel to promote a powerful draw. This model will fit players who need the most shot shape correction in their fairway wood.
- To inspire confidence and generate incredible ball speed. - By shifting opti-face technology lower, we have redefined the COR area and placed it just below the center face.
- Respectively, these features boost speed on low face shots and promote consistently accurate alignment. Continuing the legacy of the V Steel technology, the Qi10 Fairway's sole design improves turf interaction and versatility
- The Qi10 Fairway incorporates proven TaylorMade technologies such as the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket and laser etched topline. Respectively, these features boost speed on low face shots and promote consistently accurate alignment.
- This innovative approach results in high ball speeds, even when contacted low on the face. - The Qi10 Fairway incorporates proven TaylorMade technologies such as the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket and laser etched topline.
- By shifting opti-face technology lower, we have redefined the COR area and placed it just below the center face. This innovative approach results in high ball speeds, even when contacted low on the face.
- New Step Sole for Efficient Turf Interaction & Improved Center Face Contact. Engineered for cleaner contact, the new Step Sole reduces the sole contact area by 57% vs. a traditional sole design. * This minimizes skidding and drag, ensuring smoother, more solid strikes. Developed through extensive studies with tour players, this sole shape delivers better turf interaction for consistent results.
- All New Tungsten Speed Wave For Fast Ball Speeds Low on the Face. Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g suspended weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face – a typical miss for most players.
- Designed For Players Seeking a Neutral Ball Flight. The Elyte model is the best combination of distance and forgiveness, providing a high launch with low spin and a neutral ball flight for players seeking reliable performance.
- Ai 10X Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion. Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
- Multi-Material Construction. A larger 190cc head design features precision weighting and strategic CG placement for explosive distance, enhanced forgivness and high launch.
- New V Steel Design. An updated V Steel design redistributes weight to enhance forgiveness while maintaining low CG properties. A depressed heel and toe minimize sole area, adding to V Steel's turf interaction and versatility benefits.
- C300 Steel Twist Face. High-strength C300 steel allows for a strong fast face engineered for explosive ball speeds, paired with Twist Face technology to overcome inherent golfer tendencies on miss-hits for straighter shots.
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility, preservation of ball speed and distance, especially on low face strikes.
- WIDE RANGE OF LOFTS - The Orlimar Escape Fairway Woods are a series of specialty clubs all the way to a 15-wood! Long before there were hybrid golf clubs, high-lofted fairway woods existed to cover a wide range of distance overlapping hybrids and irons
- SHALLOW FACE HEIGHT - Extracts the ball even from tight lies in the fairway yet promotes accuracy and confidence for those not as comfortable with hybrids or irons as much as their fairway woods
- LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY - Orlimar Escape fairways feature a shallow face height to launch the ball high and allow the golf ball to land softly on the green
- SOLD INDIVIDUALLY - Escape fairways can be purchased as a set or as a single specialty club(s) for that shot on your home course; Covers distances from traditional #3 wood down to an 8 or 9 iron; Includes matching form fitting head cover
- WOOD SPECS Loft: 19 degrees, 0.5° closed face angle, Length: 42.5 inches, Flex: Regular, Shaft: Orlimar Escape Superlite 60 graphite, Grip: Orlimar custom velvet
- Multi-Material Construction. A larger 190cc head design features precision weighting and strategic CG placement for explosive distance, enhanced forgivness and high launch.
- New V Steel Design. An updated V Steel design redistributes weight to enhance forgiveness while maintaining low CG properties. A depressed heel and toe minimize sole area, adding to V Steel's turf interaction and versatility benefits.
- C300 Steel Twist Face. High-strength C300 steel allows for a strong fast face engineered for explosive ball speeds, paired with Twist Face technology to overcome inherent golfer tendencies on miss-hits for straighter shots.
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility, preservation of ball speed and distance, especially on low face strikes.
- Powerful Face Cup for extreme distance
- Carbon Crown for high MOI and forgiveness
- Shallow profile for easy launch
Choosing Your Perfect 5-Wood: A Buyer’s Guide
The 5-wood is a fantastic club. It helps golfers hit the ball long distances from the fairway or the tee. It is often easier to hit than a driver for many players. Finding the right one makes a big difference in your game. This guide helps you pick the best 5-wood for you.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a 5-wood, several features matter most. These features help the club perform well for your swing.
Loft and Distance
Loft is the angle of the clubface. A standard 5-wood usually has about 18 to 19 degrees of loft. More loft means the ball flies higher and shorter. Less loft makes the ball fly lower and farther. Think about how high you usually hit the ball. If you need more carry, look for a slightly higher loft.
Shaft Flexibility (Flex)
The shaft flex is crucial. It matches how fast you swing the club. Slower swing speeds need a more flexible shaft, like ‘Senior’ or ‘Regular’. Faster swingers benefit from ‘Stiff’ or ‘Extra Stiff’ shafts. Using the wrong flex wastes distance and accuracy.
Head Size and Shape
Modern 5-woods often have larger heads than older models. Larger heads feel more forgiving on off-center hits. Look for a shape that looks good to you at address. Some heads are deeper, and some are shallower. Shallow faces help get the ball up quickly from tight lies.
Important Materials in a 5-Wood
The materials used in the clubhead and shaft affect weight, strength, and feel.
Clubhead Materials
Most modern 5-woods use stainless steel or titanium for the body. Titanium is lighter. This lightness lets engineers move weight to the sole of the club. Sole weighting helps launch the ball high. Some premium clubs use carbon fiber in the crown (top) to save even more weight.
Shaft Materials
Shafts are usually made from graphite or steel. Graphite shafts are lighter. They help golfers gain swing speed easily. Steel shafts are heavier. They offer more control for players who generate high swing speeds.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good design makes a club better. Poor design causes problems.
Factors That Improve Quality
Weight distribution is key. Moving weight low and back in the head helps launch the ball high. This feature is called a ‘low and deep center of gravity (CG)’. Also, good grooves on the face help grip the ball, especially in wet conditions. A club with excellent feel—how solid it sounds and feels at impact—is usually higher quality.
Factors That Reduce Quality
A very hard-to-hit club usually has weight placed too far forward. This reduces forgiveness. Clubs with very thin faces might break down faster over time. Also, if a shaft is too light for your swing, you lose control easily, which reduces the club’s quality for your game.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the 5-wood determines what you need.
For Tee Shots
Many golfers use the 5-wood off the tee on shorter par 4s. A forgiving head helps keep the ball in play when you do not want to pull out the driver. Look for a larger head if you use it often off the tee.
From the Fairway
This is the main job of the 5-wood. You need a club that launches the ball well from the grass. A shallower face helps the club glide through the turf without digging too deep. Good feedback tells you exactly where you struck the ball on the face.
From the Rough
A good 5-wood can escape deep rough. The sole of the club must be designed to cut through long grass without snagging. Test how the club moves through thicker grass before you buy.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a 5-Wood
Q: What is the main difference between a 3-wood and a 5-wood?
A: The 5-wood has more loft than the 3-wood. This means the 5-wood flies higher and travels a shorter distance than the 3-wood.
Q: Should I get a steel or graphite shaft in my 5-wood?
A: Most golfers choose graphite shafts for fairway woods. Graphite shafts are lighter, helping you swing faster and hit the ball farther.
Q: How much forgiveness do I need in a 5-wood?
A: Forgiveness is very important in fairway woods. Look for a larger head and a low center of gravity. This helps keep your shots straight when you miss the center of the face.
Q: Can I use a 5-wood instead of a hybrid?
A: Yes, many players prefer a 5-wood over a long hybrid (like a 3-hybrid). The 5-wood usually travels farther, but the hybrid is often easier to hit from the ground.
Q: What is a good swing speed for a Regular flex shaft?
A: A Regular flex shaft usually works well for golfers swinging between 75 and 90 miles per hour.
Q: How important is the club’s sole design?
A: The sole design is very important. A well-shaped sole helps the club move smoothly through the grass, preventing the club from digging too much.
Q: Should I buy a 5-wood with adjustable weights?
A: Adjustable weights let you move the weight around to fine-tune your launch or reduce a slice or hook. They offer customization, which is a nice feature.
Q: What loft should I look for if I struggle to get the ball in the air?
A: If you struggle with height, choose a 5-wood with a higher loft, perhaps 19 degrees or even 20 degrees.
Q: How often should I replace my 5-wood?
A: Fairway woods do not need replacing as often as drivers. If the technology on new models offers significant distance gains or better forgiveness, replacing it every 4 to 6 years is reasonable.
Q: What is the best way to test a 5-wood before buying?
A: Always use a launch monitor if possible. Hit the club on both the tee and the fairway. Pay close attention to how the ball flies and how the club feels at impact.