Ever stand on the tee box, eyeing that long par 5, and wish you had a secret weapon in your bag? That magic club, the one that sails down the fairway with perfect distance and accuracy, is often your 5-wood. But finding that perfect club can feel like searching for a lost golf ball in thick rough. The market is flooded with choices! You see different lofts, sole designs, and shaft flexes, and suddenly, choosing the right 5-wood feels like rocket science.
This confusion stops right here. A properly fitted 5-wood can be your most reliable club for long approaches and tricky second shots. It bridges the gap between your driver and your longer irons, offering control when you need distance the most. We know you want to stop slicing those long shots or topping the ball when you need to reach the green in two.
Inside this guide, we cut through the jargon. We will break down exactly what makes a great 5-wood work for your game. You will learn the key features to look for so you can confidently select the club that adds yards and precision to your scorecard. Get ready to transform those long holes from stressful challenges into opportunities for birdies. Let’s dive into the top 5 fairway woods that are dominating the links right now.
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.
- 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.
- Fitted standard with our low-torque Pinemeadow Graphite Shaft for the same $54.95 value
- Unbelievable feel and forgiveness. Ultimately the most playable club we carry
- Compare features, performance and price to Adams(R) Tight Lies at $199
- Suited best for: All golfers especially those who want to drop some of the longer harder to hit irons
- 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
- WIDE RANGE OF LOFTS – Attack the green from nearly anywhere on the course with the Escape HL fairway woods with lofts ranging from 15-37 degrees. Available from a #3 to a #15 wood (or the equivalent of a 7 or 8 iron).
- WRAP-AROUND FACE CONSTRUCTION - Features an ultra-thin, variable thickness face to boost ball speed and distance.
- PROGRESSIVE INTERNAL HEEL WEIGHTING - Assist into squaring the face up at impact and producing a draw enhancing ball flight
- SHANK-PROOF DESIGN - Golfers who tend to shank (or hit in toward or on the hosel) will find high-lofted fairway woods to be extremely helpful. These clubs have a face-forward design and are essentially shank-proof.
- [SPECS] Men’s 5 Wood Golf Club, Right Handed, 19 degrees loft, 42 inches, 100%, ultra-light graphite Orlimar Escape regular flex shaft, Orlimar custom rubber grip. HEADCOVER INCLUDED
- 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.
- Legendary Great Big Bertha Distance from an Innovative, Lightweight Design
- Forged Carbon Sole & Triaxial Carbon Crown Increase MOI
- High Ball Speeds from Jailbreak Speed Frame
- Lower Spin from an A.I. Designed Flash Face
Choosing Your Champion: The Essential 5-Wood Buying Guide
The 5-wood is a versatile club. It helps golfers hit long shots from the fairway or the tee box. 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 in a 5-Wood
When you shop, focus on a few important parts of the club. These features affect how the ball flies.
Loft Angle
The loft is the angle of the clubface. Most 5-woods have a loft between 18 and 19 degrees. A lower loft sends the ball farther but requires a faster swing speed. A slightly higher loft makes the ball easier to get in the air. Think about your swing speed when choosing the loft.
Shaft Flex
The shaft flex describes how much the shaft bends during your swing. Common flex options include Ladies (L), Seniors (A or R), Regular (R), Stiff (S), and Extra Stiff (X). If you swing slower, choose a softer flex like Regular or Senior. Faster swingers need Stiff or Extra Stiff shafts for better control.
Head Size and Shape
Modern 5-woods often have larger heads than older models. Larger heads offer more forgiveness. This means off-center hits still travel reasonably well. Look for a shallow face if you struggle to get the ball airborne easily. Deeper faces suit players who hit down on the ball more.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used in the club construction affect its weight, durability, and feel.
Clubhead Materials
- Stainless Steel: This is a common, durable, and affordable material. It offers a solid feel.
- Titanium: Titanium heads are lighter. This allows manufacturers to put more weight lower in the club. This design helps launch the ball higher. Titanium usually costs more.
Shaft Materials
- Graphite: Graphite shafts are lightweight. They help increase clubhead speed, which adds distance. Most fairway woods use graphite shafts.
- Steel: Steel shafts are heavier. They provide more control and are often preferred by very strong players or those who use steel shafts in their irons.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all 5-woods perform the same. Certain design elements boost performance, while others might hold you back.
Forgiveness Technology
High-quality 5-woods include technology that minimizes distance loss on mishits. Look for features like weight placed low and deep in the clubhead. This design promotes a higher launch angle. Some clubs use thin faces to increase the “trampoline effect,” which sends the ball farther.
Sole Design
The sole is the bottom of the club. A well-designed sole helps the club glide smoothly through grass and rough. Wide, rounded soles are excellent for hitting off the fairway or out of light rough. Narrower soles might suit players who dig into the turf.
User Experience and Use Cases
Consider where and how you plan to use your 5-wood.
Fairway Play
The primary use for a 5-wood is hitting long shots from the fairway. You need a club that launches easily from the short grass. Good sole design prevents the club from snagging in the turf.
Tee Shots
Many golfers use their 5-wood off the tee on shorter par 4s or when accuracy is more important than maximum distance. If you use it often from the tee, ensure the face feels stable at impact.
Hitting Out of Trouble
A forgiving 5-wood helps when you are in light rough. The wider sole helps the club slide under the ball rather than digging in. This rescue ability is a huge benefit.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a 5-Wood
Q: How far should a good 5-wood go?
A: Average amateur golfers often hit their 5-wood between 180 and 210 yards. Your distance depends heavily on your swing speed and the loft of the club.
Q: Should I buy a 3-wood or a 5-wood?
A: A 3-wood is harder to hit consistently and goes farther. A 5-wood is generally easier to launch high and control. Beginners should start with a 5-wood or 7-wood.
Q: What is the ideal shaft flex for a mid-handicapper?
A: Most mid-handicap players (those shooting around 90-100) benefit most from a Regular (R) or possibly a Stiff (S) shaft, depending on their swing speed.
Q: Can I use a 5-wood instead of a hybrid?
A: Yes, you can. A 5-wood is better for pure distance off the fairway. A hybrid is generally easier to hit from thicker rough or uneven lies.
Q: Does the clubhead size really matter for forgiveness?
A: Yes, it does. Larger heads typically move the weight farther back, which increases the Moment of Inertia (MOI) and makes the club more forgiving.
Q: How important is the shaft length?
A: Shaft length affects leverage and swing speed. A slightly shorter shaft gives you more control but less potential distance. Standard lengths are usually fine unless you are unusually tall or short.
Q: Should I buy used or new?
A: New clubs offer the latest technology. Used clubs offer great value, especially if you are just starting out or testing the waters with a 5-wood.
Q: What is the difference between a strong 5-wood and a weak 5-wood?
A: A strong 5-wood has less loft (closer to 17 degrees), acting almost like a 4-wood. A weak 5-wood has more loft (closer to 20 degrees), making it easier to hit high.
Q: How can I test if a 5-wood fits me?
A: Always try to hit the club on a launch monitor or at a driving range. Pay attention to how easily you get the ball airborne and how straight the shots fly.
Q: Are adjustable fairway woods worth the extra money?
A: Adjustable features allow you to slightly change the loft or lie angle. This is great for golfers who want to fine-tune their setup without buying a whole new club.