Fairway Wood Fitting
A fairway wood has to perform off a tee and off turf, which makes sole design just as important as shaft flex. Our switchable-firmness mat tests both without needing two different range days.
One Mat, Two Firmness Settings
Our hitting mat switches between a firm setting that mimics baked-out summer fairways and a softer setting closer to an irrigated winter course — both common conditions in a single Mesa golf season.
Sole width and camber matter here as much as flex; a narrow sole that digs on the firm setting will cost distance no matter how well the shaft is matched.
What We Check During This Fitting
Attack Angle
A downward strike calls for a different loft and CG placement than a sweeping, level approach off the deck.
Sole Camber & Width
A wider, more cambered sole slides through turf more forgivingly on the firm mat setting; a narrower sole suits steeper players.
Shaft Weight & Flex
Lighter shafts increase swing speed but can lose stability on off-center strikes — we test that trade-off directly on-screen.
Get a Fairway Wood That Works From Both Lies
Sessions run 45–60 minutes and include both mat-firmness settings, not just a single tee-only comparison.