What is the Most Forgiving 3 Wood in 2021?

In this review post we’re going to compare 3 woods to find the most forgiving one.

I think you’ll agree with me when I say:

It’s REALLY hard to consistently and accurately hit long shots on the fairway.

Or is it?

Well, it turns out, you can dramattically increase your shot consistency on the fairway by adding one simple club to your arsenal…

…a club that’s designed to be more forgiving and vastly increase your margin of error.

And in today’s article I’m going to show you what the most forgiving 3 wood are…and exactly how you can easily choose the best one for you.

Let’s dive in.

The Most Forgiving 3 Woods are:

At a glance: Out top picks of most forgiving 3 woods

3 Woods Buying Guide

Let’s examine the factors that make a club forgiving or non-forgiving, emphasizing the technical parameters and elements.

Also, let’s will explain why someone should or shouldn’t search and obtain forgiving fairway wood.

This guide is aimed at beginners, but experienced players should also go through it; you can always learn something new and interesting.

Quick Glossary

Moment of Inertia (MOI) – please see the video below for a short explanation of the concept.

Center of Gravity (CG/CoG) – read more about it here.

The center of gravity on a golf club refers to the place where all the points of balance on a golf club intersect. It helps determine how easy it is to create ideal launch conditions for a golf shot.

Coefficient of restitution (COR) – read more about it here.

Does a fairway wood or iron have a very high COR? Then there is less energy loss at impact with the golf ball compared to a fairway wood or iron with a lower COR.

Forgiveness of Fairway Woods

Here is a problem: Fairway woods are often difficult to master and are very unforgiving. Generally speaking, beginners often have a hard time using the fairway, due to its club shape and long shafts.

With the introduction of hybrid golf clubs, people forgot about fairway woods, at least those fairways that are above 5.

Manufacturers noticed this trend, and thus they started producing fairways that will attract high handicappers and beginners. That is why you will see some many technologies been introduced to the world of fairways, like the Jailbreak technology, Face Cup Technology, Inverted Cone Technology, and so forth.

All these technologies are introduced for one particular reason: to enhance the fairway’s forgiveness.

In short, they are designed for people who struggle with swing speed and swing technique. Such clubs have larger sweet spots, add distance to beginners and high handicappers, and are often very light.

3 Wood Adjustability

When it comes to 3 wood, adjustability often refers to loft angle. Golf clubs can have adjustable hosels (like the Callaway Men’s Great Big Bertha) or weights.

Though it might not concern beginners, those who have golfing experience and play a mid handcap will appreciate the fact that they can fine tune their 3 wood according to their game style, golf course terrain, environmental conditions, and so forth.

Also, movable or adjustable weights help shift the center of gravity, allowing you to have more control over the ball’s trajectory and distance. If you seek extra control over your game, go to the golf club’s that grant you adjustability.

However, if you are total beginners, do not worry about these things, ing unless you want to try adjusting 3 wood, which is certainly recommendable.

Other Technical Factors

There are a lot of elements you should consider when you decide on 3 wood club. Firstly, make sure that you order right or left handed version. Secondly, decide on flex option (if the options are available).

If you seek maximum distance and feel, go for the soft flex option. It just means that the shaft will flex more upon impact, and help you add distance. But, if you don’t struggle with swing power, go for the stiff flex.

Also, take a closer look at the product’s design, colors, head size, crown shape, and so forth. The clubs we reviewed often feature oversized, driver-like head, and as such grant more forgiveness and more MOI.

You should also consider the club’s weight, consistency, and naturally, the price. Though we technically advise you on the price (your budget is your budget), if you are a beginner, we suggest you go for the cheaper clubs.

Such clubs often features a simple design, offer decent durability, and are easy to use and less challenging to master.

Our Top Picks for Most Forgiving 3 Woods

IMAGE

PRODUCT

DETAILS

Callaway Golf 2018 Men's Rogue Fairway Wood, Right Hand, Synergy, 60G Shaft, Regular Flex, 3 Wood, 15 Degrees
  • Offers exceptional levels of forgiveness even on difficult shots and lies
  • Comes with several technologies that boosts speed and distance
  • The stylish design makes it cut through wind easily
  • Stainless-steel face offers you perfect sound, feel and feedback even on center shots
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Men's Fairway Wood
  • Sturdy, durable and eye-catching design and finish offers you durability and good looks on the course
  • Large clubface and Inverted Cone Technology offers you exceptional amounts of forgiveness on difficult shots
  • Features Geoacoustic engineering for excellent feel and sound
  • Offers you an excellent value for money
Callaway Men's Great Big Bertha #3 Fairway Wood (Right Hand, Graphite, Stiff Flex, Kuro Kage 50g, 15 Degrees)
  • It comes with a large clubhead for increased MOI and high levels of forgiveness
  • Features Face Cup Technology, which helps add distance to your game
  • The club is highly adjustable, which makes it ideal for beginners and high handicappers
  • Gives you good value for money
  • Lightweight and durable construction for playability and long use
Callaway XR 16 Fairway Wood (Men's, RH, 3 Wood, Speeder Evolution 565, Stiff Flex)
  • Features a graphite shaft for easy, powerful swing, which translates into speed and distance
  • Available in three different flex options (stiff, regular and senior) and lofts (17 to 19 degrees) for increased playability
  • Big clubhead offers high MOI and the low CG allows you to benefit from
  • Aerodynamic head design helps you cut through air easily, which increases speed and distance
TaylorMade Men's AeroBurner Fairway Wood, Right Hand, Stiff, #3
  • Comes with an affordable price tag
  • Features an aerodynamic shape that helps cut down drag and increase club speed
  • Comes in black and white matte color patterns that help with the alignment
  • Lightweight, flexible and durable construction
  • Simple design makes it ideal for golf beginners too

5 Most Forgiving 3 Woods for 2021

1. Callaway Golf Men's Rogue Fairway Wood

Callaway Golf 2018 Men's Rogue Fairway Wood, Right Hand, Synergy, 60G Shaft, Regular Flex, 3 Wood, 15 DegreesCheck latest price

Pros

  • Introduces several new technologies that improve distance and speed
  • This wood features original and stylish air cutting design
  • Thin stainless steel face, very responsive and forgiving
  • Excellent sound and feedback
  • Excellent for off and on center shots

Cons

  • This wood is somewhat expensive
  • It isn’t best fit for beginners

Description

Rouge fairway is Callaway’s most advanced and sophisticated wood, but also the most expensive one. The club is available for both hand orientations, several flex options, numerous configurations and tons of adjustability.

The shaft is graphite, but comes in various forms, from 50G to 70G. This particular Rouge club features Jailbreak technology and advanced and renewed Face Cup Technology. When merged, these technologies produce the most modern fairway that belongs to 2021.

Jailbreak technology introduces two steel bars. These thin bars strengthen the body and transfer the impact load from the back of the clubhead to the face. The face will promote speed, and grant more forgiveness.

The face is very thin and features new Face Cup Technology. It is made of light, 455 stainless steel material. When combined with Jailbreak technology, this fairway performs well on off-center shots as well as on center shots.

So, you have the Jailbreak Technology, renewed Face Cup Technology, and the extra thin Face. When combined, these technologies deliver fast, forgiving and distance-craving fairways. The club also features Callaway’s Internal Standing Wave advanced technology.

CG is stationed very low and is pushed a bit forward to minimize the spin and maximize the distance upon impact. And as this wasn’t enough, Callaway also introduced futuristic, air burning shape. The head literally does look as if it can cut the air in half when you swing it.

The downside is the fairway’s price: it is costly. Also, it probably isn’t the best fit for beginners. It is forgiving, but a beginner won’t be able to utilize and unlock all the features this fairway brings to the table. But other than these small issues, we unquestionably recommend it to those who seek forgiving and sophisticated wood.

Verdict

The Callaway Golf Men’s Rogue Fairway Wood may come with a high price, but the incorporated features make it worth its value. You get a 3-wood that gives you the highest levels of forgiveness and accuracy on different shots. It is available for both hand orientations; several flex options and numerous adjustable configurations.

The graphite shaft available from 50G to 70G helps you take powerful and comfortable swings when hitting long-distance shots. Jailbreak technology strengthens the club’s body and helps you transfer impact easily and powerfully. If you are looking for a 3-wood with the most innovative features that help you improve performance on the rough or fairway, this is the right product for you.

2. TaylorMade M2 Men's Fairway Wood

TaylorMade 2017 M2 Men's Fairway WoodCheck latest price

Pros

  • Sturdy and versatile features multi-material design
  • Very forgiving face with Inverted Cone Technology
  • Geoacoustic engineering introduces excellent sound and feel
  • Value for money, quality design at an affordable price

Cons

  • The two color pattern might confuse players
  • Offers very limited adjustability

Description

TaylorMade M2 Fairway Wood is durable and complex fairway wood, made of three different materials: 6-layer carbon crown that features very low CG, 450 stainless steel inner frame (body), and the face made of 455 stainless steel.

This club features Geoacoustic engineering, which is just a fancy name for a technology that grants forgiveness and distance. The external rib pattern enhances both sounds and feels, thus providing the player with valuable information on every shot. Technology broadens the sweet spot, thus helping the players realize their potential on the course.

The club also features TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology. In short, the TaylorMade introduced this technology to increase that sweet spot area along the club’s face. This technology makes the M2 Fairway Wood more forgiving and fit for those who struggle with swing speed and technique.

The M2 Fairway Wood is known for the 3Fs: it is fast, it goes far, and is very forgiving. All of this is achievable thanks to the multi-material design. The carbon crown grants forgiveness, while the two steel variables give stability, durability, speed, and balance.

We also commend the long and highly flexible speed pockets, which help with the fairway’s speed. Shafts come in various flex options and are graphite, durable and soft. The grip is solid and comfortable.

The downside is that this fairway isn’t very adjustable (regarding adjustable weights and configurations). Also, the two-tone design (white and black) are introduced to help people with their aim but may confuse some players.

All in all, the M2 Fairway Wood is certainly one of the most forgiving fairway woods currently available on the market, with a fair price tag to beat.

Verdict

The TaylorMade M2 Men’s Fairway Wood is one of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market. It comes with durable, complex construction comprising a 450 stainless steel inner frame (body), 6-layer carbon crown with a low CG, and face made of 455 stainless steel. Geoacoustic engineering improves accuracy and helps you gain more distance.

The broadened clubface increases forgiveness and the club’s external rib pattern boosts feel and sound upon impact. You get a forgiving club with decent levels of stability, speed, durability and feel- on top of an impressive value for money. If you are looking for a forgiving 3-wood that gives you exceptional value for money, you might want to consider this product.

3. Callaway Great Big Bertha

Callaway Men's Great Big Bertha #3 Fairway Wood (Right Hand, Graphite, Stiff Flex, Kuro Kage 50g, 15 Degrees)Check latest price

Pros

  • Highly adjustable golf club
  • True value for money
  • Highly durable and robust
  • Light, perfect fit for beginners and high handicappers
  • Decent forgiveness capabilities

Cons

  • Emphasizes distance, but not as good as others on the list
  • Not the most consistent accuracy

Description

Callaway Men’s Great Big Bertha is right/left hand compatible and comes in 3 different shaft flex options (regular, stiff and senior). Like Most Callaway fairways, the Big Bertha features Face Cup Technology, which helps add distance to your game.

The club’s head is large, which can be frustrating for experienced players, but is perfect for beginners because bigger head means more MOI and also grants more forgiveness with each shot.

The club feels right and hits straight, and will undoubtedly add yardage to your golf experience. This club is also highly adjustable. You can adjust the loft, take it off, and fine tune it to your game style. The club performs well with off center and on center shots.

Big Bertha is highly adjustable, forgiving, durable and quality made fairway wood, fit for beginners and high handicappers. Adjustability is the club’s most prominent feature.

However, it won’t add the most distance to your game. Also, it isn’t the most consistent golf club, regarding golf ball’s direction. But, for this price, I doubt you’ll ever find more consistent and accurate fairway wood.

Verdict

The Callaway Great Big Bertha Golf Fairway Wood is one of the best beginner wood on the market. It combines numerous features that make it the ideal 3-wood for beginners and high-handicappers.

You get a club with many adjustable options for improved playability, large face with Face Cup Technology to increase distance and forgiveness levels. It is also quite easy to use compared to other options available, making it an ideal beginner or high-handicapper club. If you are a beginner looking for a golf fairway wood that suits your needs, this is the club for you.

4. Callaway Men's XR Fairway Wood

Callaway XR 16 Fairway Wood (Men's, RH, 3 Wood, Speeder Evolution 565, Stiff Flex)Check latest price

Pros

  • Very forgiving club, adds distance to the game
  • Emphasizes speed, which in turn helps with distance
  • Has several flex options
  • Emphasizes high MOI and low CG

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer that much maneuverability
  • Has a steep learning curve

Description

Callaway Men’s XR is available for right and left-handers, featuring graphite shaft, which comes in three flex options (senior, regular and stiff). The loft is adjustable at various angles, ranging from 17 to 19 degrees.

This club features big clubhead, which makes it both forgiving and comfortable to use. The overall shape of the clubhead is big, emphasizing high MOI, and low CG (center of gravity, read here for more info), and highest possible COR (coefficient of restitution).

All these factors contribute to the club’s high speed and distance. But still, this club is very forgiving, and will undoubtedly fit those who struggle with swing power and impact angle. This fairway wood emphasizes ball velocity, thanks to the hot club’s face. The face is thin, having a broader sweet spot, thus granting more forgiveness.

The head is aerodynamically designed, which also impacts the club’s speed. In short, Callaway Men’s XR is all about speed. It cuts through the air, minimizes drag, and at the same time features broad face, allowing you to focus more on the power, than on the technique.

We especially liked the Callaway’s notable Face Cup Technology, which helps add distance to your game. You also have the option select various stiff options (you can read about it in value section).

There aren’t many downsides to this club.

Though this wood grants fantastic feel and is very forgiving, it will take some time before you get used to it. Also, it doesn’t offer that much control when it comes to shots; most shots will go straight and straight only.

Verdict

The Callaway Men’s XR Fairway Wood is one of the best woods for ball distance and speed. It combines impressive features that boost distance and speed like; graphite shaft for easy, powerful swings, aerodynamic head design for reduced friction with air, and large head that emphasizes MOI for increased distance on shots. If speed and distance are two aspects you are looking for in a golf fairway wood, this is a product worth considering.

5. TaylorMade Men's AeroBurner Fairway

TaylorMade Men's AeroBurner Fairway Wood, Right Hand, Stiff, #3Check latest price

Pros

  • Light and somewhat flexible
  • Decent forgiveness with broad sweet spot
  • The most inexpensive wood on the list
  • Simple design, fit for beginners

Cons

  • Not the most durable fairway wood
  • Lacks flex options (only stiff flex)

Description

TaylorMade Men’s AeroBurner Fairway features graphite and stiff shaft and is compatible with both right and left-handers. It features advanced aerodynamic shape, which helps cut down the drag and increase the club’s speed.

Club’s face is raised, shallow and thin, and as such increases the sweet spot area and offers a lot of forgiveness and spin reduction. The club is made of various materials, all playing an integral role in club’s energy transmission and distance craving features.

It features black and white matte color patterns, which should help with the alignment.

However, some players argue that the color patterns confuse them. The fact is black, PVD, while the crown features white graphic design.

We do commend the speed pockets since they help reduce the spin, but at the same time broaden the club’s sweet spot. This club is simple, efficient and durable, obtained at an affordable price. We do recommend it to beginners.

However, the shaft is somewhat thick and lacks the different flex options. While it is very affordable (the most inexpensive product on our list), it is also the less durable club on our list, so mind that if you decide to obtain it.

Verdict

The TaylorMade Men’s AeroBurner Fairway Wood is an affordable club with innovative features only found in other premium club options. It is lightweight and flexible which makes it easy to swing and comes with a large sweet spot for increased forgiveness and accuracy on shots.

You get a club with few adjustability features, which makes it ideal for beginners and high-handicappers. It also gives you optimal amounts of accuracy, speed and distance, which are essential on the rough or fairway wood. If you are looking for an affordable golf fairway wood with the features of a premium option, this is a product you might want to consider.

Forgiving Drivers for Golf – Frequently Asked Questions

Why pick a 3 Wood?

3 Wood delivers fantastic distance, almost at the level of drivers. Probably the most significant friend of 3 Wood fairways is the loft angles, which is generally set by default at 15-degree angle.

According to GolfDigest, it is the hardest wood to hit off the fairway, and one should use it only when they can reach the green with one shot. The 3 wood club is often overused, which is fine if you are a beginner. In fact, 3 wood will probably act as a driver for you.

Related: You can also see our selection for the best overall 5-woods.

And that is the 3 wood’s most important feature: its driver-like design and capabilities. It is the fairway wood that has the highest potential regarding distance and speed but is often very difficult to use and master.

That is why it is essential that you pick the most forgiving 3 wood club; it will help you master the swing and distance, but will challenge you more than iron or hybrid would.

Should You Obtain Forgiving Fairway Wood?

It depends. If you are a beginner, amateur, and high handicapper, then you should consider opting for the forgiving fairway. Most modern fairways have an adjustable loft, several flex options, and they emphasize speed and distance.

As such, they are fit for low swing players, that is, for those who want more distance out of their swings. While the fairways help and make your game more comfortable, they still challenge you.

This is why we recommend you go for the fairways: yes, they make your swing more natural, but they always test your swing technique and swing strength.

Conclusion and Editors Choice

The winner of our list is the Callaway Rogue Fairway Wood. Firstly, it is by far the most sophisticated 3 wood club on our list. It features numerous game improving technology, such as the Jailbreak Technology, Face Cup Technology, Geoacoustic engineering, and so forth.

It is very adjustable, forgiving, and fit for high and mid handicappers. It is, however, the most expensive club on the list, and we wouldn’t recommend it to beginners due to its complex design.

But, you should always pick the club that will serve you, your needs and requirements. If you do decide to obtain a 3 wood club, consider its uses and think about the factors you should consider when you search for the 3 wood club.

We emphasize forgiveness, and the clubs on our list are fit for beginners, amateurs, high handicappers, and all those who want to enhance their swing and add distance to their game. If you see yourself on this list of people, we hope this article has been of some help to you, and that it will help you pick the club that fits you the best.