How to Hit a Fairway Wood Consistently - GOLFTEC Singapore Tips

Ask any group of recreational golfers which club they least enjoy hitting and the fairway wood will feature near the top of almost every list. The 3-wood in particular has a reputation for going wrong in spectacular fashion. But the changes needed to hit fairway woods well are quite specific and very learnable.

Ball Position

The most common mistake with fairway woods is playing the ball too far back in the stance. The fairway wood is designed to be swept through the ball, not hit with a descending blow. Ball position should be just inside your left heel - further forward than your irons but slightly behind where you tee up your driver.

Tee It Low

When hitting a fairway wood off a tee, many golfers make the mistake of teeing it too high. A low tee - with the ball barely above the turf - encourages the sweeping contact the club needs.

Width and Tempo

Fairway woods reward a wide, sweeping swing rather than a steep, aggressive one. Focus on making a wide backswing with a smooth tempo. Trying to hit the ball hard with a fairway wood is one of the quickest ways to mis-hit it.

Practice From a Tee First

If you are struggling with fairway woods off the turf, go back to basics and hit them off a low tee on the range. Build confidence with clean contact before progressing to shots off the ground.

For a detailed look at exactly what your fairway wood swing is doing, book a lesson at GOLFTEC Singapore and we will identify the specific changes that will help most.