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how to use fairway woods golf

by Icie Lehner Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How Do I Use Fairway Woods?

  1. Take a few practice swings. Practice sweeping the club head along the grass as you draw back and then sweep back through the impact zone.
  2. Step up to address the ball. You want the ball 2 or 3 inches to the inside of your lead foot. ...
  3. Spread your stance a little wider than you would with an iron. ...
  4. Choke up an inch on the club. ...

Full Answer

How important are fairway woods in golf?

Fairway woods can be a huge asset to a solid round. For many golfers who do not drive the golf ball as far as the tour players do, being successful with their fairway woods can make or break a round of golf. For seniors and women in particular, being able to hit consistent fairway woods can be the backbone of your golf success.

Which fairway wood should I put in my golf bag?

The 3-wood is a must have for pretty much every golfer, and should be the longest fairway wood in your golf bag. There are several factors involved in finding the right loft for your 3-wood, and the vast majority of this information can be found using a launch monitor.

How to hit a fairway wood golf ball?

The Technique Address the ball with the feet shoulder width apart and the ball positioned a few inches inside the left heel to help the fairway wood bottom out correctly. Keep balanced whilst swinging the club back. A smooth rhythm is essential for a successful shot. The ball needs to be struck at the bottom of the club's arc.

What makes a good fairway wood shot?

Both fairway wood shots require similar techniques with only a few alterations and they are well worth learning as accuracy off the tee and distance from the fairway are crucial for long lasting success on the course. The key to playing a great fairway wood shot is to understand where the club arc bottoms out during the swing.

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How do you play fairway woods?

3:018:52The Best Way to Hit Fairway Woods - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so you don't hit any grass you don't want to hit down on it at all and then with an iron youMoreAnd so you don't hit any grass you don't want to hit down on it at all and then with an iron you definitely want to hit down on it and get steep. So this is the kind of that good in between.

When should you use a fairway wood?

A fairway wood is a longer golf club that has anywhere between 13 and 22 degrees of loft. It is intended for use either off the tee or from far away in the fairway or rough. Generally, these clubs have a low center of gravity and a graphite shaft to make them a little lighter.

How do you hit a fairway wood golf club?

1:264:17HOW TO HIT FAIRWAY WOODS EVERY TIME! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we're going to do is put the ball slightly forward in the stance. Okay. So a lot of peopleMoreSo what we're going to do is put the ball slightly forward in the stance. Okay. So a lot of people get it too far back or too far forward literally going to be. Moving.

Do you hit down or up on a fairway wood?

So, to answer the question: you should err on the side of hitting slightly down on the ball with your 3-wood when playing from the middle of the fairway, and either neutral or slightly up when playing from a tee.

Why do I hit my 5 wood farther than my 3 wood?

Why Do You Hit Your 5 Wood Farther Than Your 3 Wood? The majority of average golfers hit their 5 wood farther than their 3 wood because the shaft is shorter and there's more loft. The higher loft will help get the ball in the air and the shorter shaft will improve consistency.

Should I carry a 3 wood and 5 wood?

What is this? 3 woods tend to have a loft of between 15-18 degrees compared to a 5 wood with 20-22 degrees of loft. This should lead to a club spacing of the same distance as between your irons, this means that many golfers should consider carrying both clubs.

Why do I struggle to hit fairway woods?

A ball position that is too far back in the stance promotes a steeper angle of attack and a less lofted clubface. Both of these elements are in opposition to what the fairway wood requires and the golfer's athletic reaction is to stand up, stall rotation and force a weakened flip of the wrists through contact.

Can you use fairway wood in the rough?

In conclusion, avoid hitting long irons out of the deep rough, as they simply can not match the performance of hybrids and fairway woods from similar lies. In my experience a golfer's best bet is usually a hybrid, as it will go almost as far as a similar lofted fairway wood, except much straighter.

Do you hit a 5 wood like an iron?

Learning how to hit the fairway wood is a big step forward for any golfer. Many beginners and high-handicappers wouldn't even dream of hitting a wood off the fairway because it's simply much easier to use a shorter club like an iron or a hybrid.

Do you swing a 3 wood like a driver?

Don't hit it like a driver. Drivers are specifically designed to hit the ball on the ascending side of the swing arc. A 3 wood is not. Take your practice swing and see where the club bottoms out.

Do you swing a wood like an iron?

The tendency when you put a 3-wood in your hand is to sweep the ball or try to swing up. That's wrong. Just like with a 9-iron, you want to hit the ball and take a little turf after contact. You want to make contact with a 3-wood at that ball the same as you would with an iron."

Do you hit up on a 3 wood?

The only time you should hit a 3-wood off the fairway is when you can reach the green. One of the biggest strategy mistakes I see from amateurs is grabbing the 3-wood whenever they're too far from the green to get there.

How to swing a fairway wood?

Step 1. Take a few practice swings. Practice sweeping the club head along the grass as you draw back and then sweep back through the impact zone. With a fairway wood, you want a fairly shallow swing as opposed to the steep angle of an iron where you are making impact coming down.

How to get more power behind wood?

Spread your stance a little wider than you would with an iron. A wider stance will give you a more stable base and a better opportunity to deliver impact and put additional power behind the wood.

Can you cover more ground with a fairway wood?

By Patrick Cameron. You can cover a lot more ground with a fairway wood on those long par 4's and 5's. Fairway woods and hybrid clubs can give you extra distance you wouldn't be able to get from a long iron.

How to hit a golf ball from the fairway?

When you hit an iron, place the ball in the middle of your stance and hit down on it. With a wood on the fairway, play the ball between the center of your stance and the inside of your left heel (for a right-handed golfer).

Is a fairway wood better than an iron?

Fairway woods can perform better than traditional irons, but often intimidate new golfers. Learning how to hit the fairway wood is a big step forward for any golfer. Many beginners and high-handicappers wouldn't even dream of hitting a wood off the fairway because it's simply much easier to use a shorter club like an iron or a hybrid.

Can you hit a wood off the fairway?

Many beginners and high-handicappers wouldn't even dream of hitting a wood off the fairway because it's simply much easier to use a shorter club like an iron or a hybrid. But a golfer who can confidently swing a fairway wood has a greater chance of getting the ball to the green in fewer strokes on a long par-4 or a par-5.

What are the advantages of fairway woods?

I want to start with the advantages of these clubs. They can be a bit of a challenge to use, so it is a good thing for you to know what their strengths are. That way, you will have the patience to persevere when you first use them. So here is my list of what is right about the fairway wood.

What does fairway wood do?

The clue is in the name. The fairway wood is perfect to hit the ball when it is on the fairway but still far from the hole. A good example would be the second shot on a par five hole. They have a high loft to lift the ball off the fairway turf.

Fairway woods or hybrids?

Hybrid clubs are a relatively new addition to golf sets and have proved to be very popular. Hybrids have a shorter shaft and a lower center of gravity than woods. Therefore, they are more forgiving, more responsive, and seem more comfortable to use. These characteristics make them ideal for a beginner.

Does a fairway wood replace a driver?

Many beginners prefer to use woods rather than drivers. Drivers are demanding clubs which need a lot of skill. It can be tough to get to use a driver well. Many rookie golfers like to build up their skills first and get a driver later.

What loft should I get on my fairway wood?

Loft helps you get the ball in the air. Getting the ball in the sky is the one thing you have to do when you are a rookie golfer. If you don’t do this, you will never get distance on the ball, and you will never get that ball into the hole. So, this is essential.

Getting air

It’s worth explaining a bit why getting your ball in the air is so important. When you are starting, your swing speed will not yet be fast enough to gain distance near to the ground, as you would with a lower lofted club. You will not yet have built up the strength and the precision to make a perfect golf swing.

What number of wood should I start in the beginning?

The usual answer to this question is a seven wood or five wood. Try both and see which is most comfortable for you. When you get more practice, you can to try a three wood.

How to hit fairway woods?

To hit fairway woods, start by taking a wide stance with your shoulders squared and the ball slightly to the left of center. Then, when you swing, use a smooth, even motion, and keep the club low the ground as you go to hit the ball.

How to play golf with a driver?

1. Put the ball slightly to the left of center. If you normally position the ball directly in front of you, move it a little to the left. It should be between the center of your body and your left foot. Line it up with the left part of your chest. Place the ball a little farther back than you would with a driver.

How to hit a golf ball with a straight line?

Keep your shoulders square through the shot. Many beginners try to pull their shoulders open in this shot. However, that can make your downswing too steep, and you won't hit the ball as well. Make sure your shoulders are in a straight line as you take the swing, not pulled back. Lift your left shoulder slightly.

How to hit a golf ball with a driver?

Place the ball a little farther back than you would with a driver. Placing the ball this way helps you hit down towards the ball, creating lift. Take a wide stance to balance your weight. Place your feet slightly wider than your shoulders to create balance. Steady your body in the main part of your feet.

How to hit the ball farther?

2. Work on a smooth, even swing. Speed can help you hit the ball farther, but in the end, a smooth swing will do more for you. If you try to swing too fast, you lose control of your swing and may decrease contact with the ball. Practice swinging solidly and smoothly through.

How to hit a golf shot with a tee?

1. Try a shot with golf tees in place of the final ball. Once you've visualized the shot, pick up the 3 balls farthest from your club. Put 2 golf tees down where the last ball was in the ground. You're using golf tees because you can hit the golf ball over them and still hit the tees.

How to put a golf club on your left shoulder?

Lift your left shoulder slightly. Grip the club tightly with your right hand partly over your left. Place your left hand at the end of the club with your thumb pointing down the club toward the top of the head. Put your right hand over your left thumb with your right thumb slightly to the left of your left thumb.

Why are fairway woods not easy to hit?

Because of their lack of loft, fairway woods are not easy to hit skyward. The Technique. Address the ball with the feet shoulder width apart and the ball positioned a few inches inside the left heel to help the fairway wood bottom out correctly. Keep balanced whilst swinging the club back.

Why is reading your lie important in golf?

Reading your lie is an important skill throughout the game of golf, but it is especially important when you are hitting your fairway woods.

Where should the ball be struck on a golf club?

The ball needs to be struck at the bottom of the club's arc. This should be achieved by placing the ball a couple of inches inside the left heel.

Can you hit a fairway wood with the ball teed up?

Of course, the ball won't be teed up as high (or at all) when hitting a fairway wood, so be sure to stay down through the shot until impact has been made. Avoid an inside path. If you are swinging down too far from the inside, you will run the risk of hitting the shot fat and coming up well short of your target.

Can you use fairway woods off the tee?

Short-Shots. Fairway woods can be utilized both off the tee and off the fairway when faced with a long approach shot into a green. Many players find striking a 3 wood off the tee easier than the driver but much more technically demanding than an iron when hit from the fairway. Both fairway wood shots require similar techniques with only ...

Do you need to work on your iron game?

You certainly know that you need to work on your iron game, and no golfer would dare head to the range without launching a few drivers, so those elements always get a workout. However, the fairway woods tend to be skipped over by a large number of amateur golfers.

Can you lie when hitting the fairway?

Unfortunately, even when you hit the fairway, you aren't guaranteed to draw a good lie. If your ball happens to be sitting down in an old divot, for example, you will need to exercise caution with your shot even though you technically hit the fairway. In the rough.

Why is a lofted fairway metal shot better?

To that end, a more lofted fairway-metal shot will approach from a higher apex, so the angle of descent will be steeper, making it easier to stop the ball on the greens.

What does Mark Dobson do as a golf instructor?

As a golf instructor, Mark believes in cultivating ability and talent by providing comprehensive, holistic golf instruction that is easily understandable and of the highest quality to golfers of all abilities and skill levels.

What woods does Kim Kardashian use?

Get a lofted fairway wood. A number of the game’s best are adding an extra fairway wood to the bag. Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa and Joaquin Niemann all carry 7-woods, and Kim has a 5-wood alongside the 3-wood in his makeup. (Kim used the 5-wood for his second shot in the third round and the 3-wood in the final round.)

What is rounded sole golf club?

The rounded sole of a fairway metal is designed to bounce off the ground as it passes through impact. This is advantageous, but precious few golfers actually employ the sole of the club correctly.

How to get better at right hander?

Move the ball forward in your stance. For right-handers, somewhere under your heart would suffice. This will allow you to move forward, yet still stay behind the ball in the downswing. The end result is a better angle of attack and more speed at the correct time. 3.

Can you play a wood shot from too far back?

It’s commonplace for golfers to play the fairway wood shot from too far back in their stance. Whereas that seems like a security blanket, as it lulls the golfer into thinking that it will negate the chances of hitting the shot fat, it actually does exactly the opposite.

1. Posture is key

Being in good posture, where you bend forward from your hips so that your arms can hang, is key to good contact. If your setup is great, hitting a golf ball becomes a lot easier. Hand eye coordination is nice, but it cannot override a bad setup.

2. Better ball position

While all golfers and golf swings are not the same, ball position is certainly a key to great fairway woods.

3. Hit the ground

Watching the best players in the world hit fairway woods is so interesting, because it’s quite common to see slight divots.

4. A good practice swing is key

If you understand that you need to hit the ground, it can be a very smart and effective reminder to do this in your practice swing.

5. Straighten trail arm

Now that you are in good posture and know you need to hit the ground, I want to give you a very specific method to get the club down to the ground.

6. Work your way up to a 3-wood

A 3-wood may be the fairway wood which goes the longest, but that doesn’t always make it the right choice.

7. Embrace loft

Having a fairway wood with enough loft to help increase launch can improve consistency and confidence.

How to choose fairway woods?

Here are a few key things to remember: 1 The best fairway woods are ideal for tee shots on short par-4s, reaching par-5s in two shots, and hitting high, soft approach shots into long par-4s. 2 Extensive testing and fitting will help you find the right mix of fairway woods with the proper loft, shaft flex, and lie angle. Even if you buy your clubs online, it’s a smart choice to get fitted. 3 If you’re a high handicapper, you want fairway woods with a low center-of-gravity and a wide sole. 4 Having adjustability is a great option to handle a variety of different golf course and weather conditions. 5 Fairway woods can be used in tightly-mown areas around the green, providing even more versatility.

What is the best material for fairway wood?

Lighter than steel, titanium is a great material for the face of the fairway wood. Thinner faces provide more spring-like affect, which produces more distance than a standard steel clubface. Also, less weight in the clubface allows the manufacturer to place that weight lower and behind the face, which increases stability and forgiveness on off-center hits.

Why use graphite shafts in fairway woods?

The most important reason why fairway woods utilize graphite vs steel shafts is that lighter shafts are easier to swing faster.

What is the best alternative to long irons?

Fairway woods make great alternatives to long irons, as they are easier to hit and easier to get airborne than traditional long irons. If you struggle with long approach shots and prefer the look and shape of a fairway wood, you may want to consider ditching your 3- and 4-irons and replacing them with fairway woods.

Why are fairway woods shallower than drivers?

The face of fairway woods are much shallower than a driver, which keeps the center of gravity lower, allowing you to get the ball airborne from the fairway or rough. Some fairway wood soles are designed to make it easier to hit them from divots or heavier rough. This is something you won’t find in a modern driver.

What is the difference between links and golf?

Links-style golf courses tend to be played with lower shots that run along the ground, while traditional courses require shots that fly higher and land softer in the fairway and on the green. If you play golf courses that require softer landing shots, you want as many fairway woods as your bag will allow.

How long should a fairway shaft be?

Shafts for 3-woods will usually max out at 43 inches, and shouldn’t be shorter than 42 inches. Those who carry a 5-wood and a 7-wood should be around 41 and 40 inches, respectively. Getting properly fitted is essential to knowing how long your fairway wood shafts should be.

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