Fairway Woods

Coming Soon – 2014 Golf’s Most Wanted 3 Wood

BY Tony Covey
Mar 12th 2014
Read all comments

Our 2014 Golf’s Most Wanted 3 Wood Test is underway.

Fresh off publication of our 2014 Golf’s Most Wanted Driver test, we’re putting 21 different 3-woods from 15 different golf companies head to head. Basically we’re talking about the very best that 2014 has to offer (minus Titleist of course).

As has become our traditional we will look at each club in terms of distance and accuracy independently before putting it all together to name 2014’s Most Wanted 3-Wood.

As is also our tradition, not everyone will go home with a trophy (seriously, we literally have trophies we send out…they’re really nice). There can be only one Golf’s Most Wanted 3 Wood.

What Is a 3 Wood?

With different companies offering different lofts (and in some cases several different lofts) that loosely qualify as 3-wood-esque, we know the lines can get a bit blurry. For the purposes of this test, we have defined a 3-Wood as having a stated loft of between 13° and 15.5°. Just as it is with the driver, 3-wood loft is a fitting consideration. With that in mind, we were happy to include lower lofted models, provided shafts were of the same length as those in the 15° range.

What About 5 Woods?

Quite frankly, we’re not sure anyone still plays a 5 wood (yeah, I know that’s overstating it a bit), and so we decided to leave them out of this particular test. If you guys tell us you want more information on 5 wood performance, you can bet we’ll be more than happy to deliver.

If you want something tested, all you have to do is ask. If it makes sense…even just a little sense, we’ll be more than happy to entertain the idea.

Incremental Improvements

Since the publication of our driver test, we’ve received a tremendous amount of feedback and support from the companies who participated in that test. We’ve spoken with members of the R&D teams at several prominent golf companies and have started the process of integrating some of their better suggestions into our testing methodologies.

We’ve promised to get better, and we’re well on our way.

Most of what’s come from those discussions will be transparent to you, but the insight we’ve gained will help ensure that the data we collect is reliable, and most importantly repeatable.

Declined to Participate

While response to our invitations was once again strong, as is almost always the case with our tests, a couple of companies did decline our request for product. Those companies are:

▪ Titleist
▪ Krank Golf

As is our nature, we remain optimistic these companies will provide product for future reviews.

Meet the Contestants

And now for those companies who are willing to put their products head to head against the best of what’s out there.

Ladies and Gentlemen (mostly gentlemen, unfortunately), here are the entries for 2014’s Most Wanted 3-Wood.

Adams Tight Lies & Tight Lies Tour

We put the Adams Tight Lies to our Better from Everywhere test last summer. This time around Tight Lies is going have to be better from the fairway if it’s going to finish ahead of the other 20 fairway woods in this year’s test.

Stock Shaft: Mitsubishi Bassara
Retail Price: $199

Adams XTD

A late addition to our Most Wanted Fairway Test, Adams decided to send us the XTD because YOU asked for it. How cool is that? Power to the consumer. That’s what we’re talking about. Featuring a titanium face and…well…Adams reputation for making killer fairway woods. The XTD could be a disruptive force in our test.

Stock Shaft: Matrix 7Q3 “Red Tie”
Retail Price: $299.99

Callaway Big Bertha

There’s no Alpha version, it lacks the adjustable perimeter weighting of the driver, but even if it doesn’t go 3 (or 2 or 4) Deep like X2 Hot, we still have a sneaking suspicion that Big Bertha will be one to watch as we work our way through this season’s test.

Stock Shaft: Mitsubishi Fubuki Zeta
Retail Price: $269.99

Callaway X2 Hot & X2 Hot Pro

Despite all the buzz around the Bertha line, the X-series (now X2 Hot) remains the more robust offering (options, options, and more options) in the Callaway lineup. We’ll be putting the regular and Pro models to the test. Callaway elected not send the Deep series this time around, but if this miniature driver trend catches on, we may have to take a closer look at the clubs that are blurring the lines between driver and fairway.

Stock Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue (Standard), Aldila Tour Green (Pro)
Retail Price: $229.99

Cleveland 588

The epitome of classic looks and design (minus the weight port, of course), Cleveland’s clean-crowned 588 looks more Custom than Altitude. Quite frankly, I have no idea what to expect from this club, but if you want to drop your money on what I suspect many will see as a longshot, the 588 may be the one to gamble on.

Stock Shaft: Matrix 6Q3
Retail Price: $199.95

Cobra BiO CELL & BiO CELL+

Unlike the driver test where BiO CELL and BiO CELL+ were tested as unique entries, these two will be tested as one (player’s choice). The BiO CELL is the larger of the two, and if not for Cobra’s bright colors (it comes in black too) it would look the part of the modern fairway wood. The BiO CELL+ is the most compact fairway in our test, and should appeal to better players, and perhaps even guys who generally prefer to drop fairway woods for lower lofted hybrids.

Stock Shaft: Project X PXv, Matrix 6Q3, Diamana D+
Retail Price: $219, $249 (BiO CELL+)

Mizuno JPX-EZ

The last time we tested fairway woods head to head Mizuno’s MP-650 won the whole damn thing. Given the improved performance from the JPX-EZ driver, a repeat performance isn’t out of the question.

Stock Shaft: Fujikura Orochi Black Eye
Retail Price: $199.95

Nike VRS Covert 2.0 and VRS Covert 2.0 Tour

I’m not saying you should be betting on the Nike Covert 2.0 to finish on top, but if you don’t have this pairing, you haven’t been paying attention. The 2.0 line isn’t simply a cosmetic improvement, it’s the business. I’m predicting solid results from Nike.

Stock Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Black, Kuro Kage Silver (Pro)
Retail Price: $199.95, 249.95 (Tour)

ONOFF Fairway Arms Type D and Type S

Japanese Domestic Market sensation, ONOFF, was in the mix nearly every minute of our driver test. Our guys loved the Red (Type D) model, and with go reason. We have no reason not to expect similarly good results off the deck.

Stock Shaft: ONOFF Smooth Kick MP-514F, Smooth Kick MP-613F

PING G25

In our 2014 Most Wanted Driver test, the G25 driver was a standout performer. Someone would argue that with it’s near zero compromise blend of distance and accuracy it should have won. Will the 3 wood offer the same level of performance?

Stock Shaft: PING TFC 189
Retail Price: $229.99

PING i25

PING’s i25 brings one of the most robust stock shaft offerings into our test. Like the driver it features a matte grey crown and racing stripes. It also happens to be PING’s first adjustable fairway wood in the i-series.

Stock Shaft: PING PWR 55, PWR 65, PWR 75
Retail Price: $249.99

PING Rapture

Nearly the most expensive, and certainly the biggest of any fairway wood in this test, PING’s Rapture is a compelling entry. Like TaylorMade’s upcoming Mini Driver, and Callaway’s 2 Deep, the Rapture exists in the fuzzy space between driver and fairway wood. This is going to be interesting.

Stock Shaft: PING TFC 949
Retail Price: $495

PowerBilt Air Force One N7 DFX Black

Either Nitrogen works or PowerBilt simply makes a very good driver. We know what the company can do with the longest club in the bag, so we’re extremely interested to see if their 3 woods perform equally as well.

Stock Shaft: Graphite Design G Series, Fujikura Motore F3
Retail Price: $179.99

TaylorMade SLDR

Baby brother to our 2014 Most Wanted Driver is the first of TaylorMade’s two entries in our test. No doubt given the way the driver performed, SLDR is the early favorite, but fairway woods are entirely different animals. There are no guarantees.

Stock Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 77, Fujikura Motore Speeder TS 8.3 (TP)
Retail Price: $349.99

TaylorMade JetSpeed

It’s just a hunch, but I think that with it’s larger footprint, JetSpeed could prove to be the TaylorMade entry to watch. Distance is the law (or something now). Let’s hope for TaylorMade’s sake JetSpeed lives up to the billing.

Stock Shaft: Matrix Velox T
Retail Price: $229.99

Tommy Armour TA845

We love that Sport’s Authority’s house brand, Tommy Armour, is back for another round of testing. The little guy with a legitimate pedigree may have a better shot in a test where they won’t be at a loft disadvantage. I should probably mention that the TA845 is currently selling for $47.99.

Stock Shaft: Apollo Graphite
Retail Price: $47.99

Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro

That $500 driver with the funky sole design is the first of Tour Edge’s 2 entries. Our staff members raved about it at Tour Edge’s PGA show media event. Will the performance live up to the initial impression.

Stock Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 661, Fujikura Speeder 757
Retail Price: $499.99

Tour Edge Exotics XCG7 & XCG7 Beta

The XCG7, particularly the Beta model, was a favorite among our higher swing speed testers during our driver test. Very early returns suggest the XCG7 will again be one to watch.

Stock Shaft: Fujikura Exotics Fuel (Standard), Matrix 7Q3.1 (Beta), Matrix 7M3.1 (Beta)
Retail Price: $249.99, 299.99 (Beta)

Wilson Staff D-100

Last seasons (but still current) D-100 is the first of two Wilson entries in the test. Whether or not ultralight translates well to a fairway wood remains to be seen, but if it’s anything like the driver, it’s going to be a lot of fun to hit.

Stock Shaft: Matrix Ozik HD5.1
Retail Price: $149.99

Wilson FG Tour M3

The FG Tour M3 is Wilson’s adjustable entry in our test. Geared towards a greater population of golfers, we know that many of you will be keeping a close eye on how it does. We think The Staff is Back, and so, hopefully, here comes your proof.

Stock Shaft: Aldila Phenom 65
Retail Price: $219.99

Yonex EZONE XP

The EZONE XP is designed for a wider audience than Yonex’s other entry in this test. The XP was a quiet but strong performer in our driver test, and I won’t be the least bit surprised if the counterbalanced approach proves beneficial in the smaller footprint of a fairway wood.

Stock Shaft: Yonex EX300
Retail Price: $249.99

Yonex I-EZONE (Type St)

One of the more compact entries in our test, the I-EZONE Type St, is cut from the same mold (ok, a slightly larger mold) than the Cobra BiO CELL+. Traditionalists will love the way it sets up. Whether or not that translates to performance remains to be seen.

Stock Shaft: Yonex NST300EX
Retail Price: $299.99

We’ll Keep You Posted

Testing is now underway, and we expect to have everything wrapped up in the next few weeks, with publication to follow shortly thereafter. As I’m fond of saying…Stay Tuned.

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Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

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Tony Covey

Driver Titleist TSi3	3-Wood Titleist TSi2 13.5°
5-Wood Titleist TSi2 18°	7-Wood Titleist TSi2 21°
Irons (5-9) PXG 0311 GEN5 T	Wedges Vokey SM9 (46° F, 50° F, 54° D, 60° T)
Putter PXG Blackbird	Ball Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

Tony Covey

comments

Join The Discussion

alan bernstein

10 years ago

Been hitting a x-hot 5 and 7 woods and an x hot 2 4 wood as my driver ( about 225 on a good day) Just ordered a Ping Rapture 3 wood and a Big Bertha 5
Looking to get better distance on drives and off the deck with the 5
Will report on Rapture when it arrives

Eric Fank

10 years ago

Please post the results soon. I’m looking to buy and have been waiting til your results are publisher. Have x2hot but want higher ball flight…. Maybe g25 or Cobra bio cel?

Roger

10 years ago

I think this just got shelved.

chris

9 years ago

never got published?

R Darr

10 years ago

Come on already….nearing 60 days. Starting to loose interest and credibility.,
The epoxy must be loosening by now !!

Clay

10 years ago

Any idea on time? Thanks

Christer

10 years ago

test results please!

radar

10 years ago

So WHEN can we expect the results?

Dan

10 years ago

It is taking a month for review..? I checked a few times hoping for a review, but I’m about to give’em up..

Tony Covey

10 years ago

Actual time spent testing is almost 40 hours. Takes time to import data, crunch the numbers, and then create graphics, and posts…so yeah, it easily takes a month.

Brandon

10 years ago

How about 2 months?

The Artful Duffer

10 years ago

Love love love seeing the Tommy Armour’s back in the testing. Kinda hard to beat the bang for the buck on them. It’s been leaps and bounds with them the past couple years and nice to see the brand turning around after some dark days.

Gil B.

10 years ago

As you mentioned, I’ll take the Cleveland as the upset winner. Love their products, with the exception of 2013. Someone was asleep at the switch.

andrew

10 years ago

so disappointed Callaway isn’t sending the deep model(s?). i hit the 3deep and absolutely crushed it, even off the deck- and it was probably the best feeling club i have hit. in fact the only reason i didn’t buy it (yet is because i picked up a rbz2 off a buddy for $25.

Johan

10 years ago

Thanks Adams!

Qwagmire

10 years ago

So interested in the Rapture 3W, but not at that price. My driver was $150 cheaper

stevieC

10 years ago

i’d like mygolfspy do a driver vs 3-wood test.

It’s my belief that on average, there are only 2-3 holes on a golf course where diminishing returns on accuracy/distance would suggest a driver. Take 50 golfers and have them play their regular course with regular driver selection (5 rounds), then play with 3-wood only or with 2-3 optional holes for driver. I’d like to know which rounds score better and how often fairways are hit.

I’ve been a big fan of strong 3 woods or ‘mini’ drivers (higher lofted/shorter shafts)–someone would say they are direct decendants of the great, late 2-woods deemed extinct.

I also believe the tee shot of par 4s & 5s are significantly more important than the cliches suggest (drive for show, putt for dough). Tee shots are the root of consistent scoring…I’ve never seen anyone putt OB.

A grooved 3-wood swing with the new tech-based fairway options is more transformative than the latest, greatest 460cc driver (IMO). I’m interested in the Ping Rapture, TM Jet and maybe SDLR mini for driver alternatives. Eventually, someone will come out with ‘2-wood’ and convince us we don’t need a PW, GW, SW and LW to score. PW and SW fine…open blade or adjust swing.

Finally, I understand an individuals preference concerning comfort and confidnece with specific clubs (driver vs 3-wood, old vs new, etc)–but, statistically I would wager more lower scores across a wider data base of players if we reached for the 3-wood of choice off the tee. –regardless of it’s price tag and how it does in a performance test.

Salmon

10 years ago

Sad to see that Krank has not participated this time round, I hope there was no bad blood after the driver test, I’m still very keen to try out the Formula 5 becuase of my swing speed and to see what I can get out of it. Can’t find anywhere near by that stocks it though :(

alan dornink

10 years ago

Have a krank formula 5, 7.5 coupled to a fujikura inertia shaft I need to sell. Any interest?

MattF

10 years ago

Tony, you said: “Titanium fairways cost more to produce, and that gets passed along to you, which is why the CB Pro, Rapture, and XTD have premium price points.”

So why is the Acer XS all titanium 3 wood only $79.95 with their standard shaft and $130.00 with their highest offered aftermarket shaft?

I would say it’s because it’s an OEM with the name, not so much the production cost.

Tony Covey

10 years ago

MattF – Actually, I think you more or less just supported my original point.

I certainly didn’t mean to suggest that prices aren’t high for reasons beyond what it actually costs to make the product. Hireko (Acer) is a small company. They have a small R&D team, smaller marketing team, and much (much, much, much) smaller corporate infrastructure to support. Think about that in terms of Callaway for a moment. They have a sizeable R&D team a HUGE Marketing team (which includes positions like Social Media Manager and Creative Director). They have full time photogs, web developers, a finance team, a legal department, Human Resources, PR Teams, distributors, territory directors, sales reps, customer service teams, tour departments (and tour players) etc. etc..

It’s 100% big corporate structure, so yes, as with any product you buy from a large company, there are consumer costs associated with supporting all that – it’s not unique to golf, and yup, that’s definitely part of the reason why a big name fairway wood costs $200-(now) $500.

But that wasn’t the meat of the quote you pulled.

Very simply…and here’s the quote again “Titanium fairways cost more to produce, and that gets passed along to you, which is why the CB Pro, Rapture, and XTD have premium price points”.

Using the Acer example. Yes…they do sell an $80 titanium fairway wood. They also sell a steel version of the same head for $55. We’re basically talking about a 30% increase simply because of the titanium construction. Even for Hireko, titanium costs more to produce, and so whether it’s Adams or Tour Edge, or Acer, titanium fairway woods will always command the premium price point within a given manufacturer’s line.

Performance is another thing altogether…and while some certainly believe you’re only paying more for a logo, we tested the Acer XS Driver line, and the reality is it performed like the average consumer would expect a $150 driver to perform.

MattF

10 years ago

Thanks Tony. Bigger is not always better, but terms of club performance it looks like that’s the case.

And that’s probably why I just picked up a used Ping G20 driver instead of a brand new XS driver.

PS: Can you possibly test the XS forged irons please???

Qwagmire

10 years ago

Some companies have to pay for all that SOCAL real estate…

” We’re basically talking about a 30% increase simply because of the titanium construction… …titanium fairway woods will always command the premium price point within a given manufacturer’s line.”

30% over a Ping G25 3w pricepoint is roughly $300, so why is the Rapture $500? I love Ping gear, but I won’t even blink at that club

JDB

10 years ago

The Cleveland 588 is the sleeper by far. I have it and crush it from the deck which has always been a weak point in my game. The feel is solid but soft. The only knock would be the size of the head but for me it just gives me more confidence. Better than the FL which may have been Cleveland’s best

Tony Covey

10 years ago

Stupid comment engine won’t let me reply up where I should…so…

flaglfr – at this point in time golf companies know how much stuff costs to produce. There’s probably not much of a formulation to at…at least not on a club by club basis.

Instead manufacturers are targeting specific price points…tiers, if you will. There’s a reason why everybody offers a $299 driver. And why many offer a $349, or $399 alternative. It’s just what the market does as a whole. Sure, costs play a factor, but it’s really about hitting a number the market likes.

You do have other realities. Titanium fairways cost more to produce, and that gets passed along to you, which is why the CB Pro, Rapture, and XTD have premium price points. You also have image-based pricing? Why does PING’s i25 cost $400? Same with Titleist drivers? Bertha Alpha at 499? Why do some brands cut prices while others don’t? It’s much more about image and identity, and creating the illusion of exclusivity, not the actual cost of production.

Also keep in mind, that the split between R&D and marketing isn’t a percentage-based equation, it’s absolute dollars. One of the things we hear is that TaylorMade is a marketing company, they spend X% of their budget, while small company Y spends 90% of their budget on R&D so therefore, company Y’s product is better.

Well no. Big golf companies do have astronomical marketing budgets. They also have equally massive R&D budgets. TaylorMade, Callaway…pick one…a 25% R&D budget for them is in terms of actually money spent 300+% than the 90% the little guy actually spends. Dollar for dollar, it’s not even a conversation worth having.

Finally, one other slightly relevant thing to at least think about, actual R&D costs, thanks to things like CAD, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing have actually decreased, while marketing costs (ad buys, etc.) have increased.

Max F

10 years ago

I’m really excited to see the Adams XTD in the test. I have used Adams fairways going back to the Tight Lies GT. Currently I play the silver Speedline XTD from a few years back. Great club. However, I have also hit the Tour Edge and the new XTD. Both are better and the Exotics CB Limited may be the longest, most solid feeling club I have ever hit. It may be longer than a lot of the drivers from the recent Most Wanted test. Hopefully in a few years I can get one without having to go to a bank for financing.

SLDR

10 years ago

I don’t know about anyone else but I find my fairway woods gaining in importance as I tend to hit it off a lot of tees these days. It’s probably because we only play a course that is 6400 yards in length with many of the par 4’s under 400 yards where accuracy is more of a premium over distasnce.

I’m hearing a lot of good things about Tour Edge so can’t wait to see how they do.

Bill

10 years ago

Agreed that the prices on many 3 woods are ridiculous. So buy an inexpensive one that performs just as well (and they do).
I bought a 14.5 degree Callaway 3 Deep last season as a tight fairway driver replacement and for hopefully reaching par 5’s in 2 on occasion. It feels great and I have reached greens from 250+ on rare occasion. It’s more about club set up than the individual club. If there is much trouble around the green I often feel better with my 3 iron for placement and count on my wedge for scoring than hoping on a long 3 wood where the potential for a big number looms. Pretty much repeating what Lee said above. For scoring, iron or hybrid in and then a wedge is usually a smarter play. I love the occasional career shot with the Callaway but a snowman after a mishit is tougher on the scorecard.
Course management is more crucial than how far I can hit something. Over 210 yards, I

Bill

10 years ago

oops. meant to delete the rambling last line. my bad..

AWOL

10 years ago

Your kidding right!!! Krank declined….guess they cant handle honest reviews from real golfers. That was a dumb PR move after all the crap that went around about the driver. This just makes them look even worse.
Anyways my vote is the Jetspeed. Im like Wayne above, never thought anything would replace my RBZ 3 wood, but traded it in immediately after trying the jetspeed. Heavier shaft, thinner head, made me feel like the ball was always teed up. I always had trouble with 3woods off the deck and i literally cant miss with the jetspeed. Its just as long but 10x easier to hit. But what happened to the days of the $180 wood price?

Wayne

10 years ago

Taylormade RBZ 3 wood will be hard to beat . haven’t found anything yet to come near to it.

Drew

10 years ago

Brought to you from the folks who said the fairway wood was dead but wont do a hybrid shootout! LOL. Just bustin’ your balls…looking forward to it!

Lee

10 years ago

Very subjective as far as what you want your 3 wood to do.
1. As a driver alternative then 14/15 degrees of loft is great.
2. A consistent off the deck club then 17/18 degrees which puts us in the 4/5 wood arena. Fact the majority of ameuter golfers do not create the club head and related ball speed to consistently hit a low lofted fairway club off the deck (same as a 3 iron).
3. Pro’s are now lofting up!
4. Consistency is the name of the game not the 1 in 10 you can blow 240+ yards.
5. Guys (and girls) ask your self a simple question – you are 3 under your h’cap in a medal playing 17 (par 5) with a tight 230ish in, do you get out the 3 wood, or pull out your safety 5 wood/hybrid? I certainly know I would rather be signing for a net 68 than crying into my beer for the next couple of hours.
6. Sure matchplay is different as is playing the 35th in Club championship when you’ve got to go for the career eagle.

jondagcl

10 years ago

I’m excited to see this 3-wood test. I just replaced my Adams 3 wood with the Bertha and I absolutely love it. Sits great at address, you can change loft and lie independently, shaft feels awesome – and while I realize that this last bit is exceedingly subjective, it has a great sound as well. I’m looking forward to seeing how it does in the test.

RP Jacobs II

10 years ago

If I were a betting man, I’d bet the TMaG or Adams wins :)

Model?

Doesn’t matter-

TMaG or Adams

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard

Steven

10 years ago

Thanks for doing these great tests! I am looking forward to it.

Though 3 woods are the most popular fairway wood, I think that most average golfers would do just as well with a 4 or 5 wood as a 3 wood. I am probably in a minority, but when I replace my fairway woods I will be looking for a 4 and a 7.

John

10 years ago

I just spoke to our product team…they will be reaching out to MGS to include Tightlies Tour and XTD #3 Wood if not to late….Our bad.

Large chris

10 years ago

Just want to say I’m really excited by this test, hitting off the deck and a tee, I suspect the testers will find bigger differences / more love and hate with 3 woods than with the drivers. I just think you need more confidence in the club, how it sets up on the turf, to get the best out of a three wood compared to teeing it high and letting it fly with a driver.

Matt

10 years ago

Would have liked to see Hireko’s Acer XS full titanium fairway in the mix.

Johan

10 years ago

Too bad no Adams XTD.

Also, how dearly I would love to see a Most Wanted Golf Ball test. THAT would be great.

Peter

10 years ago

Don’t you know anyone in the golf industry with access to a current Titleist fairway wood? Borrow a demo or call in a favor form your local golf shop or something.

Eric

10 years ago

Lol. I bought the mp650 3 wood based on a MGS review as best all around 3 wood. It was good until I got bored with it and bought a xhot pro on a whim. Holy smokes the xhot pro blew past that and all other 3 woods I have hit, biggest disappointment was the cb4, what a piece of crap that was, still find it hard to believe that exotics are considered the holy grail of three woods, cause it was kinda of stinky.

ComeOnSense

10 years ago

I hope the Tommy $47.95 3w kick the other 3w azz’s, for the sake of HighBendOverPricedClubs. Im glad these Highpriced manufactures are ‘helping to grow the game” ( yeah right !!)They can keep those rip-off prices, unreal !!
And talking about BS, I would put in the RBZ 3W in the test , you know… the one that will gained you “17 more yards”, you guys remember ?. Just to see if it’s still giving 17yrds more.
I think ,if you guys would do this,It will make lots of your readers happy, but the manufactures would send a hitman after you guys.

Kev

10 years ago

I’m with you on this one, golf industry is a major rip off ….. never buy new I always wait a year or two because lets face it the technology advances do not really move forward in massive leaps and bounds but the prices come down. Recent purchase Tour Edge CXG6 15* 3 wood , £90 mint condition, but still my Titliest 910 17* is only a cuple of yards behind!!

Real test would be the same shaft in each club because as we know the shaft is the engine, different shafts all offer differents things.

Lets hope Wilson do what Mizuno MP 650 did last time out

flaglfr

10 years ago

WOW! Ten of these are at $249 or higher and five at $300 (299.99) or higher….. Is the cost of the technology and manufacturing these clubs really this high? I have a real hard time with the pucker factor you will get letting your wife know you just spent $300 buckaroos for a fairway wood. Unless you name is Buffet or gates you better not even try for the Ping or Tour Edge models.
Is it really worth spending this much money for a few yards or are we so fixated with hitting everything 300 yards (at least in our minds) that we will spend anything to do so? I know this is probably a stupid remark, but is it really necessary? I guess if you are gambling $1000 a hole, it would be. But for us mere mortals?

Just do us all one favor; if the Tour Edge or the Ping Rapture come out on top, LIE. You will save countless marriages including mine.

Adam

10 years ago

If you were looking play devils advocate for the increasing cost of the average fairway it would be easy for me to justify charging more for the little big stick. The better question in my mind at least would have been why there was ever such a large gap in price between the two in the first place. Think about it this way….They use very slightly shorter versions of the same shafts (in general), many are now becoming just as adjustable and complex in build , most must include a wrench along with a smaller but just as fancy headcover…… really they are just a 15 degree driver in a slightly smaller package. So why half the price?
The reality is probably that they charge more for what we are willing to pay more for… But these fairways aren’t getting cheaper to make. Quite the opposite I would guess….

flaglfr

10 years ago

Thanks for the response. I believe that the difference in price is (based on input from others) sort of justified. Most Drivers are Titanium. These are (again from what I have been told) more expensive to manufacture due to the properties of titanium. As far as I can tell, the 3 woods here (other than the forged titanium face on the Tour Edge) are made of steel. If steel is much easier to use, it would make sense to me that they would be less expensive.

Maybe Tony could clarify.

Bill

10 years ago

Look at last seasons $399 drivers. Often $179-$199 this year. It’s nuts. 3 Wood prices SHOULD be much lower. Drivers you pull out 10-14 times a round. 3 woods maybe 1- 4 times unless you use it as your driver. I don’t see the $300-500 dollar 3 woods moving off shelves…From a marketing standpoint, $150-225 is your price point to sell them. Same with hybrids..

Adam

10 years ago

With higher prices you can bet they have a plan.

It will be interesting to see how many players are spot lighted for leaving the driver in the bag, or out of the bag for that matter this year. Just one way to push the value of the club up closer to its big brother. Recall the 3deep last year. Seemed like it was all anyone was talking about for a short while.

Albert sewill

10 years ago

The majority of the cost in the modern golf club is marketing expenses.

flaglfr

10 years ago

That is simply infuriating. If the only reason we pay so much for a club is the marketing machine, we need to have a revolt. Maybe (probably) I am the odd man out, but if the reason I have to contemplate shelling out $500 beans for a drive and now $4oo beans for a fairway wood is to fund gigantic marketing machines for these companies is too much. Sounds like they are being manufactured for the Government. What’s next? A $500 adjustment tool?

If the major expense was R&D, along with production costs, it would probably rest easier in my gullet. But for marketing? Maybe we should all hold onto what we have for a year and let them stew on some of their stuff. I realize this is a my little pony moment, but wouldn’t it be nice.

And yes, I am returning to the real world now.

Jpcgolf

10 years ago

Are you doing the test just off the deck, or off the tee, or both?

Markus

10 years ago

Holy shit these prices?! The Rapture, Tour Exotics and the SLDR, whaaaat? I have a G25 4-wood and payed 150$ for it a year ago and still luvin it.

Tony Covey

10 years ago

That’s a reasonably astute observation. Worth noting is that the actual retail price of the PING Rapture could be lower, but we have reached a point where some fairways cost as much as, and even more than drivers from the same companies.

flaglfr

10 years ago

Tony,
Is there any data regarding the average costs that are included in the price of a club based on a percentage basis?

Tony Covey

10 years ago

Flaglfr – Not sure I completely understand what you’re asking. Can you give me some more info?

Adam

10 years ago

Speaking out of turn here possibly. I think he wants to know if you know what margins they make on these clubs.

flaglfr

10 years ago

Tony,
What I am looking for is whether there is a general rule of X percent of the cost is due to development, X percent is manufacturing costs, X percent is marketing, etc. It is probably not something that is generally available but thought it would be interesting. I am sure it may vary from corporation to corporation.

blstrong (SeeRed)

10 years ago

Fun stuff. I have a Callaway RAZR Fit 3W that I bought based partially on last year’s testing. It has performed beyond my expectations.

Krizar

10 years ago

Will there finally be robots hitting in this test? ….I joke I joke

Tests look great guys. Hope this generates as much buzz as the drivers.

eric

10 years ago

Did Adams decline to include the xtd?

Tony Covey

10 years ago

While I would probably phrase it as they chose to send only the Tight Lies, the bottom line is that the XTD isn’t part of our test.

Kenny B

10 years ago

Looking forward to it. I assume that, as usual, you will be fully describing the conditions for the test. Unlike off a tee, there are more variables to consider; hard/soft ground, type and length of grass, perfectly flat lies, etc. Add to that the variability in testers’ abilities to take advantage of a 3-wood. I expect more throwaway shots.

IMO for slower swing speed players, the 3-wood is difficult to consistently hit well, which is a good reason to consider 5-wood tests. Many people opt for a 5-wood for more carry without sacrificing that much distance.

golfer4life

10 years ago

Guessing the backlash with Krank made them not want to play anymore? To bad Titleist declined, as they’re the best FW clubs for me. Don’t know if it’s me, but they sure seem to be getting even more snooty these days. Looking forward to the results!

marckilgore

10 years ago

Yea… Titleist FW and hybrid are what I use too, but they are definitely a bit uppity.

Barbajo

10 years ago

Here we go again! Should be another fun read….

MG

10 years ago

I think you should put the Adams tight lies 16 degree in the test. I (and Adams) consider that a 3 wood and mainly because that’s the club I’m interested in possibly buying. But I’d like to see how it stacks up against the big boys first!

Tony Covey

10 years ago

As with everyone else in the test, Adams was invited to send whatever combination of lofts they wanted to.

w

10 years ago

I’m disappointed they didn’t send the Tight Lies Tour to compete as well. I felt it was by far superior in my personal testing.

Warwick

10 years ago

Possibly because your parameters are 13 – 15.5. It should have been to 16 and we could all see how the ‘proper’ Tight Lies performs. I am not interested in 13* clubs.

bob

10 years ago

Understand you have to draw the line somewhere but would have liked to see the 16 included also.

adam

10 years ago

so much too look forward to.

adam

10 years ago

“So much to look forward to” stupid voice to text again.

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