Best Ping Fairway Woods: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. G430 models
3. G425 models
4. How we test
5. How to choose
6. FAQs
For many, many years, Ping has been producing some of the best fairway woods on the market. Blending performance and forgiveness, the company has found a great balance, producing a range of fairway woods that are extremely popular among amateurs and professionals.
When it comes to fairway woods, they are often regarded as the hardest clubs in the bag to use. Sitting at around 43″ long, they have to work well off the tee but also from the fairway. As they tend to come with a smaller head than a driver, there is not a lot of sweet spot on the club face to play with and that's why they can sometimes be quite unforgiving.
Used by the likes of Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen and Leona Maguire, the brand certainly knows a thing or two about producing a top quality golf club. Below, I have taken a deep dive into the best Ping fairway woods, with the purpose of helping inform you and assisting your buying decisions. Alternatively, if Ping isn't to your taste, we also recommend checking out our guides on the best Callaway fairway woods or the best TaylorMade fairway woods.
The Quick List
The Ping G430 Max is a long yet easy-to-use fairway wood and will be many golfers favorite thanks to its versatility and high launch characteristics.
For a premium price, faster swinging golfers get a powerful fairway wood that offers a sensational feel, playable ball flight and shot-making versatility.
The Ping G425 is an excellent fairway wood that helps give greater confidence to golfers lacking consistency on long approaches and tight tee shots.
The G425 LST is one of the most forgiving low-spin fairway woods you’ll find and the extra distance could bring previously unreachable par fives onto your radar.
Part of the G Le line of clubs, this fairway is designed for forgiveness and lightness as well and it delivers on both of these elements nicely.
Best Ping Fairway Woods
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G430 models
To improve on the highly popular G425 range, for 2023 Ping introduced some more pleasing aesthetics as well as a Carbonfly Wrap which is visible across the top of the crown from head to toe. This is designed to save weight (10g) and lower the centre of gravity for less spin and more ball speed.
At address, the carbon finish, along with the dark grey and neon green accents, give the G430 range a more premium and modern look than models before it.
Of the three clubs in the G430 family, the Max is aimed at the broadest range of golfers and features in 3-wood all the way to a 9-wood, meaning there are plenty of options across the board. Add in Ping's Facewrap Technology, which is designed to provide a stable connection between sole and crown, as well as allow for more consistent ball speeds and spin rates off the face regardless of strike location, and you have a club which will appeal to a wide range of handicaps.
The sleek look of the G430 Max fairway makes it even more appealing to hit and is certainly one of the best fairway woods available this year.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Fairway Review
Ping G430 LST Fairway
The Ping G430 LST Fairway wood is a great option for faster swinging golfers looking for shot-making versatility and increased distance. The club boasts a similar matte carbon finish to the G430 driver and at address it looks very inviting for a low-spin model and isn't too compact. It does sit a little open which means it will appeal to the more skilled golfer. You certainly would not describe it as one the best fairway woods for high handicap golfers, that's for sure, but premium ball strikers will love what this club has to offer.
The feeling off the face is solid, stable and explosive, although the sound is louder than most which some might find off putting. Despite this club being a low spin option, we got more than sufficient launch and peak height during our testing sessions on the range. Data from the SkyTrak+ launch monitor suggested we were well within optimum ranges for most parameters.
Ball flights were favorable but did have a strong draw to them at times. The G430 LST does also cause some toe strikes which really exaggerated that flight and caused carry distance to drop due to the reduced spin. While it may not be one of the most forgiving fairway woods we were enamoured by how playable and consistent the club was once we got used to playing with it.
- Read our full Ping G430 LST Fairway Review
G425 models
The Ping G425 Fairway Woods made a big impression when they were launched in 2021. While they have now made way for the newer G430 range, don't be fooled into thinking these clubs aren't still a strong contender.
The G425 Max head comes in options from 3-wood all the way to a 9-wood, with the 7-wood, in particular, having proved to be a popular option for Ping's Tour players who liked to use it to approach greens on par 5s. The Spinsistency technology means that these fairway woods spin consistently so you can count on specific carry yardage and a strong descent angle into greens.
Earning a spot in our Editor's Choice Awards for 2022, the G425 Max includes an adjustable hosel with eight settings. This allows you to change both the loft and lie, meaning you can tweak the G425 to more precise specifications.
- Read our full Ping G425 Max Fairway Wood Review
Ping G425 LST Fairway Wood
The Ping G425 range offers great versatility and there is a club suited to every golfer. For the player who has a quick swing speed there is the LST, which features a slightly smaller head and a strategically placed centre of gravity than the G425 Max above.
Ping is renowned for its forgiveness and, with the LST, it is no different. The club delivers a little more wiggle room for your strike and produces a low-spin, penetrating ball flight.
Featuring the same one-piece face as the Max, it too added 1.5mph of ball speed over its predecessor (the G410), with the LST providing extra yardage on fairway and tee shots. Lofted at 14.5° for a driver-like performance, it is also very adaptable. It is possible to adjust the G425 by 1.5° up or down and up to 3° flatter, allowing the club to be fine-tuned to suit specific requirements.
- Read our full Ping G425 LST Fairway Wood Review
Ping G Le 2 Fairway Wood
There is an awful lot to like about the Ping G LE2 Women's fairway wood, with its lightweight feel meaning an increase in swing speeds and distance. Ranked as one of the best women's fairway woods on the market, the G LE2 has the same steel face material, as well as the same adjustability options so you can get things just right.
We see yet more forgiveness and performance within the shallower face, which doesn't just help get the ball in the air, but also provides plenty of forgiveness. Available in a 3, 5, 7 and 9 wood, you really can't go wrong with this option from Ping.
How we test fairway woods
When it comes to Golf Monthly's testing procedure, we use the same ethos and methodology for all golf products to make sure they are as insightful, honest and comprehensive as possible. When it comes to golf clubs, whenever possible wemake the effort to attend product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.
After we have an understanding of the tech, next first port of call when hitting clubs is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. We also use TrackMan at golf facilities across the UK as well as testing products out on the course in different conditions and off different lies.
Specifically for fairway woods, product testing is headed up by Sam De'Ath, a former EuroPro and Clutch Pro Tour professional with many years of experience in the golf industry. He is ably assisted by technical editor Joel Tadman, and editor Neil Tappin. All three have been testing clubs for many years, and can efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Lastly, it's worth noting that no manufacturer can buy a good review and our experts tell it how it is.
How to choose a fairway wood
The best fairway woods come with a variety of features that can help you play better golf. That can also mean it can be very difficult to pick and choose the right fairway wood for your needs as a golfer. With modern clubs coming with a range of bells and whistles, it can be hard to pick the right fairway wood for your needs. But we've set out a list of key considerations below you need to take into account when purchasing your next golf fairway wood.
1. Loft
Figure out the specific gap to be filled in your golf bag. Ask yourself how far does my driver go, and how far do your longest irons or hybrids go? Knowing this will dictate the ideal loft for your fairway wood.
2. Forgiveness
Some fairway woods are more forgiving than others, especially because many manufacturers create different models for different levels of player. For example, there are four different Cobra LTDx fairways with different head sizes, shapes and they are designed for different golfers. If you need as much help as possible, the LTDx MAX will work for you, whilst if you are a better player and strike is more consistent, then forgiveness may not be a key factor for you. For more options that deliver great forgiveness, check out our guide on the most forgiving fairway woods.
3. Adjustability
Most modern fairway woods come with a degree of adjustability, whether that’s loft, moveable weights or shaft fittings. Think about how important adjustability is to you, because you can change the characteristics of a club’s performance with a turn of a wrench. Or, you can keep things simple and opt for a non-adjustable model with a stock shaft you hit well.
4. Versatility
Fairway woods must work well off the tee, on the ground from different lies and even around the green. If you have a model that works in only one of these areas, then there may be plenty of improvement and flexibility in upgrading your fairway woods.
5. Looks
You have to like how a golf club looks, especially when looking down on the golf ball. The fairway wood is one of the most difficult clubs to hit, which is why you need something that gives you confidence and may even spark a pang of jealousy in your playing partners. Our advice is go and pick several models, see how they look and feel in your hands and test them in a variety of situations and lies.
6. Budget
Be aware of your budget. You can go for more premium models, such as the TaylorMade Stealth Plus or Callaway Rogue ST LS or you can opt for cheaper designs like the Wilson Launch Pad. Wherever you fall in budget, our guides will present you with good advice on buying a new fairway wood.
While Ping are one of the best golf club manufacturers in the game, why not also check out some of the fantastic options from other golf club manufacturers, including our guide to the best TaylorMade fairway woods or the best Callaway fairway woods. If you're new to golf, you should check out our guide to the best fairway woods for high handicappers. And why not also check out our guide on the best women's fairway woods, if you're a female golfer looking for a new approach club.
FAQs
What are fairway woods used for?
Fairway woods are typically used on longer holes in approach to the greens. On par 4s and par 5s, a player could opt to use a fairway wood for their second or third shot to help them drive the fairway and get the ball close to the green. You can also use your fairway wood off the tee on shorter holes where you might favor more accuracy over distance with your driver.
Can I use my fairway wood from the rough?
Yes, but it depends more often than not on the lie and how well the ball is sitting up. If the ball is covered in the rough, it's preferable to use a hybrid or an iron to dig it out. Nevertheless, if you can make a clean strike on the ball and want to drive it far, then you can opt for a fairway wood from the second cut.
What fairway woods should I carry in my golf bag?
Most golfers tend to carry either a 3 or a 5-wood in their bag. Depending on the gapping of your clubs, a 3-wood is the most common as it tends to cover the distance nicely between your driver and perhaps a 5-wood or a hybrid. Some golfers even like to use a 7-wood instead of a hybrid but, ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
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