Fairway woods have become one of the most important clubs in a women’s golf bag. In 2026, they are easier to launch, more forgiving, and far more versatile than older designs. For many women, a well chosen fairway wood can replace difficult long irons and even become a reliable option from the tee.
Keep reading to explore the best fairway woods for women in 2026.
Why Fairway Woods Matter More Than Ever
Modern women’s fairway woods are designed with lighter shafts, optimised lofts, and lower centres of gravity to help generate height and carry distance without excessive effort.
That higher launch is crucial. Many female golfers benefit from additional loft and forgiveness, allowing the ball to stay in the air longer and land softer on greens. When chosen correctly, a fairway wood becomes one of the most confidence inspiring clubs in the bag.
When it comes to finding the best fairway woods for women, it can often be very overwhelming with choice, so it’s important to narrow your focus by identifying what you actually need from the club. With multiple loft options, varying head sizes, adjustable features, and different shaft weights and flexes available, the selection process can quickly become confusing. So let’s dive into what the best fairway woods for women are, breaking down top-performing options that cater to a range of swing speeds, experience levels, and play styles.
The 7 Wood: The Standout Choice in 2026
If there is one club dominating conversations this year, it is the 7 wood.
The 7 wood offers a higher loft, typically around 21 degrees, which makes it incredibly easy to launch from both the fairway and light rough. Compared to long irons or even hybrids, it produces a more consistent ball flight with less effort.
For many women, the 7 wood replaces both the 5 iron and 6 iron. It provides reliable carry distance, improved stopping power on approach shots, and greater forgiveness on off centre strikes. It is no surprise that more women are building their bag around this club.
5 Wood or 3 Wood: What Should Women Choose?
While the 7 wood is gaining attention, the 5 wood remains a strong choice for women who want slightly more distance while maintaining forgiveness. Sitting at a lower loft than a 7 wood, it launches slightly lower, resulting in a little extra distance for most players.
A 3 wood can be effective, but it requires more club head speed to launch consistently. For many women, especially beginners and mid handicappers, a higher lofted option often delivers better results.
Choosing the right fairway wood is less about ego and more about performance. A club that launches easily and inspires confidence will always outperform one that looks powerful but proves difficult to control.
What to Look for in a Women’s Fairway Wood
When searching for the best fairway woods for women in 2026, focus on the following:
- Higher loft options that promote easier launch
- Lightweight shafts suited to your swing speed
- Forgiving club head designs with a low centre of gravity
- A shape that inspires confidence at address
A short fitting session can also make a noticeable difference. Matching shaft flex and length to your swing helps ensure consistent contact and reliable distances.
Should Beginners Use Fairway Woods?
Fairway woods can be excellent for beginners, particularly higher lofted models like a 7 wood. They are often easier to hit than long irons and offer versatility from multiple lies.
Many coaches now encourage beginners to prioritise forgiving fairway woods rather than struggling with low lofted clubs that demand more precision.
Pairing the right fairway wood with a well structured beginners golf bag creates a setup that supports confidence rather than frustration.
Recommendations
One fairway wood that is proving to perform well for women is the Callaway REVA fairway wood. Designed to be easy to hit, high launching and with strong forgiveness in mind, it helps players get the ball airborne quickly without needing maximum club head speed.
Read more about if the new Callaway Reva is making women’s golf easier in 2026 here.
Another standout option is the TaylorMade Kalea Gold fairway wood. Built specifically with playability and confidence for women in mind, the Kalea Gold blends lightweight components with a high-launch profile.
The best fairway woods for women in 2026 are those that make the long game feel simpler. Higher lofted options such as the 7 wood continue to stand out because they combine distance, forgiveness, and control in one reliable club.