I took 3 wood out of the bag this year. I just hit them too far and don’t have a need for it. They almost become a mini driver for me. But I did pick up a 5 wood which is a g430 max and I love it. I hit it a lot better and more consistent than any 3 wood I’ve ever had and it covers a big range of yards depending on the shot I play.
whats the gapping down through your irons. Im in this spot right now too where Im going to get fitted for woods soon and an honest evaluation has told me I rarely use the 3 wood. If I do, its off the tee and basically never use it for anything else. So I am curious what gapping you did with 5 wood down through your longer irons to space things out
I know it's not a 2024 model but to me, when you find a 3 wood you vibe with, you don't change it. I'm not a Taylormade guy but you'll never get my SIM titanium out of my bag😂.
I would love to see a comparison of 9-woods. I’m looking to find one for the bag and this time of year, they are in super short supply, especially with the equipment manufacturers bringing in a new cycle. The only 9-woods out there are the Callaway AI Smoke and the PXG Black Ops by special orders. Most importantly, the performance of a 9-wood with various shaft weights & flexes would be interesting in preparation for a fitting situation, especially since these clubs are different beasts than the usually-tested 3 woods.
Great review, In Sept 2023 i was custom fit for TSR3 3 wood (along with TSR3 driver). Love my TSR3, weight is in the T2 position. I got rid of paradym 3 and 5 woods because of super shallow faces. TSR3 has a flatter sole w a deeper face which is a great combo for both fairway and tee shots
Got fitted to a PING G430 FST 3W with 70g Chrome Tour stiff shaft. The results were just about the same for me as the Callaway AI Smoke Max, but the PING was at a bigger discount for Black Friday. Very happy. Either could have worked for me, so I went with budget.
I love my Qi10 Max 3/5 wood. I was expecting to get fit into the core model with my swing speed and past woods, but the shallow face is perfect for me especially off fairways
I thought the Ping will be my next replacement to my 10 year old Ping G30 3 and 5 woods... Im going with the AI Smoke Max and love how it feels and looks! Not sure if its the upgrade from a 10 year old matrix ozik 7m3 shaft to a ventus 2024 black 7x, of if its the head, or if its a combination of everything that has advanced in the last 10 years, but its a joy to hit the new models!
Love the channel and content guys. I had my first EVER club fitting on Saturday at Club Champion in Michigan, and I am thoroughly impressed with the whole process. We did irons and wedges, and I'll be finishing up for woods and driver this coming Friday. Can't wait!
My favourite 3 wood ever is my Taylormade stealth 2 plus. Love the sliding weight that I could change based on course if needed. Such a versatile club that can be a boomstick
I’d also throw in Srixon Zx mkii as an underdog. Ping g425 max 3 wood in a high spin set up but then I got the Srixon zx Mkii 5 wood snatch is a low spin bomber and creeps up to my 3 wood in distance and numbers.
Morning, I love watching you two guys with your insight on how clubs preform! Where are you guys located?? I live in northwest Indiana ,and there is no one around here that compares to the expertise expertise!! Keep up the amazing videos you guys produce!! Thanks
Play the GT2 fairway find it really easy to launch and like the bigger profile. why were there so many Tour players in the STD Qi10 fairway this year contracted and non-contracted? thanks
Good video. I've never been good with FW's until I got the Mizuno ST Max 3 wood, it's so easy to hit, that I looking at a 5 wood and may even take my 4 iron out of the bag and replace it with a 7 wood.
It’s a 13.5* that performs like a 15*. It offers golfers who want the confidence of the larger head size. It also launches really high despite the stronger loft and deeper face than most.
@@ianfrasergolfthanks for the response Ian, will miss your reviews / insights when you leave the channel. I was fitted into a GT2 16.5 but after the fitting what I’ve found is that it seems to be performing more like my previous 5w (Callaway Mavrik sub zero) from a distance standpoint so I think I do need to fill another gap between that and my driver. So that’s one of the reasons I asked the previous question as I may need the 13.5 to get enough gap between the 16.5 and driver. Is the 13.5* and 15* roughly the same head size? You mention the 13.5* is a larger head. Thanks again. Jim
Still have my Taylormade R9 TP 3 wood in the bag and haven’t even thought of changing to something new. Though I might be in the market for a 7 wood to replace my 3 hybrid.
I’m a mid-handicap 70 year old. I’m putting an Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max 3 Wood, with an Accra GX 100F M3 shaft in my bag. It’s perfect for my aging swing speed (89 mph) to get the dynamic loft I need.
I’ve got g430 max in the bag and am playing with lofting it up to closer to a 4 wood. Let’s see what winter practice does for standard loft vs lofting up.
Interesting, I had a fitting at TOUR X yesterday ...... it was Titleist GT v Callaway AI Smoke. The drivers performed almost exactly the same across all dimensions but the Titleist just felt 'dead' to me, I couldn't feel where I'd hit the ball. The Callaway 5 and 7 wood just flew off the face with great spin and ball speed.
I'm carrying my driver 265 and my 3 wood 230ish. I feel like there's not enough difference between the two, off the tees there's not much of an accuracy difference. I just use it off fairways mainly, I wonder if I'd be better off with a 5 wood.
Currently looking to fill this gap as I go straight from 7 wood (QI10) to driver (TSR3 @ 44.5"). Had a g425 3 wood and hated it. Thinking about a 3HL at 5 wood length to fill the gap, fairly high speed player (159mph in the 7 wood, 175 driver) but really didn't get on with a full length 3 wood
Sim vs real. For me the ping was great but outside on grass the srixon mkii has by far been the beat turf interaction. It's one of those 3 woods I'll never give up.
Love my ping g425 max 3 wood and 5 woods. Low profile and adjustable hossle. Not the longest by any means, but forgiving and straight. Not changing anytime soon.
The qi10 fairway wood has kind of become like the pro v1 or vokey wedges. It’s so good even if you’re not signed to the brand it’s one club you gotta have in the bag. Love my qi10 5 wood
switched out 3 wood for mini driver and it’s best thing I did.. then play 5W with weight back in QI10 Tour, the TD Max driver has been incredible but the forward only weighting on woods terrifies me given I play my woods shorter and need more weight, and you just showed they’re already low spinning
just can't make a 3 wood work for me so stuck with my APEX UW 17* which is a true weapon in the bag. Also been bagging a mini driver for holes where I need it. Wish I could hit fairways better.
I have a callaway ai smoke max 3 wood and need to increase the swing weight due to playing it 1/2’ shorter. Called callaway and they said they don’t have the weight for it to send out, so do you guys have any ideas without going to a lighter grip? Thanks
i'd love to come in for a fitting and see how you two masterminds sort out my 140+ mph club head speed... i've been turned away by every local big box/ club fitter i'm driving distance from a few of your Ontario studio's
I feel the Ping got short changed by lower club speed. The four shots in the video had avg club speed of 107.2. Virtually all shots with the other two were up around 110. Not surprising the ball speed was lower for the Ping.
I put a Smoke Heavenwood in the bag recently, but not certain that it will stay there. The face looks a little closed to me and I can't stop hitting a draw (more than I would like to see). The launch, height, and carry distance are all great. Since it is a glued in shaft there isn't a hosel adaptor that I can change the lie angle or face angle on. Any suggestions other than lead tape?
Thank you so much for this amazing video! Just a quick off-topic question: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
Imho, Cobra has been making the best fairway woods for the better player for the last four or five years. Their 5 wood is particularly excellent. Their LS models are incredible.
I still game a 2016 Big Bertha 816 Alpha / Kiyoshi Gold 75x Desperately looking for a like new head as a backup. I’ve tried at least 6 later models & stopped wasting time & money after a Paradym TD, i seriously can’t hit anything better & not gonna try anything else.
My Top 3 do very different things: QI10 Tour: low spin bomber AI Smoke Max: Balanced forgiveness/speed G430M: Best for anything north of 5w. These things go high and straight. The 7 wood is a perfect club.
I guess I'm old school ... still rock'n a Titleist 917 F2 3 wood. There's a reason why the 3 wood is the oldest club in a lot of bags. When you find a good performer, it's tough to switch.
I can’t hit a 3 wood goes exact same as 5 wood and for me is less reliable so I have a mini driver in the bag and use it as my off the tee fairway finder
Can you do a video of the top 5 fairway woods over the last 5 years… A lot of us don’t won’t to fork out for the latest releases but still want to see how older clubs match up against the best
The top fairway woods is whatever one you hit good and goes down the gut.... Regardless of the year it was made.. :) My 3W is 6 years old and is not going anywhere..
The fact that you guys don’t have the new Cleveland woods in this simply based on how easy they are to hit…. Is down right shameless… Guess they didn’t pay enough money to be in the cool kid club…
I took 3 wood out of the bag this year. I just hit them too far and don’t have a need for it. They almost become a mini driver for me. But I did pick up a 5 wood which is a g430 max and I love it. I hit it a lot better and more consistent than any 3 wood I’ve ever had and it covers a big range of yards depending on the shot I play.
Same. I put the 16.5 tsr in my bag this year. Never going back. Long live the 4 wood
Same, tsr2 and love it. I still use the 3 wood on certain courses, but 80% of the time the 5w is a better, more versatile option.
Gt2 16.5 with 1/4 shorter low spin shaft
@@gonzalomiraoltra8789same setup
whats the gapping down through your irons. Im in this spot right now too where Im going to get fitted for woods soon and an honest evaluation has told me I rarely use the 3 wood. If I do, its off the tee and basically never use it for anything else. So I am curious what gapping you did with 5 wood down through your longer irons to space things out
I know it's not a 2024 model but to me, when you find a 3 wood you vibe with, you don't change it. I'm not a Taylormade guy but you'll never get my SIM titanium out of my bag😂.
I would love to see a comparison of 9-woods. I’m looking to find one for the bag and this time of year, they are in super short supply, especially with the equipment manufacturers bringing in a new cycle. The only 9-woods out there are the Callaway AI Smoke and the PXG Black Ops by special orders. Most importantly, the performance of a 9-wood with various shaft weights & flexes would be interesting in preparation for a fitting situation, especially since these clubs are different beasts than the usually-tested 3 woods.
I put the Ping G15 in my bag this year. $25 used from PGA Superstore.
Great review, In Sept 2023 i was custom fit for TSR3 3 wood (along with TSR3 driver). Love my TSR3, weight is in the T2 position. I got rid of paradym 3 and 5 woods because of super shallow faces. TSR3 has a flatter sole w a deeper face which is a great combo for both fairway and tee shots
Got fitted to a PING G430 FST 3W with 70g Chrome Tour stiff shaft. The results were just about the same for me as the Callaway AI Smoke Max, but the PING was at a bigger discount for Black Friday.
Very happy. Either could have worked for me, so I went with budget.
I love my Qi10 Max 3/5 wood. I was expecting to get fit into the core model with my swing speed and past woods, but the shallow face is perfect for me especially off fairways
I thought the Ping will be my next replacement to my 10 year old Ping G30 3 and 5 woods... Im going with the AI Smoke Max and love how it feels and looks! Not sure if its the upgrade from a 10 year old matrix ozik 7m3 shaft to a ventus 2024 black 7x, of if its the head, or if its a combination of everything that has advanced in the last 10 years, but its a joy to hit the new models!
Love the channel and content guys. I had my first EVER club fitting on Saturday at Club Champion in Michigan, and I am thoroughly impressed with the whole process. We did irons and wedges, and I'll be finishing up for woods and driver this coming Friday. Can't wait!
My favourite 3 wood ever is my Taylormade stealth 2 plus. Love the sliding weight that I could change based on course if needed. Such a versatile club that can be a boomstick
Lots of golfers liked that one.
@@ianfrasergolf would take a significant improvement in distance and better dispersion to get it out my bag.
I have just shaft ungraded my Cobra F8+ 3W, to a 2024 Ventus Red Velocore+ 4W shaft. Amazing results, thanks to Club Champion, Melbourne (Australia)
I also upgraded my 18.5° 3i to the new ACCRA GX green 🎯
I’d also throw in Srixon Zx mkii as an underdog.
Ping g425 max 3 wood in a high spin set up but then I got the Srixon zx Mkii 5 wood snatch is a low spin bomber and creeps up to my 3 wood in distance and numbers.
I have the 3 wood. The turf interaction is amazing.
@@TreyEb3rtnice! How is the launch? Could it work as one of those low spin low launching 3 woods?
Morning, I love watching you two guys with your insight on how clubs preform! Where are you guys located?? I live in northwest Indiana ,and there is no one around here that compares to the expertise expertise!! Keep up the amazing videos you guys produce!! Thanks
Play the GT2 fairway find it really easy to launch and like the bigger profile. why were there so many Tour players in the STD Qi10 fairway this year contracted and non-contracted? thanks
Good video. I've never been good with FW's until I got the Mizuno ST Max 3 wood, it's so easy to hit, that I looking at a 5 wood and may even take my 4 iron out of the bag and replace it with a 7 wood.
Is there a reason why you tested the GT2 in the 13.5 degree vs the others in the 15 degree? Do you think 13.5 is any harder to hit than the 15 degree?
It’s a 13.5* that performs like a 15*. It offers golfers who want the confidence of the larger head size. It also launches really high despite the stronger loft and deeper face than most.
@@ianfrasergolfthanks for the response Ian, will miss your reviews / insights when you leave the channel. I was fitted into a GT2 16.5 but after the fitting what I’ve found is that it seems to be performing more like my previous 5w (Callaway Mavrik sub zero) from a distance standpoint so I think I do need to fill another gap between that and my driver. So that’s one of the reasons I asked the previous question as I may need the 13.5 to get enough gap between the 16.5 and driver. Is the 13.5* and 15* roughly the same head size? You mention the 13.5* is a larger head. Thanks again. Jim
@ the 13.5 is slightly larger in head size Jim.
Still have my Taylormade R9 TP 3 wood in the bag and haven’t even thought of changing to something new. Though I might be in the market for a 7 wood to replace my 3 hybrid.
Just added the new tour edge exotics c725. Seems great so far.
Have a TM Sim2 Ti as a tee club. Almost automatic with it. Added an AI Smoke Max 3HL this year for off the deck. Love them both.
I’m a mid-handicap 70 year old. I’m putting an Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max 3 Wood, with an Accra GX 100F M3 shaft in my bag. It’s perfect for my aging swing speed (89 mph) to get the dynamic loft I need.
Man.. 70 and getting 89 mph?? What am I doing wrong lol. 36 with 76 mph
Love my TSR2 3 wood!!
I’ve got g430 max in the bag and am playing with lofting it up to closer to a 4 wood. Let’s see what winter practice does for standard loft vs lofting up.
This year I upgraded from TSi3 to Ai Smoke 💎 💎 💎 … great 3 wood. Great feel and workability.
I have the G430 5 and 9W. Both are amazing. Tempted to get the AI Smoke 11W because Ping doesn't offer one!
any chance to review the AI Smoke HL comparison to the Ai Smoke Max 3w + 5W ?
The launch of the gt2 is just fantastic, so easy
Steep swinger here. Callaway all day
Interesting, I had a fitting at TOUR X yesterday ...... it was Titleist GT v Callaway AI Smoke. The drivers performed almost exactly the same across all dimensions but the Titleist just felt 'dead' to me, I couldn't feel where I'd hit the ball. The Callaway 5 and 7 wood just flew off the face with great spin and ball speed.
I'm carrying my driver 265 and my 3 wood 230ish. I feel like there's not enough difference between the two, off the tees there's not much of an accuracy difference. I just use it off fairways mainly, I wonder if I'd be better off with a 5 wood.
Both the ai max and 💎💎💎 are beasts. Mini driver isn’t even a thought
Currently looking to fill this gap as I go straight from 7 wood (QI10) to driver (TSR3 @ 44.5"). Had a g425 3 wood and hated it. Thinking about a 3HL at 5 wood length to fill the gap, fairly high speed player (159mph in the 7 wood, 175 driver) but really didn't get on with a full length 3 wood
Sim vs real. For me the ping was great but outside on grass the srixon mkii has by far been the beat turf interaction. It's one of those 3 woods I'll never give up.
Love my ping g425 max 3 wood and 5 woods. Low profile and adjustable hossle. Not the longest by any means, but forgiving and straight. Not changing anytime soon.
Ping LST 3 wood. Faster ball speed with great launch and spin control 🔥
There are a lot of tour players gaming qi10 3 woods, even if there are signed with other companies. Any thoughts?
It's a great club. I love my 3 wood qi10 and am looking to get the 5 wood. I'm guessing the pros have had the same experience.
The qi10 fairway wood has kind of become like the pro v1 or vokey wedges. It’s so good even if you’re not signed to the brand it’s one club you gotta have in the bag. Love my qi10 5 wood
switched out 3 wood for mini driver and it’s best thing I did.. then play 5W with weight back in QI10 Tour, the TD Max driver has been incredible but the forward only weighting on woods terrifies me given I play my woods shorter and need more weight, and you just showed they’re already low spinning
just can't make a 3 wood work for me so stuck with my APEX UW 17* which is a true weapon in the bag. Also been bagging a mini driver for holes where I need it. Wish I could hit fairways better.
That’s a little cheat code for people who struggle with 3w.
I hate 3 woods but the srixon hit different as far as turf interaction.
already fitted for 3W - GT3 the clear winner! Now, can't wait to have a GT3 vs. 440LST showdown in the new year! 😀
Timing couldn’t be any better, I am booked in for a log game fitting on Thursday in Glasgow with Dane, let’s see if I end up in any of these three?
Enjoy the fitting Lewis, please say hi to Dane and Joe for me, they are two of the best!!
I game the 3 wood in the Callaway and that's only because they don't offer the 5 wood with adjustability. I have that 3 wood lofted up to a 17 degree.
I hit 8 models and these where my top 3 . But there are No bad ones this year. Went with Callaway BUT its almost too long.
Mizzy ST-Z 230 w/RDX Green 6.0 75g. Normally an X-Stiff player, but knew the 6.0 could keep up.
I have a callaway ai smoke max 3 wood and need to increase the swing weight due to playing it 1/2’ shorter. Called callaway and they said they don’t have the weight for it to send out, so do you guys have any ideas without going to a lighter grip? Thanks
Will you guys be reviewing the new Srixon drivers some time soon?
I went with the Qi 10 Tour with Ventus Velocore Blue 6 S
The triple diamond ai smoke 3 wood is pretty insane.
i'd love to come in for a fitting and see how you two masterminds sort out my 140+ mph club head speed... i've been turned away by every local big box/ club fitter i'm driving distance from a few of your Ontario studio's
I feel the Ping got short changed by lower club speed. The four shots in the video had avg club speed of 107.2. Virtually all shots with the other two were up around 110. Not surprising the ball speed was lower for the Ping.
I put a Smoke Heavenwood in the bag recently, but not certain that it will stay there. The face looks a little closed to me and I can't stop hitting a draw (more than I would like to see). The launch, height, and carry distance are all great. Since it is a glued in shaft there isn't a hosel adaptor that I can change the lie angle or face angle on. Any suggestions other than lead tape?
Thank you so much for this amazing video! Just a quick off-topic question: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
How many more videos do we have with Ian?
Probably around 20 or so. With some absolute beauties in there. Matches with and against 2 major champions.
Any plans on testing the Takomo 301 CB and MB? I’d love to get your opinion on them, both Ian and Mikey.
I have an AI Smoke Max 3 wood and a AI Smoke Max D 5 wood
I have a ping g10 on a high graphite design shaft. Goes 260 all day. Picked up for 30 dollars
Cleveland Halo XL… review it! Especially the 5 wood!
Imho, Cobra has been making the best fairway woods for the better player for the last four or five years. Their 5 wood is particularly excellent. Their LS models are incredible.
They are underrated for sure Mike. I love what Cobra do, they are a phenomenal group!!
Dark speed LS
Qi tour
G430 lst
Mizuno also was a great fast fairway wood.
Ventus Black? Or TR Blue? 7X?
Were these all in the ventus velocore black? what grams? S, X?
I have the Callaway AI Smoke Max 3 wood. Not had it out on the course yet but in the sim its showing the right numbers and so easy to hit
I still game a 2016 Big Bertha 816 Alpha / Kiyoshi Gold 75x
Desperately looking for a like new head as a backup.
I’ve tried at least 6 later models & stopped wasting time & money after a Paradym TD, i seriously can’t hit anything better & not gonna try anything else.
My Top 3 do very different things:
QI10 Tour: low spin bomber
AI Smoke Max: Balanced forgiveness/speed
G430M: Best for anything north of 5w. These things go high and straight. The 7 wood is a perfect club.
No Qi10? Most used Fairway wood on tour. Any issues or reason it was excluded?
I guess I'm old school ... still rock'n a Titleist 917 F2 3 wood. There's a reason why the 3 wood is the oldest club in a lot of bags. When you find a good performer, it's tough to switch.
Played the sim2ti for a few years until it cracked. TM sent me a stealth plus and it's practically the same thing. Won't ever take it out of the bag.
Still have my M5 titanium. Prefer that smaller head compared to some of the newer models. Launches high and is a cannon
I out. Darkspeed max 3w in the bag. Waiting until the new batch of 2025 options before I land on the 7w for next season
I can’t hit a 3 wood goes exact same as 5 wood and for me is less reliable so I have a mini driver in the bag and use it as my off the tee fairway finder
Can you pick any brands 😢
Can you do a video of the top 5 fairway woods over the last 5 years… A lot of us don’t won’t to fork out for the latest releases but still want to see how older clubs match up against the best
I watched the reviews from 2022 and 2023 and bought 3 used ones for less than the cost of 1 new club
@@samuelscreech this is the way. And SAS Golf channel is a good source for finding diamonds in the rough and good deals on used clubs.
Qi10 bonded has complete dominance on tour. It’s the clear cut best 3 wood on the planet.
I thought Ian cashed out a month ago, how long is he sticking around?
How is QI10 3 wood not in this?!
The top fairway woods is whatever one you hit good and goes down the gut....
Regardless of the year it was made.. :)
My 3W is 6 years old and is not going anywhere..
Disappointing not to see the QI10 fairways in this test, better than that ping imo
Ping G400
The fact that you guys don’t have the new Cleveland woods in this simply based on how easy they are to hit…. Is down right shameless…
Guess they didn’t pay enough money to be in the cool kid club…
Best fw I've owned isn't a fw, it's the Apex UW. It's a 🚀
G430 max 5 wood is all a guy needs
Here is a thought. How about testing clubs with the same loft? Good grief. Otherwise its an unbalanced test. Someone go tell these guys. Hurry!
Play with 12 clubs. No woods. Bought a bunch over the years and always seem pointless.
King Ltd (2015) 4-5w set at 16.5 playing at 42.5”. The Swiss Army knife of fairway woods and an absolute smasher for my 90-95 mph swing 😊
AI Smoke max is looking like the choice for me this offseason as I'm a whore for some low spin distance haha. Good comparison boys!
qi10 tour 3 wood best of 2024
I disagree, good for some. Too small for most.
RIP Ian
I’m not dead, Lol
@@ianfrasergolf HE LIVES
Cobra??? C'MON guys 😂
No Qi10 Core? So many non staffers used it this year
absolute crime not having the Qi10 Core on here
What language is this guy speaking? I can’t really understand a word he’s saying.
That’s Mike and he’s speaking Canadian.
People still use 3 woods? 😂
Put a 15° GT3 with a Tensei Pro Blue in the bag in place of a TS3. Great club!
Ian’s accent is a fun listen… pour some beers into him and it’s William Wallace! Haha
Rab C Nesbitt
what is with that shaft connection
It’s a universal connector system.
@@ianfrasergolf I assume so you can compare heads without any variant in the shaft?
@@skippyskip9959yes correct.
GT2 is way too spinny for me. Tsr2 is over 1000 rpm less spin. Really wasn’t expecting that to be the case.