The Best 5 Woods In 2023 – Pure It Off The Fairway Everytime
Most average golfers automatically add a 3-wood to their bag, because it is what they see everyone else doing.
However, a higher lofted 5 wood is far easier to launch, and as a mid or high handicapper you should consider carrying one.
The aim of this guide is to introduce you to the best 5 woods in 2023. I will take you through the advantages of each option, and which type of golfer it stands to benefit the most. Let’s get into it.
AT A GLANCE
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1. Cobra Speedzone 5 Wood – (Best Overall Choice)
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2. Callaway Rogue ST Max 5 Wood – (Best Premium)
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3. PXG 2021 0211 Fairway Wood – (Best Budget)
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4. Cleveland Launcher XL Halo’ Fairway Wood – (Best For High Handicappers)
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5. Callaway Mavrik 5 Wood – (Best For Mid Handicappers)
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6. TaylorMade Stealth Plus – (Best For Low Handicappers)
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7. Cleveland Turbo HB 5 Wood – (Best For Distance)
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8. Taylormade Sim Max – (Most Forgiving)
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9. Cobra Golf Men’s 2019 F-Max Superlite – (Best For Seniors)
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10. Callaway Big Bertha B21 5 Wood – (Best For A Slice)
THE TOP 3
#1 – Best Overall Choice – Cobra Speedzone 5 Wood
3 Selling Points:
- Pushes the legal limit of ball speed
- 70% larger sweet spot
- Promotes a high, long launch
Key Features
This 18.5-degree 5-wood features a 167cc head with a CNC milled face and hollow split rails. Plus, it includes an adjustable MyFly8 hosel.
Loft
With 18.5-degrees of loft, the Cobra Speedzone 5-wood matches the industry standard. That means that it is easy for moderate to slow swingers to launch.
Performance & Accuracy
Cobra’s engineers constructed the Speedzone to produce explosive ball speed, maximum forgiveness, and optimal turf interaction. These three factors combine to develop a higher, straighter shot off the deck and fairway.
In addition, the MyFly8 hosel enables you to adjust the loft and lie of the face. As a result, you can set up your preferred lounge.
Who Should Buy
The forgiving, easy launching nature of the Speedzone 5-wood makes it most suitable to high handicappers. It produces consistent distance and forgiveness off the tee, fairway, and rough to help the less gifted golfer.
Pros:
- Explosive ball speed
- Enlarged sweet spot
- Increased forgiveness
- Mid launch
- Optimal carry and total distance
Cons:
- Limited workability
Overall Rating: 94/100
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#2 – Best Premium – Callaway Rogue ST Max 5 Wood
3 Selling Points:
- Accelerated ball speed
- Low spin
- Maximum forgiveness
Key Features
The new Callaway Rogue ST features an AI jailbreak system and a 27-gram tungsten speed cartridge. Furthermore, the face is constructed with maraging C300 steel, and it contains a face cup.
Loft
At 18-degrees, this 5-wood is marginally more sturdy than its peers, although not by much.
Performance & Accuracy
Callaway’s A. I designed a jailbreak system that adds stability to the perimeter while optimizing face flex. The result is accelerated ball speed across the face for consistent distance, even on heel and toe mishits.
In addition, a tungsten speed cartridge repositions the CG forward, lowering the spin and prompting rapid ball speed.
Overall, it is a forgiving 5-wood that produces a mid-degree launch for maximum distance in your long game.
Who Should Buy
As a result of its mid-level launch and high forgiveness, this 5-wood suits mid to high handicappers with moderate swing speeds.
Pros:
- Lowers spin
- Prompts accelerated ball speed
- Supreme forgiveness
- Mid launch
- Increased stability at impact
Cons:
- Expensive
Overall Rating: 92/100
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#3 – Best Budget – PXG 2021 0211 Fairway Wood
Selling Points:
- High speed face
- Superior turf interaction
- Affordable
Key Features
This affordable 5-wood possesses a high-strength face that prompts faster ball speed and railed sole geometry for improved turf interaction. Moreover, a honeycomb TPE insert enhances the feel and acoustics at impact, while an adjustable weight allows you to set up for your preferred launch.
Lastly, a hybrid crown construction performs to increase clubhead speed and delivers an increased moment of inertia (MOI).
Loft
Like the Callaway Rogue ST, this 5-wood is set at 18-degrees. Therefore, it is easier for players with moderate swing speeds to consistently launch.
Performance & Accuracy
The PXG 0211 5-wood produces increased MOI to resist twisting. That means that it promotes straighter shots for increased accuracy. Furthermore, its high-speed face encourages rapid ball speed across the face for optimal distance.
Finally, the railed sole geometry delivers superior turf interaction for a clean strike from any lie on the golf course.
Who Should Buy
The forgiving and consistent nature of this 5-wood, coupled with its affordable price, makes it best suited to mid and high handicappers on a budget.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Excellent turf interaction
- High MOI
- Fast ball speed off the face
- Superior feel and acoustics
Cons:
- Restricted workability does not suit superior golfers
Overall Rating: 91/100
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#4 – Best For High Handicappers – Cleveland Launcher XL Halo’ Fairway Wood
Selling Points:
- Oversized head
- Cleveland’s most forgiving fairway wood
- Optimal face flex
Key Features
The Halo fairway wood offers an oversized head that produces sublime MOI, while gliding rails add stability and improve turf interaction. On top of these features, it carries a dual flex zone to prompt added whip at impact for consistent ball speed, even on strikes low on the face.
In addition, it possesses a HiBore Crown, which reduces the CG of the wood to prompt high, launching shots.
Loft
Like its peers, this 5-wood contains 18-degrees of loft, making it an easy fairway wood to launch for the average golfer.
Performance & Accuracy
The purpose of the Halo is to provide beginners and high handicappers with maximum forgiveness off the tee and deck. Plus, it carries a dual rebound frame to encourage rapid ball speed even on off-center strikes.
Who Should Buy
This is a fairway wood crafted for high handicappers and beginners who require maximum forgiveness around the golf course.
Pros:
- Supreme forgiveness
- Consistent ball speed
- Enhanced turf interaction
- Optimal stability through impact
- Encourages increased distance
Cons:
- The high MOI performance of this wood reduces your ability to shape your shots.
Overall Rating: 89/100
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#5 – Best For Mid Handicappers – Callaway Mavrik 5 Wood
3 Selling Points:
- Callaway’s longest fairway wood
- Prompts accelerated ball speed across the face
- Restricts slice side spin
Key Features
The Mavrik is equipped with an A. I optimized flash face, leading-edge geometry, and low CG. Moreover, the fairway wood pushes the CG low for a high launch, while a slight draw bias combats left to right side spin.
Loft
The Mavrik sports 18-degrees of loft, bringing it on par with its competitors in this category. As a result, it is a relatively simple fairway wood to launch.
Performance & Accuracy
The Flash Face SS20 metal delivers outstanding ball speed to prompt a mid to high launch with maximum carry and total distance. Furthermore, its slight draw bias restricts side spin to lounge straighter shots.
The sole construction of this fairway wood provides impressive turf interaction to promote clean contact from any lie on the golf course.
Who Should Buy
The medium launch, coupled with exceptional forgiveness and moderate accuracy, makes this 5-wood best suited to a mid-handicapper with moderate swing speed.
Pros:
- Exceptional distance
- Maximum ball speed
- Superb turf interaction
- Promotes straighter shots
- Easy launching
Cons:
- It does not feature an interchangeable weight
- Difficult to shape your shots with
Overall Rating: 88/100
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#6 – Best For Low Handicappers – TaylorMade Stealth Plus
Selling Points:
- Constructed from carbon
- Pushes the legal limit of ball speed
- Straight and long
Key Features
Constructed from Carbon DNA, this fairway wood offers an 80-gram V Steel sole, along with a titanium Zatech Twist Face. Additionally, the clubface is 12% broader than the SIM 2, but it provides the same level of playability.
A Thru-Slot Speed Pocket maximizes face flexibility to deliver consistent ball speed, even on strikes off the low face. Finally, a 4-degree adjustable sleeve enables you to strengthen or weaken the loft for a lower or higher launch.
Loft
The Stealth Plus features a slightly weaker loft at 19-degrees, making it equivalent to a standard 3-iron or a super strengthened 4-iron. This weaker loft is easier for moderate to slow swingers to launch.
Performance & Accuracy
Thanks to its V Steel sole, the Stealth Plus produces exceptional turf interaction to prevent the club from digging into the grass. The clubface resists twisting to keep the face square at impact for straight shots, while an increased head size makes it easy to get the clubface on the ball.
Added to its distance and forgiveness is a mid launching shot, with low spin and high forgiveness. Overall, you enjoy consistent carry and total distance combined with optimal accuracy.
Who Should Buy
Based on the fact that the Stealth Plus is easy to swing, adjustable, and produces consistent distance and accuracy, it best suits mid and low handicappers with moderate swing speed.
Pros:
- Weaker loft makes it easier to launch.
- Low spin
- Rapid ball speed
- Prompts straight shots
- Maintains ball speed even on strikes low off the face.
Cons:
- The high MOI reduces workability, which will deter some low handicappers
- Super expensive
Overall Rating: 87/100
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#7 – Best For Distance – Cleveland Turbo HB 5 Wood
3 Selling Points:
- Added forgiveness
- Produces a constant high launch
- Delivers optimal distance
Key Features
The Hi Bore crown works to lower the CG of this fairway wood by 0.08-inches and is accompanied by low and deep weighting for increased forgiveness. Plus, its light Miyazaki C Kua shaft is easy to swing and allows additional weight to be placed in the head for increased MOI.
Loft
This 5-wood offers a loft of 18-degrees which is standard for clubs in this category. It is relatively easy for the average player to launch and consistently get airborne.
Performance & Accuracy
This is a simple 5-wood that is easy to swing and launch into the air. In addition, it is crafted to provide optimal forgiveness in terms of accuracy and ball speed.
Its superb MOI resists face twisting to prompt straighter shots, while its fast face encourages rapid ball speed for ample distance.
Who Should Buy
The hassle-free launch, forgiveness, and distance produced by this 5-wood make it ideal for beginners and high handicappers seeking increased length.
Pros:
- Increased ball speed
- Light shaft
- Superb forgiveness
- High launch
- Encourages increased clubhead speed
Cons:
- Limited technology
Overall Rating: 86/100
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#8 – Most Forgiving – Taylormade Sim Max
3 Selling Points:
- Explosive distance
- Straight
- Forgiving
Key Features
This TaylorMade fairway wood contains ultra-low CG, a V Steel sole design, and a twist face design. Plus, the engineers added in a Thru Slot Speed Pocket.
Loft
The SIM Max is set with 18-degrees of loft, bringing it in line with most of its competitors.
Performance & Accuracy
Thanks to its ultra-low CG, this fairway wood produces a powerful launch for added distance. Plus, its V Steel sole pushes the clubhead to glide through the turf and make clean contact with the ball.
In addition, the use of Twist Face technology keeps your clubface square at impact to combat slices and hooks. Lastly, the speed pocket increases clubface flex to deliver accelerated ball speed even on off-center mishits.
Who Should Buy
Based on the performance of this club, it suits mid and high handicappers looking for accuracy and consistent distance.
Pros:
- Powerful launch
- Maximum distance
- Combats slices and hooks
- Delivers straight shots
- Exceptional turf interaction
- Moderate workability
Cons:
- Expensive
- It does not include an adjustable loft sleeve
Overall Rating: 84/100
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#9 – Best For Seniors – Cobra Golf Men’s 2019 F-Max Superlite
3 Selling Points:
- Light construction
- High launching
- Increased swing speed
Key Features
The engineers saved 16-grams of mass, for a lighter fairway wood, along with a forged 455 steel face. In addition, back heel weighting is implemented, with a moderately offset hosel.
Loft
With 20-degrees of loft, this is one of the weaker lofted 5-woods on the market. That means it is easier for slow-swinging seniors to launch their shots long and high.
Performance & Accuracy
Its weak loft, lighter construction, and forged face make this fairway wood a breeze to send the ball airborne consistently. Additionally, the offset hosel restricts left to right sidespin that typically prompts a slice, resulting in a straighter shot.
Who Should Buy
The high, easy launching nature of this offset 5-wood benefits seniors and super slow swinging golfers.
Pros:
- High launch
- Light and easy to swing
- Restricts slice side spin
- Optimizes accuracy
- Weak loft
Cons:
- The offset will not appeal to low handicappers or traditionalists
- Limited workability
Overall Rating: 82/100
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#10 – Best For A Slice – Callaway Big Bertha B21 5 Wood
3 Selling Points:
- Callaway’s easiest launching fairway wood
- High ball speeds
- Straighter flight
Key Features
The Big Bertha B21 sports a shallow clubface with the Callaway’s Flash Face SS21 and jailbreak bars for added stability.
Loft
As we have seen with most 5-woods on this list, the B21 is set at 18-degrees.
Performance & Accuracy
The shallow face on this fairway wood encourages superb turf interaction and sends your ball flying high and long into the distance. In addition, the Flash Face promotes maximum ball speed across an expanded area of the face, while the jailbreak bars add stability to enhance the wood’s MOI.
Thanks to the increased MOI, this club combats a side spin that typically leads to a slice. As a result, it delivers straight, long shots.
Who Should Buy
The B21 is built for high handicappers and beginners who cannot shake the slice from their game.
Pros:
- Restructs slices
- Easy to swing
- Delivers a high launch
- Consistent distance
- Promotes straighter shots for added accuracy
Cons:
- The offset profile may not appeal to some golfers
- Restricts workability
Overall Rating: 80/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Conclusion
The list of the best 5 woods this year offers a variety of options for low, mid, and high handicappers. Plus, we catered to seniors and those looking for a straighter hitting fairway wood.
The PXG 0211 is best positioned to aid those on a strict budget, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max was built for the high rollers. The Cleveland HB Turbo is the one to consider if you are purely after distance. However, those seeking forgiveness should turn to the TaylorMade SIM Max.
Despite the impressive features of these fairway woods, they were unable to topple the winner of the best 5 woods in 2022, the Cobra Speedzone. It is worth considering if you are seeking rapid ball speed, a mid-level launch, and optimal distance.