How to Hit Fairway Woods

By Mike Camunas

A fairway wood is a valuable and near indispensable club in a golf bag. When a golfer is sitting in the middle of a par-5 hole, or even a long par-4 hole, a fairway wood--or a hybrid club--comes in handy to make up plenty of ground and yardage. Generally, it is the club of choice for amateur golfers looking to get on the green in or under regulation. It's important for every golfer to be able to hit a fairway wood or hybrid properly, since it is an integral part of any golfer's game.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step 1

Determine if a fairway wood or a hybrid club is the club needed for the upcoming shot. Sometimes, even on a par-5 hole, a long iron would play better due to conditions or hole layout, especially if one incorporates course management into his game or lacks power in a golf swing.

Step 2

Since fairway woods or hybrids can eliminate longer irons, it allows the golfer to have a more upright posture during the shot. So from here, set up with your body's weight on the balls of your feet and put your feet about shoulder-width apart. The ball should be between the middle of your stance and closer to the heel of your left foot.

Step 3

Lean your body to your right (or away from the ball), which will help you swing upwards and rotate your body on the back swing. Most of your weight should be transferred to your right foot when pulling the club back.

Step 4

When starting the swing, it should be a full back swing and then have a shallow downswing into the ball. Make sure your body makes the full turn so it leads your hands and arms in a wide arc through the swing.

Step 5

At the point of impact with the ball, make sure your shoulders return square so the club head swings straight into the ball. Remember to release your hands at point of impact, which will help create a long, straight shot. During this step, the weight on your back foot will transfer to the front foot, which will turn in slightly to generate power for the follow through.

Tips & Warnings

The ball will not necessarily always have a flat lie, even in the fairway. Remember to adjust your stance and grip to adhere to the ball, which could be below or above your feet. For example, you'll want to choke up on the club when the ball is above your feet. If you're still having difficulty hitting a fairway wood properly, consult a PGA teaching professional at a local course or range. Most courses have certified instructors who can help you master hitting these clubs.

If you're still having difficulty hitting a fairway wood properly, consult a PGA teaching professional at a local course or range. Most courses have certified instructors who can help you master hitting these clubs.

Fairway woods can be a difficult club to hit. It takes practice to hit it well and then get the most out of the club. If you have trouble hitting a fairway wood properly, try using a hybrid club or sticking to the long irons. There are irons available up to 1, while some hybrids are specifically designed to replaced a high-lofted fairway wood. Many mis-hits with a fairway wood or a hybrid club will be a topped shot or a low and thin shot that will slice to the right. It's important to keep your head down until contact is made with the ball.

Many mis-hits with a fairway wood or a hybrid club will be a topped shot or a low and thin shot that will slice to the right. It's important to keep your head down until contact is made with the ball.

About The Author

Mike Camunas is a free lance reporter, covering local golf in the Tampa Bay area, from events to golfers hitting hole in ones, to even covering the professional events that hit town. He has been playing golf for about 11 years and has never seen his handicap lower. Perhaps one day. He attended the University of South Florida.

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