Should your driver and fairway wood be the same make and model?

One of the benefits of going through a custom club-fitting at a facility like True Spec is the chance to get a brand-agnostic perspective on the best gear for your game. That means that you could theoretically end up with a set full of gear from multiple manufacturers rather than just one.

Last week, we investigated the pros and cons of purchasing wedges as part of an integrated iron set, or as separate entities. But what about the top end of your bag, with the driver and fairway wood? Is it important to maintain consistency in make and model with these clubs? Not necessarily, says True Spec’s Marc Roybal.

“One benefit of playing the same make and model in both the 3-wood and the driver is that the feel and look will be similar and consistent,” he said. “But swing dynamics can vary between driver and fairway woods, so what works in the driver, doesn’t always work in the fairway wood. Turf interaction is a key component for most players.”

Should wedges be purchased separately from your iron set?

By:

Jessica Marksbury

So how to you know what works best for your game? You guessed it: by scheduling a proper fitting, and ideally one where you can hit shots off of real turf.

Some players find that drivers and 3-woods of the same make a model just naturally complement each other, though, which is why all major manufacturers offer a combo. So if you find a driver or fairway wood that is a good fit, it makes sense to give the complementary club a chance too.

But if mixing models sounds appealing, you can also choose clubs based on an attribute you’re seeking.

“The PING G440 driver and Titleist GT2 fairway wood would be a ‘higher spinning’ combo,” Roybal said, “while Taylormade’s Qi35 LS driver and a Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond fairway wood would be a ‘low spinning’ combo.”

As with all custom clubs, finding the right fit is a process, but it’s an enjoyable and ultimately rewarding endeavor. Check out the models Roybal mentioned in detail below, and to hone in on the driver and fairway-wood combo that’s best for your game, click here to find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

High-spin driver/fairway wood combo

PING G440 Max Custom Driver

The G440 driver family (MAX, LST, SFT) is optimized to deliver more ball speed through multiple advancements, including PING’s deepest CG in a driver to date and a shallower, thinner face, while continuing to ensure the game-changing forgiveness expected from a PING driver. The G440 MAX is the most forgiving model and fits most golfers; available in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts with a three-position adjustable back weight.
HIGHLY FORGIVING
Lighter head weight allows for heavier back weight. 
FASTER FACE 
Shallow, thinner, face increases ball speed for more distance, higher launch. 
SOUND DESIGN
New shaping, carbon crown and internal ribs produce muted impact experience. 
FREE-HOSEL DESIGN
Saves weight to lower CG, increase forgiveness. Allows for more heel-side face flexing for consistent ball speed across face.

$599 from Fairway Jockey

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