Fairway woods have quietly become one of the most important clubs in the modern golf bag – yet they remain among the least understood and least fitted. In this video, Brad Clifton speaks with TaylorMade’s Alex Simpson to unpack how fairway woods are meant to be used today and why the new Qi4D range has been built with versatility and precision in mind.
As driver distances continue to increase, fairway woods are now being used more frequently for aggressive approach shots, including attacking par 4s and reaching par 5s in fewer strokes. This shift means golfers need fairway woods that offer reliable distance control, predictable launch and consistent forgiveness – not just raw speed.
The TaylorMade Qi4D range addresses this by offering adjustability across every model, from 3-wood through to 9-wood. The Qi4D Tour model is built for speed and distance, with a forward TSS weight for players using fairway woods primarily off the tee. The Max model focuses on higher launch and added spin for controlled approaches, while the Max Light model reduces overall weight to help golfers generate more height and speed with an easier swing.
Alex explains why fairway woods demand a more precise fitting approach than drivers, as distance gapping and shot intent play a far bigger role. With multiple head models and adjustable settings available, Qi4D allows golfers to tailor their fairway woods to their swing, course strategy and scoring needs.
For golfers struggling with consistency, trajectory or confidence in their fairway woods, this breakdown highlights why proper fitting – not guesswork – is the key to better performance.
