Fairway wood suggestion?

[Mr Bogey]

I am looking to replace my old Orlimar fairway woods, while their distance is great they tend to put a lot of spin on the ball when slightly mis-hit.

Any suggestions/thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I do have it narrowed down to the Cleveland Launcher Comp or steel, Cobra SZ (older version since I didn't like the F speed), Cobra Comp, and the Callaway X. I didn't care for the Taylor Made, or the Tour edge. I have also hit the SQ and HiBore with ok results.

Any thougths on the ones that I have listed or any that I might have overlooked? Also,I am not necessarily looking for a players club so to speak.

[Dminn23]

I am looking to replace my old Orlimar fairway woods, while their distance is great they tend to put a lot of spin on the ball when slightly mis-hit.

I have a Titleist 904f 15 degree 3-wood that just SMOKES when its hit. The trajectory of the thing is long, has a penetrating trajectory, and it has a great draw bias. The 906f just came out and if its anything like the 904f or better, than its the bees knees.

[JSF35]

I have the Launcher Steel 15°. It's a great 3-wood. The only thing I don't like is the shaft (it's OK, but not too high performance). The comp is more of a players club.

I also liked the Cobra Speed (dynamite off the tee), Nike SQ (forgiving), and the Callaway X (good all around). I haven't tried the Hibore.

Basically, it all boils down to personal choice. Try them all side by side.

[Mr Bogey]

I have the Launcher Steel 15°. It's a great 3-wood. The only thing I don't like is the shaft (it's OK, but not too high performance). The comp is more of a players club.

Thanks for the suggestions. I did hit the Cleveland steel and liked it as I liked the SZ as well. The Cleveland was longer but the Cobra felt a little nicer at impact. I haven't hit the comp yet in either Cleveland or Cobra. I have never tried any of the Titleist fairway woods, I guess because in the past I have tried all of their drivers and never liked them that much. By far the easiest to swing was the Callaway X and was as long as the Cleveland. My issue is that with the woods I have now I can not use a tee, I have to hit them off the deck if I am using them off the tee box. I want something that I can do both.

[JSF35]

I have the same problem. I have trouble off the tee with the Launcher Steel, and no trouble at all in the fairway. The Cobra on the other hand was the opposite. I was bombing it off the tee, and having trouble in the fairway. I think the difference is in the volumes of the heads.

Cleveland Launcher Steel: 155cc
Cleveland Launcher Comp: 160cc
Cobra Speed: 192cc
Callaway X: 167cc
Nike SQ: 165cc
Ping G5: 190cc

Based on these specs (taken from Golf Digest Editors Choice 2006), I would say that a smaller head would be easier to hit off the ground, and the bigger head would be easier off the tee. Looking at the numbers, I'd say the Callaway X and the Nike SQ would be a happy medium (don't have the specs on the 906F2).

[Mr Bogey]

I have the same problem. I have trouble off the tee with the Launcher Steel, and no trouble at all in the fairway. The Cobra on the other hand was the opposite. I was bombing it off the tee, and having trouble in the fairway. I think the difference is in the volumes of the heads.

Yes, that is exactly my issue. When looking at both the Cleveland and Cobra I can see the issues that you mention. I've heard from reading some club reviews that the Cobra has issues off the fairway because of the deep head. That is why I am also considering the Callaway X.

[NM Golf]

The new Ping Rapture fairway woods are really nice. They were just introduced in the beginning of September and are available now. The fairway wood heads are titanium and are slightly larger than most 3 wood heads. They still get the ball up off the deck, but the larger head gives confidence big time off of a tee. They also come with a really good choice of shafts. I know I will be adding the three wood and the 18* hybrid to my bag soon.