Fairway Woods – Golf Term – Slightly shorter, with smaller heads and more loft than the driver (No. 1 wood), these clubs are designed for long shots from the fairway or rough but may also be used from the tee. The most common fairway woods are numbered 3 through 5, though 2-woods and those numbered 6 and higher are also made.

Originally crafted from hardwood (hence the name), modern fairway woods are built from materials such as titanium, steel and graphite. Lofts generally start at 13 (for the 3-wood) and increase from there.

Golfers often use fairway woods to tee off when accuracy is more desirable than length; for long approach shots to the green; or to lay up short of the green on par-5 holes.

Thomas Golf (www.thomasgolf.com) makes fairway woods for both men and women.