I Topped My First Twenty Fairway Woods, and One of Them Nearly Took Out a Golf Cart
Okay, so here's what nobody tells you: the fairway wood is the club that makes you feel like a real golfer until you actually try to hit it. I remember my first attempt like it was yesterday. I'd been hitting my 7-iron okay, so I figured a 3-wood couldn't be that different. I was wrong. I topped it so badly the ball shot off the ground like a frightened rabbit and rolled straight toward a parked cart. The guy standing next to it had to step out of the way. I wanted to crawl under the ball washer. For months after that, I left my fairway wood in the bag, too scared to pull it out. But here's the thing: with a slightly different setup and a simple swing thought, the fairway wood went from my least favorite club to one of my most trusted. This guide will show you exactly how to hit a fairway wood as a beginner, without the fear, the topped shots, or the near-misses with golf carts. I'm Maya Chen, and I've been where you are—terrified of the long clubs and pretty sure they'd never work for me. They can, and they will.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Maya Chen. I started golf in 2023 knowing absolutely nothing, and I've topped more fairway woods than most people have ever hit. I've also finally learned to hit them consistently, and the fix wasn't a new club—it was a better setup and a calmer swing. I'm not a pro, and I won't pretend that reading this will make you stripe it 220 yards down the middle. But I can promise that if you follow these tips, you'll stop topping it, start getting it airborne, and maybe even enjoy the long clubs. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd suggest to a friend. And I'll never call you a dummy for being scared of your 3-wood. I was too.
The Setup: Sweep It, Don't Dig It
The fairway wood is not an iron. That's the first lesson, and it's the one that changed everything for me. With an iron, you hit down on the ball and take a divot. With a fairway wood, you want to sweep the ball off the grass with a shallow, level swing. That means your setup has to change. Here's what I do now. First, I widen my stance a touch—just beyond shoulder width—and I play the ball slightly forward, about two ball lengths inside my front heel. Second, I keep my weight balanced or just slightly on my front foot, but I don't lean into it like I would with an iron. Third, I make sure my shoulders are level, not tilted back like a driver. That level shoulder turn is the key to sweeping. I used to set up like it was an iron, hit down, and top it every time. The moment I stopped digging and started sweeping, the ball launched. If you need help with your general stance, check out my golf stance guide—it covers the differences between clubs.
And don't be afraid to use a 5-wood or even a 7-wood instead of a 3-wood. The extra loft makes the ball easier to get airborne, and the shorter shaft gives you more control. I switched from a 3-wood to a 5-wood and immediately started hitting better shots. If you don't have a fairway wood yet, Jack has a great guide on the best fairway woods for beginners that'll help you pick the right one.
The Swing: Smooth and Low, Not Hard and High
The biggest mistake beginners make with fairway woods is trying to kill the ball. They swing hard, lift their body, and top it. The fix is exactly what you'd expect: swing smooth and think low. I imagine I'm trying to hit the ball off a low tee and send it under a knee-high rope. That thought keeps my swing level and prevents me from lifting up. I also focus on keeping my head still and my knees soft through impact—two things I struggled with for months. The sensation I chase is a nice, shallow brush of the grass, not a deep thump. If I take a small divot, that's okay, but I don't want to dig. The fairway wood is a sweeper, and the best swings feel almost effortless. Try it: next time you're at the range, tee the ball up just a fraction off the ground and make a half-speed swing. You'll feel what solid contact is supposed to feel like. Then take the tee away and try to repeat that same feeling. That drill fixed my fairway wood more than anything else.
If you want a cheap training aid to help you groove the sweeping motion, here's a search for beginner swing trainers on Amazon. If your budget's tight, DHgate has cheaper options with slower shipping—order ahead if you want one for the weekend. But honestly, a rolled-up towel under your arm works just as well. That's what I used for weeks, and it trained me to keep my arms connected and my swing low.
Two Drills That Stopped My Topping for Good
I'm not a big believer in complicated drills, but these two are so simple and so effective that I still do them before every round. They take five minutes total, and they'll save you from the topped-ball embarrassment.
Drill 1: The Tee Sweep. Place a ball on a very short tee, just barely above the grass. Make ten smooth swings, focusing on sweeping the ball off the tee without the tee flying out of the ground. If you hit the tee, you're swinging too steep. This drill teaches you the shallow, level swing the fairway wood needs. I did this for two weeks, and my tops disappeared. It's almost meditative once you get the feel.
Drill 2: The Towel Under the Arm. Tuck a small towel or headcover under your right armpit (for righties). Make half swings without dropping it. This keeps your arms connected to your body and prevents the over-the-top move that causes slices and tops. I do ten swings with the towel, then ten without, and I can feel the difference immediately. It's the best free drill in golf. I've used it for woods, irons, and even putts—though the putter version is a bit silly.
Three Honest Drawbacks of Hitting Fairway Woods as a Beginner
I love my fairway wood now, but I won't pretend it was easy to get there. Here are three real frustrations you'll face, and how to push through them.
1. It feels completely different from an iron. The fairway wood has a longer shaft, a bigger head, and a flatter swing plane. It takes time to adjust. I spent a month feeling like I was learning a new sport. The key is to practice it separately from your irons. Don't mix them in the same range session at first. Dedicate five minutes a day to fairway wood swings, and your body will adapt. I promise it gets easier.
2. You'll still top it under pressure. Even after you fix it, the topped shot will return when you're nervous or tired. I still top one occasionally, especially on the first hole with people watching. The fix is simple: go back to the tee sweep drill before you play, and take a deep breath before the shot. Topping is not a life sentence; it's just your body forgetting what it learned. Remind it, and move on.
3. The off-center hits can be ugly. Fairway woods have a smaller sweet spot than drivers, and when you miss it, the ball goes nowhere. That's normal. I've hit plenty of shots that felt terrible and still ended up in the fairway. The key is not to judge a shot by how it feels. Judge it by where it lands. I used to assume every harsh-feeling shot was bad, but half the time it was fine. Trust the club, not your hands.
Red Flags: Signs You're About to Top It Again
If you notice any of these before a fairway wood shot, step back and reset. I do this constantly, and it saves me from the ugly ones.
🚩 You're setting up like it's an iron, with the ball in the middle of your stance and your weight forward. Move the ball up and level out your shoulders.
🚩 You're swinging hard and fast, trying to get more distance. Slow down. The fairway wood rewards smoothness, not effort.
🚩 Your head is lifting as you swing, pulling your body up. Keep your head still and your knees soft.
🚩 You're thinking "lift the ball up." That thought causes scooping and tops. Replace it with "sweep the grass."
If you catch any of these, take a breath, reset your setup, and make a shorter, smoother swing. The best fairway wood shots feel almost lazy. That's the secret.
What to Do Once You Finally Hit It Cleanly
The first time you catch a fairway wood perfectly and watch the ball rise off the grass with a soft, high flight, you'll understand why I wrote this guide. It's a beautiful feeling—like the ball is doing exactly what you asked. I remember my first clean 5-wood: it was on a long par 5, and the ball flew 170 yards and landed soft on the green. I walked after it with a smile I couldn't wipe off. That's the moment the fairway wood becomes your friend, not your enemy. It won't happen every time, but when it does, it's worth all the topped shots. If you want to keep improving, check out my swing basics guide and Earl's grip guide. And if you're ready to buy a fairway wood, Jack's buying guide will point you to the right one. For now, just go hit a few and enjoy the sweep.
If you need gear like balls or gloves to practice with, the beginner gear hub has everything you need without overspending. And when you're ready to test your new fairway wood on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to a fairway with some room to let it fly. Now go sweep some grass, keep your head still, and watch the ball climb. You've got this.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hitting Fairway Woods
Why do I keep topping my fairway wood?
Topping with a fairway wood is almost always caused by hitting down on the ball like an iron, or by lifting your body during the swing. Set up with the ball slightly forward, level your shoulders, and focus on sweeping the grass, not digging. The tee sweep drill I described above will fix it fast.
Is a 3-wood or 5-wood easier for beginners?
A 5-wood is much easier for beginners. It has more loft, which helps the ball get airborne, and a shorter shaft, which gives you more control. I switched from a 3-wood to a 5-wood and immediately started hitting better shots. If you're just starting, skip the 3-wood for now and get a 5-wood or even a 7-wood.
Should I hit a fairway wood off a tee or the ground?
Both, but off the ground is the true test. Hitting off a short tee can help you learn the sweeping motion, but on the course, you'll usually hit it from the fairway. Practice both: start with a tee to feel the contact, then remove the tee and try to repeat it. That's how I learned to launch it off the grass.
How do I stop slicing my fairway wood?
A slice with a fairway wood is usually caused by an open clubface and an out-to-in swing path. Check your grip—make sure your hands are in a neutral or slightly strong position—and focus on swinging from the inside. The towel under the arm drill is great for fixing the over-the-top move that causes slices. For a full breakdown, read my slice fix guide.
Can I use a fairway wood off the tee instead of a driver?
Absolutely. In fact, many beginners find a fairway wood easier to hit off the tee than a driver because it's shorter and has more loft. If your driver is giving you trouble, try teeing off with your 5-wood. You'll lose a little distance but gain a lot of accuracy. I did this for months and it saved my scorecard. For more on driver alternatives, check out my driver guide.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you know how to hit a fairway wood, make sure you've got the right one for your game. Jack's best fairway woods for beginners guide has specific picks, and his hybrid guide covers the other forgiving long club you should consider. If you're still working on your full swing, start with my swing basics guide. And if you want to practice at home, check out home practice drills. When you're ready to test your new fairway wood on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to a fairway that's ready for you. Now go sweep some grass, and watch the ball fly.