2016 Fairway Wood Center of Gravity Locations Revealed
Fairway Woods

2016 Fairway Wood Center of Gravity Locations Revealed

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2016 Fairway Wood Center of Gravity Locations Revealed

Within literal hours, I think, of the first time we published driver CG data, we began fielding requests for similar data for fairway woods. Because you guys asked for it, and because we think it’s generally good info regardless, today we’re providing that information.

Which Fairway CG Location is Right for You?

Like drivers (and pretty much every club in the bag), there’s no single fairway wood CG location that’s ideal for every golfer. And even when your swing characteristics dictate a theoretical ideal, there’s no guarantee it will actually work for you. An aggressive swinger with a negative angle of attack has a high probability of fitting into forward CG driver. With fairway woods, it’s less cut and dry.

One R&D contact inside one of the major OEMs we work with often believes there’s a bit less science in fairway woods fittings. Regardless of the golfer’s individual swing characteristics, golfers to who struggle to hit fairways woods well, or need the proverbial help getting the ball in the air will often see better performance from rear CG clubs, while competent fairway wood players will often see better results with more forward CG offerings.

As with everything else, your actual mileage may very.

FWCG-1

Required Reading

Before we get to the charts, let’s make sure we’re all good with our fundamentals.

For those of you who are stumbling across our CG charts for the first time, you should know that these charts are an excellent resource for comparing arguably the most important element of metalwood design (CG location) between different manufacturers and models. Having this information at your fingertips can help you identify the clubs that are most likely to perform well for you. Of course, before you can leverage our info you will need to understand a bit about what you’re looking at.

If Center of Gravity or CG, the Neutral Axis, or any of the other terminology in our charts is new to you, before digging in any deeper, I would encourage you to check out any and all of our previous posts on the topic.:

fwcg-1-2

About the Charts

Included in the charts below is Center of Gravity location data for 21 fairway woods released in 2015 and 2016. We’ve created a set of consistent filters across all of the charts that will allow you to filter by Model Year, Manufacturer, or Model Name. You can select as many or as few fairways as you like. Clicking on a model name from the list below the charts will highlight only that model.

Clicking on any dot on the chart itself will reveal more data tied to that model.

ATTENTION MOBILE USERS: We’ve done what we can to make these charts more accessible for mobile users, however, if you are on a mobile device, you’re going to want to rotate your phone to landscape mode.

Lie, Loft, and Head Weight

Before we get to the CG stuff, let’s first take a look at our basic measurements for loft, lie, and weight. For obvious reasons, loft matters, but what about lie angle?

Lie angle contributes to the starting direction of your shot. Guys who start the ball too far right may benefit from a more upright lie angle, while guys who start it too far left will often benefit from a flatter lie angle.

The chart also compares actual measured loft to the stamped loft, which gives us an indication of which companies do the most vanity lofting, and which come closest to aligning actual loft with stated loft.

Finally, we should mention that each of the clubs measured is designated as a 3 Wood by its manufacturer.

Observations

  • While the actual loft of the majority of samples tested is reasonably close to the stamped loft, it’s not unusual, particularly in models designed to be easy to hit for lofts to be a degree or more above the stated number
  • At just over 221 grams, TaylorMade’s M1 is the heaviest head measured, while Callaway’s Big Bertha V-Series (208.1g) is the lightest
  • The Nike Vapor Fly has the most upright lie angle we measured
  • The Big Bertha Alpha 815 has the flattest lie angle of any fairway measured. Callaway’s Alpha 816 is the flattest of the 2016 models

Front to Back CG (CG YZ)

The chart below shows the front to back Center of Gravity locations of the fairways measured relative to face center. As we’ve discussed previously, both low CG and rear CG will generally increase dynamic loft which leads to increased launch angle, while high and forward CGs will decrease dynamic loft (on a comparative basis) and ultimately launch angle.

Heads with CGs located farther back are generally easier to square at impact, and are often billed as being easier to hit, or easier to get in the air.

Observations

  • The four most forward CG fairway woods are all produced by TaylorMade
  • Not surprisingly, PING’s models all have relatively rear CGs; however, Cobra, Callaway, PXG each have offerings that can be defined as rear CG.
  • While most models are clustered in the middle, notable outliers include:

CG Relative the Neutral Axis & MOI

Woods with Center of Gravity locations closer to the neutral axis will provide better performance on true center strikes. Additionally, the portion of the face (above the CG) that produces lower spin due to the gear effect will be larger, while the portion (below the CG) that produces higher spin (also due to the gear effect) will be smaller.

Golfers who consistently strike the ball on or below the center of the face will likely see more distance from golf clubs with CG locations closer to the neutral axis, while consistent high face strikers may see better performance with higher CG clubs.

The farther right a club falls along the X-axis, the higher the MOI or Forgiveness. While the correlation is not absolute (there are other factors), clubs with more rearward CGs (as shown on the previous YZ chart) generally offer higher MOI.

Observations

  • All but four of the models measured fall between 2mm and 5mm from the neutral axis, and most models have a MOI between 2400 and 2900
  • The Cobra KING LTD is the only fairway model with a CG location anywhere close to the the neutral axis
  • Not surprisingly, 4 of the 5 most forgiving models are produced by PING. It’s worth noting that the SF Tec’s extreme high CG (relative to the neutral axis) is due to its 16.3° of measured loft. With the data normalized, the SF Tec would sit slightly lower than the Nike Vapor Fly
  • Though billed as extremely easy to hit, the Adams Tight Lies Titanium has, by far, the lowest MOI of any fairway wood measured

Heel / Toe CG (XY CG)

This chart comes with a disclaimer of sorts. Determining XY CG location is not straight-forward. We might find woods with similar XY CG locations, yet very different face heights, face shapes, crown curvatures, bulge and roll radii, etc.. XY CG similarities aside, those other design considerations may cause two similarly appearing clubs to play quite differently from one another. So while this chart can give us some indication of draw or fade bias, the CG NA and MOI chart will provide a better indicator of total performance.

Observations

  • All but 3 models/configurations tested have at least a slightly heel-biased center of gravity location.
  • The XR 16 is the most heel (or draw) biased club measured, which will benefit some slicers
  • TaylorMade’s R15 and M1, along with the PXG 0341, when properly configured may benefit hookers, and other toe-centric ball strikers

Want More?

As always we enjoy hearing your feedback (mostly). If there’s anything else similar you’d like to see, please let us know.

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Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey





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      Sean

      8 years ago

      Tony, I don’t understand how this Adams club had such low CG and low MOI that you consider it “barely playable”? Is it because of how shallow the face is? Or in an effort to lower CG they went too far? Wouldn’t there be a type of golfer who benefits from this setup?

      Reply

      ryebread

      8 years ago

      Thanks a bunch for the great article. The CG FW placement chart for me is as telling as the driver chart. Look at the driver chart then check out the MGS results relative to swing speed and one will have a pretty good idea what can work for them. Given we won’t have a MGS test for FWs this year (real shame as I love that one and reference it more than the driver one), the CG FW chart will be even more important.

      I wish there were some Tour Edge heads. They’re a niche player in the industry, but FWs are their sweet spot. They typically always perform well. The various Exotics lines (pro vs. beta vs. normal) would seemingly have some different properties.

      The same would go for Srixon. The Cleveland 588 did very well in the last MGS testing, so I’d be interesting to see how the Z355 fit on this chart. I’ve hit it and it put up fantastic results.

      Reply

      fm

      8 years ago

      I’ve seen the goop that all these heads have inside. They are all mostly pasted in towards the heel. That is why shifting the sliding weight more towards the toe balances out the head of a club like the R15, which works for me. And these charts confirm it.

      Reply

      Bob Pegram

      8 years ago

      That isn’t surprising. They want to make the heads so the average golfer with a tendency to slice can hit them straight. My fairway woods don’t have a hook bias, but I was using a driver head that did. I changed to an old Adams Redline 430cc with 4 weight ports. I adjusted the weights and their distribution to get the proper swingweight and a neutral “bias.” That matched the driver to the fairway woods. I am surprised more companies don’t still have the heads with the weight ports and weight kits with a wrench. That makes things easier. Probably most people didn’t want to spend the extra money for the kit with the weights and wrench. The TaylorMade heads are good with their adjustability.

      Reply

      mf

      8 years ago

      And! the fact that the stamped loft is not the actual. Which is also why I have my R15 clicked over 2 to Lower, which makes it more like the loft that is stamped!

      Bob Pegram

      8 years ago

      I just noticed that the x and y axis scales change depending on which model is being graphed. That makes a visual comparison impossible.

      Reply

      MG

      8 years ago

      I’m curious about the cg/moi of the driver/3 wood inbetweeners that have come out the last couple years. Do you have any idea where the cg is and the corresponding moi for the callaway Bertha mini 1.5, mini sldr, and mini aeroburner? These clubs really intrigue me. Keep up the good work!

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      8 years ago

      Dont’ have any charts for them, but CG on Minis is what we’d consider high.

      Reply

      Kurren

      8 years ago

      Makes sense, the LTD is a monster and feels amazing. However for me it is too long, and then the 4/5 model even at 16* is spinnier and is too short. I read somewhere the 4/5 was designed with a different CG location than the 3/4 so it wasn’t a monster.

      Do you guys know if this is true?

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      8 years ago

      On a relative basis 4/5 CG is the same as 3/4. It will be farther from the neutral axis because that measurement is loft dependent. If you’re using the stock shaft, you may want to try a rogue silver instead of the stock black to help knock down the spin.

      Reply

      Pete the Pro

      8 years ago

      This is outstanding research. Whether it helps anyone make a club choice is doubtful, with the exception of gross score level par or better. I appreciate that the average golfer is not necessarily going to mygolfspy to read up on technical data. I have a point worth mentioning. Driver, fairway woods and hybrid clubheads have to be pieced together. Bonded or welded from castings (mostly). The golf industry does not have a standard method of measuring loft because machines are not calibrated. You can get close by a company having machines from one manufacturer, which is done by at least one top brand name I know of. Next, each company has their own philosophy on how a club is to be measured; shaft vertical from the front, driver shaft angled so grip is trailing clubhead at set-up, or shaft forwards at set-up. Next, add the multitude of impact positions that golfers produce, after all, the average gross score by a male golfer is still about 98. Then accept that clubheads, when assembled, have a variety of precise lofts (and lies). We know this to be true when you we visit a top brand and their replacement clubs for Tour Players have precise lofts – the clubhead says 9,5, but of course they won’t all be identical. It could be 10,1 degrees, 9,1 degrees and a collection of others. Precise lofts are possible, but at a price few would accept. In my opinion, the selection of modern clubs is amazing, as is custom fitting, etc. We are all spoiled.

      Reply

      Jamie

      8 years ago

      Great work as usual! I would have liked to have seen hard data on the Titleist 915’s. One interesting note is that the charts suggest the Great Big Bertha 2015 is more forgiving that the Alpha 816. Why I find that interesting is that Callaway claims the 816 with the weight in the back is the most forgiving fairway they have ever made.

      Will we get to see fairway testing this year like what we saw with the drivers including broken down by swing speed?

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      8 years ago

      After we wrap up putter testing (very soon), additional large Most Wanted club tests are unlikely this year. It took us a bit longer than anticipated to get the test facility open and running, but the plan is to hit the ground running for 2017…which means testing will likely start in late 2016.

      Reply

      Clay Guerin

      8 years ago

      I have an AeroBurner TP 3HL, 16.5*. Love the trajectory and distance, but it definitely feels draw biased. I’ve noticed several guys on tour hitting it.. Just wondering if you guys had any numbers on this club?

      Reply

      Kurren Virk

      8 years ago

      They have lots of tour only models so most are not using what you are using. They have like 3-4 various heads, which can then be customized further

      Reply

      Daniel Webb

      8 years ago

      Let me guess, in the centre of the club face

      Reply

      MyGolf Spy

      8 years ago

      Almost never, actually.

      Reply

      Daniel Webb

      8 years ago

      Ha ha, go on tell me it’s somewhere near the toe then

      Reply

      SMRT

      8 years ago

      Great information Tony. Not to simplify all of your hard work here but doesn’t all of this just confirm how important it is to get a proper fitting before just buying the new club from your favorite manufacturer?

      Reply

      spongy5

      8 years ago

      I have the bb alpha 816 and don’t hit it well. Maybe I should change the weight settings to 16gram in front.

      Reply

      Patrick

      8 years ago

      The stamped loft of the PING G SF Tec is 16, not 15. 16.3 measured loft is not far off. Although it’s CG is probably higher than G, G30, and Stretch, it shouldn’t be listed as having the highest CG location as it relates to the neutral axis.

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      8 years ago

      Thanks for catching the stamped loft error. I’ve made the correction on the chart. That said, that particular value has no bearing on the relationship to the neutral axis as that is related to actual (measured) loft. Plus or minus tolerances, it is exactly where it should be. As we mentioned in the post, normalized to 15 degrees, the SF Tec would slide in a bit lower (.2mm) than the Nike Vapor Fly, but would still be among the highest CG fairways measured.

      Reply

      Rod_CCCGOLFUSA

      8 years ago

      A lot of work went into these charts. It is very helpful to have this information when trying to compare a client’s gamer club to a potential alternative. I still have not figured out the primary equipment influences that contribute to a golfer’s ability to hit the 3-wood well off the tee, but horribly off the turf. Your thoughts? Thanks!

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      8 years ago

      Answer that question and you’ll sell a million fairway woods…

      Actually, I think a lot of it has to do with perceptions, fear, etc. Fairway woods have relatively large heads and that can be intimidating for a golfer trying to sweep the ball off the turf, or even just make clean contact. Raise it up on a tee and suddenly it looks more hittable.

      You do have some manufacturers (Titleist for example) who have created models specifically designed for off the tee use, while others try and split the difference. Certainly you have some designs that regardless of CG location are more suitable off the turf than others, but even that will generally vary by golfer.

      Reply

      BB

      8 years ago

      I rarely, if ever, hit 3 wood off the tee, but I am quick to pull it in the fairway.. I have so much confidence in it… In the same way that a putter is generally viewed as a “green only” club, the driver is viewed as a “teebox only” club.. All other clubs (in my opinion) should be naturally viewed as “fairway” clubs.. The mentality that a particular club is not only OK to use without a tee, but almost more appropriate to use without a tee can help the confidence issue.. It’s to the point that even if I pull 3 wood on the teebox, I’ll have the tee pushed almost entirely into the ground, basically emulating a fairway shot, just cleaning it up and reducing excess friction.. I know golf is a very mental game, but viewing your woods as “mini drivers” is the wrong mentality.. They’re simply fairway woods (or as I like to think of them, almost big hybrids), so the confidence issue shouldn’t play a huge role

      Reply

      Bob Pegram

      8 years ago

      Many golfers don’t hit down on the ball with fairway woods. That makes it almost impossible to hit them well. It does make it easy to hit them off of a tee though. No club will correct that. It is a problem caused by using the wrong technique. Also, having higher clubhead speed will cause the ball to go higher with any club.
      The downward hit doesn’t have to be a lot, just slightly down from level. Playing the ball back in the middle of the stance helps..

      Reply

      Bob Pegram

      8 years ago

      Tony – Your article says, “All but 3 models/configurations tested have at least a slightly heel-biased center of gravity location.” Which 3? Thanks.

      Reply

      Bob Pegram

      8 years ago

      Scratch that question. I realized this tells me: “TaylorMade’s R15 and M1, along with the PXG 0341, when properly configured may benefit hookers, and other toe-centric ball strikers”

      Reply

      Guanto

      8 years ago

      So if the adams tight lies is low MOI I would think the cobra ltd is quite similar when it comes to performance. Cobra just needs to bring the cog back a little bit more and would be in another class of its own. Cool stuff.

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      8 years ago

      I’d say the KING LTD is already in a class of its own. The barely playable Adams is more than 1.5mm farther from the neutral axis. Next closest is the higher MOI Callaway BB Alpha 816.

      As with drivers, there’s always a bit of company philosophy at play.. Cobra does have rear CG offerings (with PING and Callaway as the comps), but we view the LTD line as concept clubs brought to life. Certainly Cobra could move the CG back (even if that means raising it a bit), but the question is does it want to?

      Again…philosophies, right? TaylorMade appears happy forward. PING is comfortable with back CG, and as it did with drivers, Callaway shows a great amount of diversity with its offerings.

      Reply

      golfercraig

      8 years ago

      Wow. A lot of stuff to go through. Thanks for the info–again. Can’t get this anywhere else on the net. When I win the Powerball, all your testing dreams are going to come true.

      Reply

      AndyUK

      8 years ago

      Very Interesting bit of info! I take it Titleist aren’t playing ball again?

      If you had to guess where would you say 915Fd sat in the charts?

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      8 years ago

      Yeah…no Titleist readily available to measure. I expect we’ll update when the 917 stuff comes out.

      As for where Titleist fits…call it an educated guess based on the correlation between driver CG location and fairway CG locations as well as what we know about Titleist’s CG philosophy; again…GUESSING the Titleist offerings would fit somewhere in the open space between PXG, Callaway V-Series and FLY-Z.

      Reply

      AndyUK

      8 years ago

      Thanks Tony

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