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The 7 wood isn’t a club that you will find in every golfer’s bag, but things are changing gradually. More and more players are now using a 7 -Wood club on the course.
Some pro players, like the two-time Major champion Dustin Johnson and 2024 USPGA Champion Xander Schauffele, carry 7 wood lofts in their bags.
Besides Tour professionals, ordinary golfers can also have 7 woods in their bags.
But before you use these clubs, you should ask yourself this question: Is it right for you? And if that is so, which are the best manufacturers and models that you should consider?
If you have never used a club, it is not always easy to determine whether to carry one or what factors to consider when choosing a club.
The key thing when selecting clubs, especially fairway woods, is that it is important to know which model gives the most distance, the best forgiveness, and which is easy to launch off the ground. Sometimes you might also need to be specific about the type of model head.
So, if higher loft woods are new to you, we are here to help you. We will discuss the best available 7 wood lofts on the market and explain why choosing to play with a higher lofted wood can improve your game.
What Is the 7 Wood Club?
A 7 wood in golf has a loft of about 21–24 degrees, with 21 being the most common. The 7-wood is typically a higher loft than a 5-wood or 3-wood but still lower than long irons.
This loft facilitates a higher launch, a softer landing for the ball, and increased spin; thus, it is a more forgiving and versatile club than hybrids or long irons.
Ideally, the 7 wood loft is useful for longer approach shots from the fairway.
What Is the Difference Between a 7 Wood and Hybrid?
A 7-wood would easily fall into the category of fairway wood. Therefore, what differentiates a 7 wood from a hybrid lies in their construction and design.
Typically, fairway woods have a higher hitting area, a lower center of gravity, and a wider sole, making them more forgiving.
It also makes a 7 wood easier to hit from the thick rough. Apart from this, a typical 7 wood has a longer shaft than a hybrid, allowing players to generate more clubhead speed and power.
Average Distance for a 7 Wood
The exact distances will largely depend on the strike quality as well as swing speed, but a typical 7 wood loft will produce a distance of about 180 to 200 yards.
Data from Shot Scope shows that the estimated averages for fairway woods and hybrids are as follows:
- Scratch golfer typically delivers 215 – 225 yards.
- 5 handicap produced 200 – 210 yards
- 15 handicap will deliver 180 – 195 yards
- 25 handicap can deliver 165-180 yards
Why Use a 7 Wood?
There are several reasons why you should use a 7 wood loft in your game. First, it is an effortless club to hit. Due to this, the 7 wood is best used for longer par-3s.
You can also use it off the tee on short par-4s, but these are not the only reasons. Here are other circumstances that may necessitate the use of a 7 wood loft:
- Out of light rough: the design and loft of a 7 wood increase the ball flight, thus providing a more predictable shot when compared to lower-lofted clubs.
- Approach shots from long distances: the 7 wood might be ideal when you need soft landings on greens or heights to clear hazards.
- On tight fairway lies: The 7 wood clubs are easier to launch higher than long irons. This is especially the case with golfers with less consistent ball strikes or slower swing speeds.
The Rise of the 7 Wood
Data shows that the 7-wood began gaining popularity recently. This has been partly due to the increasing number of Tour pro players who have this type of club in their bags.
More users seem to be keen to know who plays the 7 wood loft and why these players are using the higher-lofted fairway woods.
Here are some of the reasons why top golfers are carrying the 7 wood club in their bags and what they use it for:
- Biggest benefits: The 7 woods are easier to launch, are more forgiving, and offer a higher trajectory.
- Replaced clubs: In most cases, these players replaced the 5 woods, 3- or 4-hybrids, and 4-irons.
- Key improvements: The higher-lofted club delivers softer landings, better carry, and higher confidence.
What Makes a 7 Wood Club Special?
A 7 wood loft is designed for improved forgiveness, versatility, and high launch, which are top qualities that most golfers are struggling to get from hybrids and long irons.
Lower swing speed golfers benefit from hotter faces and improved launches, while fast swing golfers gain from higher flight and softer landings into greens.
Here is a summary of why the Seven Woods Club is special.
- More consistent than hybrids for some golfers
- It is easier to launch than long irons.
- It is useful from both light rough and fairway.
- Great for approach shots that require height and stopping power
- The larger size of 7 woods compared to 3- and 4-irons makes them easier to hit due to their bigger hitting areas than those of long irons and hybrids.
- It’s more comfortable to swing.
- Loft is designed to maximize carry distance; therefore, it is suitable for high handicap golfers with slower swing speeds.
PGA Tour Players That Are Using 7 Woods
As mentioned earlier, there are several PGA Tour players that have 7 woods in their bag. This has contributed to increased interest in the club among amateur players.
However, it is important to note that professional golfers tend to change their setup depending on the course they are playing.
Here are some top PGA Tour golfers who were recently spotted with a 7 wood loft club:
- Max Homa: TaylorMade Qi10
- Justin Rose: TaylorMade M6
- Nicolai Hojgaard: Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond
- Maverick McNealy: TaylorMade Stealth 2
- Ludvig Aberg: TaylorMade Stealth 2
- Keith Mitchell: Titleist TS2
- Seep Straka: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple
The Best 7 Woods on the Market
1. Ping G440 Max 7-Wood: Best Overall

Like other Ping products, the G430 Max is a quality offering with a wider and shallower head. This wood is incredibly easy to launch and is also credited with producing the highest ball speed.
But if you are looking for wood with an improved chassis, then the G440-7 wood loft would be better.
Pros
- Shaft range is impressive.
- Excellent all-round performance
- It is easy to hit from different lies.
Cons
- Its shallow face may not suit steep swings.
Price: $350
2. Titleist GT2 7-Wood: Best for Fast Swing Speeds

For those with faster swing speeds, this might be your wood of choice.
During our test, the GT2 had one of the highest ball speeds and maintained a straight ball flight with tight dispersion.
The only issue we had with it is that its launch and landing angles are some of the lowest.
Pros
- Classic look and sound
- It delivers the highest ball speed for faster swingers.
- Offers flatter ball flight for players who don’t want too much height
Cons
- It is harder to launch with a slower swing speed.
Price: $399
3. Cobra Darkspeed Adapt Max 7-Wood: Best for Long Swing Speeds

If you are planning to make the most out of your clubhead speed in a no-nonsense way, then you need the Darkspeed Adapt Max model.
This wood produced the highest ball speed on lower swings. It also delivers when you want more height.
Pros
- It provides better height and spin, regardless of the clubhead speed.
- Improved tight dispersion
- Highest ball speed for slow swingers
Cons
- Might not suit players with high swing speeds
Price: $329
4. Callaway Elyte 7-Wood

This 7-wood club is ideal for those who are looking for a decent wood.
It has a smaller, shallower head than other models, but it can still deliver higher speeds even with this head.
It is never a bad option by any metrics for a 7 wood loft.
Pros
- Features an easy-to-launch profile
- The loft options are some of the best in class.
- Good for forgiveness
Cons
- It is not simple to find the center at higher speeds.
Price: $369
5. TaylorMade Qi35 7-Wood

The TaylorMade Qi35 wood is one of the favorite 7-woods for many golfers, not only because of its looks but also because of its performance.
It offers higher speeds from different heights. We also found it to be useful for slower swing speeds.
Pros
- Offers lots of forgiveness for a smaller clubhead
- Available in both 7- and 9-wood
- Offers high ball speed across the face
Cons
- Its deeper face might not suit some golfers.
Price: $349
6. Cleveland Launcher Halo XL 7-Wood

The Cleveland Launcher is one of the most affordable 7-wood clubs on our list.
It was updated from the start of 2024 and has the same features as the previous year but with some subtle upgrades.
Notably, it has improved turf iterations, thanks to the revised GlideRail system.
Pros
- It’s easy to get through the turf.
- A larger profile is confidence inspiring.
- Additional loft options offer players more value.
Cons
- It is only available in lightweight shaft options.
Price: $229
7. Cobra Darkspeed Adapt X 7-Wood

Another high performer from the Cobra family is the Darkspeed Adapt X.
The wood has the Max head but a classic matte black finish, giving it an old-school look.
We found it to draw less bias than the Max. We would recommend it for high-speed swingers.
Pros
- Has a classy and refined look
- The sound and feel are also fantastic.
- Its power is comparable to some best-in-class models.
Cons
- Doesn’t come in lofts higher than 7 wood lofts.
Price: $329
Final Thoughts
There used to be a time when it was a stigma to be seen carrying lofted woods in your golf bag.
Anything beyond the standard 5 wood or 3 wood was regarded as giving in. Thankfully, things have changed.
More professional players are spotted carrying higher-lofted woods in their bags.
The 7 wood loft has eventually become one of the most trusted clubs for many golfers, and for good reasons.
This higher-lofted club offers softer landing, launches easily, and is more forgiving.
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