Make sure the length of the shaft and the shaft flex fits your body type and swing speed. Many players use shafts that are too stiff and too long. Your swing speed should be at least 90 mph for a stiff shaft to work properly.

Your fairway woods are the key to your long game, but only if they fit you and you know when to use them.

Second, make sure your fairway woods have enough loft. A 13-degree 3-wood is a very strong club and is not much use unless the lie you have when you go to make the shot is really good and very level. Unless you are pretty strong and are a high-ball hitter, stay away from strong lofts.

More and more players on the various professional tours are opting for more loft on their fairway woods instead of using low irons. Instead of a 2-iron or 3-iron, many players are opting to carry a 5-wood, 7-wood, or 9-wood, especially when they play on hilly courses or courses with moderate to deep rough.

Uneven lies require the ball be moved back in your stance slightly with your feet a little open at address. With the ball back in your stance, you are automatically reducing the loft so make sure to pick a club with extra loft to compensate for the uneven lie.