Mizuno

What it does: Better players are the target for this fairway wood. Although its two lofts are an early obvious sign (highly skilled players aren’t clamouring for 9-woods), there are subtle elements here that will appeal to low-handicappers. Those include a flatter lie angle and a more open-face angle at address (better to ward off unwanted hooks). Another key element is the adjustable hosel, which lets these two heads accommodate a range that runs from 13 to 20 degrees, or the full gamut that any better player would prefer.

Why we like it: Better players aren’t going to be impressed with lofts, lies and face angles if they’re not accompanied by some serious ball speed. Towards that end, Mizuno supplies a high-strength steel alloy in the face that is the thinnest in company history. It also has re-engineered the wave structure in the front part of the sole. By making it thinner and more compact, additional weight can be moved to the back for maximum energy return on off-centre hits. An ultra-thin carbon-composite crown saves even more weight. That creates a lower centre of gravity so that those solid, high-speed strikes come free of distance-robbing high spin.

Lofts 15, 18; adjustable