Thomas Fairway Wood Reviewed by GRG

This Thomas Golf wood has the same “SightLine” feature that was used in the Thomas AT-505 irons reviewed by GCR earlier this year. To make this concept work properly, Thomas has created a flattened plane on top of the crown allowing for an extended sighting line that orients accurately towards the target. This aspect gives the head a distinctive, “flat top” look. Most testers took a little bit of time to adjust to the look, but all eventually grew to like it. While the head is sizeable for a 4-wood, it does have a low, compact appearance that sits down behind the ball nicely at address. Overall, this SightLine wood has an attractive, high-quality look to it.

Aside from the unique crown design, the first thing that everyone notices about the SightLine is the very distinctive sound that it makes at impact. When a ball is struck, a metallic-sound is made. It is a assertive sound that provides center hit feed back. Some found this to be distracting; others liked it. After testers witnessed consistently good results with the wood, most grew to like the sound. It is appropriate to the hard, solidly metallic feel at impact that the SightLine has.

The SightLine woods are available from Thomas as assembled clubs or in component form. Our test club was assembled at the factory with their standard graphite. This is a fine, mid-range shaft that has always appealed to more than a few of our testers. It is a mid-bend point shaft that weighs 60 grams and has a torque of 3.3 degrees. The mellow feel complements the metallic feel of this head very well. This combination should appeal to a wide range of golfers

As to the alignment feature: Yes, it does work well when a player takes the time to stand behind the ball and find an online, target spot immediately in front of the ball. For those that don’t, the alignment line can act as an alignment reminder - or, since many golfers do not hit perfectly straight down the line with a perfectly square face, it can act as a distraction. Reactions will vary from player to player. Overall, we have seen good, online consistency from the SightLine. Whether that is due to the structure of the head, or to the influence of the strong alignment line, we cannot say.

The trajectory created by the SightLine 4-wood is much closer to that of a 3-wood than to a 5-wood. Balls launch hot and low with a flat, penetrating trajectory for most testers. Distances have been good for a 4-wood as would be indicated by a 43” shaft with a swingweight of D2. Other true 3-woods hit longer, but few, if any, hit with more consistent ease. Each of our testers has been able to repeatedly produce good results with the SightLine. One tester who plays Cleveland and Callaway woods took immediately to the SightLine. He liked the look and the way it felt. Shots flew straight, strong and long from the first hit on. For him, it behaved as a high-flying 3-wood.

While the SightLine has worked very, very well for us, it does have a distinctive personality. We cannot say just which golfers will or will not find it appealing. For those that have persistent troubles with accuracy when hitting fairway woods it is a definite must try, however. The multi-cambered sole of the Sightline gives it good functionality from grassy lies and light rough. Though there are no weight inserts in the beveled sole, the ball gets up well. Those looking for a 4-wood that doubles as a trouble wood from heavy rough and tight. Available in lofts of 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 26, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 46, 50, and 55 degrees both (RH) and (LH). For more information, go to www.thomasgolf.com/woods

Tester 2

I recently tried out a Thomas Golf 3 Wood and was impressed by not only its distance, but also its accuracy and ease of alignment. 

I hit some shots on the range with the Thomas Golf 3 Wood and tested it against my Titleist.  I couldn't tell a major difference in distance but the Thomas Golf club did seem to fly straighter.  This is congruent with an independent research study conducted at the University of Central Florida.

My swing speed is fairly high so I was using the stiff graphite shaft but they are available in regular and senior flex; and the steel shaft options are available in regular, stiff, and extra stiff.  All of the shafts are made from quality materials and are Frequency and Flex Matched to tour-grade specifications.  The loft options range from 12 degrees (a rarely seen 2 wood) to 55 degrees which is the loft of a standard sand wedge.  As with all of Thomas Golf clubs, the shaft lengths are customizable and there is even a form on the website to help fit you for what you need.

The most intriguing aspect of the these woods to me is the level top plane which helps ensure that you transfer the most amount of energy possible from the club head to the ball during impact.  Another nice addition is the line on the top crown which not only aids in alignment of the shot but also can be used as a guide to square your feet, hips, and shoulders with.

I am happy I got the chance to try out one of these woods and have now replaced my Titleist 3 wood with Thomas Golf.  I'm confident I made the right decision and am now interested in experimenting more with their equipment.  Thanks Thomas Golf!