50 Word or Less
Though lacking the hype of the RBZs that preceded it, the JetSpeed is a better, more versatile fairway wood.
Introduction
In 2014, fairway woods are like Carly Rae Jepsen: no longer blazing hot (this isn’t 2012), but still adorably Canadian..I mean, important to your golf game…? Damn, I really wanted that to work.
The TaylorMade JetSpeed fairway wood isn’t likely to break any sales or hype records, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a really good fairway wood. With two of TaylorMade’s key technologies (Speed Pocket, low & forward CG), the JetSpeed is one you’ll want to call your own, maybe.
Looks
First of all, TaylorMade is back in black…crowns, that is. I think we can all agree that’s a good thing. On the JetSpeed, they went with a matte black that features subtle grey and blue graphics. The graphics are reminiscent of the old Burner crown graphics, but very toned down. I could live without them, but they’re far enough from the ball that they’re easily ignored. Interestingly, there’s no alignment aid.
With the JetSpeed fairway woods, TaylorMade is returning to a shallower (less tall) face. This is based on feedback they received about the RBZ fairway woods being too tall. For players that prefer to hit their fairway woods off the turf, this is a really good thing: the shallow face helps keep the CG low and it frames the ball very nicely.
Sound & Feel
The first thing I noticed about the JetSpeed fairway wood was the absence of the high-pitched “tink” on well-struck shots. The sound is very quiet and very low-pitched. This adds up to an exceptionally solid feel, even on mishits. I found that unless I hit the ball way off center, the club gave me the sound and feel of a pured shot.
Performance
The TaylorMade JetSpeed fairway wood reinforces a lesson that I learned while testing the SLDR Rescue: a low, forward CG isn’t just good for drivers. Most players tend to have difficulty with fairway woods because they top or thin them. With a standard CG, the result is a low, high-spinning shot that doesn’t go nearly as far as it should. With a low, forward CG, the ball launches higher with less spin, even on thin shots.
The other thing I noticed was the consistently high ball speed. TaylorMade is calling the face material JetSteel. Since I’m not a metallurgist, I’ll stay away from any claims about what that is, but I can tell you that the JetSteel plus the Speed Pocket means ball speeds that are very close to what I get from a titanium-faced fairway wood. Even on shots that are slightly off-center, the ball speed stays up which means you still get good distance.
The one negative for me was the stock shaft. I can’t figure out why, but I just had a hard time getting along with it. It’s particularly unusual because TaylorMade opted for a Matrix Velox variant that’s in my preferred weight range (~70 grams). Regardless, I had a tough time with the shaft and that’s reflected in my Offline number. It also reinforces the importance of being fit for the right shaft: without it, even the best club head will not perform optimally.
Conclusion
While it may not be introducing any revolutionary new technology, the TaylorMade JetSpeed does bring together some of TaylorMade’s biggest advancements to create a very solid fairway wood. This is one of those rare clubs that could very easily be played by a high handicap or a scratch player due to its ease of use and strong performance characteristics.
Price and Specs
The TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood retails for $229.
It’s available in lofts of 15°, 17°, 19°, 21°, and 23° for righties, 15° and 19° for lefties.
The stock shaft is the Matrix Velox T 69 in M, R, S, and X flex.
Watch the Video
JetSpeed FW LM
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (1)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (2)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (3)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (5)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (7)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (9)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (13)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (15)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (16)
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TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (20)
TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood (21)
Matt Saternus
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I had a chance to hit both this and the SLDR fairway at The Kingdom. I didn’t really get along with the stock shaft in the Jetspeed, but I liked the turf interaction much better than my old RBZ. Much easier to hit off the deck with both clubs. The SLDR performed better for me, but I think both will be very solid performers this year.
Better off the deck is very important for me with my fairway woods. I tend to catch my fairway woods a bit thin so the low cg technology taylormade has put in sounds like it should help me!
Which club do you think is more fitting for a 24 handycaper (age 65) a new Taylormade jetstspeed or a Ping G 25. My golf club profesional does not stock Ping clubs so I am a bit confused. I am getting a fitting for the Taylormade on Saturday but. I was at a demonstration for Ping and I am diabetic and was unwell while there so was not sure if I liked it or not. I would like if you could give me a quick reply by email.
Thank you
Colin Murray
Colin,
There isn’t a bad choice among those two. The shaft in the JetSpeed is a little heavier, as I recall, and that may sway your decision one way or the other based on your preference for shaft weight.
Best,
Matt
I just bought this club. I am 67 and hit this 3 wood R flex with range balls 230 yards off the mats and straight, repeatably. Highly recommend this club.
I have jet speed fairway 3 would like to know the shaft velox t-69
is it a mid high or high kick point.
Thak you
Mid-low kick point.
-Matt
Looking to replace my 2007 Burner 3W. I’m a 15 handicap and I tend to use my 3w off the tee a lot due to home course being very tight. Good shot off the tee with 3W is around 220. Tend to hit 3W’s off the deck a little thin. Which 3W do you recommend the JetSpeed or the adjustable SLDR?
John,
I would recommend the JetSpeed. Both on Tour and among recreational players, the JetSpeed gets far more play than the SLDR because it’s much easier to hit off the turf.
Best,
Matt
Is there a shaft you would recommend to replace the Matrix? 70 y/o…swing speed 80mph…..handicap 8…tend to hit this shaft too low..
Also…when I sit the 3 metal behind the ball the face appears closed…not so on the 5 metal…..Have you noticed that or is it just me?
Paul,
My only recommendation would be to work with a good fitter to find the best shaft for you.
There are a few reasons why the 3W would look closed to you but not the 5W. First, remember that there’s a tolerance that’s usually +/- 1 degree. Thus, if the spec is for both to be square, one could be a degree closed and another a degree open. Beyond that, I would not be surprised if the spec on the 3W is for a closed face since most players are slicers. The 5W may be spec’d square since it’s a shorter shaft and a bit easier to control.
Best,
Matt
Hi I’m 28 plus handicap I just bought Taylormade Jetspeed Fairway wood – 3HL 17 Degree would that be the right choice?
Pietro,
It might be, but I have no way of knowing. Are you looking for distance? Accuracy?
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I’m from chile, and a few months ago I bought a jetspeed 3 wood.
I’am a strong hiter, and yesterday I realiced that mi wood was broken on the front face.
Its becouse of a strong hit? Bad luck? I don’t know what happened there…
I’ll be gratefull to you if you help me…
Matias,
Contact TaylorMade and let them know about your problem. They should replace it for you.
Best,
Matt
Matt I’m after a Jet Speed 7 wood 23 degree loft, I’m in the UK but trying get one is very hard, any Idea’s where I might get one, its to match the 3 & 5 woods, also what weight is standard insert in the driver is it 10g ???
Regards
Mike
Mike,
I’m not sure about the standard weight slug. As for where to buy a 7W, I would suggest eBay.
Best,
Matt