50 Words or Less
The Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 fairway wood is exceptionally easy to hit. Very high ball speeds. Not high launching, but very consistent with launch angle.
Introduction
While Tour Edge Exotics has put out great clubs in every category, the area where they’ve truly made their mark is in fairway woods. So, when they said that the EXS 220 is the best fairway wood they’ve ever made, it immediately went to the top of my “Must Test” list. I got my hands on one to see if it can walk in the massive footsteps of the CB2 and TEE’s other legendary fairway woods.
Looks
Much like the original EXS fairway wood (review HERE), the EXS 220 fairway wood has an address look that will appeal to a broad range of players. Its size is slightly above average, but it’s extremely well proportioned. It’s symmetrical and round with an average face height – all traits that make it very attractive to me. What fails to come through in the photo above is the amount of sparkle in the crown. It’s not distracting, but there’s enough to make it stand out from the crowd.
As with the EXS 220 driver, I think Tour Edge Exotics did a great job creating a complete aesthetic package. For pure visual appeal, there’s no separating the EXS 220 from fairway woods that cost significantly more. The navy blue carbon fiber in the sole makes it subtly different from other FWs, and the SlipStream Sole is a beautiful, functional centerpiece.
Sound & Feel
Given how impressed I was with the sound and feel of the EXS 220 driver, I had very high expectations for the little brother. The EXS 220 fairway wood did not let me down.
Impact created a sound that was mid-volume and crisp without being metallic. There’s no “tink” here, more of a solid, tenor “thwack.”
When it comes to feedback, I’ll share exactly what I wrote in my notes. “Feedback is a bit limited, but who cares when the smash is always 1.45+”. I was able to locate my bigger misses, but shots near the center of the face sounded and felt excellent.
Performance
When a company says, “this is our best fairway wood ever,” that can mean a lot of different things. It could relate to ball speed, distance, ease of use, or consistency with launch and spin. In the case of the Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 fairway wood, it actually means all of those things.
Since distance and ball speed are the sexiest things about any club, we’ll start there. The EXS 220 has both in spades. As I mentioned earlier, the smash factor was maxed out on good swings and shockingly high on bad ones.
The other pieces of the distance equation are launch and spin, and the EXS 220 fairway wood is very consistent with those as well. With the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow shaft, this is not a very high launching club, but virtually every shot launched between 8 and 10 degrees (those numbers will almost certainly be higher for players who aren’t as low launching as I am). That predictability is invaluable on the course. The spin numbers were equally robust.
Regular readers know that I don’t carry a fairway wood in my bag because I struggle to hit them as consistently as hybrids. The EXS 220 FW, however, was so dependable that I was actually having fun testing it. Rather than grabbing the numbers I needed and moving on, I kept hitting the EXS 220 trying to shape shots and hit specific distances.
One important thing to note is that the EXS 220 FW is not adjustable for loft. That means it’s even more critical to be fit for the right head. Don’t assume that the standard 3W will be the longest for you. Like me, you may get much more carry distance from the 16.5 or 18 degree version of this club.
Finally, Tour Edge has done something noteworthy with their stock shaft offerings. Rather than offering the same shaft in every flex, they tested each head and shaft combination at different swing speeds to find the optimal pairings. Their SpeedTested data led them to offer three different stock shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow in Stiff and X for 95 MPH and above, Fujikura Ventus 4T Core in Regular and Stiff for 85-95MPH, and Fujikura Air Speeder in Ladies, A-Flex, and Regular for 85 MPH and below.
Conclusion
Whether you wear our your fairway woods or leave yours permanently under their covers, the new Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 FW deserves a serious look. Few fairway woods combine ease of use with high end performance like this one does. And like its big brother, it delivers on performance without breaking the bank.
Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 Fairway Wood Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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I have been a big fan of tour edge. I have a xj1 4 wood it has to be the easiest fairway wood to hit. Now after reading your review, I’m thinking I would like to try out another tour edge offering.
Great review Matt
Hi Robin,
Glad you posted this comment. I, as well, have the XJ1 4 wood and use it as my “go long” fairway wood of the turf. I usually hit it very well (nice and easy/forgiving). I just ordered the EXS 220 3 wood (13+*). I plan on using this in place of my current Cobra driver. Like most, my driver is very inconsistent. My last round i hit it well, the round before not so “well”. I will post an update on how the 3 wood performs as my driver replacement.
Would you recommend the EXS 220 for slower swing speed players? I struggle hitting fairway woods so I generally don’t carry one. But I need something that will fill that distance gap between my irons and driver.
Tehuti,
As long as the shaft fits and you play the right loft, there’s no reason this wouldn’t work well.
Best,
Matt
I really wish they’d make these for us leftys
Kyle, I have a left handed 3 and 5 wood. Had to order took about 7-9 days . Excellent !
I have a slower swing due to age I need a senior shaft , I like the low profile of the head. Would you recommend this 3 wood for me.
Henry,
If you get the right shaft and loft (don’t be wedded to the idea of a 15* 3W), this should work well for anyone.
Best,
Matt
I hit the EXS 220 fairways at the sim in the store and I believe the Fuji Ventus or Fujii AirSpeeder 40g will fit a senior well (or anyone with an R flex – Try both and see what works for you. I loved the feel, forgiveness and consistency – and distance. It was as long as Mavrik in my sim experience. I had a lot of confidence swinging it. If you are a senior, if not the 3 wd, try the 4wood – a little more air time if you need it.
My speed is 92-96, so I am on the cusp of stiff in a Ventus. Need more sim time to know.
I have built many fairway woods and tried many OEM, the exotics 3 wood is as good as any I have tried! Great looking, very square in setup position and love the sound.
I am a low spin player and need a club that offers spin. Ordered the 16.5 in the Ventus and struggled with the shaft. It is mid-kick. With a fairway wood, I prefer a 55-65g low kick shaft. I installed a Graphite Design AD F low kick, mid-spin fairway shaft, and the EXS 220 came to life for me. It is easier off the turf than the previous EX10 Beta that I played for 3 yrs. The shallower face helps. The EXS 220 face is also very forgiving and speedy. You can make contact a bit off and get excellent results. Hit it thin, and it still speeds down the fairway with good results and over a very tall boulder. It happens. The EXS 220 is a very friendly club, which is what I want from a 15-16. Good luck.
I was influenced by Matt’s and other reviews (THP) and bought this lineup – the 16.5 fairway and 19 hybrid several months ago. I went on Trackman last week during a lesson, and after an hour, my instructor asked me get out the top end of my bag and to start with the EXS 220 16.5 at 43 inches. I was not having a great speed day but I was getting 129 ball speed from a 87-88 mph swing. He had me hit his M5 with a TPT Red Proto Fwy Shaft and he said the EXS 220 was the winner. He was surprised.
I am continually impressed by this fairway wood and picked up the 5 wd – 18 deg at 42 inches., this week. This EXS 220 lineup is the best value in golf if the shaft fits you, and if it doesn’t, like me. I had fairway shafts in my old clubs and reshafted.
Shallow face, well designed face to keep ball speed, forgiving, high MOI – you can replace/adjust the back weight for your swing.
I have purchased the exs 220 3 and 5 wood love them. Iam 68 years old with 5 handicap they are easy to hit and our long. Purchased 3 wood first in Ventus shaft and just purchased 5 wood in the speeder shaft for me speeder works a little better but happy with both. I think tour edge makes a great product at a good price.
Just bought 3, 4, 5 HL4 hybrids. First hit on the range convinced me I could play them in our group match that morning. Had my old ones in case I needed more time with the HL4’s. They are solid, consistent and confidence giving. My 1st Tour Edge clubs, will be a fan for years to come.
What the difference in the ex220 and the e722 5wood.
Robert,
We’re going to have a full review of the E722 FW coming in the next few weeks.
Best,
Matt
My son plays the tour edge ex10 fairway 4 wood with Ad tour made for shaft in regular flex, he is ready to upgrade to stiff since launch monitor shows it will bring spin down and control better, he loves tour edge and wants another 4 wood and likes this model even though a few years old, he would either be ventus stiff or hazdrous yellow, he swings driver 95 currently and he will only get faster. He is senior in high school and I know get fit but for this old model he really only has 2 options any advice on shafts, he is not an overly spinning player and has traditional launch angles for most part