Here's something to think about also. I always had trouble hitting those myself. The head of those 3 woods are sometimes like looking down at a plump pancake....they are huge, wide. With the sole sometimes being very flat and several inches across, I think it's what makes them so hard to use. Pay close attention to those clubs the Pros use and you will notice they almost look like hybrids, with the smallish heads. The soles are not so flat, the faces are not so deep. I use the older Callaway Diablo Octane 3 & 5, but the 'Tour' model, 15 and 18. Fairly easy to hit from anywhere. Ballflight is a little lower than reg. heads, but that gives them the op to roll out plenty, and we play in fairly windy conditions most of the summer here, so that(ballflight)helps. No, I can't hit them perfect every time, but they get me close to where I want to be. I did change out the shafts for something heavier as those stock shafts are just junk.
Not sure how many OEMs actually put out 'Tour' heads besides Callaway, but look around on Ebay. I'm not talking about those 'Tour Issue' heads that are all over the place! Good Luck!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Callaway-Diablo-Octane-Tour-15-18-deg-Fairway-Woods-/202063529105?hash=item2f0becc491:g:jToAAOSw~QdZxvHL

    Par4QC
    Those Callaways are really nice heads. Lots of people still on the lookout for them because of Henrik Stenson.

    I also can't play fairways with a large footprint. My favorites that I've had in the bag for years are old Clevelands. 3 wood is original Launcher Titanium, 4 wood original Launcher steel. I also love the 2006 version Launcher steel if you prefer a slightly shallower face. All are easy to elevate and hot faced, as well as pretty cheap to try out. 😉

      Try the Acer XS titanium or Power Play Juggernaut titanium fairway woods (same head, different color). Because most of the weight is low in the head, they are super easy to hit and will elevate most any shot from any lie. And cheap to boot..........

        Bigborgel It's a swing issue not equipment. At 72, I have empathy as I am 68. Club head speed won't allow the distance you are seeking is the short answer. Various kinds of fairway designs allow easier play depending on your A of A. What is your carry driver distance?

          I am almost as old as Scott 😁 and I haven't hit a 3 wood in years. I was playing a 4 or 5 until I ran across the Pinhawk SL fairways. I now have the 3, 5, & 7 in da bag. Distance for me is very good as well, maybe 210 for the 3. 7 drops in gap wise just after a 6 iron. https://www.valuegolf.com/fairway-wood-heads/pinhawk-slf-single-length-fairway-wood-heads

          You might also try one of these. https://www.valuegolf.com/hybrid-heads/integra-sooolong-rescue-wood-heads-compare-to-the-perfect-club I played a previous model that had a .335 hosel.

          Both I mentioned above are heavier weight and played at shorter length which makes them easier to hit than longer fairways.

          A vast majority of slower swing-speed players have trouble hitting fairway woods with less than 16-17º of loft. I remember Tom Wishon years ago advocating that most players would be better served ditching the 3-wood and using the 5-wood, and he's a pretty good authority on the matter imo, as he's spent the entirety of his career trying to make the game easier for the average players.

          My fairway wood play has improved over the past couple of seasons, simply out of necessity, as I find myself reaching for lumber a lot more often on the longer par4's and par3's at my club, especially if it's a back-pin and into-the-wind situation. But even then - I'm always considering the risk involved. Seldom do I use a fairway wood if I have to avoid trouble in front of the green and I know I'm nearing my typical max-carry yardage to clear. Better to lay up and simply play for a comfortable wedge or short-iron into the green imo.

          I like my chances a lot better with a wedge leaving me 20 feet with a putter in my hands on the next shot than I do with a fairway wood that requires my absolute best shot. The difference is usually at least 1 stroke, and sometimes even 2 strokes.

          I struggle with my fw too. At 72 years distance for second shot off turf beyond 175 is always iffy.
          Thinking of only playing with super seniors that allow teeing up our long second shots😁

          With a little range work, I've improved my fairway wood play. @PA-PLAYA posted the recommendation to use the 5 wood instead of the 3 in the past and I was doing that. It also improved the accuracy by helping keep it on the short grass.

          But on the range I experimented with taking the fairway clubs back lower instead of my sharper angle of attack. It helped me immensely and I no longer have qualms about pulling out the 3 when more distance is required and especially when I have some room if it sprays a little (more for confidence standing over the shot).

          LBlack14

          I need to track down one of those 5 woods. Those are crazy easy to hit if you can get over the looks.

            A couple of my buds hit the Titleist 816 H2 hybrids and knock the snot out of them.

            Callaway xhot, xhot2, Ping K15 with a tip flexible and lighter weight graphite shaft will provide nice launch for even slower swing speeds.

              I always struggled with the FWs hitting big slices until I took lessons. I positioned the ball forward but was told to position the ball in the middle of my stance, similar position as the irons. That straightened out my hits. YMMV.

              Weirfan For about 6 yrs. Callaway had a new name for their fw clubs, but they were all the same heads! Doesn't take too much of an eye to see it either. That's why I've still got those older Octanes. Only diff is that when they came out with the Octane, they also had the 'reg.' Octane, which was wide and flat. Since that year they all look like the 'Tour' edition that I have; smaller heads, a bit of curve on the sole, not a real deep face. If they made a 7, I'd be famous. Again.

              Knocked the shit outta them yesterday. So much so that I had to pull my dr. license out to check my age again.😜

                  JeffTilley Acer XS titanium or Power Play Juggernaut titanium fairway woods (same head, different color)

                  In what way is the Acer XS ti and Juggernaut ti the same head?

                      pellmell

                      Everything about them except color and sole design are exactly the same. I have the 3W and 5W heads in both right here in front of me, and have hit both extensively. Like I said, the only reason the Acer still isn’t in the bag is the color........