A laminated write pole layer for a PMR write head is disclosed in which a plurality of “n” magnetic layers and “n−1” non-magnetic spacers are formed in an alternating fashion on a substrate. The non-magnetic spacers promote exchange decoupling or antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent magnetic layers. Writability is improved when the trailing magnetic layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of other magnetic layers and preferably >25% of the total thickness of the magnetic layers. The thicknesses of the other magnetic layers may be equal or may become progressively smaller with increasing distance from the trailing magnetic layer. In another embodiment, the non-magnetic spacer between the trailing magnetic layer and the nearest magnetic layer is replaced by a magnetic spacer made of a soft magnetic material to promote magnetic coupling and effectively increase the thickness of the trailing magnetic layer.