Reviewed by James Tatham
- 4 handicap
- 110 MPH driver swing speed
- James upgraded from Srixon 765 irons
Review in short
Probably the best looking bladed irons on the market today, and from a lesser known manufacturer. Aimed at better players who want supreme control and workability from their irons.
Why I play these irons
I wanted more control from my clubs, so switching to a set of blades was the next logical step for me. I looked at all of the manufacturers and thought that the Wilson Staff Model Blades looked and felt the best out of everything on the market. Wilson also have a rich history when it comes to their blades, with many major winners using them when playing. I saw Gary Woodland win the US Open at Pebble with these clubs and I thought that Wilson must be doing something right!
Looks
I just cannot fault the look of the Wilson Staff Model Blades. At address, I don’t think I have seen or played an iron that looks this good. They look like a classic blade but have some modern elements which bring them up to date.
Down by the ball, these irons have the profile that I want from a blade: compact length, thin top line and next to no offset. I love the diamonds bordering the the grooves at either side of the face which is a throwback to Wilson irons of the past. The “triple-knurled hosel” also appeals to my eye by some could find it a bit distracting.
Sound and feel
Soft. Like butter that has been warming up real nice on top of some pancakes. The sound is just dreamy too. When you get one right out of the middle it has that "thwack" that you can only get from a blade. I now have that sound saved as my message tone on my phone.
Performance
As a single digit handicapper, what I'm looking for is greater consistency of strike to centre of the face, better turf interaction, and more manoeuvrability. I need to know that when I make a good swing, the ball will go the distance and direction I want it too. Turf interaction is important to me too because I play on a course which gets very dry in the summer. I want something that won't dig in when it's wet and won't bounce off the grass when it's firm. These Wilson blades do just that for me.
The Wilson Staff Model Blades have a mid-spin profile that makes them playable for a wide variety of swings. They are slightly higher spinning than most cavity back irons because skilled players want that spin as a means to shaping their shots. They also have classic lofts, with the 7 iron coming in at 34 degrees. This is a full 4 degrees weaker than some modern hollow bodies irons and will suit players who are looking for supreme control.
These irons are also milled to ensure tighter tolerances. This makes the head weight more consistent which in turn leads to more consistent swing weight. A more consistent swing weight means each club will feel similar and that should lead to confidence with every iron in the set.
Pros
Cons
Tech specs
Iron | Loft | Lie | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
3 | 20° | 59.6° | 39.25" |
4 | 23° | 60° | 38.75" |
5 | 26° | 61° | 38.25" |
6 | 30° | 61.5° | 37.75" |
7 | 34° | 62.5° | 37.25" |
8 | 38° | 63° | 36.75" |
9 | 42° | 63.5° | 36.25" |
PW | 46° | 64° | 35.75" |
Shaft options
- True Temper Dynamic Gold
Price for the set
$1,199 (3-PW)