My First Set of Clubs
I started playing golf because of my grandfather. He was my hero. When he passed away, I inherited his 1932 Sterling Silver hole in one trophy! It was my grandfather that gave me my first set of golf clubs, I use the word “set” loosely as it was more a collection of clubs that didn’t match, but I loved them dearly, not least a little wooden 5-wood – when the wood finally gave up and cracked I’m pretty sure I cried!
As my game progressed and my ability improved, I wanted a set that matched, not least because I wanted to look the part, so I saved and saved and finally bought myself a set of Jack Nicklaus Muirfield Irons by MacGregor, Tour Forged. Blades, no cavity backs, no forgiveness, but they looked beautiful, and I had them a long time, not least because I got a job and golf took a back-seat to that amongst other things (wife/ children, etc.), so when I came to a point where I could find time to play again, life had moved on, and my clubs were old.
Next up was a set of Ben Hogan FTX Apex, Forged – the first release by Callaway after they’d bought the name from Top Flite, mid-2000 – never fell in love with them but persevered because, well frankly, my wife is scary and letting her know I’d made a mistake was only going to cost me a lot more!! And it wasn’t like I was playing every week…
Golfing All the Time!
So when enough time had passed, and I’m playing a lot more, every week – Callaway X Hot irons. I liked these clubs and had them for three years before trading them in for the Callaway Apex AF16 Tour Forged. I had these clubs a month and got my first hole in one with the 8-iron, a 151-yard shot. The 9-iron gave me my second – 139 yards, 18 months later. After four years and several hundred rounds of golf, they were starting to look worn, not terrible, but enough to start the conversation about a new set.
In the midst of debating new clubs, I got a call from Wilson asking if we would test a new set of irons. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I quickly said yes. Little known fact – Wilson irons have won more major victories than any other brand.
A few days later, a box turns up and inside is a complete set of Wilson D9’s – 5 through Gap.
First Impression
The first impression, they look good, and the ‘power holes’ on the sole are interesting. Now a new set of clubs always gives renewed interest and no small amount of confidence, so to the range with a bit of spring in my step.
The D9 is a follow-on of the D7 irons, which was Wilson’s best-selling iron. The marketing around D7 irons touted them as the longest-hitting irons you could buy. So the D9 has some big shoes to fill!
When comparing the new D9 irons against my old Callaway Apex, holy ****, these clubs are insane! I was hitting the ball higher, further, and more accurately. Now higher and accurate are easy terms to understand, but further – I’m not a power hitter but no slouch either, so here’s the comparison.
More Distance Anyone?
Apex 5 – 175 yards
Wilson D9 5 – 190+ yards, then it’s pretty much the norm of minus 10 yards as you go up each club.
How did Wilson achieve this extra distance? Well, they lowered the center of gravity, and it all sits on the base of the club. This gives a higher launch trajectory and, with it, less spin. When you combine this with a change in the loft of the clubs, you get more distance, and the ball will still hold when it hits the green. It’s much more technical than that, and I don’t want to undermine the extraordinary efforts that the Wilson R&D team has put into these clubs. Eric is much better at the technical side than I, and I don’t want to take his crown!!
The set came with the KBS Ultralite stiff shafts – for me, they had more whip than I would have expected, but I think that’s in part to do with the weight, they come in at 80g, and my old set was 95g.
My Advice
My advice on these clubs, spend a lot of time on the range because without prior experience of knowing just how far you will hit the ball, you could end up in places you’ve never been before. But, once you’ve got it down, there’s more than a bit of pleasure in standing on a par 3, circa 170-yard hole letting the people you are playing with know you just hit a 7-iron and questioning did they just hit a 5? Feel free to show them your bi-cep and let them know they might need to hit the gym!!
I’m sure there are a few out there thinking, Wilson – really? Not for me, and I understand, I had a similar first impression – they aren’t the first club name you’d chose or recall, many of which are, maybe, more ‘popular,’ but to not at least put them into the mix for consideration would be a mistake.
My handicap has improved 4 points in under two months. Does that help convince you? Or perhaps the price will. A complete set starts at only $699.00! It will be tough for mid to high handicappers to find a better club that will improve their game, assuming, of course, you want to hit it higher, longer, and more accurately?
I’m a convert and, right now, you’re welcome to try and pry them from my hands. I won’t go down without swinging!
PS – There’s a new D9 driver out – I’ve not tried it; however, if it’s like the irons, my Ping is likely to be gone.
