Wishon Driver

[revkev]

My custodian buys repo'd storage unit contents at auction.  Anytime he gets golf equipment he lets me pick through the stash.  It's usually junk but I have scored a mint Ping Zing putter and some high end balls in the past.

 

Today he brought me a driver that I kept - it's a Wishon 919 ccg 11 degree 385 cc's (very compact head) with a Fujikura Vistapro 50 shaft in it which seems light for what is clearly an older club (could it have been reshafted?)

 

I'm certainly going to take it to the range and hit it as spec wise it should be in my ball park - I've wanted to look at a smaller head on my driver (400-430 not all the way down to 385). 

 

Does anyone have any familiarity with the driver or the shaft - I certainly know who Wishon is and have a very positive view of his equipment.

[fozcycle]

Try Duffy's Golf Studio, located at 2928 West Bay Dr, Largo, FL 33770; 727-330-7830

 

He is listed as a Wishon Fitter and could probably tell you more about the club and shaft.

[NiftyNiblick]

The Fujikura Vista Pro Series was the graphite shaft of choice for the superb Kenneth Smith custom clubs during the last years of their existence. 

 

K-S went out of business in the 90s, but had been around since the 30s or 40s.

 

Although Fujikura hasn't made the Vista Pro for a while, they still reference it on their website, making recommendations for a current model to try if you liked the Vista Pro.

[BIG STU]

The Wishon head is a darn good head. Now I have not hit that paticular one but I do have and have played a 949 MC in the past. My friend who just sold his shop and retired was a Wishon fitter and builder. In fact that 949 is my back up driver in case Mr. Hathaway dies or something

[revkev]

Foz I'm guessing that I'm going to get all kinds of information on this shaft/head here and no one is going to be trying to sell me anything.  For example even though that shaft is lighter I thought that it was older just from its look.

 

Also I'm thinking that I can do some online research to discover more info on the club - the problem is that until Monday I don't have much time - two more weddings this weekend and five baptisms for kicks after two weddings, a renewal of vows and two baptisms  last weekend have tied me down in a big way.  It's no wonder that my golf game is in the tank but my Day Job could not be going  better at this point.  

[fozcycle]

Rev, I am very glad that the business we call Christianity is going well. I especially like the fact that you are having more weddings and baptisms than funerals. That is a very good sign.

[PlaidJacket]

Hey Rev... you might even call Tom Wishon if you aren't inclined to post questions on his site. I called him once. Left a message and he called me back!  Good luck with the driver.

[revkev]

I just sent Wishon an email and actually was thinking I may even drop by Duffy's - one of my weddings is right by there - you generally get good information when you show up in a clerical collar.

[revkev]

So I heard back from Tom Wishon already.  That's pretty impressive!  He made that club in '04-'05 before he had to move to a larger headed driver to keep up with the OEM's.  He said there was no convincing folks that you could achiever high enough COR with the smaller head.

 

To me it looks like a very elegant driver, it's spot on my normal specs so I'm going to hit it at the range a few times and then bring it to an LM and see how it does.

[wbealsd]

I've been gaming a Wishon fairway wood for 4 seasons now, and added a second late this summer.  I haven't found another fairway wood that's been able to move it out of my bag!

 

And, of course, I've TRIED! -

[jbil8802]

A friend of mine has a Wishon 3W and he's actually a lefty so he let me hit it. After 5 shots I gave it back to him and walked away so that I wouldn't make him an offer on it. I'm a fan of their equipment.

[revkev]

Wishon is the bomb! Not only did he contact me on the driver but he insisted on weighing in on a smaller head. It's a fascinating email.

 

Bottom line on the bigger heads from his perspective is that you can create higher MOI and because they are bigger shift enough weight to make a difference in ball flight for a better player. Then again you don't or can't creat any more COR so if you can square up the smaller head 385, you can hit it just as far. His discussion of why he put the copper back on the driver I have is awesome. You can tell that he loves his equipment. He was psyched that I have a custodian that will give me golf equipment.

 

I'm going to go to that Wishon fitter because I want a Wishon club in my bag even if it's not this driver.

[NiftyNiblick]

Tom's got a very nice selection except for wedges. Not as many lofts and bounce options as many.

 

Overall, though, he's really into getting you what you need.

 

Refreshing in a world where the actual product or service is a necessary annoyance with which to deal while return on investment is the only true purpose for a business being operated.

[jrmull]

Wishon is the bomb! Not only did he contact me on the driver but he insisted on weighing in on a smaller head. It's a fascinating email.

 

Bottom line on the bigger heads from his perspective is that you can create higher MOI and because they are bigger shift enough weight to make a difference in ball flight for a better player. Then again you don't or can't creat any more COR so if you can square up the smaller head 385, you can hit it just as far. His discussion of why he put the copper back on the driver I have is awesome. You can tell that he loves his equipment. He was psyched that I have a custodian that will give me golf equipment.

 

I'm going to go to that Wishon fitter because I want a Wishon club in my bag even if it's not this driver.

Very nice - it's cool and fun when you can reach people like that! I don't know if this is the right place for this question, but does Dean Snell sign all packing slips that go out with Snell Balls? The first time I bought some, it wasn't signed, but the last two times he did. I think that's a nice personal touch. Makes people like that "human" if you know what I mean.

[revkev]

Fully agree Greengrass! Wishon gives the impression that he cares about helping golfers play better golf. Dean is the same way. If you haven't be sure to check out how gracious he's been at answering our questions.

[wbealsd]

Fully agree Greengrass! Wishon gives the impression that he cares about helping golfers play better golf. Dean is the same way. If you haven't be sure to check out how gracious he's been at answering our questions.

I think anyone that's ever had any dealings with Tom Wishon will agree, the man is not only a wealth of information but he CARES about providing YOU with the best equipment for your abilities.  Before we had a local custom fitter, I emailed him some questions I had and he generously provided me with his insights on what I should be looking for.

 

He's definitely one of the "good guys" in the business.

[revkev]

I have my eye on that 16.5 my friend. Don't turn your back.

[BIG STU]

Yep Rev Tom is a good guy one of my buddies the one who retired was a Wishon Dealer. Tom will always answer you on e mails etc. I conversed with him quite a bit when I was messing with the PCF wedges.

BTW your "real job" is very important and needed in this world especially in this day and time. even though I have never met you face to face every week when they get to the part in the prayers of the people about praying for other ministers I say a prayer for "Rev Kev in Florida and my other minister friend that drives trucks with me part time Rev Jim or as I call him Preacher Man" The Lord knows who I am talking about.

On Baptism my main priest says " WE ALWAYS HAVE PLENTY OF TIME AND PLENTY OF WATER" he will Baptise at the drop of a hat so to speak.

[wbealsd]

I have my eye on that 16.5 my friend. Don't turn your back.

I have 2  Gotta have backup!

[revkev]

@BigStu can you imagine, we're baptizing an entire family at our 830 service. We get a tp few of those opportunities evry year because of our school.

 

Wbeal how do you like that coub? Particularly is it versatile enough to hit off the deck and the tee?

[wbealsd]

@BigStu can you imagine, we're baptizing an entire family at our 830 service. We get a tp few of those opportunities evry year because of our school.

 

Wbeal how do you like that coub? Particularly is it versatile enough to hit off the deck and the tee?

Rev, I always struggled with the "standard" 15* 3 woods, but the 16.5* Wishon works well for me both off the deck, or a tee!  When I started using it, my regular playing partners told me "don't lose that one," so I bought another head for a backup - lol

[BIG STU]

Rev, I always struggled with the "standard" 15* 3 woods, but the 16.5* Wishon works well for me both off the deck, or a tee!  When I started using it, my regular playing partners told me "don't lose that one," so I bought another head for a backup - lol

I am starting to struggle with my beloved Steel Head 3 wood but it is an old Tour Head and it is 13*. I have been experimenting with an older Wishon GRT at 18* and an older Infiniti Pro 17* not really sure on either of those yet because I hit my old V-Steel 7 wood at 21* just as far as I do those 2. I have a bunch of hybrid heads in fact a bucket full from when my friend retired and closed his shop and I am thinking of doing something in the line of a 17* or 19* with maybe a steel shaft. I am not a big hybrid fan though.