Wilson Staff FG Tour F5 Driver

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Rather than further hijack KCLeo's thread on the M1, let's start a new one on another new driver, the Wilson Staff FG Tour F5...

 

 

While possibly rivaling Callaways Big Bertha Double Black Diamond 816 for the most syllables in a new driver release, Wilson's new driver fills a hole for them, a "player's" driver.  I gamed the D200 this season and really liked it -- forgiving, easy to hit and plenty long.  Received the F5 about 3 weeks ago for the blog's First Look piece (click here) and have played 5 rounds with it and I gotta report that this thing is the real deal!

 

Some stats:

 

- 460 CC head, traditional pear shape, fairly deep face

- 9* & 10.5* heads, adjustable in .5 degree increments - 1* down thru 2* up

- Real deal Fubuki Z 50 shaft (shaft coloring is altered slightly to match the head)

- FastFit hosel is supposedly the lightest on the market, allows them to redistribute weight 

- Green Means GO adjustability - you can adjust the head without having to remove the head

- 3 interchangeable sole weights

- Reactive Face Technology - Maximize ball speed no matter where you hit it on the face

- Serious baddass looking headcover - nice departure from the sock-puppets they offered for the D200

 

 

On the course, for me the thing launches somewhat high, but not as high as the D200. But I have been getting some pretty serious distance - even keeping up with my Hack To Jack partner, who can hit it a mile!  Outdriving much younger bombers is better than Viagra!

 

The sound is really unique -- I'm still struggling with the best way to describe it -- it's kind of a "KLOCK" sound -- sorta like the original Alpha.  it's not a bad sound at all, but it's definitely distinctive, and not metalliic or "clinky" like many drivers.  

 

 

It's a low/forward CG driver, and a 7 gram sole weight comes factory installed.  You also get a 3 gram and an 11 gram weight.  Wilson says their testing shows most golfers will achieve maximum club head speed with the 7 gram weight, but some will swing faster with the lighter or the heavier options.  On the LM I was swinging a fairly steady 102 with the 7 gram weight...haven't tried the others yet simply because I've been pretty happy with the stock results.  I would, however, love to see if a fitting would put me into a different shaft.  Again, it's hard to argue with the results thus far, but you never know.

 

I did hit this thing side by side against an R15 on the LM a couple of weeks ago, with both drivers set to 9*.  The results were interesting. Comparing best swings to best swings, the F5, while launching a bit higher, provided roughly 27% less spin than the R15 with 7 to 10 more yards worth of carry, plus some roll.  Disclosure - I fiddled with the R15 weight settings to try to get the best performance I could out of it, but I have no idea whether it was optimized.  

 

 

Wilson has changed their F-C-D fitting program a little.  F is Feel, while D is Distance. C used to stand for "Control," in the future it will stand for "Crossover," which is probably more descriptive. The player's clubs - the FG 100 blades and V4 irons are in the F category, while the D200 SGI irons are in the D category.  The D200 driver is a GI driver, but Wilson is putting the F5 in the Feel and Crossover category.  A 15 handicap who hits the driver well can play the F5.

 

The matching F5 hybrid and fairway woods should be coming in the next week or so...can't wait to give those things a try.  The fairways come in three options (13.5*, 15* and 17*) and all are adjustable 1* down and 2* up in .5* increments.  The hybrids also come in 3 options (17*, 20* and 23*), and are have two levels of adjustability.  You can go 1* up or down in 1* increments, but you can also adjust the lie angle between either Standard or 2* upright.  

 

 

Questions?

[PlaidJacket]

All I can say based on pictures is that it appears to be a good looking driver. Wouldn't mind hitting one outside on the practice tee some day.

[mbrodeur86]

What's the shaft length?

[KCLeo12]

Looks really good!! I need to get a few drivers and got to work with the LM

[Chris O.]

I can not wait to put this in my bag! I got to play around with it a few weeks ago and it was awesome. On the sound of the driver....really a different sound. Way better than the M3 though. The new year can't come fast enough!

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

I can not wait to put this in my bag! I got to play around with it a few weeks ago and it was awesome. On the sound of the driver....really a different sound. Way better than the M3 though. The new year can't come fast enough!

 

 

I'll bring it with me to Salt Lake in a couple weeks -- plus another little WS Surprise you might like ;-)

[revkev]

I'd echo an earlier question - what's the stock shaft length?  I'm certainly going to be looking for "new" driver for next season.  I put new in quotation marks because it could be "different" and not necessarily new. 

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Haven't measured it - but it appears to be standard length - 45.5" total.  I compared it to my D200 with the Accra shaft that I cut down an inch and it's about an inch longer.  So the math says.....

 

Additional impressions - this thing desperately wants to stay in the short grass - have hit some of my longer drives of the year with a consistent straightness. First round with it was at the New England CC a few weeks ago -- met up with and played with a local guy and his son.  By the back 9 he was calling me "Fairway Joe,"  If he only knew the ugly truth!  

 

I've hit a couple of dead pulls, of course, but the majestic slices haven't been an issue - just reasonable fades or cuts.  Also, I think the stock shaft is a pretty good match for this driver - it's a real deal Fubuki Z50. I was worried that it'd be too light, but it seems to work well...no complaints whatsoever.  Be interesting to go through a fitting to see if it can be optimized, but as far as stock goes, I have no complaints...

[silver & black]

Nice looking driver. Simple and clean. I'll try to hit one over the Winter at my local golf shop. I'm not sure I'm ready to throw my 913 out of the bag, but ya never know.

[Chris O.]

I'll bring it with me to Salt Lake in a couple weeks -- plus another little WS Surprise you might like ;-)

Well it sounds like I'm going to have to take a quick day trip up there just to see what the surprise is! Do you have plans to play anywhere yet?

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Well it sounds like I'm going to have to take a quick day trip up there just to see what the surprise is! Do you have plans to play anywhere yet?

 

None yet -- hope to play 36 holes on Wednesday the 28th either in the Salt Lake are or Park City

[mbrodeur86]

Wish wilson staff would be part of the demo days we have in my area as well as TourEdge. This year even Ping wasn't here so one can only dream I guess

[revkev]

Our demo days are Feb/March, I will definitely be trying this driver.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Okay - a few more rounds in the books with this thing and I gotta say it flat out performs for me!  It just wants to go straight and in great increments!  The sound is a little different, but you know it when you nail it!  

 

Very happy with the results and unless something completely blows me away, this will be in the bag for the rest of this year as well as 2016.

 

Also demoing the companion Gt Tour F5 irons for an upcoming blog post. These are the replacements for the 2-year old M3 irons.  They're a matte gray instead of black, 8620 forged and are a little more forgiving than the V4 irons I've been gaming this season.  The V4's are flat out the best iron I've ever played - so I'm not sure if these will kick the V4's out of the bag, but so far, so good.

 

Now the C200's? Those are something I really want to see! 

[Chris O.]

Okay - a few more rounds in the books with this thing and I gotta say it flat out performs for me! It just wants to go straight and in great increments! The sound is a little different, but you know it when you nail it!

 

Very happy with the results and unless something completely blows me away, this will be in the bag for the rest of this year as well as 2016.

 

Also demoing the companion Gt Tour F5 irons for an upcoming blog post. These are the replacements for the 2-year old M3 irons. They're a matte gray instead of black, 8620 forged and are a little more forgiving than the V4 irons I've been gaming this season. The V4's are flat out the best iron I've ever played - so I'm not sure if these will kick the V4's out of the bag, but so far, so good.

 

Now the C200's? Those are something I really want to see!

The C200's might just be the funkiest iron I've ever laid eyes on...but if it works, WS might be onto something. Cool tech in them though. And I'm 99% sure the F5 irons are going in my bag next year. They took a great iron in the M3 and made it feel better from the few swings I took with it. And I hope the driver performs as well for me as it has for you.

[revkev]

I keep trying to take the C100's and can't, they work as advertised. I will need to try this driver beyond a doubt.

[wbealsd]

I can't honestly say I NEED another driver...  BUT, if you've got this in Orlando in January, you're going to have to let me have some range time with it

 

If not, I'll check it out on Demo Days!

[AH1980MN]

I seriously want to try this thing out, but all of the local stores are wilson free except for duos... I really hope it does well in the most wanted tests...

[NiftyNiblick]

I can't remember destroying too many scorecards with nuclear holes that began with a half-decent drive of at least two-hundred yards onto or just off the fairway.

 

 

 

Errant drives are almost always the precipitator of sevens and eights. A poke that's on the fairway at 215 yards can easily become unplayable if it flies out to 245 on the very same path. Playing 6000 yard golf, I just don't need a driver. I won't miss a 17º metalwood nearly as often, and consequently, I won't have very many snowmen flipping me the finger from my scorecard.

 

 

 

Does anybody else out there ever eschew the driver when configuring a bag?

[revkev]

I can't remember destroying too many scorecards with nuclear holes that began with a half-decent drive of at least two-hundred yards onto or just off the fairway.Errant drives are almost always the precipitator of sevens and eights. A poke that's on the fairway at 215 yards can easily become unplayable if it flies out to 245 on the very same path. Playing 6000 yard golf, I just don't need a driver. I won't miss a 17º metalwood nearly as often, and consequently, I won't have very many snowmen flipping me the finger from my scorecard.Does anybody else out there ever eschew the driver when configuring a bag?

Not I, far too important a club for me.

[apprenti23]

I really really want to try this... First WS club I've wanted to try in a long long time.

 

Wilson is based out of Illinois (as is Tour Edge). In my 15+ years in the golf industry NONE of the clubs I've ever worked at carried either in any capacity.

 

I'm not surprised that WS (and TE) haven't had that much success in awhile especially when they're not well perceived in their hometown!

[PlaidJacket]

I might consider a new driver this spring. Maybe. I'm still playing the 14* SLDR I got during the MGS review back in the spring of 2014. I play the SLDR well averaging 60% fairways with total distance approximately 250. My misses with the SLDR usually aren't bad being only a few yards off the fairway. Sometimes even less. But I only count FIR when they are truly in the fairway. It'll be hard for me to take the SLDR out of the bag just for the sake of a new driver. But I guess we all get the itch sometime. I'll also add that I wasn't fit for the SLDR. Howerver, I have taken to a fitter and had it optimized as best we could with the stock stiff shaft that it came with. When I do decide on a new driver I most defiantly will be fit for it and closely look at a shorter shaft of perhaps 43.5 to maybe 44. We'll see. Of course it'll probably be hard to find the Wilson FG Tour F5 for fitting.

[fozcycle]

I personally like the previous model, my buddy has it and booms the ball for the tee. Very easy to control.....and you can get one in our pro shop for $120.

[NiftyNiblick]

I don't always bag one, but most of the drivers in my rotation are old enough to vote.

[Chris O.]

 

Very happy with the results and unless something completely blows me away, this will be in the bag for the rest of this year as well as 2016.

 

 

So I have to ask....have you hit the F5 next to or compared to the King LTD? I had a chance to hit the King today, and oh my good heavens!!! Talk about just pure goodness! 

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

So I have to ask....have you hit the F5 next to or compared to the King LTD? I had a chance to hit the King today, and oh my good heavens!!! Talk about just pure goodness! 

 

I gave the King an obligatory whack last week, but have been recovering from a shoulder injury so it was kind of half-hearted.  That said, between the King and last year's FlyZ+, I preferred the FlyZ+...but that was after some warmup.  

 

Have the F5 FW and hybrid - will be testing them out in the next few days.  

[revkev]

Any more update on this club? I have the go ahead to buy a driver this winter. G30 is my front runner but I won't purchse one until this comes out and I try it. Low/front should wan more loft, correct?

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Any more update on this club? I have the go ahead to buy a driver this winter. G30 is my front runner but I won't purchse one until this comes out and I try it. Low/front should wan more loft, correct?

 

Theoretically --- I'm gaming it at 9* and am getting PLENTY of launch on mine, but I have a positive angle of attack.  The stock shaft is working nicely with my swing speed -- 99-103 -- and I hit some of the best bombs of the year with it.  I would love to go through a fitting with this thing to see if I can improve on the custom shaft, but all I can say is the sucker wants to find the fairway...

 

Believe it or not, there's a scramble planned for Lester Prairie, MN for this Sunday...it'll get one last go round for 2015.  I will say this, a driver will have to be pretty special to get me to game something else this coming season....

[mcavoy]

Well I just picked up one of these about two weeks ago and so far have 3 rounds and several range sessions in.  Here are my thoughts so far:

• This is by far the best WS driver of the metalwoods era and its not even close.
• Definitely low spin and mid to mid-high launch.
• Great penetration.
• Distance on mis-hits very acceptable, particularly low on the face.
• That said overall forgiveness distance wise compared to center face hits is not the best I have seen but that's OK (I hit the center a lot!)
• Center face contact:  OMFG
• WS nailed the look.  This is a serious looking club.
• Great headcover (yes, its important)
• The stock Fubuki shaft works very well w/the head but I wouldn't call it the best feeling shaft I've ever hit.
• Huge improvement in the look of the adjustable hosel.  The first generation w/the M3 was bulky and reminiscent of the early Nike adjustable hosels.  And look what happened to them. 
• Sound a definite improvement over the M3 but may not be for everybody.  Hard to describe.  Gotta give props to TM and Titleist in this area - they are the leaders.  But baby steps.
• It wants to go straight.  MAJOR workers of the ball look elsewhere.  MINOR workers, here's your ticket to happiness.

Before I go any further full disclosure:  I am and always have been a huge WS fan.  But I'm not a fanboy, I'm a realist.  And the realist in me knows that WS will be most closely associated w/great irons and wedges.  But I think its important (and I think they do too) to have a quality "full bag" lineup to be in the big boy league.  And I'll just say that if they can't start gaining acceptance and street cred w/this club they never will.  This driver doesn't need to apologize to anyone.  And believe me I've tried almost all of their offerings.  If I had to rate the 3 best WS drivers of the metalwoods era here they are:

1.  F5

2. Smooth

3. M3

 

Worst:

1. Pd5 (anybody, anybody?)

2.  DXi (my god what were they thinking?)

3.  Everything else (tie)

 

I got this club in a quest to improve on what I was already playing, which is a component head (won't mention which one) that was also low spin.  That club was "sneaky long" as they say since it wasn't the longest carrying driver I'd ever used but it got tons of roll and was in the fairway A LOT.  I had a lot of guys ask me "what is that thing" when they got tired of seeing me hit it past them and they were playing the latest and greatest from TM, Cally, Cobra, et al.  But like any golfer I'm always looking for more distance so I went looking for a driver w/similar low spin characteristics but maybe a hotter face for even more carry than I was getting.  Took a while as the component club had top billing in the bag for about 5 years but the F5 is the one that dethroned the King.  

FWIW my all time low index was 3.1 in late 2014.  Currently at 6.6 and trending down.  Two job changes in consecutive years '15 and '16 will do that to ya but its coming back around.