2019 Official Forum Member Review-Wilson D7 Challenge

[Golfspy_CG2 16,530]

This review coincided with the National D7 Challenge that Wilson Staff ran through the first 3 months of the season.   To be eligible for the testing, forum members had to go to a Wilson Demo Day or local golf store and demo the D7 iron and see how much distance they gained. 

As a result the selected members received a full set of D7 irons.  This testing is also a milestone for MGS of sorts as it marks the first official club test for our women members.  So we're excited to have a couple of them chiming in on what we are sure will be some very helpful and insightful reviews. 

The Testers are as follows:

@Steve2100                                     Stage 1                 Stage 2

@Tarheelvolvo                                  Stage 1                 Stage 2

@JohnSmalls                                   Stage 1                  Stage 2

@GeekingGolf                                  Stage 1                   Stage 2

Our Two Female Reviewers

@GolfDorkette                                Stage 1                    Stage 2

@artful_golfer                                 Stage 1                    Stage 2

[Steve2100 130]

Hi everyone! It's an honor for an old duffer like myself to be a member of such a fine community as this. Ive learned alot since I've been here just reading your posts about golf equipment and about golf in general. I hope to be able to keep up with the high quality of reviews. I would like to thank MyGOLFSPY and WILSON for the opportunity to test and review the new line of Wilson D7 Irons. And also thanks to my lovely wife for her years of patience with me as I've  tried to hit that #%!* white ball around the course!

 

So a little bit about myself. I'm a retired Chicago Police Sergeant with one amazing son and the aforementioned lovely wife! We have enjoyed traveling since I've retired and in our travels I've 

even been able to squeeze in a few rounds in the Azores and in Ireland. 

Currently I keep busy by  golfing and working at Wrigley Field (Home of the 2016 World Series Champs) Even got one of these!

 

 

 

Once I retired I thought golf would become easier what with all the extra time to practice and play. BOY WAS I WRONG! It seems the more I've been playing lately the worse my game has become! This year my handicap has gone up 2 points and once where I could expect to shoot in the upper 80s I've been struggling to keep it in the 90s! Somewhere along the way I developed a mean duck hook followed at times by a bigger hook (goose hook?)! Lately I've been getting rid of that ugly shot but it still pops up from time to time.

 

They say understanding that you have a problem is the first step in recovery and I understand that my big problem is TOO much information in my head! I'm constantly watching this online instructor telling me to do one thing followed by another instructor telling me to do another. I've watched countless videos of different swings mechanics, every instruction show on the Golf Channel and bought numerous golf training aids from Golf Shirts to Power Package to special clubs. Orange Whip anyone!

Currently I play once a week in a golf league with friends. But I try to get out to the range once or twice a week and try to work on my game.My misses are mostly left but I'm an equal opportunity golfer and I can miss right as well at times. Lately I've been trying to focus on impact and not worry too much about the swing, trying to keep my head clear of all the clutter I have put in there.  

 

 Recently I purchased a set of Cobra King  F7 irons which replaced a 10 yr old set of Adams and I've been satisfied with them but look forward to testing the  Wilson D7’s to see if they can improve my game. I'll be taking them to a driving range a little way from me that actually has TopTracer Range (one of only 3 in Illinois). I've never been there before so Im looking forward to using that technology and sharing info on that location so other Chicago area golfers can benefit. After a few sessions there I'll take them out to the course and hopefully break 90!

Despite the  inconsistencies in my game Im still very passionate about golf and hope to be playing it for many years to come.

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

 

Right out of the box my first impression of the D7 was quite positive! It is a real good looking iron not unlike my current King Cobra F7’s. Both labeled as game improvement irons but the big difference is Wilson D7 lofts are 2 degrees less for  each club compared to my Kings. Wilson D7’s also come with power holes (3 rows of power holes for longer irons, 2 rows for mid irons, and 1 row for PW and GW). Couple these with the super thin face these irons have and you are supposed to get greater ball speed  for longer distances for both center and off center hits.

 

I find it funny that I live just a few miles from Wilson headquarters and really did not know too much about the golf side of the company. I didn't know the rich history Wilson shared with the game of Golf. Wilson once was the golf club of champions from Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Billy Casper and Ben Hogan all played Wilson clubs! A quick search of the internet I also found a great article from MYGOLFSPYS own John Barba from 2014(wish I knew about this place back then!) that pretty much gives a rise and fall and rise again of Wilson Golf (A MUST READ!) Once  overshadowed by the likes of Titelist, Taylormade and Ping, Wilson has upped its profile with Golf Channel’s Driver vs Driver show has Padraig Harrington, Kevin Streelman, and 2019 US Open winner Gary Woodland using Wilson clubs. Now with Wilson D7’s and more new clubs to come hopefully we will see a resurgence in the Wilson brand!

 

Well that just about does it for Stage 1 if anyone has any questions please fire away and I will be happy to answer! I hope you enjoy the review, these clubs might not be for everyone but I think a large segment of mid to high handicappers will like trying these clubs out! So far I am very happy with the results and will share them in Stage 2. 

 

 

 

Edited August 22 by Steve2100

[Steve2100 130]

Stage 2 Placeholder 

[Tarheelvolvo 173]

Hey Guys, since I’m fairly new to the MGS forums I wanted to give a proper introduction. I’m John-Scott (JS), 36yrs old, and live in Richmond, VA. I’m also a fairly big guy – 6’4” 240lbs, so can put a lot of power behind a ball when I connect. I started playing golf with my father at our club at about age 6, but didn’t take it seriously until about 13 and got down to 6hdcp in HS. I continued to play sporadically through college and post schooling until kiddos joined the fun and consumed all my time – as many of you can relate. Now that they are a bit older (3 & 6 currently) I have more time to get back on the course. I played in a yearly tournament and in April of this year I shot a 91, which considering that I hadn’t played in over a year, spurred me into action! Since then I have participated in a few more tournaments (everybody needs a high handicapper on their team, right??) and aim to play at least once a month.

I’m about a 15hdcp currently and my iron play has always been the strongest part of my game. However, the clubs I currently hit are knock-off CB’s from 1998 and the though occurred that technology may have changed a bit in the intervening years. As I mentioned before, I can put a lot of power behind the ball with my fairly fast swing speed and size. Right now I hit my 8i about 150yds, but would often push the ball right, or put a fade on it. I heard about the Wilson D7 Challenge on MGS and went to a demo day nearby to get fitted and try out a few clubs. Boy have things changed with irons!!

To summarize the demo day, I went from hitting a 7i ~ 160yds with my current irons to hitting a 7i ~190yds with the new technology 

First Impressions

The fateful day finally arrived and these new irons look beautiful!

I almost feel bad for them having to go into my old, beat up bag, but should be interesting to see how they sack up to my old DCI clones, and R11 Clones.

Close-up Comparison of the D7's vs the DCI Clones

After reading all of the marketing material, I thought the Power Holes would be very gimmicky, the overall head design too thick and unpleasant at address, and the RE•AKT Technology would not help straighten out my contant right push/fade that has developed with my swing.

 

Are all of these advancements enough to straighten out my gain, give me the promised yardage improvements, and - this is a major sticking point for me - not all be the same distance? Since I don't have trouble getting the ball up in the air, are the 4-6i going to be the same distance? With the ever creeping lofts of irons, do I even need a Fairway Wood? 

 

This, and more, will be answered as I give these clubs a proper workout!

 

Edited August 26 by Tarheelvolvo

[Tarheelvolvo 173]

Stage 2 Placeholder 

[JohnSmalls 2,913]

Wilson D7 Irons, Stage One:  JohnSmalls (8/21/2019)

Hi, I am John!  I live and play most of my golf in upstate South Carolina at Spring Lake Country Club which is just south of Charlotte, NC. 


I grew up doing a variety of things from going on camping trips to playing just about everything that could be considered a game.  My grandma enjoyed golf and her husband was an avid golfer along with being one of the first members at the club in my hometown. 

Sadly he passed away before I was born, but there was always golf equipment laying around my grandma’s house.  Her brother, Joe was also an avid golfer and he gave me my first golf clubs when I was a very young boy.  Ironically it was a junior Wilson set with a driver, fairway wood, 5, 7, 9, PW and a putter.  I liked golf never enjoyed playing, because it wasn’t the cool sport and my first sports love was baseball.  Nevertheless I played here and there through the grade school/high school years and kept up about once a year while in college.  It wasn’t until 3 years ago that I played my first truly enjoyable round with one of my best friends that I began to fall in love with this crazy game. 

I was very pessimistic about my game and distance so I played game improvement/super game improvement irons for my first two+ years(Cobra Fly-Z and Nike Vapor Speed), but as my ball striking improved over the past year I wanted to try something new so I put my current dream forged players irons in the bag  the Nike Vapor Pro Combos.  With this past year of lessons and practice I feel like I have unlocked a better understanding of my swing, all of this has come with the Pro Combos in the bag which I have come to love.

I currently shoot in the low to mid 90s and that is finally trending down after what is looking like a year of growing pains due to a substantial swing change.   Irons were the better part of my game before the swing change and look like they are coming alive again.  I have a slower back swing leading into a moderately aggressive downswing that averages between 84-86 7 iron swing speed, and tops out a touch over 89mph.

My instructor tracks data using Flightscope hitting to an outdoor range with Srixon range balls.  Consistently well struck 7-irons with my Pro Combos are in the 153-157 carry range with around 8000 spin.  My typical miss comes off the toe side of center and usually ends up with a 10% loss on carry distance ranging in the high 130s to low 140s.  Really bad ball striking days end up with an awful tempo leading to my latest attempt at a ditch digging contest and some nasty pull hooks.  With all of this I have a relatively good idea what to expect from my irons depending on how I am hitting the ball and this has led to a much more consistent and finally improving game. 

“Wilson’s new D7 irons with RE-AKT technology brings distance when you need it and precision when you want it.  Long irons feature three rows of Power Holes and a thinner, more responsive face for maximum distance. Fewer Power Holes combine with optimal weighting and extreme feel in the shorter irons for the most precise distance control.  With straighter lines, a cleaner top line and improved weighting, D7 combines the look of a player's iron with the benefits of Super Game Improvement Technology.  D7 helps golfers play their best.”-- If that sounds like marketing material…it is.  That is quoted straight from Wilson's website.

Wilson intrigues me.  I thought of them as a big box low quality company when I first started playing.  But slowly through MGS testing, I am convinced they really do produce high quality clubs and especially irons.  Wilson is one of the old school players in the game and their history speaks for itself with 62 major wins coming with Wilson Staff irons.

 

   

 

I was fit by Ken at Victory Custom Golf in Lake Wylie, SC.  We spoke about the shafts available, and tested a number of KBS shafts (Wilson Staff preferred), DG 105, and a few Aerotech Steelfiber options.  As I saw at the D7 demo day, I do not like KBS shafts.  I really wanted to, but I don’t get along with them.  Steelfibers weren’t much better for me.  But the DG 105 was the goldilocks choice of the day.  So Ken fit me for 4-PW,GW,  -0.25” and 1* flat for the D7s and in Dynamic Gold AMT R300 (closest to the DG 105).  I chose the stock Lamkin Crossline but in black. 

The shaft length is exactly the same as my Nikes except for the PW (Wilson is shorter).  Honestly, I am concerned about the loft comparisons to my current irons, and the low spin design of the D7 head.  See below:

Personally, I am excited to have Wilson’s back in my bag; it feels like I have come full circle with equipment.  Wilson shipped them with the heads individually wrapped in plastic and bubble wrap, even though the box was a little beaten up, the clubs look great!  I had Ken check the specs to what was ordered and every club ended up .5* to 1* flatter than the spec sheet, so we think it was a difference in machines.

What I am looking for?:

-Similar carry distance and ball flight on mishits (no 10% loss)
-Ability to hit the ball low with long irons from the trees
-Iron shots to hold the green with 5,6,7 irons
-Cut down wedges/short irons to maintain enough spin to hold greens
-Increased GIR and scrambling percentages

Will the D7s and RE-AKT be enough to kick my favorite Nikes from my bag?

 

 

[JohnSmalls 2,913]

Stage 2 Placeholder 

[GeekingGolf 1,771]

Why So Late?

What’s up fellow spies? Well I know my Stage 1 is late, but I have a very good excuse. My name is Joe and I am in the Navy out of Jacksonville Florida. We left port to go out for Naval exercises and then got extended by 5 days and of course there was this huge hurricane Dorian coming up from the Bahamas so we couldn’t pull back in. We had to go up to Virginia for a few days then around the storm back to Mayport. The video below is what we went through trying to make it home. Needless to say my wife and 6 kids evacuated to Pensacola Florida while I was away. Sorry its sideways. Sorry couldn't figure out how to embed here...just follow the link and enjoy the show.

https://www.facebook.com/100008543405169/videos/2080569485571145/

So as you can see I have had a rough few weeks. I have been playing golf since age 15. I only got serious about the game a couple of years ago when I was playing every week and got fitted into some Ping I200 irons. I love the game. It’s the ultimate challenge each day trying to stay focused and play the correct shot. To me it is a huge test of patience and perseverance and those two qualities don’t come easy to me. It’s amazing to me that every round can be so different, one aspect of my game can work perfectly while the others fall apart.

My Game

I have a 10 handicap right now and it has been trending upward for the past year. I am not sure what happened but being on a Navy ship hasn’t given me much time to play and practice and my game is suffering. I have played with Cobra Forged Tec One Length irons for about a year and even though my accuracy has greatly improved with these in the bag my distance has decreased way too much. I am getting older and my swing speed has started to decrease.  Last year I won the Cobra Connect Challenge and got fitted into the One Length irons. Right now my 150 yard club is my 7 iron and I have about 10 yards between each club which makes club selection easier but when you hit your 4 and 5 iron both 170 well golf can be frustrating.  My current ball flight is a tiny draw which I like and I can hit the ball high or low with no issues. I always aim for the middle of the green unless I have the perfect wedge distance in so I am looking for a combination of distance and forgiveness in my irons.

Wilson D7 Challenge

I have to admit I have never played with game improvement or super game improvement irons. I have always gravitated toward the players irons because of the look. I took the D7 challenge and I got some amazing distance and accuracy gains from the Wilson D7 irons. My D7 7 iron increased 14 yards and 5 iron increased a whopping 24 yards! I shared my experience on the forum and didn’t think much of it at the time. I surely didn’t expect to get selected to test these irons. I am grateful to say the least. It seems like the moderators really pick the perfect testers because I have been considering SGI irons and my game was suffering. I am sure there are alot of spies out there that have always played players irons and have considered making the switch so I hope to help them with this decision. 

The Tech

So let’s talk about the technology in these irons! There is RE•AKT Technology that is supposed to improve power translating to greater ball speed. The long irons have power holes, in fact three rows of them and a thinner face to maximize distance. As you move down the bag the weighting is optimized and the power holes are decreased leading to precise distance control. I think so far I believe that their claims are justified. I have shortened my swing a lot in the past year and have seen better accuracy but less distance. Well my initial testing has confirmed Wilson’s claim as I still have the same accuracy but my distance has increased unbelievably. If these irons continue to do what the are doing then I will have to rethink my bag entirely. Maybe a hybrid or two will get knocked out of my bag and I may need to add another wedge.

 

Here is the 4 iron with the 3 rows of power holes...it definitely has some heft looking down.

Here is the 7 iron with the 2 rows of power holes which is supposed to decrease the power some but allow for good distance and more control.

 

And finally the Gap Wedge with the one row. The reflections might look odd but I assure you these irons are flawless!!!

Overall I love the look of these irons. They look premium to me and I like the color scheme. The thick line actually doesn't bother me at all and to me the 4 iron looks like most of the driving irons I see on the market today. I think Wilson did a great job with these irons and the value here is astonishing. 

How I Will Test

My testing will include TopGolf range testing for accurate distance numbers, and I will also look at spin rates and launch angles to insure that I will have the proper descent angles and spin rates to hold the greens. I will do a lot of on course testing because this is where I want to see if they hold up. Do I get a flyer on some shots leading to overshooting greens or do they remain consistent across the face of the club and build confidence in the yardages?  So will these irons pass the test? Will these super game improvement irons convert an old players iron golfer into the game improvement category?

 

 

[GeekingGolf 1,771]

Stage 2 Placeholder

[GolfDorkette 26]

Hi.  I.m Louise.  I was very pleased to have been chosen to test the Wilson D7s.  Especially since they included two women golfers in the testing.

I didn't pick up golf until I was 43, but managed to win my first club championship 2 1/2 years later at Dallas CC.  I have since won 12 more spread over 4 different clubs.  2 in Dallas and 2 in Calif.  I am currently a 9 hdcp but have been as low as a 5.  

I am having a foot issue so I haven't been able to play a full round with the D7s yet, but I have hit them on the range a couple of times and am very pleased with the results.  When I initially did the challenge with my Cleveland men's length Apex 7 iron, I was amazed that the women's clubs actually went farther and had better numbers than my club.  And I have always played with men's clubs, although I' did try women's Pings a few years ago and did not like them.  The D7s practically hit themselves.  They feel really well  balanced and look great at address.  

Hopefully my Achilles heel bone spur will be under control enough to really put them to the test and see where the numbers go.  I am very very optimistic that these are gamers.  And they sure are pretty!!

[GolfDorkette 26]

Stage 2 Placeholder 

[artful_golfer 341]

Hi fellow Spies!

A huge thank you again to both MyGolfSpy and Wilson Golf for giving our team of six testers this opportunity. I’m excited and nervous to share my review of the Ladies Wilson D7 irons. Throughout this process, if you have questions or comments, send them over and I’ll be happy to answer as best I can.

This is my newest art collage project:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started playing golf 5 years ago at 60 years old. I’m not particularly coordinated in sporting endeavors. I have worked hard to improve and my handicap has gradually come down to 24. Putting is the only aspect that ever felt easy and natural to me. I have a theory that putting is easier for visual learners like me.

I’m a happy, patient but determined golfer and enjoy playing with other good vibes golfers. I’m happiest when doing things with my husband (almost 45 years a golfer) and my son - @downlowkey, so I guess golf was eventually in my future. I love to practice, but refer to it as "research" time. I typically play/practice 2-3 times a week but rarely play 18 holes two days in a row.

My Swing. Thank you to Aaron Speaker, the head pro at The Club at Colony Creek, for making these for me today! The thermometer showed 101 degrees for us out there!

I have a neuromuscular disease that affects my muscle stamina, particularly with repeated use of the same muscles. I tire and lose strength quicker than other people. Early on, I decided that although my drives didn’t go as far, I could still reach par 4/5s in regulation. It just meant a longer approach shot – I can handle that. Dispersion on those shots has always been problematic. Wilson claims that these super game improvement irons are longer and more forgiving. Should be precisely perfect for me... right? Well, that’s what I intend to find out.

A couple of years ago, a local pro used a launch monitor to get some of my baseline swing stats. That day, while rested and fresh, my driver swing speed was 95. But I’m told I swing hard early in my rounds and easier as the round progresses. I’ve since learned to conserve energy by using body rotation to hit the ball further instead of only my arms. And also that a slower swing can be a more accurate - but it seems not accurate enough to consistently find the green in regulation.

I normally card something in the mid-to-high 90’s and 92 is my personal best. My mishits are usually a push fade, but being quite inconsistent I'm also able to miss them hard left. My good rounds happen when I am able to limit the blow up holes. As a round progresses and my muscles are taxed, I adjust my club choice for distance. For example - at 140 yards, I use my hybrid or regular 4 iron early but switch to my 5 wood or even 3 wood later in the round. My favorite scoring club, an 8 iron, is good for 90-95 yards. I’ve read that my hybrids are designed to help the ball out of the rough, but that expanded mass going through the grass doesn’t work for me. Instead, I use my favorite long iron, a TaylorMade R7 4 iron. I’m anxious to test the difference between D7 irons and hybrid irons in the tall stuff. But then with the D7s accuracy I shouldn’t be in the tall grass as often, correct?

My review blueprint: Utilize a launch monitor to compare the Wilson D7s to my current Pings at the beginning of the review and again at the end. I will also be tracking on-course stats with a ShotScopeV2 to compare the two sets. I plan to practice or play 2-3 times a week and provide progress updates on a weekly basis. So come back and join me each week!

It felt like eternity waiting for our irons to arrive but I am pleased how well they were protected.

Each iron is wrapped in an individual bag with some extra packing material wedged in between clubs and on the ends for a snug safe journey to South Texas.

After peeling off that layer, you'll find each club head cocooned in bubble wrap with another shrink wrapped plastic cover underneath.

I ordered the ladies set of 5-9, PW, GW with UST Mamiya Recoil 450 L Flex shafts. For ladies, fitting choices seem to be limited unless you switch to a men’s shaft. As ordered, these were not custom fit. Because it's my favorite current iron, I would love to have also included a 4-iron and was somewhat disappointed it was not offered in ladies clubs.

The heads have a high polish finish – not sure yet how they will look after earning some playing marks. See those slits in the soles? Wilson claims those are "Power Holes". They compress to result in more distance on longer irons and combine with optimal weighting and extreme feel in the shorter irons for the most precise distance control.

The purplish graphics on the graphite shaft are a little bright for my taste but at least the entire shaft is not that color. The Wilson website states this Mamiya UST 450 Recoil Shaft is a Lightweight Helium Shaft.

My grips are the standard Women's Performance Grip and they feel soft and comfortable.

For my initial launch monitor comparison, I made an appointment at the PGA SuperStore in Austin, TX. And I have to thank them, for a truly incredible experience! Jeff Webb - Fitting Van Specialist, spent 2.5 hours with me!!! We got some good stats on my current Pings followed by the Wilson D7s.

I will make a separate, more detailed post that specifically addresses my fitting experience but the short story is this – my standard D7s were not quite right, so Jeff “fixed” them. It was amazing to watch Jeff tweak the specs on my new clubs and I can now confidently say they are custom fit for me.

Something new worth mentioning I've noticed on the Wilson website is their D7 Demo Program. A limited number of standard sets are available for only $9.99 for a 2-week trial period. You can see if they are a good fit for you before you purchase them. Looks like the men's sets are out of stock already but they still have a few women's set.

Thanks for following along and please post any questions you may have in the official review thread! And come back to visit me!

 

[artful_golfer 341]

Stage 2 Placeholder 

[russtopherb 2,840]

As a certified Wilson/Staff homer, I am SO looking forward to this thread!!!

[cksurfdude 5,074]

Congrats ladies! And, honestly, very much looking forward to hearing about your impressions with these - not sure if/when I'll be researching upgrades for my wife's starting-to-age equipment (she doesn't think she needs new clubs, and I may never get her to change her pink driver!), but these would be one candidate.

[JohnSmalls 2,913]

Stage one is up!  See if you guys can find the two abnormalities in my post. 

 

 

[Steve2100 130]

My Stage 1 is up! Hope you enjoy.

 

[fixyurdivot 2,700]

On 8/21/2019 at 8:25 AM, JohnSmalls said:

Wilson D7 Irons, Stage One:  JohnSmalls (8/21/2019)

Hi, I am John!  I live and play most of my golf in upstate South Carolina at Spring Lake Country Club which is just south of Charlotte, NC. 


I grew up doing a variety of things from going on camping trips to playing just about everything that could be considered a game.  My grandma enjoyed golf and her husband was an avid golfer along with being one of the first members at the club in my hometown. 

Sadly he passed away before I was born, but there was always golf equipment laying around my grandma’s house.  Her brother, Joe was also an avid golfer and he gave me my first golf clubs when I was a very young boy.  Ironically it was a junior Wilson set with a driver, fairway wood, 5, 7, 9, PW and a putter.  I liked golf never enjoyed playing, because it wasn’t the cool sport and my first sports love was baseball.  Nevertheless I played here and there through the grade school/high school years and kept up about once a year while in college.  It wasn’t until 3 years ago that I played my first truly enjoyable round with one of my best friends that I began to fall in love with this crazy game. 

I was very pessimistic about my game and distance so I played game improvement/super game improvement irons for my first two+ years(Cobra Fly-Z and Nike Vapor Speed), but as my ball striking improved over the past year I wanted to try something new so I put my current dream forged players irons in the bag  the Nike Vapor Pro Combos.  With this past year of lessons and practice I feel like I have unlocked a better understanding of my swing, all of this has come with the Pro Combos in the bag which I have come to love.

I currently shoot in the low to mid 90s and that is finally trending down after what is looking like a year of growing pains due to a substantial swing change.   Irons were the better part of my game before the swing change and look like they are coming alive again.  I have a slower back swing leading into a moderately aggressive downswing that averages between 84-86 7 iron swing speed, and tops out a touch over 89mph.

My instructor tracks data using Flightscope hitting to an outdoor range with Srixon range balls.  Consistently well struck 7-irons with my Pro Combos are in the 153-157 carry range with around 8000 spin.  My typical miss comes off the toe side of center and usually ends up with a 10% loss on carry distance ranging in the high 130s to low 140s.  Really bad ball striking days end up with an awful tempo leading to my latest attempt at a ditch digging contest and some nasty pull hooks.  With all of this I have a relatively good idea what to expect from my irons depending on how I am hitting the ball and this has led to a much more consistent and finally improving game. 

“Wilson’s new D7 irons with RE-AKT technology brings distance when you need it and precision when you want it.  Long irons feature three rows of Power Holes and a thinner, more responsive face for maximum distance. Fewer Power Holes combine with optimal weighting and extreme feel in the shorter irons for the most precise distance control.  With straighter lines, a cleaner top line and improved weighting, D7 combines the look of a player's iron with the benefits of Super Game Improvement Technology.  D7 helps golfers play their best.”-- If that sounds like marketing material…it is.  That is quoted straight from Wilson's website.

Wilson intrigues me.  I thought of them as a big box low quality company when I first started playing.  But slowly through MGS testing, I am convinced they really do produce high quality clubs and especially irons.  Wilson is one of the old school players in the game and their history speaks for itself with 62 major wins coming with Wilson Staff irons.

 

   

 

I was fit by Ken at Victory Custom Golf in Lake Wylie, SC.  We spoke about the shafts available, and tested a number of KBS shafts (Wilson Staff preferred), DG 105, and a few Aerotech Steelfiber options.  As I saw at the D7 demo day, I do not like KBS shafts.  I really wanted to, but I don’t get along with them.  Steelfibers weren’t much better for me.  But the DG 105 was the goldilocks choice of the day.  So Ken fit me for 4-PW,GW,  -0.25” and 1* flat for the D7s and in Dynamic Gold AMT R300 (closest to the DG 105).  I chose the stock Lamkin Crossline but in black. 

The shaft length is exactly the same as my Nikes except for the PW (Wilson is shorter).  Honestly, I am concerned about the loft comparisons to my current irons, and the low spin design of the D7 head.  See below:

Personally, I am excited to have Wilson’s back in my bag; it feels like I have come full circle with equipment.  Wilson shipped them with the heads individually wrapped in plastic and bubble wrap, even though the box was a little beaten up, the clubs look great!  I had Ken check the specs to what was ordered and every club ended up .5* to 1* flatter than the spec sheet, so we think it was a difference in machines.

What I am looking for?:

-Similar carry distance and ball flight on mishits (no 10% loss)
-Ability to hit the ball low with long irons from the trees
-Iron shots to hold the green with 5,6,7 irons
-Cut down wedges/short irons to maintain enough spin to hold greens
-Increased GIR and scrambling percentages

Will the D7s and RE-AKT be enough to kick my favorite Nikes from my bag?

 

 

Hey John. Was that video done in front of a mirror?  Something looks odd (backwards) and I cannot put my finger on it .  I wanted to add these into my recent, rather long winded, iron testing but could not find any.  I really like the look of them and that Wilson is back in the game.  Golf just isn't golf without them being part of the tapestry.  Have fun and throw a few HR's in the evaluation - certainly that has to be a consideration going into the 2020 HRC and unseating Mr. @sirchunksalot 

[Golfspy_CG2 16,530]

John and Steve, loved those Stage 1's!   Nice job.   

Steve, thanks for your service, I imagine that had to be a very interesting career in Chicago.  I love the city, just haven't been there too often.  I'll actually be a couple hours north of you next week, too bad I don't have an extra day, to come down and get a round in with you!
 

[downlowkey 2,790]

17 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

Stage one is up!  See if you guys can find the two abnormalities in my post. 

Great start @JohnSmalls!!!

I combed through it a few times.

The two potential “abnormalities” I found:

1 - Your HCP is actually trending downward after switching to the Nike Vapor Pro Combos - decidedly not a “game improvement” setup.

2 - The lengths don’t match your fitting specs and the lofts are anywhere from 3 to 5 degrees weaker than standard.

How’d I do?