Equipment
New 2020 Wilson Staff D7 Forged irons: Forged for all
In 2019, Wilson Staff irons were in the bag of a major winner again, thanks to Gary Woodland winning the U.S. Open with the Wilson Staff Model Forged Blades. From a brand perspective, this was a huge win for Wilson, but one quick look into the bag from a consumer relatability side of things would show that few golfers can gain a benefit from hitting a forged blade ala Mr. Woodland. Wilson is proving forged can be for everyone with the introduction of the Wilson D7 Forged Irons for 2020. They’re forged and fast!
Just because an iron is forged doesn’t mean golfers of a particular handicap should shy away from it—forging is merely a process used to create end products, not a measure of a club’s forgiveness or ball speed potential. With the new Wilson D7 Forged irons, every golfer can appreciate the feeling of a well-struck shot with a forged club without the fear of a tiny miss coming up 10 yards short, since they are also packed with key Wilson golf innovations.
Wilson Staff D (for distance) Series is better known for larger cast clubs built for longer, higher-flying shots, but the engineers at Wilson wanted to change that perception by bringing D Series technology into a club that would appeal to more traditional golfers still looking for a ball speed boost. By working with their tour staff from the PGA Tour down to PGA staff professionals, they have created a club with tour-preferred styling; one packed with distance and launch improving technology.
2020 Wilson Staff D7 Forged irons: The technology
Urethane Power Chamber and Power Holes: Like with the previous (non-forged) D7 irons, the new forged model has a unique set of holes on the sole positioned to allow for greater flexing of the face for more ball speed, especially on shots hit lower on the face, a popular spot for recreational players.
By combining these slots with a urethane-filled cavity behind a soft 8630 forged carbon steel face (the Power Chamber) you get greater rebound potential paired with a very pleasing soft feel. Placing a vibration dampening insert or softer material behind a thin face to tune acoustics is not a new idea, and each OEM has a different take on what the best way to achieve the final result is, but Wilson is the only player using both a filled cavity and sole slots to do it, making the D7 forged a stand out in the crowd.
The looks
The D7 Forged irons are designed to appeal to what Wilson calls the “traditional golfer” with minimal offset similar to the C and Tour series irons and a thinned out topline and thinner sole for improved ground interaction. It’s one thing to have a technology-filled club, but if a golfer doesn’t feel comfortable standing over a shot, it’s never going to end up in the bag.
Wilson designers looked at every detail to bring the D7 Forged iron in line with the wants and needs of aspiring players.
“Combining the distance technologies from the original D7 line with the aesthetics of Wilson Staff’s players irons, the D7 Forged Irons provide an ideal blend of maximum distance and ultimate feel for golfers looking for effortless distance and ultimate control,” said Jon Pergande, Manager of Golf Club Innovation. “
“Through the optimized sole and face thickness, urethane-filled Power Chamber and centered power holes, the new D7 Forged Irons give golfers remarkable ball speeds, shot-making ability, and a soft forged feel across the entire club face.”
When talking further about the new D7 Forged with Jon, one of the reoccurring themes of our conversation was choices. A golfer needs confidence standing over a longer iron, knowing that a miss—over a hazard for example—still has the opportunity to make it, even if contact isn’t perfect. That same golfer also needs to know when hitting a short iron, precision will be rewarded with consistent downrange dispersion—something that more traditional game improvement clubs can struggle with based on spin rates.
The D7 Forged balances the best of both worlds very well!
Shafts, pricing, and availability
The D7 Forged irons stock shafts are
- Steel: KBS $-Taper Lite’s
- Graphite: Project X Catalyst Black 80g
The D7 Forged irons start at $899.99 in steel and are $999.99 with graphite, in a seven-piece configuration.
The D7 Forged will be available for pre-order at retail and on Wilson.com, starting January 14, 2020. You will see them arrive on golf retailers shelves January 21, 2020.
- LIKE237
- LEGIT26
- WOW17
- LOL4
- IDHT6
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK12
Whats in the Bag
Jason Day WITB 2024 (April)
- Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: TPT Driver 15 Lo
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 80 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Stealth (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 80 X
Irons: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (3, 4), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X Seven
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-08F, 56-10S, 60-04T), Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Tour Rack (56-10 MID, 52-10 MID)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X Seven
Putter: TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Spider Limited
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X (with Mindset)
Check out more in-hand photos of Jason Day’s WITB here.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB1
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Ludvig Åberg WITB 2024 (April)
- Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 9 X
Irons: Titleist 718 TMB (2), Titleist T200 (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour Hybrid 105 X (2), KBS Tour 130 X
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-08F, 54-10S, 60-08M, 60-04T), WedgeWorks Proto (60-10V)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Versa #1
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Ludvig Aberg’s clubs in the forums.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Spotted: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 mini driver, DUW fairway wood
We have seen a few new mini drivers from the likes of Titleist and TaylorMade being tested out on tour recently. Now, Callaway looks to be jumping into the mix at the RBC Heritage. We spotted Christian Bezuidenhout testing out a new Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 mini driver on the range. We don’t have any details yet but the club clearly states “mini driver” on it, and the “340” could easily refer to how many CCs the head is.
What we do know is that this mini driver has a very similar design to the current Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond 3-wood. The sole looks to be made from steel or titanium, not forged carbon like the Paradym Ai Smoke drivers. It has weights up near the face and at the back of the club. Callaway’s OptiFit hosel is also present on this driver to allow loft and lie adjustments, and if you look closely on the face, you can make out the “Ai Smart Face” text at bottom center. The crown looks to have the familiar carbon fiber weave and Ai Smoke logos we have seen on the current clubs.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke DUW
The other Callaway prototype that was spotted looked to be a little more of a traditional fairway wood — but with non-traditional weight placements on it. Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke DUW looks to have four adjustable weights on it — two on the sole, one on the hosel, and one on the toe. This hosel isn’t adjustable, and I would assume that is to save some weight from creating spots for the movable weights.
It is hard to tell from the photos, but the face looks to be a touch deeper than the traditional Triple Diamond fairways. This deeper face could be where the “DUW” name comes from. With three weights all pushed forward near the face this DUW has to be a very low spinning and launching head. The sole is made from metal and similar in design to the current Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond fairway woods as is the carbon crown.
- Check out more of our photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
- LIKE4
- LEGIT1
- WOW2
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole6 days ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 days ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 day ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Addiction, spinal fusion, and scam artists – Everything Anthony Kim revealed in candid interview with David Feherty
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Anthony Kim says doctors told him that he ‘may not have much time left’ ahead of LIV return
Pelling
Jan 8, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Junk, for hackers.
Kurt
Jan 7, 2020 at 11:52 pm
Got fitted for 5-PW yesterday. Great distance and feel. Ultimately preferred them over the T200, particularly for the prices here locally (NZ). Should be here early next week.
James
Jan 7, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Priced $1000 for 7 irons. BAD MOVE! The Wilson brand is not THAT good. Yet. Hit 2 home runs first.
Greg
Jan 9, 2020 at 12:55 am
I see your point, but just wondering–would the V6’s and the Staff Model Blades be considered home runs?
Patrick J McLeod
Jan 10, 2020 at 10:45 am
$1000 for a 7 piece forged set with graphite is priced below just about every other club in the category.
Jim
Jan 7, 2020 at 12:25 pm
The iron could potentially be a big step for Wilson as it’s a pretty good looking iron that allows for most players to play forged irons. It’s a little big/ thick for my taste for a nice overall appearance. But the multiple sole slots is where they lose me. I couldn’t look at these in my bag every round, it’s just goofy looking and not in keeping with what you would expect from a better iron. Wilson needs to lose the slots and then they would have a solid iron in my opinion.
Martin Brown
Jan 7, 2020 at 11:14 am
The article says this is the only iron to have sole slots and urethane filling. However the TaylorMade P790 has had exactly that since its introduction in 2017.
Thomas A
Jan 7, 2020 at 12:08 pm
I think they meant that they are one piece. In the P790’s the urethane insert is not connected to the urethane slot filling.
Milo
Jan 7, 2020 at 11:11 am
So thick and shiny
Peter
Jan 7, 2020 at 9:39 am
Is just the face insert forged? If so, the term forged iron is very misleading compared to a true forged head from a single billet.
Thomas A
Jan 7, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Yes, only the face is forged. Which is fine with me because I only hit the ball with the face of the iron. 😉
Charlie Waffles
Jan 7, 2020 at 12:54 pm
I’m getting a different take on these, thinking that they are forged and not just the face. I could be wrong tough.