The opportunity to test drive and old friend, the Wilson Staff FG-59 irons. My initial thrilled reaction was one based on a love for my Wilson FG-17’s that I used through most of the 1970’s and early ‘80’s. Assuming Wilson would have no reason to re-introduce a (small market) players club other than to recapture the days of Sam Snead and Johnny Miller, I was fairly confident that these clubs were engineered to put Wilson back in the hands of better golfers worldwide.
This particular set contained 3 iron through Pitching Wedge and were set up with a Dynamic Gold S300 shaft and Lamkin Grips. Pretty enough for wall hanging, I added them to a bag that was previously filled with Ping Eye 2 irons for the last quarter century. As an accomplished player with a decent golf resume I joined the Ping Eye 2 hype in the early ‘80’s and have played with them ever since. I tinkered with other irons over the years and even had my Wilson FG-17’s “refinished” and spent some “meaningful” time on the range trying to rekindle some sort of lost magic. The Dynamic X300 shafts that were in the FG-17’s were just too much for this old dog so I found myself with a hybrid bag of Ping Eye 2 (2-6 iron) and Wilson FG-17 (7 iron – SW).
3 iron pictures-
The classic look of this Wilson FG-59 blade is awesome. To most golfers the heads probably seem smaller than the ball they are addressing, but to a ball shaper, they look much like finely tuned symphony instruments. The weight distribution from head to hand appears to be better that the FG-17 generation iron, thus I was able to strike the iron from the rough with the similar authority as a perfect fairway lie. The ability to hit shots from poor lies was the number one reason why those old Pings were in my bag for so long. Now, with the way the weight reacts with my club head speed I am not only able to strike solid irons from a poorer lie, but the distance control is becoming uncanny. Being a “cold state player” (Michigan) I worried in the early 2009 months that cold temperatures, and my winter playing rust, would not allow me to evaluate the FG-59’s fairly. Certainly the ball flew shorter in colder weather, but now that our temperatures have warmed considerably I feel this is the best time to assess the remaining characteristics of these irons.
I have now been using these irons for the last 3 months which would include about one month thus far of “competitive” golf. At 46 years old much of my competitive golf years are likely behind me, but with these Wilson FG-59’s, I recently qualified for our State Amateur Championship by hitting 13 greens in a row when I needed it most. The confidence grew with each iron shot and the response to distance was fantastic under pressure. The set-up to the eye is great. The top line is thin, yet solid, and this updated sole grind is creating a divot path that makes me wonder if I can shave with them following golf.
I have always been a “feel player” and never let “specs” tell me how a particular club strikes the ball. The weight balance throughout the set is outstanding. The response, or personal feedback, is also excellent. The ability to strike “half swings” like that of a full swing is really the most exciting part of this set. “Punch out shot’s are coming out low with clubs like 4 or 5 iron, but are still being stuck solidly at lesser required distances though design. To me this should be your number one sales point. Chipping with irons like 7, 8, or 9 iron provides a great little “check” and allows for a putter like feel too.
Pitching wedge pictures-
No doubt the excellent response comes from the soft characteristic of the steel used. That being said this set has already suffered its share of nicks on dings on the soles from playing, and back face of the clubs are showing dings from “bag rattle”. As a guy who likes the beauty of the club I have figured out how to strategically thread a towel through the set to reduce this unfortunate wear and tear.
The (minimal) offset which is obviously less than my Ping Eye 2 irons, has settled into my mind, and could likely be the reason for my much tighter divots. Considering center of gravity, I can only assume it has been moved for optimum interface with the ground and ball. The ball flight, because of this condition, appears to be more piercing than that of either my Ping irons or even that of the FG-17 model.
As an Automotive Designer when I’m not golfing, I feel qualified to discuss the stampings applied to the club. I love the retro looking stamped W/S logo in scarlet and black. The “tour blade” text does look very sexy and gives you the professional look, but the text “forged”, why? Obviously they are forged, and stating the obvious, is not what I would do to the better players who may consider purchasing this club. I would not have cluttered up the back face surface with that text.
I also know that most manufactures have gone away from a “matching” lofted (sand) wedges, however I would love to see a matching lofted wedge, and even a 2 iron, which one could add to the 3-PW set. With these irons you reduce the need for a hybrid woods anyway. From a guy that still like to hit it, bring back the 2 iron!
Congratulations on producing an iron that delivered enough confidence to replace clubs that many of my friends thought would go in the ground with me.
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6 Comments
6 Comments
Maw
Sep 29, 2009 at 5:41 am
Just bought myself a almost perfect set of FG-17s. Every golfer should try these wonderfull irons out. They are just soo nice and soft. Feling is just suberb. I used to play the Fi5s and before that The Staff Progressive.
The FG-17s are just the best set I havew ever had. If the FG-59s is just half what my olf FG-17 is ….. Well I better try the 59s out 😀
As a Mizuno MP14, Snake Eyes Tour Blades, Wilson Bullet Bullet Back, Ben Hogan Medalion, Max Fli Australian Blade, player I thought these clubs were not only “sexy as hell” but felt incredible. In a world where buying a game has become expected, I am proud Wilson has represented the “Player” so well. These will be in my bag. Thank you Wilson!
I have played with the Fg-17’s for over twenty years, but not on a regular basis. When I have used oversized heads and cavity backed irons I have never played well. I want to purchase the Fg-59’s since i am so use to them. Good choice for a 18 hadicapper?
I have a set of those clubs also. WS fg 59 is my first set Blades. I made the decision to buy them after trying them once on the driving range. I wonder why people say that blades are too hard to hit and nowadays none should play with such oldish and nonforgiving clubs. Maby that is because they have never tried these clubs. After all jet the most of tour players still plays with blades.
Good Friday morning, golf fans, may a bountiful weekend of golf be in store for you!
1. 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour
KFT staff report…”Frankie Capan III went crazy low Thursday on the Korn Ferry Tour. Nearly in record fashion.”
“Capan carded 13-under 58 in the opening round of the Veritex Bank Championship, matching the second lowest score in Korn Ferry Tour history. He fell one shy of Cristobal Del Solar’s record 57, set at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard earlier this year, but it was a heck of a show nonetheless.”
“The Minnesota native played an eight-hole stretch in 9-under Thursday, following an eagle at the par-5 ninth with seven straight birdies to begin the back nine at par-71 Texas Rangers Golf Club. He “cooled off” with a two-putt par at the long par-4 17th hole. He arrived at the par-5 18th hole at 13 under for the round, but he found a fairway bunker off the tee, laid up to 134 yards and missed his third shot left of the green. He chipped to 7 feet and drained the par putt to match the Korn Ferry Tour’s second-lowest score of 58, carded by Stephan Jaeger in the opening round of the 2016 Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae.”
Paul Hodowanic for PGATour.com…”Late Thursday afternoon in New Orleans, Rory McIlroy rested his head on Shane Lowry’s shoulder.”
“It wasn’t the typical post-round moment, but this isn’t the typical event. McIlroy and Lowry teamed up for this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA TOUR’s lone team event, and the all-Irish duo put on a show. Sporting matching pink-on-navy getups, McIlroy/Lowry opened in a best-ball 11-under 61 in Thursday’s Four-ball format at TPC Louisiana.”
“This partnership might have stemmed from a boozy brunch last fall, but their opening-round performance at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans gave the field a sobering reminder: They’ll be tough to top.”
AP report…”Grace Kim shot a 7-under 64 at Wilshire Country Club to take the first-round lead Thursday in the LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”
“Playing in the morning session, the 23-year-old Australian capped her bogey-free round with a chip-in birdie on the par-3 18th.”
“Well, I chunked my tee shot on the last hole 20 meters short and then I chipped it in it,” Kim said. “I think that’s pretty cool, in front of everyone
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Rory McIlroy said Wednesday that he is willing to rejoin the PGA Tour policy board if the other player directors want him.”
“As first reported by the Guardian, Webb Simpson has submitted a letter stating that he’d like to resign from the board, but only if his vacant seat is filled by McIlroy, who stepped down last fall because of the toll it had taken on him professionally and personally.”
“Five months later, what has changed?”
“I think I can be helpful,” McIlroy said Wednesday ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he is partnering with Shane Lowry. “I don’t think there’s been much progress made in the last eight months, and I was hopeful that there would be. I think I could be helpful to the process. But only if people want me involved, I guess.”
Golfweek’s Cameron Jourdan…”Charlie Woods is going to have to wait to play in the U.S. Open.”
“The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods played Thursday in local qualifying for the United States Golf Association’s national championship, set for June 13-16 at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. Charlie played at The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and he shot 9-over 81.”
“Charlie’s round featured a bogey on his opening hole, the par-4 first. He then doubled the par-5 second. A pair of pars followed before his lone birdie on the front, but another double the next hole, the par-4 sixth, had him turn in 4-over 40.”
Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.
1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT
Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”
“After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”
“A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”
“It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”
Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”
“The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”
PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”
“Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”
Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”
“The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”
“I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”
Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”
“On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”
“Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”
“Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”
“Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”
Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”
“While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”
“Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”
“Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”
“I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.
Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”
“One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”
“He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”
PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.
The opportunity to test drive and old friend, the Wilson Staff FG-59 irons. My initial thrilled reaction was one based on a love for my Wilson FG-17’s that I used through most of the 1970’s and early ‘80’s. Assuming Wilson would have no reason to re-introduce a (small market) players club other than to recapture the days of Sam Snead and Johnny Miller, I was fairly confident that these clubs were engineered to put Wilson back in the hands of better golfers worldwide.
19th Hole2 weeks ago
19th Hole1 week ago
Maw
Sep 29, 2009 at 5:41 am
Just bought myself a almost perfect set of FG-17s. Every golfer should try these wonderfull irons out. They are just soo nice and soft. Feling is just suberb. I used to play the Fi5s and before that The Staff Progressive.
The FG-17s are just the best set I havew ever had. If the FG-59s is just half what my olf FG-17 is ….. Well I better try the 59s out 😀
//Maw
Robert Bernard
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:26 pm
As a Mizuno MP14, Snake Eyes Tour Blades, Wilson Bullet Bullet Back, Ben Hogan Medalion, Max Fli Australian Blade, player I thought these clubs were not only “sexy as hell” but felt incredible. In a world where buying a game has become expected, I am proud Wilson has represented the “Player” so well. These will be in my bag. Thank you Wilson!
Craig A. W
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I have played with the Fg-17’s for over twenty years, but not on a regular basis. When I have used oversized heads and cavity backed irons I have never played well. I want to purchase the Fg-59’s since i am so use to them. Good choice for a 18 hadicapper?
J.Jarwurst
Jul 24, 2009 at 2:36 am
Hi
I have a set of those clubs also. WS fg 59 is my first set Blades. I made the decision to buy them after trying them once on the driving range. I wonder why people say that blades are too hard to hit and nowadays none should play with such oldish and nonforgiving clubs. Maby that is because they have never tried these clubs. After all jet the most of tour players still plays with blades.
blafayette
Jul 22, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Those are so nice. I have been looking forward to a review on these irons for quite a while now.
Yoshiod9
Jul 22, 2009 at 12:55 am
those are gorgeous!