Tl;dr: Choosing the right set of Wilson Staff irons can transform your game to hit more greens and have more birdie putts than ever. But you need to pick the right Wilson Staff irons (or another set from Wilson) to optimize distance, spin rates, and accuracy.

Wilson has continued to expand their product line since 2020, and I have to say, I’m impressed. This brand is more associated with the sporting world than golf specifically. Sure, they’ve made equipment for decades, but brands like TaylorMade, Callaway, Ping, and Titleist are more well-known.

On the PGA Tour, they don’t have a ton of representatives except Gary Woodland, Brendan Steele, and a handful of others. Most of the big names like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Victor Hovland sign with other brands.

But in the last few years, Wilson has seen a significant output of new clubs - specifically with irons. After hitting multiple sets, I can say they might be just what your game needs.

Who is Wilson?

Wilson is an iconic brand in the sporting goods industry and has been operating since 1914! They have a range of products in a ton of sports including baseball, basketball, tennis, pickleball, soccer, golf, and more. Not to mention you probably remember the brand from the movie Cast Away, where Tom Hanks talked to the volleyball for most of the film.

In the golf world, Wilson typically caters to mid to high handicappers. But its recent release of several staff irons is geared more towards mid to lower handicap golfers. They also have several other cavity back sets that are great for the everyday player too. No matter what your skill level, they have a set of irons for you.

What to Consider Buying Wilson Staff Irons

When trying to find the right set of irons, you want to first ask yourself these questions.

Do I need distance and forgiveness, or more playability?

Anytime you’re shopping for new irons, you want to consider forgiveness vs. playability. The larger the head of an iron, the more forgiving it is and easier to hit. However, a larger clubhead also means it’s harder to shape shots (known as playability).

Beginners and higher handicap golfers need larger clubheads as they’re more forgiving, easier to hit, and usually launch higher. Even with slower swing speeds and mishits. Intermediate golfers (mid-handicappers) need a mix of forgiveness and playability. While more skilled golfers need more playability than forgiveness as they don’t have a hard time finding the sweet spot.

Do I need to replace my long irons?

Once you identify the type of irons you need, then you should consider what irons you need. Most sets come with 3-PW, 4-PW or 5-GW, with few sets even offering a 3-iron. Which is probably best, as most golfers should avoid a standard 3-iron (and 4-iron) as they’re some of the most difficult clubs to hit.

When shopping for a new set of irons, it’s important to buy the right set based on your preferences so you don't need to replace them with hybrids or other clubs. For example, if you have no intention of hitting a 4-iron don’t buy a 4-PW, instead buy the 5-GW set. This will save money and also help with your short game by adding a wedge.

What is my budget?

The last question to think about is your budget. Normally, Wilson has some of the best deals in golf, especially for beginners who want complete sets. However, with all the new technology in these new Wilson Staff irons, some of the irons I’ll cover today are more than $1,200. They do have a few more affordable sets that are geared toward higher handicap golfers that won’t break the bank as much.

Different Types of Wilson Staff Irons

Now that you have a few aspects of irons, let’s get into the best irons from Wilson.

Wilson Staff Model Blade Irons

The Wilson Staff Model Blade irons are some of the best looking clubs in golf. If you’re a golf junkie who geeks out on blades and aesthetically pleasing clubs, these are hard to beat. It’s a simple design that has an old-school look that avid golfers will love.

However, this classic blade design is one of the most unforgiving irons in golf and the least forgiving from Wilson. If you aren’t a low single-digit handicap golfer with a repeatable, consistent swing, run away from them. Sure, they look amazing, but if you don’t have the skill, they will make golf a lot harder.

Benefits

• Tour proven performance.
• More rounded sole radius provides greater consistency.
• Precision milled for precise weighting for each individual iron.
• Maximum workability for advanced golfers to hit all types of shots.

Be Aware

• Heavy steel shaft.
• Weak lofts won’t help you hit any longer.
• Only available in a 3-PW, no 4-GW or 5-GW set.
• These clubs are only for the best of the best golfers. I’m a +2 handicap, and even I was scared of these long irons despite their great looks.

Wilson Staff Model CB Irons

If you want a little more forgiveness than the blades, the Wilson Staff CB irons are a solid alternative. They have a similar look but offer a lot more forgiveness which, let's get real, most of us weekend warriors need.

Benefits

• Gap wedge available to match the rest of your irons.
• True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips are some of the best in golf.
• An extra 20 grams of Tungsten on the toe of the mid and long irons make them much easier to hit.
• Forged 8620 carbon steel face makes it feel like a muscle back iron that will help deliver consistency swing after swing.
• Tri-Brace Stabilizer on the back of the club helps improve energy transfer for better sound, feel, and higher ball speeds.

Be Aware

• Not available in a 5-GW set.
• Weaker lofts than I’d expect for this type of set.
• Only offered with steel shaft - no graphite options.

Wilson D9 Forged Irons

The final option is a spin-off of the Forged series and the most forgiving irons on this list. The Wilson D9 Forged Graphite irons combine the feel of a forged head with a more forgiving design. This results in more distance, better stopping power, and higher launch, which should help you hit more greens in regulation.

These irons still have a very thin topline with minimal offset, which should attract mid to lower handicap golfers.

Benefits

• Available in a 5-GW set.
• More offset helps straighten out ball flight.
• Stronger lofts than the Wilson Staff iron series.
• Lower center of gravity creates higher launch with average swing speeds.
• Wilson’s new “Power Hole” arrangement is optimized for more heel bias for more speed and distance.
• Available in steel (True Temper 95 or 105 gram shafts) and graphite (UST Recoil Dart 75). The graphite shaft is a solid choice if you have a slower swing speed.

Be Aware

• No extra stiff options, which is surprising based on the type of player they’re designed for.

Features to Look for in Iron Sets

Now that you have an overview of the best options for Wilson irons, here are some things to consider when comparing sets.

Blade vs. Cavity Back

The design of the club is arguably the biggest difference when choosing iron sets. Blades are the least forgiving but most playable, which is why they’re preferred by PGA Tour players.

Most amateur golfers and even lower handicaps should avoid them and stick with cavity back or muscle back designs.

Benefits

• Blades offer more workability to hit draws, fades, and alter trajectory.
• Cavity back or muscle back irons offer a lot more forgiveness on mishits.

Be Aware

• Don’t play blades unless you’re a 5-handicap or better. Even still, they might not be beneficial for your game.

Graphite vs. Steel Shafts

The design of the club is important, but the shafts also play a pivotal role. The two Wilson Staff irons above are only offered in heavy, steel shafts. Luckily, the D9 has the option for both steel and graphite shafts.

Benefits

• Steel shafts are better for faster swing speeds and can improve trajectory.
• Graphite shafts are better for slower swing speeds, as they improve distance and accuracy.

Be Aware

• Playing the wrong type of shafts will kill your chances of hitting more greens and lowering your handicap. Not to mention, they’re expensive to replace.

Wedges

The final thing to consider with irons is what wedges come with the set. The Staff irons do not come with a gap wedge, which is a club I suggest to all types of golfers. This means you’ll need to buy an extra wedge, which will increase your total budget.

Benefits

• Having a gap wedge included in your set saves money.
• Using the same type of gap wedge as your irons makes an easier transition for shorter shots.

Be Aware

• Make sure to space out the lofts properly with your gap wedge if you buy separately.

How to Choose the Right Wilson Staff Irons

Below are some examples of different types of golfers and which irons would suit them best.

Scott:

Scott used to play in college and is still a wildly consistent ball striker. He loves to practice and shape shots like he’s Tiger Woods on the range doing the 9-shot drill.

Features Scott should look for:

• Blade design.
• Clubs that are more workable than forgiving.

Wilson Staff Iron Example: Wilson Staff Model Blades

Josh:

Josh is a lower handicap golfer and considers irons a stronger part of his game. He swings his driver at 108 mph and wants a little more forgiveness than his old set of blade irons.

Features Josh should look for:

• Steel shafts
• A set that has some extra forgiveness in a cavity back design.

Wilson Staff Iron Example: Wilson Staff CB irons

Gary:

Gary is a mid-handicap golfer who needs help with irons and wants more forgiveness. He also wants more launch to have his irons stop faster on the greens. He’s also not a fan of long irons and prefers hybrids instead.

Features Gary should look for:

• Muscle back design.
• A set that offers 5-GW to avoid wasting money on a 3 or 4-iron.

Wilson Staff Iron Example: Wilson D9 Forged Graphite irons

Find the Best Wilson Staff Irons for You

Wilson is creating some great products, and I’d expect to see them in more amateur and professional bags. Buying the right set of irons can help you dramatically, but just make sure you buy based on your current swing and skill level.

If you aren’t sure which bag is right for you or have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.