By: Brett Bowser GolfWRX.com writer

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.

3,7 and PW pictures-