Wilson Staff 2014 FG Tour M3, C100, D100 ES Irons 
Your Time Has Come 

By Pete Pappas 

On twitter @PGAPappas 

Spoiler Alert!  If there’s one thing I learned after hitting the new line of Wilson Staff 2014 irons recently, it’s that a clear winner is obvious.  Take it to the bank.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it. 

It’s you. 

 

  

Wilson has determined there are three basic categories of players.  Feel players, control players, and distance players.  And so they’ve created an intelligent range of irons with specific design technologies, based on the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of these players. 

But it gets better. 

 

  

Did you happen to see the latest James Bond movie Skyfall?  In the movie Q gives 007 his new Walther PPK-S 9 millimeter handgun with fingerprint based activation, and tells Bond, “Less of a random killing machine, more of a personal statement.”

Wilson’s 2014 irons line-up is something like that. 

 

Because many golfers aren’t purely feel, control, or distance players, Wilson fine-tuned performance attributes like launch angle, spin rate, size, shape, and weight distribution within and between each category. 

The result is a dynamic range of six distinctive irons (FG Tour 100, FG Tour V2, FG Tour M3, C100, D100, and D100 ES) uniquely designed for the different swing styles and abilities of all players in the category spectrum. 

360 DEGREE COMPARATIVE VIDEO 
  

Golfers everywhere are gathering like little kids these days with noses pressed against candy store windows, eagerly awaiting OEM campaigns to unveil tasty new details about their upcoming releases.  And on that note, you can expect a lot more news from Wilson in the next few weeks. 

But in the meantime, enjoy these initial impressions, some first-look details, tons of pics, comparative videos, and get ready to decide for yourself. 

   

Just another OEM release? 

If you ask me, I’ll tell you… sure.  Like Paris is just another city.  Like De Niro is just another actor. 

FG TOUR M3 IRONS

The FG Tour M3 irons are forged from 8620 carbon steel, with nickel-chrome plating, and a threatening matte black PVD finish.  Wilson might as well call them “The Black Mambas.”  They’re freaking wicked. 

 

 

Advanced variable face thickness means the face is thinner in the long irons for higher ball speed and more distance, but thicker in the short irons for increased control and greater workability. 

The FG M3s also feature a progressive cavity design which positions weight lower and further from the face for optimal launch in the long irons, but higher and closer to the face for precision trajectory control in the short irons. 

And the feel?  Seriously, you’ll want to hit these.  The M3s are Swedish massage on the beach, sipping Mai Tais at sunset, eyes rolled back in your head oohs and aahs smooth. 

This is probably as good a place as any to point out the FG Tour M3s are not intended to replace the FG Tour V2 irons (which I reviewed this summer).  Both irons are precision, shot-shaping irons for players who rely on feel.  But subtle differences give you the option of choosing a compact iron most suitable for your own personal game. 

 

  

For instance, the M3s are designed with a slightly longer face and bigger sweet spot for additional forgiveness.  The sweet spot is closer to the center of the face where many players prefer.  The M3s also feature a slightly wider sole for better results on shots hit low on the face, and increased camber and radius ensuring optimal turf interaction. 

I’m not ready to write the M3s will be the “Irons of the Year” in 2014.  But I’m sharpening my pencil. 

360 DEGREE FG TOUR M3 IRON VIDEO 

I’ll have a full review on the M3s later in the New Year, and compare them in a head to head face-off with the FG V2 irons I reviewed and played all season.  For now I can report that the M3s are more forgiving, the V2s easier to work, both feel spectacular, and both are sniper accurate. 

  

  

The M3s come with True Temper Dynamic Gold XP shafts for explosive carry distance, and Lamkin Crossline Black grips for high performance reliability.  As always, Wilson offers a variety of custom grips and shafts to further personalize your irons. 

C100 IRONS 

Is your iron game in distress?  Always a handful of poor iron shots away from consistently breaking 80?  Or 90?  Wilson’s C100 irons are your “Knights in Shining Exoskeleton.” 

 

 

The C100s are designed for control players.  Those of you who want accuracy, substantial forgiveness, and distance promoting technology in a medium sized iron. 

Now that’s not to say you can’t shape shots with the C100s.  You can.  It’s just easier with the smaller M3s and V2s.  And it’s not to say the C100s have no feel.  They have a pleasingly soft feel for a stainless steel iron. 

But what’s most impressive about the C100 irons is how easy they are to hit.  I’m talking “Easy-Button” easy. 

Take a look at the C100 iron at address.  The profile is similar in length to a modern players iron.  And almost identical to the M3s.  But the sweet spot?  It’s huge.  No joke, like silver dollar huge. 

 

    

Exoskeleton technology distributes one-third of the total head mass low and back for extreme stability.  The thin, unsupported face creates a spring-like effect for explosive ball speed.  And a stronger stainless steel material ensures reliable distance across the face. 

You can essentially hit the C100s just about anywhere on the face and expect consistent accuracy and distance.  If I had to use one word to describe the C100’s performance?  It’d be “automatic.” 

360 DEGREE C100 IRON VIDEO 

The trade-off of course is less feedback on off-center impact.  And with any iron perfect contact is always ideal to the slightest miss.  But it’s hard to argue against the C100s when you can miss big and still say, “Who cares, I hit a great shot.” 

  

  

Featuring a stunning mirror black PVD finish, with a brushed chrome face and sole, the C100s stock shafts will include True Temper CL100 steel shafts, and Aldila RIP Phenom 75 graphite shafts.  The stock grips are Wilson Staff Tour Traction. 

D100 ES IRONS 

There’s no telling how far you can go with Wilson’s D100 ES irons.  They’re golf’s equivalent of a corked bat, but legal.  Power for slower swing speeds wanting maximum distance?  More like “Thor-hammer” power. 

  

 

After my first few shots with the D100 ES irons, I started humming the song “sky rockets in flight, afternoon delight!”  Maybe one of the worst songs ever.  But effortless distance made me lose my mind temporarily. 

The D100 ES irons are almost like C100 irons on steroids.  They feature the same exoskeleton technology for stability and forgiveness, but with a thinner face for greater ball speeds, and larger head for a bigger effective hitting area. 

If you’re wondering just how big an effective hitting area, lemme put it this way.  Are you a “toe-sucker?”  You know, you hit the ball out towards the toe, and those shots, um… they suck.  Well no more fear or embarrassment.  The D100 ES irons might be the most forgiving irons on shots hit out towards the toe you'll ever play. 

  

  

For people who find bigger irons confidence inspiring, but don’t like seeing the cavity at address, Wilson took care of that for you as well.  The D100 ES cavity is well hidden. 

360 DEGREE D100 ES IRON VIDEO 

The D100 ES irons are the lightest irons in the Wilson family of irons, and offset is optimized throughout the set.  If you generally struggle getting the ball in the air, it’s a virtual certainty you won’t struggle launching with the D100 ES irons. 

   

  

Lightweight stock shaft options for the D100 ES irons include the True Temper SL 85 in steel, and the Matrix Studio 6.1 in graphite.  The Wilson Staff Tour Traction grip is also standard. 

CONCLUSION 

Wilson Golf clearly wants you to play better in 2014. 

That’s why they’re created this virtual smorgasbord of smart irons.  A range of irons, personalized to your game, so you can choose an iron with performance attributes you value most. 

Say you love the FG Tour M3s, but value more forgiveness.  Slide into the C100s.  Perhaps you find the C100s perfectly forgiving, but prefer a bigger iron with more distance.  You have the D100 ES.  Or maybe you don’t really need all the forgiveness of the C100s, and want more feedback.  The M3s and FG Tour V2s are your answer. 

 

 

You can’t avoid the confetti shower of hype when OEM’s launch their official release campaigns.  And pomp and circumstance aside, the thrill of new clubs is exciting. 

But this year Wilson’s giving you something smarter.  Something practical.  Something better.  Wilson’s giving you the thrill of your game coming alive. 

And let’s be honest.  Buzz resonates with golfers.  But performance is what sticks. 



Check out the Wilson Golf website for more news on their irons next week, and let them know what you think on Wilson Golf Twitter and Wilson Golf Facebook.  They love to hear from you. 

©PGAPappas 
On twitter @PGAPappas and BlogSpot PGAPappas.BlogSpot