golfballtest.org Wilson FG Tour Review

[storm319]

golfballtest.org's review of the Wilson FG Tour. I haven't tried it yet, just thought some would be interested.

 

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The Wilson Staff FG Tour is a 3-piece golf ball construction, low compression design with a 318 dimple pattern and a thin urethane cover. Wilson states in their press release "the FG Tour was created as a low compression solution for competitive players looking for tour-caliber spin, maximum greenside control and excellent distance".

 

According to Wilson*, the new FG Tour has the following benefits:

 

• Super-soft, High Velocity Core - The softest core in the game today utilizes advancements in rubber chemistry to maintain high initial velocity.

• HPF Speed Mantle - The speed-generating HPF mantle encases the low compression core to generate higher spin.

• Thin, Responsive Urethane Cover - A super-thin urethane cover provides premium feel with excellent scuff-resistance. From 60 yards and in, the feel of urethane is unmistakable.

• Traction Control Technology - On the multilayer FG Tour, traction control integrates with the thin urethane to generate the highest spin possible off of club faces with 25 degrees of loft or more for ultimate shot-making and scoring.

 

 

Testing Approach

In testing and evaluation conducted by GolfBallTest.org, the Wilson Staff FG Tour was subjected to bench testing for compression and cover hardness, and to player and robot testing using the driver, 6-iron and sand wedge.

 

Notable Observations

Player testing across a range of ball speeds indicates that the FG Tour exhibits less spin off the 6-iron and sand wedge but slightly more spin off the driver when compared to Wilson's earlier "tour-level" ball, the Wilson Staff Tx4 Pro.

 

In 6-iron testing at higher ball speeds, the spin rate of the FG Tour was approximately 400 RPM's less than the Tx4 Pro. In comparison to other soft cover "Tour" balls, the FG Tour performs with less spin for a 6-iron than the 2009 Titleist Pro V1 and Nike One Tour but with comparable distance. In sand wedge testing, the FG Tour generated approximately 400-800 RPM's less of spin than the Pro V1 and One Tour at higher ball speeds. This lower spin rate was compensated by a higher launch angle than both the Pro V1 and One Tour resuting in total carry distances for these three balls at the higher ball speed were comparable.

 

Our bench testing indicates that the FG Tour has a compression reading range of 89-91 compression points, which is approximately 10% lower than the 2009 Titleist Pro V1. This is approximately 31% lower than Wilson's last premium ball offering, the Tx4 Pro. The FG Tour is comparable in compression to the Srixon Z-Star and Bridgestone Tour B330-RX, making it a lower compression ball by comparison to most "Tour" golf balls. Additional bench testing measuring cover hardness revealed that the FG Tour exhibited similar cover hardness to the 2009 Titleist Pro V1 and was approximately 8% softer than the TX4 Pro.

 

One of our testers noted, "The FG Tour is very soft and does not tend to jump off the putter as much as other golf balls I've played". Another tester added, "It is a nice lower priced alternative to the premium balls with soft feel and all around performance".

[craz-e]

FG Tour will win a lot of people over this year, a lot of ball for the cash

[varsityhacker]

Agree it is a very good ball. The TX4 spun way to much for my taste the FG Tour ball is perfect for me around the greens and approach shots.

[toms]

ummmmm, why not compare it to the 2010 prov? and 400-800 rpms is not that much difference in the real world, they forgot to mention the good durability. I can play the FG and Zstar interchangebly but the RX won't check nearly as well [quote name='storm319' timestamp='1280406892' post='2605935']
golfballtest.org's review of the Wilson FG Tour. I haven't tried it yet, just thought some would be interested.

*************************
The [b]Wilson Staff FG Tour[/b] is a 3-piece golf ball construction, low compression design with a 318 dimple pattern and a thin urethane cover. Wilson states in their press release [i]"the FG Tour was created as a low compression solution for competitive players looking for tour-caliber spin, maximum greenside control and excellent distance".[/i]

According to Wilson*, the new FG Tour has the following benefits:

• Super-soft, High Velocity Core - The softest core in the game today utilizes advancements in rubber chemistry to maintain high initial velocity.
• HPF Speed Mantle - The speed-generating HPF mantle encases the low compression core to generate higher spin.
• Thin, Responsive Urethane Cover - A super-thin urethane cover provides premium feel with excellent scuff-resistance. From 60 yards and in, the feel of urethane is unmistakable.
• Traction Control Technology - On the multilayer FG Tour, traction control integrates with the thin urethane to generate the highest spin possible off of club faces with 25 degrees of loft or more for ultimate shot-making and scoring.


[b]Testing Approach[/b]
In testing and evaluation conducted by [url="http://www.golfballtest.org"]GolfBallTest.org[/url], the [b]Wilson Staff FG Tour[/b] was subjected to bench testing for compression and cover hardness, and to player and robot testing using the driver, 6-iron and sand wedge.

[b]Notable Observations[/b]
Player testing across a range of ball speeds indicates that the FG Tour exhibits less spin off the 6-iron and sand wedge but slightly more spin off the driver when compared to Wilson's earlier "tour-level" ball, the Wilson Staff Tx4 Pro.

In 6-iron testing at higher ball speeds, the spin rate of the FG Tour was approximately 400 RPM's less than the Tx4 Pro. In comparison to other soft cover "Tour" balls, the FG Tour performs with less spin for a 6-iron than the 2009 Titleist Pro V1 and Nike One Tour but with comparable distance. In sand wedge testing, the FG Tour generated approximately 400-800 RPM's less of spin than the Pro V1 and One Tour at higher ball speeds. This lower spin rate was compensated by a higher launch angle than both the Pro V1 and One Tour resuting in total carry distances for these three balls at the higher ball speed were comparable.

Our bench testing indicates that the FG Tour has a compression reading range of 89-91 compression points, which is approximately 10% lower than the 2009 Titleist Pro V1. This is approximately 31% lower than Wilson's last premium ball offering, the Tx4 Pro. The FG Tour is comparable in compression to the Srixon Z-Star and Bridgestone Tour B330-RX, making it a lower compression ball by comparison to most "Tour" golf balls. Additional bench testing measuring cover hardness revealed that the FG Tour exhibited similar cover hardness to the 2009 Titleist Pro V1 and was approximately 8% softer than the TX4 Pro.

One of our testers noted, [i]"The FG Tour is very soft and does not tend to jump off the putter as much as other golf balls I've played".[/i] Another tester added, [i]"It is a nice lower priced alternative to the premium balls with soft feel and all around performance".[/i]
[/quote]

[RainShadow]

It's a great ball. I spin the ProV1 way too much and back up 8 irons a couple of feet with them. I could never not spin them, especially with short irons and wedges.
I've been playing TPreds for the last 18 months and FG tours for the last 2 months and I really like the FG tour. Softer than the tp red, but similar short game performance, a bit more check and bite. Butter soft of the putter with consistant feel (the reds sometimes felt like they jumped off the putter face).
I find the wilsons not quite as long off the tee, but only a couple of yards. Negligable.
short and mid irons feel great and react as I like them to.
The RXS feels similar, but doesn't check enough on the greens for me. Haven't played the Z star enough to get a feel for it.
I just got 3 dozen FG tours @ 27.99 each this from Golfio.com deliverd to my home today.

[storm319]

[quote name='toms' timestamp='1280460792' post='2607701']
ummmmm, why not compare it to the 2010 prov? [/quote]

The ProV1 was initially released in 2001 and has had new versions released every 2 years (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009). There was no new release in 2010 , same ball as 2009.

[toms]

[quote name='storm319' timestamp='1280493013' post='2608019']
[quote name='toms' timestamp='1280460792' post='2607701']
ummmmm, why not compare it to the 2010 prov? [/quote]

The ProV1 was initially released in 2001 and has had new versions released every 2 years (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009). There was no new release in 2010 , same ball as 2009.
[/quote]

I did not know that. I stand corrected.

[Metalhead]

[quote name='RainShadow' timestamp='1280467913' post='2607817']
It's a great ball. I spin the ProV1 way too much and back up 8 irons a couple of feet with them. I could never not spin them, especially with short irons and wedges.
I've been playing TPreds for the last 18 months and FG tours for the last 2 months and I really like the FG tour. Softer than the tp red, but similar short game performance, a bit more check and bite. Butter soft of the putter with consistant feel (the reds sometimes felt like they jumped off the putter face).
I find the wilsons not quite as long off the tee, but only a couple of yards. Negligable.
short and mid irons feel great and react as I like them to.
The RXS feels similar, but doesn't check enough on the greens for me. Haven't played the Z star enough to get a feel for it.
I just got 3 dozen FG tours @ 27.99 each this from Golfio.com deliverd to my home today.
[/quote]

Sounds like a great ball that I would like to try....but I thought it was more of a value priced...I buy Z-Stars for about $26. Doz....so I guess I would be changing anytime soon.

[Daniel46]

Hi,

I game this ball and it suits me very well. No noticable difference in distance off driver, woods and irons. I'm pleased with its performance around the green.

Its has great feel on all clubs and the putter. A terrific ball at a good price.

Also like the C-25.

Cheers!

D.

[ode1]

[quote name='Metalhead' timestamp='1280553061' post='2609610']
[quote name='RainShadow' timestamp='1280467913' post='2607817']
It's a great ball. I spin the ProV1 way too much and back up 8 irons a couple of feet with them. I could never not spin them, especially with short irons and wedges.
I've been playing TPreds for the last 18 months and FG tours for the last 2 months and I really like the FG tour. Softer than the tp red, but similar short game performance, a bit more check and bite. Butter soft of the putter with consistant feel (the reds sometimes felt like they jumped off the putter face).
I find the wilsons not quite as long off the tee, but only a couple of yards. Negligable.
short and mid irons feel great and react as I like them to.
The RXS feels similar, but doesn't check enough on the greens for me. Haven't played the Z star enough to get a feel for it.
I just got 3 dozen FG tours @ 27.99 each this from Golfio.com deliverd to my home today.
[/quote]

Sounds like a great ball that I would like to try....but I thought it was more of a value priced...I buy Z-Stars for about $26. Doz....so I guess I would be changing anytime soon.
[/quote]

where are you getting the z star for that price?

[Sushiyoshi]

Just played some holes with this ball today. I really like it! Good distance off driver and irons. Approach shots actually hop and stop better than the Zip. Very comparable to ProV1s.

[Bilbo99]

In the course of asking Wilson Golf to look up some serial numbers for me so I could spec my irons I got in a conversation about why no one in my area carried the FG Tour. Matter of fact, the local Golf USA laughed at me when I asked about it. They had been given a sleeve each by a rep and they claimed it was a terrible ball. Well Wilson Golf, along with digging up every possible spec on 10 year old irons, sent me a whole dozen of brand new FG Tours. I was blown away.

A week later I was visiting a Brother of mine in the Sacramento Area and we played a course called Empire Ranch. Not exactly the easiest course and much harder than what I was used to where I live. Call it coincidence but I played the best round of golf ever. I hit 11 fairways and 14 greens. My gamer had been the TP Red and I saw no distance loss off the driver and the FG held up better into a head wind. It was also much smoother off the driver. Long Irons control was slightly less than the Red but 7 iron through wedge was tremendous. Flop shot, bunker shot and short chips around the green were a joy as the FG was very easy to control and predict. I find that the Pro V and Z-Star spin too much for me and I cant get them to release on a 20 yard Pitch into a back pin placement. I always have to hug the ground or throw it way up back to the hole with my L wedge and hope I am close or the wind doesnt mess with it. Thats not the balls fault. I am sure its technique but I dont have that problem with the FG. With the FG I could play a variety of shots. Putting was pure. It comes of my 40 year old Anser very smooth were the Red sometimes jumped.

I think Wilson has something here. I will have to buy them online since my local shops are stuck in their preconceived notions about Titleist. Heck, you could give them the next generation Pro V1x (when it comes out) and hide the logo and they would still think the current Pro V1x it the best by A MILE. Oh well, you can't fix stupid.

Thanks to Wilson for the outstanding customer service and free balls. That is putting money where your mouth is.

[TempusFugit]

I played a fantastic course called La Tempête just minutes away from Quebec City last week. My first time there. What a course.

As we were 3 we were paired with a very talented young player, with a great swing. This guy certainly has many years of great golf ahead of him.

He was out of ProV1s and was playing the NXT Tour. Money talks. I asked him if he would try the Bridgestone B330S (2007 or 2008 version), as I had a few sleeves in my bag. He said [i]sure, Bridgestone makes great products[/i]. Turns out he was not impressed at all. I said [i]then, wanna try my gamer, the Wilson Staff FG Tour[/i] ? [i]Wilson Staff[/i] ? he said with a smile. [i]Are you serious[/i] ? He was looking as if Wilson was the Yugo of the golf OEMs. I said [i]well, I like it very much, why don't you try it[/i] ?

So he first gave it a try around the greens, and then he played the rest of his round with it. And as the round was progressing, he was more and more extatic about the ball (and so was I about the course) and he just couldn't believe how great the FG Tour is. He liked everything about it, feel, distance, control, even how it feels in the hands. As we finished the 9th hole (he was only playing 9 holes), I said [i]nice playing with you buddy, would you like to keep the ball[/i] ? [i]You bet[/i] ! he said, [i]what a fantastic ball overall[/i] !

I found it funny because, like many kids who were not even born in the 70s, the guy didn't know that if you were serious about playing golf back then, you basically had to play Wilson or MacGregor, they were the greatest brands around.

I think in the future he'll give it a second thought before assuming that a Wilson Staff product is a piece of junk before playing it ...!

(But what amazing damage this brand has made to her image over time... takes long to to recover.)

[Legend McSniff]

For any UK based readers 118 golf are doing 3 x 12 for 44.99.

I'm all over it. 15 pounds a dozen is unbelievable for a ball of this quality.

Has to be a sleeper pick at that price!

[Sushiyoshi]

$24.99 per doz at GPP right now. GO GO GO!

[Smoothduffer]

[size="3"]There is a mag out there that does a hot list(i wont mention the name of this mag)but wonder if they could let everybody know excactly y the FG Tour passed all of these tests with flying colors and its results were very very close 2 th Prov1 and better than most of the other premium balls,but it wasnt good enuff 2 make thier list at all not even a silver award.And while they r at it what bout th C:25 it wasnt on there either.The only W/S ball that was u may ask was the 2-piece D:25 which is a great 2-piece ball,but it is n the cheapest range.What is up with that the FG Tour is obviously a great ball and it had great results n these tests which i am sure r sum of the same tests that the hot list does.Am i the only person that has a problem with this[/size]

[duckhook]

I think it's pretty obvious that club and ball picks by larger Golf Mags are basically supporting their primary advertisers. You have to look at the charts they publish, not the "editors" and "users" picks. Even the charts are subject to questions because by changing swing speed, launch angles, and attack angles, the data is drastically different and can be presented to the benefit of the advertisers. Heck, it's the same thing with any publication, not just golf. You think the Washington Post is going to back a conservative when liberal organizations pay their bills (and vice versa)?

Best thing to do for balls, find a launch monitor and try about 20 balls. Buy a sleeve of the best 5 for you and head to the course for some live data. That should narrow it down to a couple that are very similar and work for you.

[Chappie]

[quote name='Smoothduffer' timestamp='1284615304' post='2699535']
[size="3"]There is a mag out there that does a hot list(i wont mention the name of this mag)but wonder if they could let everybody know excactly y the FG Tour passed all of these tests with flying colors and its results were very very close 2 th Prov1 and better than most of the other premium balls,but it wasnt good enuff 2 make thier list at all not even a silver award.And while they r at it what bout th C:25 it wasnt on there either.The only W/S ball that was u may ask was the 2-piece D:25 which is a great 2-piece ball,but it is n the cheapest range.What is up with that the FG Tour is obviously a great ball and it had great results n these tests which i am sure r sum of the same tests that the hot list does.Am i the only person that has a problem with this[/size]


[/quote]

That same publication had a wedge review about 2 years ago I believe, and never even mentioned the Cleveland offerings, despite them being the number one wedge on the market for a long time. I'd take it with a grain of salt.

[porkman]

It's a lovely ball especially off the putter and wedge. Its been my ball all year.
I play the best ball for me regardless of cost.

[ColinMB]

I was just researching these and thought I'd search the forum... sure enough there's a post on them.

I have just picked up a few sleeves of these, and I've been impressed enough that I'm ready to swap my expensive Pro V1 habit for these.