Least Punishing Wilson Staff Blade

[Bad9]

Ok guys I won't use the word forgiving, but which Wilson Staff blade model, especially from 1980 or so, is the least punishing to hit.FG51, FG-17, etc. I figure this has to be the place to ask.

[ScooterMcTavish]

LOL, none of them.

 

Staffs are funny clubs - some people in this forum love them, and others talk about how hard they are to hit. Compared to many blades, they can be a bit of a challenge with the lack of offset, and traditionally smaller head design. However, like any club, the more you practice and play with it, the better it works for you. These are not "point and shoot" irons - they are precision tools that it takes some time and effort to get mastery of.

 

This being said, there are a number of guys around this forum (myself, oldschoolrocker, froth) who happily play FG-17s. They have a nice forging, are usually easier to source, and do have a sweet spot you can find on them. Plus you can move the ball if you so choose. Most seem to come with some variant of dynamic gold shaft though, so they tend to be a bit of a lower launching club.

 

Haven't played the FG-51s myself, but would imagine they play similar to the FG-17s.

 

If you can't find FG-17s, the slightly older (?) Wilson Staff Tour Blade looks to be an almost identical club. I also wouldn't stop your search at the 80's - some of the 70's Staff models look quite nice, like these '71 buttonbacks.

 

 

These at least look like you could hit them.....I had a set of '63 Turfriders that were near impossible to hit.

[oldschoolrocker]

Well, you come to da right place. In my opinion, and I have played them all, the best Wilson blade is either the fg17, or the late 80s remake of the Staff Fluid Feel. The fg51 is a decent club in its own right, and I had them in the bag for a couple of years, but the larger head is not to my liking.
A world of difference between the 17 and 51 head design. There is also a fg53 which is a remake of the Wilson Gooseneck that is a channel back longer blade design that I find works well in soft turf conditions. A bit more rounder sole that doesn't dig.
Like Scott mentioned there are some real good deals on early Wilson's to be had.
I have also heard some great things about their club that was made exclusively for Edwin Watts. Sharp looking remake of the fg17 design with a few modern changes. A really sharp solid performing club.

[dbuck47]

I have some 1979 Tour Blades 2-PW, and a 1981 FG-17 1iron. I also have in a different bag, an FG-17 9 iron. To me, the Tour Blades are ever so slightly less punishing than the nearly identical FG-17. There are a couple of variables in my clubs, I am not that good and it is probably just my imagination. The Tour Blades do have a slightly different grind to the trailing edge of the sole.

The "Staff"s, that were the immediate predecessor to the tour blades also have an appealing look to me.

As a side note, I went to a Bridgestone ball fitting last year, and the rep hit my FG-17 1 iron. I don't know what level player he was, but the sound, trajectory, and just the way the ball came off the club was I LOT different from when I hit it!

[Texsport]

The original FG17 had a very weak hosel to accommodate the parallel tip shafts Wilson used in them.

I broke 2-4-irons and a 5-iron hosel before I gave up.

Otherwise, nice blades.

BTW - I went back to my old '58 Fluid Feel, arrow in the heel, DynaPowered blades after the FG17 experiments.

Texsport

[RustyBlade]

It's funny how some irons work well for some and not at all for others. I've owned or tried a bunch of Wilson blades over the last couple of years and the ones that are still in my bag are the '63 Turfriders. R shaft, shorter than modern clubs, but nice and heavy with a small blade. I went through the Hogan phase , owned all the ones we all talk about, the Redlines were the best by far for me but sold those recently because they didn't have anywhere near the same feel as the old Wilsons. The original reason I picked the Turfriders was because I wanted a set the same age as me, looks like it was a good year! The best thing to do is cruise the local thrift shops and online buy/sell sites and pick up as many as you can, there's only one way to tell if they work for you, plus its fun hunting them down!

[HoldenCornfield]

[quote name='RustyBlade' timestamp='1401982996' post='9435817']
[b]It's funny how some irons work well for some and not at all for others[/b]. I've owned or tried a bunch of Wilson blades over the last couple of years and the ones that are still in my bag are the '63 Turfriders. R shaft, shorter than modern clubs, but nice and heavy with a small blade.
[/quote]

Agreed. For me the Turfriders have the easiest to hit long ions that I've found.

[Bad9]

[quote name='RustyBlade' timestamp='1401982996' post='9435817']
It's funny how some irons work well for some and not at all for others. I've owned or tried a bunch of Wilson blades over the last couple of years and the ones that are still in my bag are the '63 Turfriders. R shaft, shorter than modern clubs, but nice and heavy with a small blade. I went through the Hogan phase , owned all the ones we all talk about, the Redlines were the best by far for me but sold those recently because they didn't have anywhere near the same feel as the old Wilsons. The original reason I picked the Turfriders was because I wanted a set the same age as me, looks like it was a good year! The best thing to do is cruise the local thrift shops and online buy/sell sites and pick up as many as you can, there's only one way to tell if they work for you, plus its fun hunting them down!
[/quote]

Putting together a set the same as your age is a cool idea. Anyone able to tell me what a Staff model from 1966 is?

[ScooterMcTavish]

It's funny how some irons work well for some and not at all for others. I've owned or tried a bunch of Wilson blades over the last couple of years and the ones that are still in my bag are the '63 Turfriders. R shaft, shorter than modern clubs, but nice and heavy with a small blade. I went through the Hogan phase , owned all the ones we all talk about, the Redlines were the best by far for me but sold those recently because they didn't have anywhere near the same feel as the old Wilsons. The original reason I picked the Turfriders was because I wanted a set the same age as me, looks like it was a good year! The best thing to do is cruise the local thrift shops and online buy/sell sites and pick up as many as you can, there's only one way to tell if they work for you, plus its fun hunting them down!

 

That's a great post, and a very true observation.

 

Even though my Turfriders had the black band (R flex), they felt like they were XXStiff. Something about the bore through hosel made the club feel like a piece of rebar to me, and I could not feel the shaft load or kick during my swing. Unfortunately, that is a fatal flaw in a club for me, and was the same reason I traded my Apex II with an Apex 4 shaft off for a set of radials with an Apex 3 shaft.

 

Randy always highlights the value of having the right shaft in a club, and this is completely true. If the shaft doesn't fit your tempo, or meet what you expect to "feel" during a golf shot, even the greatest forged head won't work for you.

 

Same with the FG-17 - I've liked mine from day 1, and although I find them a touch on the heavy side, this is great in slowing down my tempo. Something about the shaft in these obviously suits me and my swing/transition.

 

Just for reference, my SS is now down between 85-90, and I am a low spin sweeper/picker who typically hits a draw with his irons. Although I try to have a good tempo, I do have a fairly quick transition as I usually stop my hands at about 9 o'clock, and accelerate the clubhead down.

 

So Bad9, maybe the secret here is to focus less on the heads you like, and more on finding the set with the right shaft in it. This may be heresy, but a blade is a blade, and none are super forgiving when you hit them.

 

Hey look, already found you a set of 66 Dynapowers:

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Wilson-Staff-Dynapower-2-pw-matched-Fluid-Feel-blades-/291162358588?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash=item43caa1033c

 

$77 Buy it now for a matched set 2-W? Sold!

 

Nice looking clubs too. As Trembolo would say, the "meat" is a little lower on the back - this is something I typically find makes an iron more playable for me.

[Bad9]

Thanks Scooter. The shaft is not an issue as I can always reshaft. I'll check the Ebay link later today when I get home, Ebay is blocked at work which is probably a good thing.

[oldschoolrocker]

The bay blocked at work. Sacrilege I say!!!!
And as Scott pointed out. Vintage irons in great shape can be had for penny's on a dollar, then take your saved folding money and invest in shafts. Note: some Wilson head/shafts are a bit testy to change.

[ScooterMcTavish]

I love the year of birth idea. For 1970, I could choose from:

- Hogan One Plus Bounce Soles
- Staff Dynapower Fluid Feels (Buttonbacks, yay!)
- Spalding Bird on Ball Top Flites
- MacGregor (sorry, not familiar with their offerings)

Guess I need to sell those Hogan Apex Edges PDQ!

[ScooterMcTavish]

[quote name='Bad9' timestamp='1401986189' post='9436217']
Thanks Scooter. The shaft is not an issue as I can always reshaft. I'll check the Ebay link later today when I get home, Ebay is blocked at work which is probably a good thing.
[/quote]

But GolfWRX isn't blocked. LOL.


Yet.

[JShaw]

[quote name='dbuck47' timestamp='1401980377' post='9435509']
I have some 1979 Tour Blades 2-PW, and a 1981 FG-17 1iron. I also have in a different bag, an FG-17 9 iron. To me, the Tour Blades are ever so slightly less punishing than the nearly identical FG-17. There are a couple of variables in my clubs, I am not that good and it is probably just my imagination. The Tour Blades do have a slightly different grind to the trailing edge of the sole.

The "Staff"s, that were the immediate predecessor to the tour blades also have an appealing look to me.

As a side note, I went to a Bridgestone ball fitting last year, and the rep hit my FG-17 1 iron. I don't know what level player he was, but the sound, trajectory, and just the way the ball came off the club was I LOT different from when I hit it!
[/quote]

I have a few sets of both the 79s and the fg-17s. I've found the 79s to be more forgiving than the fg-17s but they're both pretty playable. I also have a set of the 76 Staffs in poor condition and a partial set in good condition. I think they might be a touch more forgiving than both of the other sets but I've only hit them at the range. Unfortunately these are the only Wilson blades I have any experience with but I'm always watching craigslist.

[lumberman2462]

I never played Staff but tested many. Goosenecks are what you're looking for. One fine golfing stick....

[Oldplayer]

My collection of staffs only runs to the fg17's, a mid 70's model (forgot the name) and the fg51's.
The 51's are the easiest/nicest to play for me. Perhaps being the most modern this is not surprising.
The size of the short iron heads is the more modern bigger size although the long irons still have that fishknife look.
A bit of offset too. I find them great feeling and very rewarding to play although all the blades in my collection only get a look in here and there. If I am wanting to score my best in my club comps I play a modern cb.
If I had to use a blade for my day to day gamers however they would be on the short list.

[BIG STU]

Nothing really wrong with Staffs but I really could not hit them. I have a set of around 79 or so Tour Blades but they are not marked as FG17s. your posts have brought me to a perplexing situation. I have that set but I cant for the life of me recall when I got them. I do remember I got a set of 17s new in 78 or 79 and they were FGs because I custom ordered them because I still have the JP sand wedge. This set is not 17s. I do remember I had that set for sale back 8 or 10 years ago at a friends consignment shop. I had forgot about them and she called me to come get them because she was closing up shop. I had completely forgot about them. I am just wondering if I accidently got swapped out. Yep this Wilson talk got me to thinking and I dug them out. They are in good shape and if one of you Wilson guys want to trade for them or just want them let me know. They are not doing me any good and I need to get rid of some stuff and maybe some of you can enjoy them. i hope the last statement did not violate any rules or such for the forum

[Shallowface]

[quote name='Bad9' timestamp='1401971313' post='9434535']
Ok guys I won't use the word forgiving, but which Wilson Staff blade model, especially from 1980 or so, is the least punishing to hit.FG51, FG-17, etc. I figure this has to be the place to ask.
[/quote]

IMO the 1984 Fluid Feel Tour Blades, which were basically a remake of the 1967 Dynapowers, are the easiest to hit of all the Wilson Staffs. They have a wider sole than the FG17 or the 1986 Fluid Feel Staffs.

I would definitely be in the group of those who love Wilson Staffs, especially from 1967-1990.

[NRJyzr]

[quote name='Shallowface' timestamp='1402099549' post='9445833']
[quote name='Bad9' timestamp='1401971313' post='9434535']
Ok guys I won't use the word forgiving, but which Wilson Staff blade model, especially from 1980 or so, is the least punishing to hit.FG51, FG-17, etc. I figure this has to be the place to ask.
[/quote]

IMO the 1984 Fluid Feel Tour Blades, which were basically a remake of the 1967 Dynapowers, are the easiest to hit of all the Wilson Staffs. They have a wider sole than the FG17 or the 1986 Fluid Feel Staffs.

I would definitely be in the group of those who love Wilson Staffs, especially from 1967-1990.
[/quote]

Somewhat ironically, I didn't care for the 84 Staffs. I much preferred the FG17s to them.

Of course, I offloaded my 17s. /rolleyes

Have a set of 78 Staffs, 1-PW, but haven't played them. I hadn't been sure if they were all the same set, the 5 iron was longer than any of the others. A quick check showed the tip sections may be aligned such that they are all Dynamic S, so I might only need to regrip to play. And have them bent for a lie angle I could stand, as well; I generally play a 62° or 63° lie on my 5 iron, as I have short arms (relatively speaking).

[Bimmer1]

I played my best golf as a junior golfer in the 1980's with FG-17's. i also had a great set that had a screw in type removable weight. Seems like I could remove it with a spike wrench. What year was that model from?

[oldschoolrocker]

The screw in Dynapowers around 1974. Great set. Not as rounded a leading edge as the fg17, but very well balanced clubhead IMO.

[Nuggets]

Having only ever played the newer offerings (the Wilson FG59's) I feel I'm missing out a little on these older ones! My first set of clubs was a handmedown set of Walter Hagen ultras from Grandpa which must have been from the 50's........they were lovely to hit though!

May have to raid the attic and see what he's got in there, I know theres a whole load of persimmon drivers and some other irons! May get lucky with some Wilson blades as he gave me his old Wilson Tour Block woods

[super20dan]

i dont feel so bad now that several others have posted they cant hit fg17,s

[Bimmer1]

Always thought the 76' model year looked great.

[NRJyzr]

I'm surprised, I never thought the FG17s were that hard to hit.

Though, some have said they never thought the Apex PC all that hard to hit, and most seem to think it was the toughest.

Golf is a funny game.

[super20dan]

saw a mint set of wilson turfriders at flea market. i passed as i dont need another set i cant hit

[Swingingk]

I would have to agree with the Tour Blade/FG-17 camp. A really outstanding head in my opinion. Mine have PX6.0 Flighted shafts and I couldn't be happier with them.
As a close second I also love, love, LOVE my 71' buttonbacks with the original regular shafts. They actually have a fairly wide sole and although it looks flat its really got a little bit o' bounce on it. Very nice performer. Mmmmm... probably not the "least punishing Wilson" though... ☺

[ScooterMcTavish]

[quote name='Nuggets' timestamp='1407324438' post='9868767']
Having only ever played the newer offerings (the Wilson FG59's) I feel I'm missing out a little on these older ones! My first set of clubs was a handmedown set of Walter Hagen ultras from Grandpa which must have been from the 50's........they were lovely to hit though!

May have to raid the attic and see what he's got in there, I know theres a whole load of persimmon drivers and some other irons! May get lucky with some Wilson blades as he gave me his old Wilson Tour Block woods
[/quote]

I am jealous. I love treasure hunts.

[Nuggets]

[quote name='ScooterMcTavish' timestamp='1407412040' post='9877591']
[quote name='Nuggets' timestamp='1407324438' post='9868767']
Having only ever played the newer offerings (the Wilson FG59's) I feel I'm missing out a little on these older ones! My first set of clubs was a handmedown set of Walter Hagen ultras from Grandpa which must have been from the 50's........they were lovely to hit though!

May have to raid the attic and see what he's got in there, I know theres a whole load of persimmon drivers and some other irons! May get lucky with some Wilson blades as he gave me his old Wilson Tour Block woods
[/quote]

I am jealous. I love treasure hunts.
[/quote]

haha well I know theres some minty fresh Mizuno persimmons in there and some Macgregors and definitely a few putters

[ScooterMcTavish]

[quote name='Nuggets' timestamp='1407412587' post='9877629']
[quote name='ScooterMcTavish' timestamp='1407412040' post='9877591']
[quote name='Nuggets' timestamp='1407324438' post='9868767']
Having only ever played the newer offerings (the Wilson FG59's) I feel I'm missing out a little on these older ones! My first set of clubs was a handmedown set of Walter Hagen ultras from Grandpa which must have been from the 50's........they were lovely to hit though!

May have to raid the attic and see what he's got in there, I know theres a whole load of persimmon drivers and some other irons! May get lucky with some Wilson blades as he gave me his old Wilson Tour Block woods
[/quote]

I am jealous. I love treasure hunts.
[/quote]

haha well I know theres some minty fresh Mizuno persimmons in there and some Macgregors and definitely a few putters
[/quote]

Now you're just being cruel.