1975 Wilson Staff Dynapower Irons

[resnor]

So, I picked up a 3-PW in what I believe are the 1975 Wilson Staff Dynapower Fluid-Feel irons, for free, from a yard sale. Too bad they're lefty clubs. They have that weird screw in weight on the back. Gonna clean them up, and probably try to sell them. I'll try to post up pics later. Was really disappointed that they weren't right handed.

[stixman]

I think these are called the 'Adjusta-back' model. As for 'weird', I found the adjustable weight feature very useful and just a wee bit ahead of it's time. They were a very playable club and I'm sorry I moved mine on.
Made when Wilson were still top players in the equipment game, and I think these were the last development in the Fluid Feel hosel design. Many on this forum have appreciated them in other threads.

[rex235]

Resnor-

The 1975 Wilson Staff Dynapower "Adjustaback" irons (my term) were the last of the Dynapower series started nearly 20 years earlier.

Due to the adjustable weight port in the back of each iron (except the SW), they are considered by some to be a sleeper collectible. The weight port unscrews with a spike wrench.

Considering all the adjustable weight ports in todays Drivers and Putters 40 years later, one could easily see why.
What is the length of the 5 iron? Shaft flex?

Have some RH Wilson Staffs, but not the '75s.

[Fellaheen51]

Interesting comment Rex about the future collectibility. Weight ports, what's old becomes new, if one waits long enough. Have a set of these
Dynapowers (1-PW) that I detailed out over the winter. Nice looking sticks, wanted to give them a fair test this spring, but the problem is I can't seem to play them very well. Compared to the Hogans and Tour Grind Axials. Can't really figure it out. The sole perhaps? Quite sharp edged and all I do is dig with them.

IIRC, Randy (OSR) is a fan of these irons. Was thinking of selling them off, but the big auction site seems to indicate there is not much demand for them (relative to other Staff models). So they sit on the sidelines. As always, YMMV.

[TimV]

I also have a set of these in right handed and try to give them some love on a regular basis. They are very good irons.

[bigeasybri]

Here's a 1975-76 (stamping anyway) without the weight port:

[attachment=2903996:IMG_0210.JPG]


My very first set of Wilson Staffs, purchased in the late 80s, was a set with weight ports. Picked these up a few years ago. The serial number stamped on the back indicates these were a custom job, perhaps made for a pro. Never seen others like it. I've got 1-PW in this set.

They're also distinctive because they do NOT have the rubber plug in the hosel.

[oldschoolrocker]

I believe mine are '74 Dynapowers with the adjustable weights. I find them on par with the late 80ish fluid feel remakes as far as feel sand playability go. Nothing bad to say about them at all. Either a dab of locktite, or if you want a stop of lead tape over the port after its screwed In and you are good to go. A very good forging in my opinion. Nicely balanced standard compact thin top line and sole Wilson iron.

[resnor]

If they are any lefties on here that want these, I would send them to you for the price of shipping...Not sure how much it is to send a set of irons...

[rex235]

[quote name='bigeasybri' timestamp='1439445603' post='12128198']
Here's a 1975-76 (stamping anyway) without the weight port:

[attachment=2903996:IMG_0210.JPG]


My very first set of Wilson Staffs, purchased in the late 80s, was a set with weight ports. Picked these up a few years ago. The serial number stamped on the back indicates these were a custom job, perhaps made for a pro. Never seen others like it. I've got 1-PW in this set.

They're also distinctive because they do NOT have the rubber plug in the hosel.
[/quote]

Bigeasy-

Your '75 Wilson Staff irons are most definitely a custom set, with the G-826 stamping designation identifying the order.

These were made when Wilson afforded their Staff and Club Professionals custom specifications, and had an outstanding reputation of custom grinding forged irons.

Just check the number of Wilson Staff professionals on Tours 40 years ago.

Consequently, your irons do NOT have the adjustable weight ports, nor the drill thru hosels, so there no "Fluid Feel" stampings on them.

Even though they turned 100 last year, Wilson may have dissolved the department that kept some of these custom records.

[resnor]

Here are pics of the clubs. The grips are actually in fantastic shape...soft and everything. I tried to clean then all up, but the PW has some pretty serious rust on the sole. Got all the ferrules down except for the one on the 6 iron.

[rex235]

[quote name='resnor' timestamp='1439500386' post='12132280']
Here are pics of the clubs. The grips are actually in fantastic shape...soft and everything. I tried to clean then all up, but the PW has some pretty serious rust on the sole. Got all the ferrules down except for the one on the 6 iron.
[/quote]

Resnor-

Thanks again for the photos, and update.

What is the length of the 5 iron? What is the shaft flex?

Do the ferrules have a registration number?

[jbucher]

REX, last spring the club pro at my home track was able to find out who a set of my clubs were made for. Apparently the records are in several 3 rings binders at wilson.
Jimmy B

[rex235]

[quote name='resnor' timestamp='1439466361' post='12128684']
If they are any lefties on here that want these, I would send them to you for the price of shipping...Not sure how much it is to send a set of irons...
[/quote]

Resnor-

It's somewhere around $20

Depends on shipping type.
Am in MI.

PM me.

Would send you something in return.

[rex235]

[quote name='jbucher' timestamp='1439523127' post='12134504']
REX, last spring the club pro at my home track was able to find out who a set of my clubs were made for. Apparently the records are in several 3 rings binders at wilson.
Jimmy B
[/quote]

Jimmy-

So-To your understanding, you need a Club Professional (preferably with a Wilson account) to request the information.

Great! Need information on Wilson Staff Dynapower sets made from 1959-1976. Have all "SDP" and "58S" number stampings.

Will be in Chicago later this month, so will contact friend with Wilson account before visiting.

[tstephen]

Just last week I played my '76 Staffs and paired them against my new Mizuno MP15 KBS Tour blades and they were less than a club shorter and maybe 10% less solid and consistent. My previous set I still practice with are the MP100s which I would rate somewhere in between. The 1 iron was made for Jay Haas but never used by him with the L-335 on it. The Wilson 1-3 irons are very easy to hit and I would rate them 10% more solid and consistent than anything new on the market and I usually try every new.

[rex235]

TStephen-

Mostly remember Jay Haas being a Maxfli staffer, long before he became a Titleist mainstay. Perhaps Tad Moore could confirm.

A friend of mine (who has since departed this world) once told me Wilson was trying to get both Curtis Strange and Jay Haas (NCAA Champions at Wake Forest) to sign with them, and become part of their Tour Staff.

They had made a number of sets with different grinds for Curtis Strange to try.
As my friend recalled, he didn't like them at all... Someone got a few Staff iron sets.

Strange later signed with Ram.
That was the bag he featured when he was in contention at the Sammy Davis Jr GHO-
(Believe it was Billy Kratzert who won the GHO that year...)

Any Custom 1 iron for a Tour Player is a find...

Oh, and those Orlimar Persimmons.......Very smooth

[tstephen]

[quote name='rex235' timestamp='1439609193' post='12140762']
TStephen-

Mostly remember Jay Haas being a Maxfli staffer, long before he became a Titleist mainstay. Perhaps Tad Moore could confirm.

A friend of mine (who has since departed this world) once told me Wilson was trying to get both Curtis Strange and Jay Haas (NCAA Champions at Wake Forest) to sign with them, and become part of their Tour Staff.

They had made a number of sets with different grinds for Curtis Strange to try.
As my friend recalled, he didn't like them at all... Someone got a few Staff iron sets.

Strange later signed with Ram.
That was the bag he featured when he was in contention at the Sammy Davis Jr GHO-
(Believe it was Billy Kratzert who won the GHO that year...)

Any Custom 1 iron for a Tour Player is a find...

Oh, and those Orlimar Persimmons.......Very smooth
[/quote]

Thanks for the information.

With all my classic Mac persimmons these Orlimars are still my personal favorites.

Like some of my classic Macs even Dave Wood thought may have been cherry picked these Orlimars definitely were by a pro.

The other interesting thing about the Wilson Staffs is my club head speed is the same as modern clubs with the lighter shafts and smaller club head. I have a 15 mph difference between my persimmon drivers vs my best ti drivers, thus 30 yards less carry.

The '76 Staff, Orlimar, and O-Blade Ping is my favorite set of all-time!

[rex235]

[quote name='jbucher' timestamp='1439523127' post='12134504']
REX, last spring the club pro at my home track was able to find out who a set of my clubs were made for. Apparently the records are in several 3 rings binders at wilson.
Jimmy B
[/quote]

Jimmy-

Am in Chicago, and just got off the phone with Wilson, who hadn't returned my phone messages from last week.

It is as I feared-
The person charged with answering my request informed me Wilson did have custom stamping records of their iron models, but they dissolved this department, and "these records are no longer available."

Make sure you tell your pro.

[rex235]

Resnor-

If these clubs are still available, I'm still interested.

[rex235]

[quote name='rex235' timestamp='1440432811' post='12199054']
Resnor-

If these clubs are still available, I'm still interested.

[/quote]

Resnor-

It has been 30 days since your post on these irons.

If you have given/sold/traded them, and do not have these irons any more, please let me know.

[awc1981]

Curious if someone knew what the standard lie and loft were on the 1973-1975 Wilson Staff Dyna-Power? Just bought a set off eBay and couldn’t find anything including ironfinder.com

[rex235]

awc-

 

What was standard length-loft-lie measured 40+ years ago?

 

To my knowledge, Kaplans Wilson information printed for 1973-1975 catalog years did not include any standard loft and lie measurements.

 

What are the lofts and lies to your set now?

[OldTom]

Found this on a different thread about Wilson irons. Not about the Dynapowers but should but fairly accurate for 1974 era loft and lie. Thread link http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/259303-late-70s-early-80s-wilson-staff-tour-blades/

 

 

From Maltby's Golf Club Design, Fitting, Alteration & Repair, 4th edition, p844:

 

2i 21* 38.5" 57*

3i 24 38 58

4i 27 37.5 59

5i 31 37 60

6i 35 36.5 61

7i 39 36.25 62

8i 43 35.75 63

9i 47 35.25 63

P 51 35.25 64

S 55 35.25 64

 

 

These stats were published in 1974 and the next set listed was published in 1982. The lofts are all decreased by one degree excepting the sand wedge which stays at 55; lies on 6-9 were reduced by one degree and lengths remained the same excepting the pitching and sand wedges which were shortened by a quarter inch.

[rex235]

Tom-

 

Thanks for the info.

[awc1981]

awc-

 

What was standard length-loft-lie measured 40+ years ago?

 

To my knowledge, Kaplans Wilson information printed for 1973-1975 catalog years did not include any standard loft and lie measurements.

 

What are the lofts and lies to your set now?

 

I am asking what Wilson called thier standard. I don’t what the loft and lie are on the clubs.

[awc1981]

Found this on a different thread about Wilson irons. Not about the Dynapowers but should but fairly accurate for 1974 era loft and lie. Thread link http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/259303-late-70s-early-80s-wilson-staff-tour-blades/

 

 

From Maltby's Golf Club Design, Fitting, Alteration & Repair, 4th edition, p844:

 

2i 21* 38.5" 57*

3i 24 38 58

4i 27 37.5 59

5i 31 37 60

6i 35 36.5 61

7i 39 36.25 62

8i 43 35.75 63

9i 47 35.25 63

P 51 35.25 64

S 55 35.25 64

 

 

These stats were published in 1974 and the next set listed was published in 1982. The lofts are all decreased by one degree excepting the sand wedge which stays at 55; lies on 6-9 were reduced by one degree and lengths remained the same excepting the pitching and sand wedges which were shortened by a quarter inch.

 

Thanks and can’t believe how difficult this has been.