any thoughts on Wilson's "The Whale" driver?

[cohee]

My point on the Classic Golf timeline is about 1985-1995. I started with some commercial-grade MacGregor laminate woods. And I played some rounds out of the old garage bags for awhile... We had some Haig Ultras and Louise Suggs sets that must have been my grandparents. But I like the newer equipment from those years when I started.

 

All that to say, I have been remembering some of the Wilson offerings from that time. I had forgotten all about the Wilson Ultra 45s! But some of you may remember, there was a post around WRX not so long ago linking to blog post from Louisville Golf regarding their manufacturing the original Wilson Whale maple laminate driver (used by Payne Stewart).

 

Some other thread had mention of the graphite-headed version, said it was technologically interesting, etc. No follow up later, though. They are fairly handsome clubs; I like the combination of a non-persimmon head and whipping. Have any of you tried one lately?

 

 

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

10 hours ago, cohee said:

My point on the Classic Golf timeline is about 1985-1995. I started with some commercial-grade MacGregor laminate woods. And I played some rounds out of the old garage bags for awhile... We had some Haig Ultras and Louise Suggs sets that must have been my grandparents. But I like the newer equipment from those years when I started.

 

All that to say, I have been remembering some of the Wilson offerings from that time. I had forgotten all about the Wilson Ultra 45s! But some of you may remember, there was a post around WRX not so long ago linking to blog post from Louisville Golf regarding their manufacturing the original Wilson Whale maple laminate driver (used by Payne Stewart).

 

Some other thread had mention of the graphite-headed version, said it was technologically interesting, etc. No follow up later, though. They are fairly handsome clubs; I like the combination of a non-persimmon head and whipping. Have any of you tried one lately?

 

 

I use the graphite version in winter when it seems unkind to use my persimmons. Very solid performing club esp. with the 2.8 Firestick in it. Gets gasps of admiration from onlookers when in the hands of a 76 y.o geriatric.

[WilliePPQ]

The laminate version is the only one I have seen personally and it just isn't good for me on the "eye test" looks wise. Played a W/S driver for a while and after losing a couple face inserts glued in (no screws) moved on permanently. Found a couple photos of the graphite version and it has a very unique look indeed! Interesting that the hot forum topic seems to be the "new" Taylor all graphite driver for 2022. I'm thinking the graphite whale is from early to mid 90's? So nothing new under the sun indeed! 

[scruffynick]

I had the laminated whale driver for a good while, one of my favourites as it was so easy to hit as the head for the time was huge....mine was ex demo so I got it very cheap off my local pro back in 94 I think. Always liked the Wilson stuff best for some reason

[MizunoMayhem]

Payne Stewart used one for a bit, won the 1989 MCI Heritage Classic at Harbour Town. Here is a link to a 2014 auction for his actual club. Sold for over $3,000.

 

https://www.thegolfauction.com/Payne_Stewart_s_Winning_Tournament_Used_Wilson__Th-lot10279.aspx

[Esox]

Just ran across this post. I still have, and occasionally play on courses I need to work the ball a lot, an early 90's titanium Killer Whale. (Ping G400 has pretty much kicked it out of the bag on those courses mainly because the Whale shaft is too stiff for me any more). Back in the 90's I hit more monster drives with that Whale than I can remember. Only driver of that era I had that could compare was a Yonex ADX Tour, but the Whale was much hotter on pured hits. I had a number of drives that measured over 320 yards of carry with old school wound balls. Oh to be back in my 30's again.

Edited January 15, 2022 by Esox