Wilson Staff Model XB 26 Right Hand Mens Irons

I came to the Staff Model XB irons after spending a considerable amount of time over the winter in Trackman hitting bays analyzing my iron game rather than simply looking for something new. My biggest concern with the irons I was playing at the time was not distance. They produced plenty enough distance. The problem was what happened at the other end of the shot. I became increasingly convinced that the combination of very strong lofts and the resulting trajectory was simply not well suited to holding greens for the way I deliver the golf club. A 7-iron that flies farther is not particularly useful if the ball arrives at the green on a trajectory that makes it difficult to stop. Descent angle became one of the principal reasons I started looking seriously at weaker, more traditional lofts. I was perfectly willing to give up a number on a launch monitor if it produced a better golf shot. I wanted appropriate launch, a useful apex, predictable distance and enough descent angle and spin to actually hold a green. Distance is only valuable when it is controllable. The Staff Model XB has delivered exactly what I was looking for. After playing these clubs extensively, the thing that impresses me most is their trajectory. I get a strong, very pleasing ball flight without feeling as though I have to manufacture height. More importantly, that trajectory translates directly to actual performance on the golf course. I routinely see substantial pitch marks on greens, including with the longer irons. I have been particularly impressed by my ability to bring the 5-iron into a green and have the ball stay there. That was one of the primary objectives of changing irons in the first place, and the XB has unquestionably solved that problem for me. They are also an excellent combination of forgiveness and precision. They provide enough help that a less-than-perfect strike is not severely punished, but they never give you the impression that you are playing a bulky game-improvement iron. A good strike feels exceptionally solid, and when I am swinging well the consistency in launch, distance and dispersion is excellent. The appearance of the clubs deserves mention as well. These are simply beautiful irons. What I find especially impressive is the look of the longer irons. The 4- and 5-irons in particular are so clean and compact that they could almost be mistaken for blades. That is the look many golfers want but are understandably reluctant to play because of the demands a true blade can place on the strike. The XB gives you much of that visual appeal without asking you to accept the consequences of a true blade. The set remains clean, cohesive and very much like a players’ iron throughout the bag. I have received a number of compliments on them since putting them in play. Most recently, two different caddies during a golf trip to Ireland commented on the irons. Considering how many sets of clubs caddies see, I thought that said quite a bit about the design. I also appreciate that Wilson did not simply chase maximum distance with this iron. Golf clubs should help you shoot lower scores, not win a 7-iron distance contest. I would much rather know exactly how far an iron is going to carry, see it reach the proper apex and watch it stop near its pitch mark than claim that my 7-iron goes some arbitrary number of yards farther. The longer irons have been an especially pleasant surprise. I regularly use the 4-iron from the tee and have enough confidence in the 5-iron to hit it into greens. Throughout the set, the progression feels logical and the gaps are useful. At the scoring end of the bag, the shorter irons give me the control I was hoping for. There was already some confidence in Wilson equipment when I began looking at these irons. At the time I was playing a Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon Driver, which I loved, along with a Wilson DYNAPWR 5-wood. I have since changed drivers, but that 5-wood remains in my bag. My experience with those clubs was certainly one reason I was willing to give the Staff Model irons a serious look rather than automatically gravitating toward one of the larger iron brands. I am very glad I did. I have also had opportunities since buying the XB irons to hit other highly regarded irons in launch-monitor bays. Some were from brands that receive considerably more attention in the marketplace. Nothing I have hit has given me a reason to question my decision. In fact, those comparisons have generally reinforced it. The combination of launch, distance, dispersion and feel from the XB continues to suit my game exceptionally well. More importantly, the launch-monitor results agree with what I see on the golf course. These clubs produce the trajectory I wanted, plenty of distance, very good dispersion and, most importantly to me, the ability to hold greens throughout far more of the set than I was getting previously. These irons produce useful golf shots. Period. For my game, that distinction matters enormously. I bought the Staff Model XB irons with a very specific objective in mind, and they have exceeded my expectations. They perform beautifully, they look exceptional, they provide forgiveness without looking like game-improvement clubs. They have proven themselves both in controlled testing and under actual playing conditions and I am extremely satisfied with them.

I bought these irons last week. I went with the graphite shaft, and I love them. They are very forgiving and have great balance and feel. I did pick up 10 yards avg. with my 7 iron, PW, and GW. With the graphite shaft my club head speed did change as well. Great job WILSON, ONCE AGAIN!! Don't sleep on Wilson.

The XB irons provide an excellent transition for players seeking to move beyond traditional players' irons, as the distance differences compared to my Cobra King Tour irons are not extreme. The stock shaft delivers outstanding ball flight and control, making the transition to the XB irons seamless. Additionally, I appreciate that Wilson designed these irons to be easily integrated into a combo set with the CBs and blades. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my purchase.

I’ve just taken my new XB’s to the range which has Trackman. The feel of the irons is so pure. I’m getting rid of my Titleist T250’s for the XB’s and there is no comparison. Ball speed, launch window, sound, feel and tighter dispersion all out perform the T250’s. Only one session in but so far I am extremely impressed.