Cavity backs, sleeker lines of the Di7 irons
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I'm naturally a low-ball hitter - and have been ever since I switched from trying to steer a cricket ball 'through the covers' to smacking a golf ball into the far distance.
My handsy, though repetitive, type of golf swing tends to deliver the dimpled ball on a penetrating flight, perhaps more suited to a windswept links than the soft, parkland courses of the Midland counties.
What I'd give to be able to hit those towering 6-irons the pros - and even my contemporaries - hit for fun.
I've long been a devotee of the Fat Shaft clubs, which Wilson introduced in the late 1990s but which have since been overtaken by modern technology. However, it was no real surprise when the manufacturers decided to re-introduce a modern version, which combines 'proven low torque shafts with cavity-back, wide sole clubheads.'
The distinction of the original shafts was their thickness made the clubhead less susceptible to twisting at impact (torque) and therefore more accurate and easier to control. But the novelty wore off and more streamlined, yet forgiving, heads were produced by rivals in the search for that elusive distance and feel.
Now, in a bid to regain a position of strength within the market Wilson Staff, as the brand is now known, has signed up quality players like Tour stars Padraig Harrington and Anthony Wall to promote this new generation of game-improver iron that's sleek while more forgiving, yet can still deliver distance and feel as well as accuracy.
Harrington told a collection of PGA pros and Wilson Staff retailers on Monday: "I've hit these new clubs while in America and I was really impressed. When you address the ball it really looks good and you can't see the weighting behind the head.
"I used Fat Shaft clubs for a number of years and I'm happy to see the technology come back. This club really performs and for the club golfer will be so easy to hit," said Harrington.
"Now all we've got to do is get the clubs in people's hands."
As well as the stylish cavity back and thinner top line, the new Di7 irons will be available early in the New Year with two shaft options.
The True Temper TX 105 is a lightweight steel shaft, which Wilson Staff claims to deliver more swing speed and longer, higher shots.
And certainly, according to the launch monitor at Northwick Park, my shots with a 6-iron flew several yards longer and almost ten feet higher (and average of 41 feet) than with a rival club. Clubface ball speed was 10mph faster
But the most surprising statistic was the grouping of my shots with the Di7s - within a four-foot circle compared to 18 feet with a rival club at a distance of about 145 yards.
With the UST V2 graphite option I wasn't quite as successful - the 72 gram 'one-flex-suits-all' shaft felt too stiff for my swing speed and I was unable to re-produce the startling statistics achieved with steel, though it still delivered a high ball flight.
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Rating: |
8/10 |
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Summary: | I've always been a devotee of the Fat Shaft technology, ever since improving on my handicap by several shots, the first time I took a set out. Though I've only had limited opportunity (and this is a first impression review), I'm looking forward to trying a set in the comfort zone of my local course to get a true, longer term reflection of their streamlined looks and improved shaft technology. |
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