Wilson Staff FG Tour M3
We test the best golf drivers for beginners and better players
Brand: Wilson Staff
Driver: FG Tour M3
RRP: £249 Best price: £249
Lie: 58-degree Length: 45.75” Swing Weight: D1
Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom 50 Grip: Lamkin Crossline Black 360
Summary: Wilson Staff’s first adjustable driver features six separate loft settings and three performance-enhancing sole weight options of 3g, 7g or 11g. The loft and sole weight options help create optimised trajectory and increased clubhead speed, while a variable thickness face maximises CT across the face and increases ball speeds. Designed with an 'iced' matte painted crown and black PVD finish. The deep face, smaller footprint and Tour-preferred pear shape make the 460cc head appear more compact at address. The driver head comes set at an initial loft of 9.5-degree, but based on the player’s preferred ball flight, lofts can be adjusted from 8.5- to 11.5-degree in half degree increments.
Looks: Not the flashiest looking crown we've ever seen with a big iced matte painted crown and black PVD finish with a small alignment aid. A reduction of glare is about the only positive thing to say about the crown. The black and gold sole is much more pleasing to look at, however, with the new loft and sole weight on offer. The deep face of the driver is also rather attractive. It's big, bulging and ready to smash a golf ball of a tee peg. 3.25 (out of 5)
Feel: Although a little heavier than the successful and extremely lightweight D-100 driver, launched at the end of 2012, the M3 is by far one of the lightest offerings on the market in 2014 with head weights starting at 198 grams and total weights beginning at 294 grams. The standard Aldila RIP Phenom 50, which has quickly become one of the go-to standards for mid-launch/mid-spin performance, was working nice and stable for our different swing speeds. Two testers thought the shaft was too long, but all testers liked the Lamkin Crossline grip. Kelvin (21) opted for the heavier 11g weight but said he couldn't notice the extra weight in the head. 8.75 (out of 10)
Performance: M3 typically generated a straight ball flight. The deep face provides more forgiveness on shots struck high or low. Overall, we'd say this is a low launching, low spinning driver, but it just lacks a little fire power in comparison to others. Adjustabilty on offer, particularly the sole weights, is very simple to mess around with and a welcome addition. The heavier 11g weight aided an increase in launch angle for Kelvin (21), while the other three testers all favoured the 7g weight and enjoyed penetrating ball flights. 8.75 (out of 10)
Verdict: Wilson Staff is back, and back where it belongs. FG Tour M3 might not the be the longest driver in this test but it certainly represents a dramatic move into the fast lane for the brand with it's first fully adjustable driver. While we're not particularly taken by the appearance - it looks a little cheap at address - it's the vastly improved Wilson technology that excites us. There is something for everyone here. Value for money at £250. 20.75 (out of 25)
Click here for our full Wilson Staff FG Tour M3 driver review and click this link for our PGA Show interview with Wilson Staff's global director of R&D Michael Vrska.
