Most manufacturers now offer a utility iron and Wilson are one of them. We try the new Wilson Staff Model RB utility iron to see how it performs.
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Wilson Staff Model RB Utility Iron Review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
This is one of the easier to hit utility irons I have tried. It looks good behind the ball and will appeal to most golfers.
PROS
- Iron like looks
- Easy to hit
- Iron type ball flight
- Extremely forgiving
CONS
- None
First Impressions
I have owned multiple utility irons over the years with varying degrees of success. As my ability to launch longer irons has become more, ahem.. challenging, these clubs provide a much needed compromise between irons and hybrids/woods. For all the technique required in golf there is something to be said for a club that looks appealing or confidence inducing. My first foray into utility irons was somewhat disappointing and I could barely get the ball into the air. I even changed the shaft to no avail. It was also less forgiving than its appearance would suggest. Moving on, my current utility iron is very forgiving and launches high with ease. It is perhaps a little more towards the hybrid than iron end of the spectrum.
It was with a little trepidation, therefore, that I tried the new Wilson Staff Model RB utility iron. It looked similar to my previous nemesis. The look is, however, extremely pleasing and is very iron like. Behind the ball it looks good. The proportions of the head are, again, iron-like. The nature of the construction requires a thicker top edge than standard irons but it is not off-putting.
Wilson have produced some of the most iconic irons of all time, but this is a technology laden club. It has been designed in conjunction with Wilson Advisory Staff members such as Padraig Harrington and Kevin Kisner. It is worth repeating their blurb as it explains its impressive performance. Unsurprisingly, it is a hollow body design using multiple materials. Wilson explain that this provides optimum weight distribution, ball speed, shot-shaping capabilities and aerodynamic efficiency. The face is made from high-strength 300 steel and which apparently gives it strength and flexibility resulting in explosive ball speeds and softer feel. There is rib internal support which enhances forgiveness and produces optimised sound. The club comes in 18°, 21° and 24° versions with True Temper HZRDUS Gen 4 Black shaft and Golf Pride Z Grip. The model I tested was the 21° 3 iron. It had a 90g shaft in it which is heavier than my current 3 utility. Although it felt a little heavier, the forgiveness was such that I did not feel I had to swing harder to launch the ball.
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NCG Verdict
I will play with anything that makes golf easier, but my swing and eye like a relatively traditional iron profile. The Wilson Staff Model RB is therefore quite appealing from this point of view. My concern was, however, could I launch this? This was answered with my first strike. A resounding “yes”. It was a joy to hit. Unlike other quite iron-like utility clubs this had forgiveness across the face. The flight was iron like and it was quite easy to vary the height of your shot.
Below are my performance stats. This club is performing as I would expect for the loft in my bag. My 4 utility is about 205 so this fits in nicely. The stats backed up my feeling that this was forgiving as I checked what I felt was a really necky shot and it was still 214 yards. The flight was a little lower due to the shaft being a little heavier than my usual 3 utility but I think I would take this in windy or dry conditions.
Summary
I really liked this club and would recommend anyone thinking about getting a utility to try it out. With the three loft options there’s likely to be something to fill a gap in your requirements, be it a driving iron or 3 or 4 iron replacement.
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The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £220 / $249.99
Right-handed lofts: 18°, 21°, 24°
Shafts: True Temper HZEDUS Black Gen 4 80g Reg, 90g Stiff
More information: Wilson US
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