Our Wilson D7 driver review took place at Leicester Golf Centre.
We used their Toptracer technology to test the product and also had a SkyTrak launch monitor set up for additional data gathering.
Wilson D7 driver review: First impressions
The D7 driver review comes a month after the brand’s D7 irons were introduced.
And we know from the letter ‘D’ that this is product aimed at mid- to high-handicappers. D is for distance as C is for crossover as F is for feel in the Wilson F-C-D system.
The driver this is replacing is the D300 which was launched a couple of years ago, but from a looks point of view they couldn’t be further apart.
We’ve got a lovely carbon composite crown on the D7 which instantly elevates the aesthetics in the address position. It puts it on a par with some of the bigger, more expensive driver brands.
There’s no adjustability in the D7 – not even in the hosel. Wilson say they have created three D7 drivers at lofts of 9˚, 10.5˚ and 13˚ with different weighting and CG placements in each.
This is to try and give options in the fitting process rather than trying to dial in a head by moving weights or adjusting the loft.
There’s just the one shaft option – the UST Helium – which Wilson say should suit the players who will get along with the D7 driver.
They say if the shaft isn’t right, then the head probably won’t be so they’d recommend you looking at the C300 head instead.
Wilson D7 Driver review: The technology
So the carbon composite crown saves a significant amount of weight which allows them to place it more strategically for optimal launch and spin.
And they have added a kevlar layer which aims to really reduce any unwanted vibrations.
They say removing adjustable weights on the sole has also helped them improve the sound and feel.
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Movable weights can make it very difficult to control the sound.
“The process of creating the D7 driver started with designing the head shape and then stripping out all available weight, almost 25 grams,” Jon Pergande, global innovation manager at Wilson Golf, told us.
“This weight was strategically returned to the head with the goal of improving the sound of the driver and optimising ball flight with dynamic launch control.”
Wilson say the 9˚ head is for players with a faster swing speed with weighting forward in the head for lower launch and spin.
The 10.5˚ should suit those with a moderate-to-fast swing speed with weighting in the middle of the head for a higher launch and spin.
There’s weighting further back and towards the heel in the 13˚ for the highest launch and a draw bias making is better for slower swingers.
That’s the technology but how does it perform? Find out on the next page…
Wilson D7 Driver review: The results
I was already impressed with the D7 driver before I had given it a hit.
There is nothing not to like about it and at £269 it should be on everyone’s testing list. More on that later.
It’s quite nice to hit a driver every now and then which doesn’t have any adjustability to it. It is what it is so takes away any thoughts that it could be set up in a better way for you.
It feels very light but when you start hitting it there’s a nice solid sound and feel at impact.
It feels far more premium that it should considering the price.
I was testing out the D7 in the 10.5˚ head with the 57 gram stiff shaft. Maybe the 9˚ head would have been more suitable but I was happy with the numbers I was getting.
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Another problem I had with the D300 was the spin just got too high.
And considering I’d normally play at least a 9.5˚ head, the spin rates with the 10.5˚ head were perfectly manageable.
So is this the driver for you in 2019? Check out our expert’s opinion on the next page…
Wilson D7 Driver review: NCG verdict
The fact Wilson have been able to improve the D300 so much is highly commendable. It looks fantastic and has a lovely sound and feel. Not two things you’d expect from a driver at this price point.
I like the thinking behind the three head options with different CG placements. It gives golfers the chance to try three heads out and go for the one which best suits their speed and technique.
Wilson are confident this driver is going to work well for mid- to high-handicappers. They are confident they have got a good shaft which is going to suit a wide range of players.
From my experience I’m struggling to see how other brands can justify charging an extra £200.
The performance certainly doesn’t justify that. So you are effectively paying extra for a bigger name.
Obviously it’s difficult for Wilson to get golfers to look past the TaylorMade, Callaway, Ping and Titleist drivers, so coming down in price is an effective way of getting the D7 into people’s hands.
My message to you is to give the so-called ‘Big Four’ a try and then give the Wilson D7 a try.
If you think the extra £200 is worth it then spend away, it’s your money. And the ‘Big Four’ are all making fantastic drivers – I’m not taking anything away from how good they are.
But from the results of my testing I’m finding it very difficult to say they are £200 better.
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Wilson D7 driver details
SRP: £269
Lofts: 9˚, 10.5˚, 13˚
Shafts: UST-Mamiya Helium (A-flex 45g, R-flex 46g, S-flex 57g)
In-store: February 2019
More information can be found on the Wilson website.
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