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What’s new? How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on Wilson’s Launch Pad irons
How do Wilson’s super game improvement irons perform? Find out in our Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons review.
These irons are going to help you, whether you’re looking for the help or not. Every feature of this club is there to help you get the ball up in the air and closer to the green more regularly.
These irons are unapologetically oversized and perfect for a player who is new to the game, or struggles with consistent contact and wants some help from the club.
PROS
Ridiculously easy to hit
Confidence inspiring behind the ball
Super high launching for more carry distance
CONS
Oversized head won’t suit everyone
The wedges don’t provide much feel around the greens
Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons review: First Impressions
The Wilson Launch Pad irons are massive. Every iron in the set looks half like a hybrid so you really get the feeling that the ball is going to get airborne regardless of the swing you make. I really like that although the head is big, Wilson haven’t overcrowded the space with branding or funky designs keeping the head looking clean.
Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons review: NCG Verdict
I was really keen to test the Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons. They are the polar opposite of the old Titleist blades I regularly play with, so I was interested to see how much difference all the technology makes compared to clubs with, well, basically no technology.
After a couple of shots with the 9 iron, I immediately saw a huge change in ball flight compared to my usual gamers. I was hitting the ball so much higher than normal, with the ball seeming to stay in the air for ages with very little curve.
This new flight was definitely something I could get used to, as with higher-flighted iron shots hitting greens becomes a lot easier. In the new Launch Pad irons, Wilson have reduced weight in the head and moved the centre of gravity lower, which helps get the ball up in the air quicker and reduces spin, which is why the balls weren’t curving as much.
Something else I could get used to is hitting far fewer heavy shots. The super-wide soles on the Launch Pad irons are designed to stop the club from digging and keep the club moving forwards rather than downwards. You do still see a slight reduction in the distance as it is a heavy strike, but the results are much closer to a good strike than you’d see with a normal heavy strike.
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The Wilson Launch Pad irons are also really forgiving, I didn’t have a great ball striking day when testing them, but my results were more than acceptable. I used the ENTIRE surface area of the club face and actually got pretty consistent results.
The Wilson Launch Pad irons weren’t the longest clubs I’ve tested this year, but I don’t think they are designed for that. These are clubs that are going to help get your ball in the air more consistently if you’re a poor to average striker of the ball, which is absolutely going to lower your scores.
They are no slouch on distance I must add, 187 yard average carry with a 5-iron is pretty solid, and 165 yard average with a 7 is about what I’d expect.
I tested the Wilson Launch Pad irons with the Project X Evenflow shaft, which is super lightweight. Wilson have really gone down the path of the lighter the better, the easier they will be to swing, and the easier it will be to get the ball in the air. I really liked how they felt in the swing and think Wilson have done a great job building a set that will really help golfers.
There are a few challenges golfers are going to have with these irons. The first is that you can see a lot of the club behind the face, which won’t suit the eye of everyone.
The second is that having a bag full of hybrid-looking irons may bruise a player’s ego. Now, I don’t think this should be an issue as better performance is better performance regardless of what they look like, but I am aware this is a factor for some players.
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Thirdly the wedges are huge and don’t provide much feel compared to a smaller-headed club. This might put off the mid to low handicappers but shouldn’t bother a high handicapper or a new player, as you don’t need a club that provides feel if you cant strike the ball consistently in the first place.
I won’t be putting these in my bag, but I have no problem recommending them to other golfers. The ability to get the ball in the air practically every time and moving towards the hole is exactly what loads of higher handicap golfers need and if you can get past how big these irons are, they will definitely improve your scores.
Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons review: The Details
Available: Now
RRP: 5-PW steel £549 – 5-PW graphite – £599
Shaft: UST Recoil graphite – A, R KBS Tour 80 steel – R, S
Jack Backhouse NCG Review Team Specialism: Golf clubs
Jack is a PGA Golf Professional who specialises in coaching. He also loves his golf equipment and getting into the data of the latest clubs on the market. Jack has quickly become a go-to for expertise on a wide range of golf products but specialises in reviewing hardware. If you are looking for some new golf clubs make sure you have checked out his latest driver, fairway wood or iron reviews. He previously worked in wealth management, all of this means that number crunching and launch monitors are his favourite thing in the world. Jack is a member at Sandmoor Golf Club and regularly gets out on the golf course to maintain his scratch handicap.
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