Wilson D7 vs. TaylorMade M4 irons: The technology
So I’ve already touched on the strong lofts but what else do these irons do to help you hit it further?
The D7 have Wilson’s ‘power hole’ technology in the sole to help add more ball speed off the face.
There are more of them as you go up into the longer irons where people tend to need a little bit more help.
The TaylorMade M4 have a speed pocket in the sole, face slots and their ‘rib cor’ design to reduce vibrations and improve the sound and feel.
Both irons have incredibly thin faces which are designed to flex on impact and they both have carbon badges behind the face to help reduce vibrations.
I tested both these irons out using a lightweight KBS shaft in stiff flex.
That’s enough about what they are supposed to do, find out which performed best on the next page…
Wilson D7 vs. TaylorMade M4 irons: The results
I have been very impressed with the Wilson D7 because they seem like such a massive improvement on the D300 range they are replacing.
They look, sound and feel better and seem to produce better launch monitor numbers.
I can’t say I have ever been a huge fan of the way the TaylorMade M4 irons look sound or feel but the performance has always impressed.
So let’s take a look at how these two irons performed on the launch monitor side-by-side.
These are some numbers from hitting 6-irons in both models:
I think it’s fair to say there is not a huge amount of difference between both clubs.
Ball speed, spin and distance are all pretty similar.
The biggest difference here was the TaylorMade M4 was launching quite a bit higher than the D7.
And that’s really important when it comes to these strong-lofted distance irons.
You need the ball to be coming into the green from a fairly steep descent angle to make sure it stays on the green.
And the TaylorMade M4 definitely seemed to be ticking that box. The Wilson D7 wasn’t quite getting as high as I would have liked.
However the difference between the carry and the total distance numbers was still very similar so I’m not saying the Wilson D7 will be running through the back of the green.
It just seemed to me that the TaylorMade M4 was delivering a bit more on it’s promise of launching nice and high to compensate for the very strong lofts.
When it comes to looks, sound and feel I think the Wilson D7 comes out on top.
Wilson D7 vs. TaylorMade M4 irons: NCG verdict
I think there are pros and cons for both models here.
The launch monitor numbers suggest the TaylorMade M4 is performing a bit better.
But the D7 were actually a bit more pleasing to look at and hit.
You also have to take into account the price of the Wilson D7 which is very reasonable indeed.
I think the fact Wilson can bring out an iron that looks, sounds and performs as good as this almost highlights the inflated prices of some of the so-called bigger brands.
It goes to show that the golf club industry is no difference to the car or fashion world.
You’re often paying for the name rather than paying for a superior product. There’s also a fair bit of snobbery involved.
The bigger companies know that there is a lot of brand loyalty among consumers and that probably allows them to charge a bit more than they probably should.
But if you’re simply after a product that’s going to get the job done really well without breaking the bank, then there is product out there which fits that bill.
