Wilson Staff D200 iron review

WATCH: Wilson Staff D200 iron review

READ: Game Improvement Irons 2015 Test

Brand: Wilson Staff

Model: D200

Category: Game improvement

RRP: £349

Loft: 27-degree

Length: 38”

Shaft: True Temper SL 85

Grip: Wilson Staff Tour Traction

Key Features

• Speed Sole Technology - a thin face-to-sole transition creates a driver-like 234 CT ("characteristic time", measuring elasticity of the clubface) and an average ball speed increase of more than 2mph compared with the D100
• Weight Pods - heel and toe weights provide a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness

Looks

Wilson maintains its heritage of classic blade shapes in this maximum game-improvement club. Two testers did not appreciate the thickness of the sole and overall chunky looks. Tester's comment: "Good combination of well-hidden technology with an attractive finish." 

Feel

Nice, pleasantly soft feel on centre hits. Lightweight shaft and head felt well-balanced and easy to control through impact. Sound at impact felt much more "clicky" than the D100, however, and that affected its score. Tester's comment: "The SL 85 shaft felt like it aided a higher flight than some of the others."

Performance

Solid firepower with the new Speed Sole Technology, particularly up against the D100 of last year, but the added weight pods did little to improve accuracy. A big sweetspot ensured a real ease of launch and good forgiveness for the majority. Tough to work both ways. Tester's comment: "Solid rather than spectacular."

Verdict

If you are not willing to splash the big cash on a new game-improvement iron but want something that provides added distance, good forgiveness and is slightly larger in size to look down on at address, the Wilson Staff D200 is well worth a look at this season, particularly given it is half the price of some of the leading contenders in our 2015 Game Improvement Irons Test.