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Wilson Staff FG-59 Iron Review

Published

16 years ago

on

By: Brett Bowser GolfWRX.com writer

The opportunity to test drive and old friend, the Wilson Staff FG-59 irons. My initial thrilled reaction was one based on a love for my Wilson FG-17’s that I used through most of the 1970’s and early ‘80’s. Assuming Wilson would have no reason to re-introduce a (small market) players club other than to recapture the days of Sam Snead and Johnny Miller, I was fairly confident that these clubs were engineered to put Wilson back in the hands of better golfers worldwide.

This particular set contained 3 iron through Pitching Wedge and were set up with a Dynamic Gold S300 shaft and Lamkin Grips. Pretty enough for wall hanging, I added them to a bag that was previously filled with Ping Eye 2 irons for the last quarter century. As an accomplished player with a decent golf resume I joined the Ping Eye 2 hype in the early ‘80’s and have played with them ever since. I tinkered with other irons over the years and even had my Wilson FG-17’s “refinished” and spent some “meaningful” time on the range trying to rekindle some sort of lost magic. The Dynamic X300 shafts that were in the FG-17’s were just too much for this old dog so I found myself with a hybrid bag of Ping Eye 2 (2-6 iron) and Wilson FG-17 (7 iron – SW).

3 iron pictures-

 

 

The classic look of this Wilson FG-59 blade is awesome. To most golfers the heads probably seem smaller than the ball they are addressing, but to a ball shaper, they look much like finely tuned symphony instruments. The weight distribution from head to hand appears to be better that the FG-17 generation iron, thus I was able to strike the iron from the rough with the similar authority as a perfect fairway lie. The ability to hit shots from poor lies was the number one reason why those old Pings were in my bag for so long. Now, with the way the weight reacts with my club head speed I am not only able to strike solid irons from a poorer lie, but the distance control is becoming uncanny. Being a “cold state player” (Michigan) I worried in the early 2009 months that cold temperatures, and my winter playing rust, would not allow me to evaluate the FG-59’s fairly. Certainly the ball flew shorter in colder weather, but now that our temperatures have warmed considerably I feel this is the best time to assess the remaining characteristics of these irons. 

I have now been using these irons for the last 3 months which would include about one month thus far of “competitive” golf. At 46 years old much of my competitive golf years are likely behind me, but with these Wilson FG-59’s, I recently qualified for our State Amateur Championship by hitting 13 greens in a row when I needed it most. The confidence grew with each iron shot and the response to distance was fantastic under pressure. The set-up to the eye is great. The top line is thin, yet solid, and this updated sole grind is creating a divot path that makes me wonder if I can shave with them following golf.

I have always been a “feel player” and never let “specs” tell me how a particular club strikes the ball. The weight balance throughout the set is outstanding. The response, or personal feedback, is also excellent. The ability to strike “half swings” like that of a full swing is really the most exciting part of this set. “Punch out shot’s are coming out low with clubs like 4 or 5 iron, but are still being stuck solidly at lesser required distances though design. To me this should be your number one sales point. Chipping with irons like 7, 8, or 9 iron provides a great little “check” and allows for a putter like feel too.

Pitching wedge pictures-


 

No doubt the excellent response comes from the soft characteristic of the steel used. That being said this set has already suffered its share of nicks on dings on the soles from playing, and back face of the clubs are showing dings from “bag rattle”. As a guy who likes the beauty of the club I have figured out how to strategically thread a towel through the set to reduce this unfortunate wear and tear.

The (minimal) offset which is obviously less than my Ping Eye 2 irons, has settled into my mind, and could likely be the reason for my much tighter divots. Considering center of gravity, I can only assume it has been moved for optimum interface with the ground and ball. The ball flight, because of this condition, appears to be more piercing than that of either my Ping irons or even that of the FG-17 model.

As an Automotive Designer when I’m not golfing, I feel qualified to discuss the stampings applied to the club. I love the retro looking stamped W/S logo in scarlet and black. The “tour blade” text does look very sexy and gives you the professional look, but the text “forged”, why? Obviously they are forged, and stating the obvious, is not what I would do to the better players who may consider purchasing this club. I would not have cluttered up the back face surface with that text.

I also know that most manufactures have gone away from a “matching” lofted (sand) wedges, however I would love to see a matching lofted wedge, and even a 2 iron, which one could add to the 3-PW set. With these irons you reduce the need for a hybrid woods anyway. From a guy that still like to hit it, bring back the 2 iron!

Congratulations on producing an iron that delivered enough confidence to replace clubs that many of my friends thought would go in the ground with me.

3,7 and PW pictures-

 

 

 

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6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Maw

    Sep 29, 2009 at 5:41 am

    Just bought myself a almost perfect set of FG-17s. Every golfer should try these wonderfull irons out. They are just soo nice and soft. Feling is just suberb. I used to play the Fi5s and before that The Staff Progressive.

    The FG-17s are just the best set I havew ever had. If the FG-59s is just half what my olf FG-17 is ….. Well I better try the 59s out 😀

    //Maw

    Reply Report comment

  2. Robert Bernard

    Aug 20, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    As a Mizuno MP14, Snake Eyes Tour Blades, Wilson Bullet Bullet Back, Ben Hogan Medalion, Max Fli Australian Blade, player I thought these clubs were not only “sexy as hell” but felt incredible. In a world where buying a game has become expected, I am proud Wilson has represented the “Player” so well. These will be in my bag. Thank you Wilson!

    Reply Report comment

  3. Craig A. W

    Jul 31, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    I have played with the Fg-17’s for over twenty years, but not on a regular basis. When I have used oversized heads and cavity backed irons I have never played well. I want to purchase the Fg-59’s since i am so use to them. Good choice for a 18 hadicapper?

    Reply Report comment

  4. J.Jarwurst

    Jul 24, 2009 at 2:36 am

    Hi

    I have a set of those clubs also. WS fg 59 is my first set Blades. I made the decision to buy them after trying them once on the driving range. I wonder why people say that blades are too hard to hit and nowadays none should play with such oldish and nonforgiving clubs. Maby that is because they have never tried these clubs. After all jet the most of tour players still plays with blades.

    Reply Report comment

  5. blafayette

    Jul 22, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    Those are so nice. I have been looking forward to a review on these irons for quite a while now.

    Reply Report comment

  6. Yoshiod9

    Jul 22, 2009 at 12:55 am

    those are gorgeous!

    Reply Report comment

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Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

Published

3 weeks ago

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Aug 4, 2025

By

I’m going to gush in this intro paragraph, to get the emo stuff done early. I’ve not pulled harder for a professional to win, than Cameron Young. I coach golf in New York state, and each spring, my best golfers head to a state championship in Poughkeepsie. I first saw Cameron there as a 9th grade student. I saw him three more times after that. I reconnecected with Coach Haas from Wake Forest, an old interview subject from my days on the Old Gold and Black, the Wake newspaper. He was there to watch Cameron. After four years at Wake Forest, Young won on the Korn Ferry Tour, made it to the big tour, almost won two majors, almost won five other events, and finally got the chalice about 25 minutes from the Wake campus. Congratulations, Cameron. You truly are a glass of the finest. #MotherSoDear

OK, let’s move on to the Tour Rundown. The major championship season closed this week in Wales, with the Women’s Open championship. The PGA Tour bounced through Greensboror, N.C., while the PGA Tour Americas hit TO (aka, Toronto) for a long-winded event. The Korn Ferry lads made a stop in Utah, one of just two events for that tour in August. The many-events, golf season is winding down, as we ease from summer toward fall in the northern hemisphere. Let’s bask in the glory of an August sunrise, and run down a quartet of events from the first weekend of the eighth month.

LET/LPGA @ Women’s Open: Miyu bends, but she doesn’t break

Royal Porthcawl was not a known commodity in the major tournament community. The Welsh links had served as host to men’s senior opens, men’s amateurs, and Curtis and Walker Cups in prior years, but never an Open championship for the women or the men. The last-kept secret in UK golf was revealed once again to the world this week, as the best female golfers took to the sandy stage.

Mao Saigo, Grace Kim, Maja Stark, and Minjee Lee hoped to add a second major title to previous wins this season, but only Lee was able to finish inside the top ten. The 2025 playing of the Women’s Open gave us a new-faces gallery from day one. The Kordas and Thitikulls were nowhere to be found, and it was the Mayashitas, Katsus, and Lim Kims that secured the Cymru spotlight. The first round lead was held at 67 by two golfers. One of them battled to the end, while the other posted 81 on day two, and missed the cut. Sitting one shot behind was Miyu Yamashita.

On day two, Yamashita posted the round of the tournament. Her 65 moved her to the front of the aisle, in just her fourth turn around a women’s Open championship. With the pre-event favorites drifting off pace, followers narrowed into two camps: those on the side of an underdog, and others hoping for a weekend charge from back in the pack. In the end, we had a bit of both.

On Saturday, Yamashita bent with 74 on Saturday, offering rays of hope to her pursuing pack. England’s Charley Hull made a run on Sunday closing within one shot before tailing off to a T2 finish with Minami Katsu. Katsu posted the other 65 of the week, on Saturday, but could not overtake her countrywoman, Yamashita. wunderkind Lottie Woad needed one round in the 60s to find her pace, but could only must close-to’s, ending on 284 and a tie with Minjee for eighth.

On Sunday, Yamashita put away the thoughts of Saturday’s struggles, with three-under 33 on the outward half. She closed in plus-one 37, but still won by two, for a first Major and LPGA title.

PGA Tour @ Wyndham: Young gathers first title near home

Cameron Young grew up along the Hudson river, above metro New York, but he also calls Winston-Salem home. He spent four years as a student and athlete at Wake Forest University, then embarked on tour. This week in Greensboro, after a bit of a break, Young opened with 63-62, and revved the engine of Is this the week once more. Runner-up finishes at the Open, the PGA, and a handful of PGA Tour events had followers wonder when the day would come.

On Saturday, Young continued his torrid pace with 65, giving him a five-shot advantage over his closest pursuer. Sunday saw the Scarborough native open with bogey, then reel off five consecutive birdies to remind folks that his time had, at last, arrived. Pars to the 16th, before two harmless bogeys coming home, made Young the 1000th winner of an official PGA Tour event (dating back to before there was a PGA Tour) throughout history. What’s next? I have a suspicion, but I’m not letting on. Mac Meissner closed with 66 to finish solo 2nd, while Mark Hubbard and Alex Noren tied for third.

Korn Ferry Tour @ Utah Championship: Are you Suri it’s Julian?

Who knows exactly when the flower will bloom? Julian Suri played a solid careet at Duke University, then paid his dues on the world’s minor tours for three years. He won twice on two tours in Europe, in 2017. Since then, the grind has continued for the journeyman from New York city. At age 34, Suri broke through in Beehive state, outlasting another grinder (Spencer Levin) and four others, by two shots.

Taylor Montgomery began the week with 62, then posted 64, then 68, and finally, 70. That final round was his undoing. He finished in that second-place tie, two back of the leader. Trace Crowe, Barend Botha, and Kensei Hirata made up the last of the almost quintet. As for Suri, his Sunday play was sublime. His nines were 32 and 31, with his only radar blip a bogey at ten. He closed in style with one final birdie, to double his winning margin. Hogan bloomed late…might Suri?

PGA Tour Americas @ Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates

Some tournament names run longer than others. This week in Toronto, at the Heathlands course at TPC Toronto, we might have seen the longest tournament title in recorded history. The OVOPBVCCBMA was a splendid affair. It saw three rounds of 62 on Thursday, but of those early risers, only Drew Goodman would stick around until the end. 64 was the low tally on day two, and two of those legionnaires managed to finish inside the top three at week’s end. Saturday brought a 63 from Patrick Newcomb, and he would follow with 64 on Sunday, to finish solo fourth.

Who, then, ended up winning the acronym of the year? It turns out that Carson Bacha had the right stuff in TeeOhhh. Bacha and Jay Card III posted 63 and 64, respectively, on day four, to tie for medalist honors at 23-under 261. Nathan Franks was one shot adrift, despite also closing with 63. If you didn’t go low on Sunday, it was about the check, not the championship.

Bacha and JC3 returned to the 18th hole twice in overtime. Card nearly chipped in from the thick stuff for birdie, while Bacha peeked and shoved a ten-feet attempt at the win. On the second go-round, Card was long with his approach, into the native grasses once more. He was unable to escape, and a routine par from the fairway was enough to earn the former Auburn golfers a first KFT title.

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Photos from the 2025 Wyndham Championship

Published

4 weeks ago

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Jul 29, 2025

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GolfWRX is live this week from the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, the Wyndham Championship.

Photos are flowing into the forums from Sedgefield Country Club, where we already have a GolfWRX spirit animal Adam Schenk WITB and plenty of putters for your viewing pleasure.

Check out links to all our photos below, which we’ll continue to update as more arrive.

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Published

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Kurt Kitayama just won his 2nd PGA Tour event at the 3M Open. Kurt is a Bridgestone staffer but with just the ball and bag. Here are the rest of the clubs he used to secure a win at the 2025 3M Open.

Driver: Titleist GT3 (11 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
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